The true story of Shannen Koostachin and the people of Attawapiskat First Nation, a Northern Cree community, who have been fighting for a new school since 1979 when a fuel spill contaminated their original school building. Shannen's fight took her all the way to Parliament Hill and was taken up by children around the world. Shannen’s dream continues today with the work of the Shannen's Dream organization and those everywhere who are fighting for the rights of Aboriginal children.
Praise & Recognition
This readable, inspiring story is thoroughly engaging. It’s both informative and politically rousing; even more precious than these qualities, perhaps, is its portrait of a Northern family and community.
The Toronto Star
Shannen was truly a young lady to be admired and emulated.
Good News Toronto
Janet Wilson has written a powerful account of the true story of one Aboriginal girl's fight for safe and comfortable schools for all children.
CM Magazine
The many non-fiction text features (photographs, captions, quotes, excerpts from newspaper articles, maps, diagrams, fact boxes, a timeline, glossary) plus a lively writing style make this an accessible book for a variety of young readers.
Canadian Teacher Magazine
In this fictionalized and well-written account of Shannen's quest for justice for Aboriginal schooling Janet Wilson gives voice to the issue.
Sal's Fiction Addiction
This book should be mandatory reading material for middle school students. It is a gentle introduction to the way in which Canada has failed to live up to its treaty obligations.
Another Step to Take blog
First Nation Communities Read 2012 - Winner
ForeWord Book of the Year Award 2011 - Short-listed
Janet Wilson is an author and fine artist. Her book, Shannen and the Dream for a School, was the winner of the First Nation Communities Read award in 2012, nominated for the Silver Birch Award from the Ontario Library Association 2013 and soon to be a TV movie. Her picture book, Our Earth: How kids are saving the planet, was the winner of the Science in Society Book Award, a finalist for the Silver Birch Express, and named a Smithsonian Notable Book for 2010. Janet lives in Eden Mills, Ontario, a community with a strong environmental focus that includes an initiative to be the first village in North America to go carbon neutral.
