Boxcar Kid

A great read. The story of the early B.C. lumber mills come to life with the arrival of laborers from Quebec. Young Luc and his family are among those who arrive and find there is no housing available. They quickly adapt and four families move into a boxcar for shelter from the rain. Luc's knowledge of English is the key to connecting the French lumbermen from Quebec and the English speaking manager's of the mill. Norma Charles helps us see the rain, mud and hardships through the eyes of Luc, a boy who inspires us with his ernest to do the right thing but gets caught up in a number of boyish mishaps. Norma Charles skillfully gives us a history lesson without us even knowing it and teaches us a few words of French along the way.