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The Boy Kelsey
by Alfred Silver
Winnipeg: Great Plains
Teen Fiction, 2009, ISBN 978-1-894283-89-2, 189 pp., $14.95 paper.
The Boy Kelsey by Alfred Silver (originally from the prairies but now living in Nova Scotia) is an historical novel for teen readers, but adults interested in early Canadian history will probably enjoy it too. It tells the story of approximately two years in the life of Henry Kelsey, the young explorer sent out by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1690, to explore the wilderness, inland from Hudson's Bay. The Company hoped that Kelsey could persuade the native tribes who lived farther inland to bring their furs to York Factory on Hudson's Bay to increase their trade. His skill in learning languages, and his interest in the natives of the area led the governor to choose Kelsey, only in his teens, to attempt this task. Kelsey's adventures along the way include canoeing up and down several rivers; saving a young Cree woman named Meyokwaiwin (Meyo) from a pair of grizzly bears; being left behind by the Indians who were acting as his guides; overwintering in the interior; taking part in a dangerous buffalo hunt--on foot; and travelling as far inland as present-day Saskatchewan.The story is told from two viewpoints: that of Kelsey, whom the natives call Misstopashish, meaning "Little Giant," because of his skill in shooting the charging bears; and of Meyo who, in return for Kelsey's saving her life, returns to help him when he is deserted by his guides, and becomes his companion and later his "wife." The two viewpoints make an interesting contrast because we get Kelsey's view of new sights, such as the vast rolling grasslands stretching off to the horizon, and his understanding of the various native customs, which he sometimes misinterprets. For instance, on one occasion he passes a pipe around the circle without smoking it, which amuses the others. Only later does he learn that if an Indian does this, it signifies that his wife is pregnant or else that he has been with a woman the night before.
We also get Meyo's viewpoint of items from the white world. She is amazed by "a miraculous, big black pot that could actually be sat right onto a fire with no worries" (25). She is interested in the hardtack Kelsey has brought with him to eat, by the spade he uses for digging, which she sees as a "wide-headed spear," and by the lead gunshot he makes for his musket.
The author uses a relaxed, easily read style, writing in an almost folksy manner. Occasionally this doesn't ring true, for example when, as a dangerous windstorm overtakes the young couple, Meyo tells Kelsey to "Shut-up and hurry." Alfred Silver is a well-known author of historical novels for adults. This book expands his audience to teenagers, with adventures and a little romance to interest them, and plenty of historical information and social customs worked into the story. He concludes with a note outlining what sections of the novel are historical and what parts have been fictionalized. I'd also have liked a small map.
Donna Gamache is the author of Spruce Woods Adventure (Compascore Manitoba) as well as many short stories for both children and adults.
Buy this book at McNally-Robinson Booksellers.