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Children's Fiction Native Canadian

One Night

by (author) Melanie Florence

Publisher
James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers
Initial publish date
Sep 2015
Category
Native Canadian, Sexual Abuse, Bullying, Dating & Sex, Prejudice & Racism
Recommended Age
14 to 18
Recommended Grade
9 to 12
Recommended Reading age
7 to 10
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781459409859
    Publish Date
    Sep 2015
    List Price
    $12.99
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781459409835
    Publish Date
    Sep 2015
    List Price
    $9.95

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

Luna Begay is as studious and serious about her Aboriginal heritage as her sister, Issy, is outgoing and fun. When Issy convinces Luna to go with her to a party full of rich kids, Luna is surprised to end up talking with Jon, who is charming, sophisticated, and very good-looking. But the night turns bad when Jon drugs and rapes Luna.

Feeling guilty and ashamed that she will be perceived as an "Indian slut," Luna doesn't tell anyone and remains in denial until Issy figures out that Luna is pregnant. Knowing that her decisions will affect her parents and Issy as much as her own future, Luna has to work out how to deal with the consequences of that one night, and she has to do it fast.

About the author

MELANIE FLORENCE est une autrice primée d’origine crie et écossaise qui vit à Toronto, en Ontario. Elle a écrit Sans Nimâmâ, qui lui a valu le prix TD de littérature canadienne pour l’enfance et la jeunesse en 2016 ainsi que le prix Golden Oak de la Forêt de la lecture en 2017, et une nomination à titre de finaliste aux prix First Nations Communities READ, la même année. Son album Les mots volés a remporté le prix Ruth et Sylvia Schwartz de littérature jeunesse en 2018, en plus d’être finaliste au prix Marilyn Baillie. Parmi ses autres livres, on compte Righting Canada’s Wrongs: Residential Schools et les romans pour adolescents Just Lucky, He Who Dreams, The Missing, One Night et Rez Runaway. Elle a également coécrit Autumn Bird and the Runaway avec Richard Scrimger.

 

MELANIE FLORENCE is an award-winning writer of Cree and Scottish heritage based in Toronto, Ontario. She is the author of Missing Nimâmâ, which won the 2016 TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, the 2017 Forest of Reading Golden Oak Award and was a finalist for the 2017 First Nation Communities READ award. Her most recent picture book, Stolen Words, won the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award and was a finalist for the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award. Her other books include Righting Canada’s Wrongs: Residential Schools and the teen novels Just Lucky, He Who Dreams, The Missing, One Night, and Rez Runaway. Visit her at https://www.melanieflorence.com/.

Melanie Florence's profile page

Awards

  • Commended, Best Books for Kids & Teens -- Canadian Children's Book Centre

Editorial Reviews

"With Interesting characters and a fast moving plot, this book should appeal to both middle and high school girls. The subject matter is relevant and has many topics that could spark lively classroom discussions."

Educator

"A hi-lo title that reads like a Lifetime made-for-TV movie. An adequate choice for struggling readers."

School Library Journal

"This book handled some tough subjects very well for a book aimed primarily at young adults — it is not often that you can get a book that is easy to read that covers such topics as date rape, racism, bullying, teenage pregnancy and adoption well but I am glad to have read this one — the way that author has written it makes it flow very well."

NetGalley Reviewer

"Melanie Florence's young adult novel One Night is a powerful read for all readers. Written for reluctant readers it will be read by readers at all levels... The author explores many issues — sexual abuse, bullying, teenage pregnancy, adoption, and rape. Melanie Florence's well-written and compassionate novel does not disappoint."

Educator and NetGalley Reviewer

"As a niche book written for reluctant YA readers One Night actually packs quite a wallop, and is sure to appeal to teenage girls who may not have yet developed a reading habit. It is both topical and contemporary and reflects many of the issues in today's news."

Resource Links

"This book deals with some serious topics that are timely and are issues teens are facing. One Night touches on aspects of racism, stereotyping, bullying, drugs, rape, and Aboriginal heritage. It would be well-paired with some recent news articles or other non-fiction pieces on any of these topics."

CM Magazine

"...well-meaning addition to a genre in need of strong books."

Kirkus Reviews

"I adore Luna... She never begins to act out of character but she does grow throughout the novel ... Parents and other adults [are exactly as I would expect them to be. Realistically portrayed, they are at first shocked, then incredibly supportive of Luna. Her principal and teachers are understanding and concerned with her safety. I heaved a sigh of relief at this portrayal. I work at a public high school ... and I absolutely KNOW this is how it goes down there rather than the usual judgmental way portrayed in novels. (Although the students on the other hand can be brutal - also written in the novel.) Luna's parents were so fantastic. Concern for their daughter, getting her immediate medical care, discussing realistic options for after the baby is born, and supporting Luna the whole way are exactly how a parent SHOULD react. Writing adults as they are here could encourage girls to come forward about rape or pregnancy. THANK YOU MELANIE FLORENCE! ... The inclusion of so many contemporary issues (alcoholism, stereotyping, negative branding, rape, drinking, abortion, adoption, being roofied) makes it interesting and thought-provoking the whole way through."

Librarian

Other titles by

Les pensionnats indiens

Effets dévastateurs sur les peuples autochtones du Canada et appels à l’action de la Commission de vérité et réconciliation

by (author) Melanie Florence
translated by Nicole Laurendeau

Benjamin, au rythme du tonnerre

by (author) Melanie Florence
illustrated by Hawlii Pichette

Missing Nimâmâ

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illustrated by François Thisdale

Righting Canada's Wrongs Indigenous Studies Set

edited by Pamela Hickman
by (author) Melanie Florence, Frank James Tester, Krista Ulujuk Zawadski, Andrew Bomberry & Teresa Edwards

Lo Simpson Starts a Revolution

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The Other Side of Perfect

by (author) Melanie Florence & Richard Scrimger

Le jardin de Kaiah

by (author) Melanie Florence
illustrated by Karlene Harvey

Kaiah’s Garden

by (author) Melanie Florence
illustrated by Karlene Harvey

Benjamin's Thunderstorm

by (author) Melanie Florence
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Righting Canada's Wrongs 10 volume set

10 volume set + free resource guide

by (author) Pamela Hickman, Arlene Chan, Rona Arato, Gloria Ann Wesley, Jean Smith Cavalluzzo, Melanie Florence, Ken Setterington, Frank James Tester, Krista Ulujuk Zawadski, Andrew Bomberry & Teresa Edwards
illustrated by Masako Fukawa
contributions by Lindsay Gibson, Ilan Danjoux & Roland Case