The Journey of the Shadow Bairns

by Margaret J. Anderson

When her parents die suddenly leaving only a little money and one-way passages to Canada, a young Scottish girl decides she and her four-year-old brother will pursue family plans to relocate without telling the authorities.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens

Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Jatina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this story as a young girl and it always stuck with me. I have often wanted to read it again and share it with my own children, but I couldn't remember the title. So imagine my joy to see it laying on the $0.25 children's table at our library book sale! I devoured it in two sittings and it did not disappoint. Through a plot of twists and turns and obstacles, our main character uses her darn-the-torpedos spirit to help her brother survive, by imagining they are playing a game. What fun to revisit this childhood favorite!

[Haaike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Na een overdosis vakliteratuur was dit boek, een van mijn favorieten als kind (dat emigreren zit er blijkbaar al langer in dan ik dacht ;-) ), exact wat ik nodig had: heerlijk ontspannend, vlot leesbaar en pure nostalgie.

[Bo]

An enjoyable read. Not your typical plot. Gives a small glimpse into those that ventured to Canada to begin homesteading. Takes place in the early 1900's.

Sad at times, but it has a good resolution in the end. The main character at times lies, although she was struggling to know whom she could trust. She also does some a couple things that in our era would be considered foolish and dangerous, but they are plausible to the time period.

Overall, a good book, and one I will keep to share with my grandchildren.

[Mande Garrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story shows strength, courage and love. Two children who had lost both parents at a young age and running from government officials from separating them to crossing the ocean to Canada; only to be separated after all. But 2 to 3 months after Elspeth healed and worked at a hotel she was offered a family and to finally finding her brother. Ended very sweetly with the children having a new home with new folks, etc etc.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe I had never read this book by one of my favorite authors

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Op één avond herlezen na goed 25j, fijne nostalgie.

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Terrific read about a life changing journey!

[Amy Presant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Childhood fave for my assignment. Still an epic read 30 years later 😂

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tried to read this two or three times as an older child/young teen, and could just never get into it. I just now read it in its entirety and really enjoyed it. It's a very powerful story of what determination and resourcefulness can accomplish. The one parent alert is that the young girl does quite a bit of lying because she doesn't know who to trust.

[Sir.Lee.Libros · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sin duda alguna, este ha sido uno de los libros mas tristes que he leido. Pero me hizo apreciar más de lo que tengo y de la vida por lo que me encantó este libro. Quiero leer más libros como este. Otra de las cosas que me encantó de este libro es que la mitad del libro está ambientada en mi país favorito que es Escocia. Por lo que amo este libro.

[Partridge Public]

Anderson, Margaret J.

[Alejandra Toledo · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sad 😭😭😭

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful story as usual. Tells of the experiences of two child evacuees in WW@.