I Am Not a Number

I Am Not a Number tells the true story of Irene Couchie Dupuis, a young Indigenous girl who was taken from her family to attend residential school in 1928 Canada. Based on the experiences of co-author Jenny Kay Dupuis's grandmother, the narrative follows eight-year-old Irene as she is forced to leave her home on Nipissing First Nation. The book documents Irene's year at residential school, where she and other Indigenous children face harsh treatment and are stripped of their names, culture, and identity. Through straightforward prose and illustrations by Gillian Newland, readers witness the institutional attempts to erase Indigenous heritage and replace it with Euro-Canadian customs and beliefs. This personal account of Canada's residential school system exposes a dark chapter in history while highlighting themes of cultural survival, family bonds, and human dignity. The story serves as both a historical record and a reminder of Indigenous resilience in the face of systematic oppression.

Readers appreciate this book's honest portrayal of residential schools through a child's perspective, based on the true story of the author's grandmother. Many parents and teachers use it to introduce this difficult topic to children ages 7-12. Readers highlight: - Age-appropriate handling of serious subject matter - Powerful illustrations that convey emotion - Including both Indigenous language and English text - Historical photos and context in back matter Common criticisms: - Some find it too intense for young children - A few mention the abrupt ending - Questions about whether the art style fits the serious topic Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (881 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (267 ratings) "This book opened up important conversations with my students" appears frequently in teacher reviews. Several Indigenous readers note it reflects their family members' experiences accurately. Multiple reviewers suggest reading it with an adult to process the emotional content.

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✦ The book is based on co-author Jenny Kay Dupuis's grandmother, Irene Couchie Dupuis, who was taken to a residential school in Canada at age eight along with her brothers in 1928. ✦ The Spanish Influenza epidemic of 1918-1919 killed many Indigenous children in residential schools, where poor living conditions and inadequate medical care made the disease especially deadly. ✦ Students at residential schools were given numbers instead of using their names - Irene's number was 759 - as part of the system's attempt to strip away their cultural identity. ✦ The last Canadian residential school didn't close until 1996, and an estimated 150,000 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children were forced to attend these schools between the 1870s and 1990s. ✦ Author Jenny Kay Dupuis is a member of Nipissing First Nation and works as an education researcher, focusing on Indigenous education and the importance of bringing Indigenous perspectives into Canadian schools.