April Raintree Reader LettersAJ: “Your book, April Raintree, touched my heart because most of my life I have moved from foster home to foster home.” From a good Friend: I didn’t stay in one place for long. I went through about five different foster homes. I hope you have fun writing your next book. I also think that you write the best book in the world.” 
Brenda: “I’ve been in two different kinds of foster homes. You see, the story reminds me of my real family. I know exactly how it feels to be put down. Cause ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been put down a lot.”Cecil: “I am very proud to be Native. I hope that everyone in this world is proud of what they are.” Ms. Puley and the Grade 9 students: “ The grade 9 class just finished reading your book, April Raintree, as a whole class exercise. We are writing to you today to let you know how much we appreciated, enjoyed and connected to your heartfelt story about April and Cheryl. The students in our class are all from Haida ancestry. Even though your book was based in Manitoba and its characters were Metis, our experiences as a First Nations community are very similar. The class thanks you very much. Each time we read your story in class, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Thank you very much for sharing such a powerful novel.” Shannon: “I have recently finished reading April Raintree in class. I decided to write to you to tell you how much of an impact it had on me, and others. One part of your novel that really moved me was the description of the treatment in the foster homes. It is hard to believe that some children actually have to live in such circumstances as abusive homes. I thought you did a wonderful job explaining and expressing the feelings and emotions of the characters. I read a bit more about you and thought your life resembled the book in some parts. That might be why the book is so real and exciting, because it was written by someone who has had first hand knowledge with such issues.” Wayne: “My class was grateful for your presentation and traveling from Toronto to come and talk to us. By the way, April Raintree was one of the best books I’ve read. I was wondering if you liked Desmarais. My whole class wants to thank you for your time. It was fun to have you with us. Thank you.” Greg: “I was delighted when you came to our school because I liked the books, April Raintree and Spirit of the White Bison. I was very interested to hear what you had to say about them. I was sorry to hear about your two sisters. You must be a very strong lady to go through that. I was wondering if you liked the baseball when you played for the Mistassiniy Hurricanes. I hope you come to our school again. Thank you.” Clayton: “I am writing to say thank you for coming to our school and telling us about your writing. I think you are a very good author because you write good stories about people and animals. I liked what you were saying and I paid very close attention to what you had to say. Did you like the game you played when you were here? You were playing against the Musko-Teek Muskoteers. I liked the game a lot because it was kind of funny. I am sorry but I have to go.” Patrick: “I am writing to you so I can express my feelings about your novel, April Raintree. I found your novel very interesting and emotionally involving. When I read this story I found it very real and I seemed to get myself very locked on to it. You have a way to capture your reader and by chapter 3, I was practically living it. In all, I loved your story and will always remember it.” Precious: “I just wanted to write to you to tell you I really liked your novel. It really got to me and I think that what you wrote was true for a lot of native people. The best part was when you wrote Cheryl’s speech about the white people coming to the native country. That part touched me the most. What I also like about the novel was that it was like watching a movie. It seemed so real that I felt like somebody was telling me the story face to face.” Lynn: “This was my very first book I’d ever read in my life. It was a great honour and a privilege to meet you in person. This novel kept my interest throughout my reading of the book (this was something I usually found hard to do before). After meeting you I thought about putting my poetry together in a book or even writing a short story. Thank you for giving me so much hope: I now have some goals I wish to achieve. Thanks again for such a great book and all your time.”
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