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  • A Blanket of Butterflies by Richard Van Camp book cover
  • A Blanket of Butterflies by Richard Van Camp book cover
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A Blanket of Butterflies

by Richard Van Camp

A lost sword, two communities, and a shared history

$20.98 USD
$34.97 USD $20.98 USD
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AlbakiReads Editorial

A lost sword, two communities, and a shared history

Set in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, the story brings Sonny, a young Tłı̨chǫ Dene boy, into the search for a samurai sword and armour claimed by Shinobu. The quest connects a museum mystery and a lost family heirloom with the tensions surrounding Benny the Bank and the need to keep peace in the community. Sonny’s grandmother and a visitor from the spirit world join the unlikely alliance. This second edition is in full colour and adds background information on the story’s real-life inspiration, including the intersections between Indigenous and Japanese Canadian experiences during the Second World War.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Teens and young adults interested in Indigenous-centred fiction.
  • Readers interested in Japanese Canadian and Indigenous histories during the Second World War.
  • Readers who enjoy stories combining community conflict, a family heirloom, and a spirit-world visitor.

Themes

Indigenous and Japanese Canadian experiencesFamily heritage and honourCommunity and conflictCross-cultural connections

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

No one knows how a suit of samurai armour ended up in the Fort Smith museum. When a mysterious stranger turns up to claim it, Sonny, a young Tlı̨chǫ Dene boy, is eager to help.

Shinobu has travelled to Fort Smith, NWT, to reclaim his grandfather's samurai sword and armour. But when he discovers that the sword was lost in a poker game, he must confront the man known as Benny the Bank. Along the way, Shinobu must rely on unlikely heroes--Sonny, his grandmother, and a visitor from the spirit world. Together, they face Benny and his men, including the giant they call Flinch.

Will Shinobu be able to regain the lost sword and, with it, his family's honour? Can Sonny and his grandmother help Shinobu while keeping the peace in their community?

Now in full colour, this new edition includes additional background information and cultural context. Learn about the real-life inspiration behind the story and the intersections between Indigenous and Japanese Canadian experiences during the Second World War.

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In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

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Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

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