- Paperback: 88 pages
- Publisher: Fitzhenry & Whiteside; 1 edition (Nov 8 2008)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1554550017
- ISBN-13: 978-1554550012
- Product Dimensions: 17.8 x 17.8 x 0.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 204 g
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#88,440 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #55 in Books > Children's Books > Issues > Prejudice & Racism
- #78 in Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Canada
- #91 in Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Family Life > Orphans & Foster Homes
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Details |
Product Description
Review
"Call Me Aram is a good choice for spearheading discussions about the trials of new Canadians. The book provides a realistic portrayal of the homesickness, difficulties with language and other problems faced by displaced immigrants. The theme of maintaining a cultural identity, even when harboured by well-meaning sponsors, is explored. As in Aram's Choice, Muriel Wood's luminous illustrations help to clarify the text.
Recommended"
-- CM Magazine
Recommended"
-- CM Magazine
"Skrypuch's tale is an affecting one, made even more so by artist Woods's limpid paintings of the bucolic Canadian farmland."
-- The Globe and Mail
"The full-color paintings have an unsophisticated quality that suits the descriptions of children in a bucolic setting. While this book stands alone, it will have greater impact if read along with the earlier title (Aram's Choice)."
-- School Library Journal
"Based on historical fact, this story is powerful in teaching readers today of history, cross-cultural understanding, and charity. That which the boys find strange - ice boxes, wood stoves, porridge with cream - today's reader might easily find equally unfamiliar. Skrypuch's narrative voice, in explaining how Aram's culture differs from Canada, also reveals how 1923 Canada differs from our world today. There are many learning opportunities in this text; the depth to which the issues can be explored can be tailored to the age and maturity of the reading audience. The addition of the glossary and historical notes lends validity to the text, rendering it not only a beautiful tale, but an inspiring part of our national history.
Rating: E - Excellent"
-- Resource Links
"Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch, an accomplished and prize-winning novelist, has written an inspired novel for young readers about the consequences of the Armenian genocide. . . She does meticulous research and pays close attention to accuracy of historical detail. . . Murial Wood's illustrations add a powerful visual dimension to the story. . . Call Me Aram is a powerful novel based on firsthand accounts of actual historical events which will appeal to young readers and adults."
-- Curled up with a good kids book
Product Description
Ontario Library Association's Golden Oak Award nominee 2010
OLA's Silver Birch Express nominee 2010
Aram Davidian, like his fellow orphaned Armenian refugees, is delighted with his new home on a farm in Georgetown, Ontario. But despite the excitement his new surroundings, Aram worries about his young friend Mgerdich, who was injured on the long trip to Canada and is recovering in France. And what is more worrying is that he and the other boys have been assigned new English names. How will their extended families find them one day if all the boys have new identities? Even when their translator assures them that their hosts want only the best for the boys, Aram cannot accept the name David Adams. When Mgerdich finally arrives at the farm, a relieved Aram finds the courage to lead the boys in a gentle revolt. Together, they must find a way to convince the Canadians adults that the boys, as grateful as they are for their new lives, they cannot forget their old ones. They must keep their names.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Wonderful Children's Story Abourt the Armenian Genocide!,
By Jaden Winfree (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Call Me Aram (Paperback)
This book is the sequal to "Aram's Choice". Like its predecessor, it is a well-written and beautifully illustrated children's chapter book about the Armenian genocide, which took place in Turkey. The chapter book describes some of Canada's history in relation to this horrific event. I am of neither Armenian or Turkish decent, but appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the complexities of genocide and the historical role Canadians played in aiding Armenian Turks during these difficult times. This simple chapter book gives a human face to an aspect of human history, which needs to be remembered - in the hope that it never happens again to any member of the human race. And I believe it will help remind the reader that there is always hope in the darkest of times. This book eloquently provides information about some "very heavy subject matter" in a "child-friendly" way. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in helping children to learn more about some of the social issues that have plagued and continue to plague all of humanity.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A New Life,
By
This review is from: Call Me Aram (Paperback)
Call Me Aram picks up where Aram's Choice left off, with Aram Davidian and the other Armenian refugees arriving in Canada. Marsha Skrypuch tells the story of their adjustment to life in a new world in the real setting of the farm that was once home to the actual refugees, later known as the Georgetown Boys. One can feel the loneliness and anxiety of these children who, despite being well-received, must face a world where everything is new and different - and the hearts that opened wide enough to do what was necessary to help make their new land home for them. A beautiful story, gently and faithfully told!
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.5 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)
5.0 out of 5 stars
Aram Again,
By K. Coombs - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Call Me Aram (Paperback)
Having read the first book, Aram's Choice, I was eager to find out what happened next. Now this group of Armenian orphan boys are living in Canada, where well-meaning community members try to help them but sometimes miss the mark--as when they assign the boys new English names. These are small books, but they pack a lot of punch, showing us what it would be like to lose your entire family and then have your life turned upside down again by traveling halfway around the world to a new land. (I do recommend that you read the two books together.) Once again, Skrypuch has given us a glimpse of a piece of history most of us are unaware of. By putting a face on orphan refugees in this historical setting, the author reminds us that the headlines we see in the news these days about refugees in war-torn countries are all too real.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful,
By Tina "Tina" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Call Me Aram (Paperback)
Call me Aram is a children's book, but more than that, it is a wonderful look into a part of Canadian history that has not gotten much attention in the past. Although I am Canadian, I actually knew very little about the Georgetown Boys. The Georgetown Boys were a group of orphans who were brought into to Canada, from the US in the 1920's after they managed to escape a Genocide in 1915.This true story takes a brave look at how difficult it was for these boys to adapt to a different culture - to learn new things and also to forget the old things - those things that must certainly have made a lasting impression on them. This book is not huge, but the storyline is extremely well done, the details are rich and the author has a way of telling the story that will keep older and newer readers engaged. I also must comment on the beautiful drawings in this book - vivid colors, great attention to detail which adds immensely to an already rich book. This is a great read for readers of all age. |
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