The Death of My Country: The Plains of Abraham Diary of Geneviève Aubuchon

Deborah Dowson is a Canadian children’s librarian living in Harvard,
Massachusetts.

A French couple from Quebec City adopts Geneviиve, an Abenaki girl, and
her older brother Chegual. Geneviиve feels very much at home in her
adopted culture, but her brother as he grows older chooses to return to
his people. It is 1759, and France and Britain are in a war over the
fate of New France. As the British Siege of Quebec intensifies, Chegual
tries to convince Geneviиve to join him for safety. Instead, she stays
in Quebec and experiences the fear and horror of war as she witnesses
the attacks. Geneviиve’s anger and hatred toward the British
intensifies when Chegual is injured and their best friend is killed in
battle. As penance for her hateful thoughts, she is made to administer
to an injured Scotsman. Their interaction teaches her that she has much
in common with her “enemy,” and that both sides committed murder and
atrocities. As their friendship grows, so does her ability to find
peace.

This is a well-written and -researched account of the Battle of the
Plains of Abraham. The story, from the perspective of a young girl who
is connected to many of the players involved, is personal and
passionate. The author includes a very useful Historical Note that
summarizes events and compares points of fact with the fictionalized
version. She also includes a glossary of French and Abenaki terms and
several illustrations of scenes and people. Highly recommended.