Abigail's Wish

Ten-year-old Abigail and her family, Black Loyalists, have fled the U.S. following the American Revolution and settled in Nova Scotia. Life is hard for the new immigrants, but Spring has come and holds much hope, especially as Abigail’s aunt is about to have a new baby. Abigail has a simple wish – a new dress to wear to the baby’s celebration – but it is a big request and she may have to wait a very long time for a new dress. This book would be an engaging read-aloud for grades 2-5 for Language Arts and Social Studies, and introduces an important aspect of Canadian history. The detailed and realistic illustrations create a strong sense of time and place and help students understand the historical setting.