The Home Child Diary of Victoria Cope
Guelph, Ontario, 1897
by Jean Little
ISBN 0-439-98834-9 HC
224 pages
Ages 8-12
5 ½" x 7 5/8"
At the turn of the century, Dr. Thomas Barnardo, an English philanthropist, sought to give orphaned and abandoned children a second chance in the New World. These children — "Home Children" as they were called — came to work in Canada as farm labourers and domestic servants. Victoria Cope's family takes in a Home Child, a sad and quiet girl named Mary Anna. Victoria soon discovers the reason for Mary Anna's silence — she was separated from her younger brother. Victoria vows to help Mary Anna find her brother. As Victoria confides her hopes and fears to her "Dear Diary," she reveals herself as a born writer.
An Excerpt from Victoria's Diary
Saturday, May 29, 1897
So much happened today that I can never get it all written down at one go. My hand would drop off. But I’ll start.
We went and got our Home Girl. She is very small and shy. Her name is Mary Anna Wilson and she is twelve years old. She is smaller than I am and very thin.
But let me tell it like a story even if it does have to be true. If I read it in a book, I would be fascinated.
When we got to the station, there were just four children on the platform. Only one of them was a girl. A lady was sitting on a bench next to her. All four wore labels with their names written on them, and each of them had a trunk with his or her name on it. They were big, wooden ones with brass corners. They had nothing else, just one trunk and the clothes they wore on their backs.
The lady was the only one without luggage so I was not sure she was really with them. Father must have had the same thought.
“I am Dr. Alastair Cope," he said. “I was told to meet this train. Are you escorting these children, madam?"
The lady stood up and gave my father an annoyed glance. “We arrived almost an hour ago," she said frostily. “The two other girls I was escorting have already gone."
“I am sorry to have been unavoidably delayed," Father said, his voice cool but polite. “Hold the reins, Victoria."
He got down from the gig and reached out his hand to the lady. I gripped the reins, glad Bess was a calm horse. I could tell Father was displeased about something. He seemed to be studying the one girl waiting there. She had not looked at us or spoken a word.
“We need someone strong to help my wife," he told the woman. “That girl is nothing but a child. A sickly youngster wouldn’t be worth her keep."
The girl could not help but hear every word he spoke. I told myself she was only a Home Girl and they must be used to such things, but it was embarrassing for me. Father did not sound like himself. I knew, if I were her, each word would feel like the cut of a switch. She did not flinch, though, but stood still as stone.
“I can assure you, sir, that she is perfectly stout. We don’t place girls who are not well. You are fit as a fiddle, aren’t you, Mary Anna?"
The girl had her head ducked down so far we could just see the top of her hat. She mumbled something without raising her head.
“Look at me when you speak, child," Father said. “What’s your name?"
“My name is Mary Anna Wilson. I am strong and healthy," she said in a clear but dead voice. It sounded as though every word had been ironed flat. “I am twelve years of age."
“Are you a hard worker, Mary Anna?" Father asked her.
“Yes, sir," she said.
“If she does not suit your wife, write to us and we will move her," the woman said. “The smaller girls are tough and wiry, you know. Would you like a boy?"
“No, thank you, madam," Father said, smiling at last. “I have two boys. But one of your young fellows can hold the horse’s head while I get a few more particulars and give you whatever information you wish. Jump in behind Victoria, Mary. I will only be a minute."
A little boy with red hair poking out from under his cap was standing close to Mary Anna. The lady told him to take the bridle. He ran to Bess’s head.
As Father and the lady went into the waiting room the boy pushed his cap back and gazed up at Mary Anna. His bright hair hung in his eyes. The eyes themselves were enormous and bluer than blue.
I cannot write another word or my hand will drop off. Also, Mother called up to blow out my candle. More tomorrow, dear Diary. I know I am breaking off just when things are getting exciting, but you’ll just have to wait.
Sunday, May 30
There are so many pleasant things you are not allowed to do on the Sabbath, but writing in your diary is not one of them, thank fortune.
I’ll start in where I left off. The red-haired boy spoke to our Home Girl.
“You promised Ma you’d take care of me. Why can’t I come with you?" he asked.
He was speaking in a low voice, afraid of being caught, but every word was clear to me. I turned to look at the girl’s face. It looked frozen stiff and her eyes were like hard, green stones. She stared over his head.
“Is that your brother?" I asked.
She did not reply. She did not even glance my way.
“Jasper, don’t," she said. “You know I can’t do anything. As soon as I’m old enough, we’ll be together as I promised."
“Will we find Emily Rose too?" he asked in a soft hopeless voice, rubbing a hole in the dirt with his boot toe.
I heard her catch her breath, but before she could speak, Father was back. He had not been away as long as it would take to buy a sack of flour.
From Dear Canada: Orphan at My Door, copyright © 2001 by Jean Little.
"I really love this book! I wish Jean Little would write a sequel to this one! I would really love that, and I think others would too."
Michelle G., Age 12, Ontario, Rating: 10
"I thought this book was a great one! It's content was very interesting, and I really liked it. It shows how a home child would be at your home, and I thought that your book was really great. Reading it made me want to write one to!"
Mahaliah P., Age 9, Alberta, Rating: 10
"I absolutely love this book! It really grabs and tears at your heart, especially when Jasper is so sick he can barely recognize his own sister. The historical note was very intriguing. I liked the way that the author puts you in the shoes [or may I say in no shoes at all!] of a homeless child wanting a place to go to. Anyway, I love this book, and you don't even have to like history! "
Chloe C., Age 10, U.S.A., Rating: 10
"I just finished reading Orphan at my Door and it was simply amazing!!! It was very cool to see that someone like Victoria, who lived in the 1900s had the same thoughts as me about the world. Instead of watching TV, though, like we all do now, she kept a diary in her free time."
Jenya T., Age 12, Ontario, Rating: 10
"I thought it was an excellent book and would definitely read it again."
Alexandra B., Age 11, Rating: 10
"My daughter hated to read; the computer was her life, until now. She loves this book and now wants the whole series. I hope I can find them before Christmas. It would make a great gift. Thank you for showing her that reading is fun!"
Ann J., Age 41, New Brunswick, Rating: 10
"This was the first Dear Canada book I ever read, but it is one of my favourites. I have read it four times... I love this book."
Kelsey B., Age 11, Alberta, Rating: 10
"Orphan at my Door was my fave book so far. I just love it and was sad at some parts and really happy at others. It made my cry (I never cry at books). I will read this book again for sure!!"
Jilly B., Age 13, Ontario, Rating: 10
"This was the first dear Canada book I read. It is my favourite book. When I found out that A Season for Miracles has Marianna’s notebook and the story “A Home Girl’s Christmas,” I was the first in my whole class to read it. I love the characters Victoria and Marianna and Jasper and Rosie."
Aliyah G., Age 12, Ontario, Rating: 10
"I loved this book so much. I found it really sad that Jasper was treated so badly. I have read all of the Dear Canada books more than once and found this one the best book out of them all."
Ariel, Age 12, Ontario
"I really love this book! "
Victoria C., Age 12, Ontario, Rating: 10
"This book was spectacular! It explains how harsh it was for Home Boys and Girls, back then. I couldn't stop reading 'til I was done! It was that awesome!"
Hamdi M., Age 11, Ontario, Rating: 9
"This book was really outstanding. It exceeds any review you give. It's an amazing story, and I will read it to my kids when I have them. I love this book. It's worth every penny. Grab a copy. You'll be thankful you did."
Jaimie, Age 11, Ontario, Rating: 10
"This book is well written! Jean Little, you are now one of my favourite authors! Great job!"
Erika A., Age 12, Ontario, Rating: 9
"This book was amazing. It teaches you a lot about old Canada."
Joline B., Age 11, Ontario, Rating: 10
"Out of all the Dear Canada books, Orphan at My Door has to be one of my favourites. I have always loved Jean Little's writing ever since I was a little girl, and to have two Dear Canada books written by her is just fabulous. I call Dear Canada my 'comfort books,' along with other simpler, friendly books. When I'm sick or just upset, I'll pull out a Dear Canada book and lose myself into the past. I have all of them and eagerly await the newest ones. I started reading the Dear Canada books when I was twelve, and I have never looked back."
Amy W., Age 16, Manitoba, Rating: 10
"Beautiful . . .couldn’t put it down. The story keeps you reading about these children and what they went through."
Luna F., Age 13, Nova Scotia, Rating: 10
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