Title: Tragic Links
Author: Cathy Beveridge
Publisher: Ronsdale Press
Age Range: Children (9+)
Time Period: 1927
Location: Montreal, Quebec
“This time Jolene and her family find themselves in Quebec where her father is conducting research for his Museum of Disasters. Jolene is soon caught up in an old family feud and a new romantic friendship with Stephan, a boy her own age of Mohawk descent. When Jolene travels through a time crease back to Montreal in the 1920s, she meets her own personal look-alike. Despite Stephan’s warnings, Jolene is determined to get to know her double, a decision that ultimately endangers her when she is caught in a theatre fire. After a narrow escape, Jolene travels to Quebec City with her family and Stephan at the very moment of the Quebec Bridge collaps of 1907 and the tragic death of 75 steelworkers, many from the Mohawk nation. Through it all, Jolene discovers the powerful bonds of family and friends.”
This is the 4th book in Cathy Beveridge’s Canadian disasters series. After having barely survived their time travels in the last novel, Stormstruck, the family is now at their mother’s childhood home in Montreal before heading off to research some more Canadian disasters.
The story opens with Jolene oogling at a boy at the door – the son of an old family friend who is living next door while his family is away. There’s a lot of awkwardness, blushing, and mutual interest. I admit – this kind of irritated me at first. The introduction of a romantic interest for a 14 year old just didn’t seem necessary, but it brought in a new character and cultural connection for the rest of the story. I was also a little disappointed by the fact that Jolene also directly and knowingly disobeys her Grandfather’s previous and adamant directions to never go through the time creases alone. After the past experiences, you think she would have learnt something about the dangers that could happen.
Irregardless, these facts are an important part of the story, which not only explores the tragic events of the theatre fire in Montreal in 1927 and the bridge collapse of 1907, but also the growth of a young teen through a wide range of feelings, the desire and need for belonging, family, discovering one’s personal history, and even the first sprouts of romance. While each book in this series is centred around Joelle, I found this story much more introspective and focused the issues of growing up.
I was pleased to see the inclusion of a tragedy that involved the First Nations community and for Joelle to experience the discovery of First Nations beliefs through Stephan’s eyes. Joelle’s Grandfather, always the eloquent storyteller, brings to life the past with his words.
Ms. Beveridge does a terrific job of weaving everything together – history and family, friendship and romance, tragedy and how it changes things.
Note: Parts of this book are very “young love.” Awareness of close bodies, holding hands, a kiss, and hugs – as well as references to the boyfriend/girlfriend relationship.
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