The Tenth Pupil

Set in a logging camp on Vancouver Island in 1934, the story follows eleven-year-old Trudy Paige, who enjoys her idyllic life until the government threatens to close her school due to low enrollment. The arrival of Shigi, a Japanese boy, as the tenth pupil brings joy to Trudy but also reveals the camp's underlying prejudice. As she navigates friendship and societal expectations, Trudy grapples with the choice between fitting in or standing up against discrimination. This historical novel explores themes of racism and community dynamics during a pivotal time in Canadian history.