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No Time to Say Goodbye
No Time to Say Goodbye is a fictional account of five children sent to aboriginal boarding school, based on the recollections of a number of Tsartlip First Nations people. These unforgettable children are taken by government agents from Tsartlip Day School to live at Kuper Island Residential School. The five are isolated on the small island and life becomes regimented by the strict school routine. They experience the pain of homesickness and confusion while trying to adjust to a world completely different from their own. Their lives are no longer organized by fishing, hunting and family, but by bells, line-ups and chores. In spite of the harsh realities of the residential school, the children find adventure in escape, challenge in competition, and camaraderie with their fellow students. Sometimes sad, sometimes funny, always engrossing, No Time to Say Goodbye is a story that readers of all ages won't soon forget.
175 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2001
9 people are currently reading
316 people want to read
About the author
Sylvia Olsen
24 books20 followersSylvia Olsen is a writer and public speaker living on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. She is the author of several picture books, a number of first readers and novels for young adults and one non fiction—so far. Most of all she is a mother and grandmother and aunty to dozens of nieces and nephews.
Sylvia has spent most of her life living in Tsartlip First Nation, where her children and grandchildren now live. Because Sylvia is non native and her children are of mixed heritage most of her stories are about the place—the time—the experience of where different sorts of people come together. That’s one of the things that interests her the most. It’s one of the things she knows the most about—and like many authors—Sylvia writes about what she knows.
Her newest books are: a historical fiction set in the Gulf Islands called Counting on Hope (Sono Nis, Fall 2009) and A Different Game (Orca Books, Spring 2010). She is currently working on an adult non fiction and dreaming up a new story for a Young Adult novel (making it up is her favourite part of the writing process).
Writing is Sylvia’s most important hobby. She also loves to draw, sew, knit and design clothing. Her ‘real’ job is in housing. Her career, her dedication and her passion are to make sure everyone has a healthy place to live.
Sylvia has spent most of her life living in Tsartlip First Nation, where her children and grandchildren now live. Because Sylvia is non native and her children are of mixed heritage most of her stories are about the place—the time—the experience of where different sorts of people come together. That’s one of the things that interests her the most. It’s one of the things she knows the most about—and like many authors—Sylvia writes about what she knows.
Her newest books are: a historical fiction set in the Gulf Islands called Counting on Hope (Sono Nis, Fall 2009) and A Different Game (Orca Books, Spring 2010). She is currently working on an adult non fiction and dreaming up a new story for a Young Adult novel (making it up is her favourite part of the writing process).
Writing is Sylvia’s most important hobby. She also loves to draw, sew, knit and design clothing. Her ‘real’ job is in housing. Her career, her dedication and her passion are to make sure everyone has a healthy place to live.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 11, 2017
Hmm...although I didn't think much of the writing here, I do think No Time to Say Goodbye, or a comparable book, should be required reading in Canadian schools. The book takes a shot at explaining what life was like for First Nations children pulled from their reservations and put in government boarding schools, which operated from the late 1800s up until the 1990s (similar schools existed in the States): officially, the purpose was to give them an education, but in practise, many of the schools served to 1) teach the children that being Aboriginal was bad and that they should basically repent their existence and 2) train them to cook and clean and prepare for menial jobs serving white Canadians.
I appreciate the variety of voices here, because each child in the book experiences the school differently, but I wish the book had covered more ground—a lot of what's covered is early experiences, when the kids first got to the school, and four of the five stories told are those of boys. What was the daily routine? How was life different when a child was seven versus when they were thirteen? How many kept their sense of self and how many were broken down over the months and years? What happened when they left?
Although I thought the balance here could have been better, it's still such an important and often overlooked part of Canadian history, and this would make for a straightforward read for kids.
I appreciate the variety of voices here, because each child in the book experiences the school differently, but I wish the book had covered more ground—a lot of what's covered is early experiences, when the kids first got to the school, and four of the five stories told are those of boys. What was the daily routine? How was life different when a child was seven versus when they were thirteen? How many kept their sense of self and how many were broken down over the months and years? What happened when they left?
Although I thought the balance here could have been better, it's still such an important and often overlooked part of Canadian history, and this would make for a straightforward read for kids.
September 13, 2015
This is a collection of 5 stories of children taken to the Kuper Island residential school from the Chemainus area. They were just collected from their day school and taken one day, hence the title of no time to say goodbye. While fictional children, the stories are based on true events. One story deals with sexual abuse and another with emotional abuse. Good for grade 5 as long as there was some pre-teaching.
July 9, 2021
I picked up this book to add to my class library for my grade 7 students, but also to use it as a teaching tool about residential schools. I would say, this is appropriate for grade 7 students to read, with support from an adult and discussions to dissect the content. There are many parts in the book where the kids exclaim that the 'school', "isn't that bad". I think this needs a seperate discussion to talk about what this means, what this says about the resiliency of these children, and about the absolute mental terrorism they went through to think the situation they are in "isn't that bad". There are parts of the stories where the kids wet their beds and their pants, and they are humiliated and embarrassed, as well as the student that is being sexually exploited by one of the priests. I don't think I would censor those parts out when taking on this content with 12/13 year olds, but we would have a class discussion about these things before, during and after reading.
The book itself is such a quick read because it is engrossing. The stories of the children piggy back off of each other, so you get these 5 different points of view, and each of the experiences is so different.
I actually think the ending of the book is important. It is important to hear that the children are resilient, have a will to keep fighting for themselves and are strong individuals. It is unfortunate that there are many children that never got the chance to get out of these residential "schools". But for a fictional account of the story, this is one that I am glad ended on a happier note.
The book itself is such a quick read because it is engrossing. The stories of the children piggy back off of each other, so you get these 5 different points of view, and each of the experiences is so different.
I actually think the ending of the book is important. It is important to hear that the children are resilient, have a will to keep fighting for themselves and are strong individuals. It is unfortunate that there are many children that never got the chance to get out of these residential "schools". But for a fictional account of the story, this is one that I am glad ended on a happier note.
January 20, 2019
An important book told with dignity and respect. The presence of individuals who experienced the events in every stage of the book’s production is fantastic. One to recommend to advanced readers.
January 21, 2023
Had to read it for school in Canada. A very good book with five stories in one book. I liked it a lot.
December 23, 2017
3.5 stars
April 18, 2017
I was specifically looking for books to put on a library reading list - teen materials that support Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission's recommendations, as well as appeal to non-indigenous people who might ask "why should it matter to me?" It's a tricky list to populate. And as a settler, who am I to judge others' stories? I have to rely on what I've learned so far, and library criteria like writing style and age-range appeal.
The intertwined stories were really well-told and well-written. The children are engaging, feisty, and there's a good balance of description and action. I particularly appreciate the way residential school's intergenerational component is addressed in the book, through parents' reactions to their children being taken away, and the visit to the Aunt and Uncle who are more explicit about their time there.
I have concerns around how many times characters say "oh, residential school wasn't that bad." It may be true that some survivors say that, but I felt that perhaps this was added to "not scare the children". This book was published before the TRC brought the genocidal aspects of residential school to light for all of Canada, and perhaps this is reflected in this way. I was also surprised that one character was sent home ill. None of the characters died, and there was no reference to graveyards at school. (Maybe there weren't any at Kuper?) The book does an excellent job of addressing the sexual abuse at residential school, however.
Also, the cover really, really, really does not help this book's case. (I'm using a different edition than is pictured and can't seem to add it. Look at the Kindle cover; it's the same.) The children are smiling, the girl is featured prominently even though the boys are the more developed characters... it looks old, and the art style makes it a harder sell to teens. The orange cover might have a better chance... I will see if our library has it.
Thank you to the survivors who shared their stories, that helped Sylvia Olsen craft this book.
The intertwined stories were really well-told and well-written. The children are engaging, feisty, and there's a good balance of description and action. I particularly appreciate the way residential school's intergenerational component is addressed in the book, through parents' reactions to their children being taken away, and the visit to the Aunt and Uncle who are more explicit about their time there.
I have concerns around how many times characters say "oh, residential school wasn't that bad." It may be true that some survivors say that, but I felt that perhaps this was added to "not scare the children". This book was published before the TRC brought the genocidal aspects of residential school to light for all of Canada, and perhaps this is reflected in this way. I was also surprised that one character was sent home ill. None of the characters died, and there was no reference to graveyards at school. (Maybe there weren't any at Kuper?) The book does an excellent job of addressing the sexual abuse at residential school, however.
Also, the cover really, really, really does not help this book's case. (I'm using a different edition than is pictured and can't seem to add it. Look at the Kindle cover; it's the same.) The children are smiling, the girl is featured prominently even though the boys are the more developed characters... it looks old, and the art style makes it a harder sell to teens. The orange cover might have a better chance... I will see if our library has it.
Thank you to the survivors who shared their stories, that helped Sylvia Olsen craft this book.
November 4, 2016
This book is in a recommended reading list for Aboriginal Resources for young people. I decided that I would read all the books in the list -- for my own interest and simply to take a look at the reading information available to young readers.
"No Time to Say Goodbye" is a work of fiction, but it is based on the recollections of a number of Tsartlip First Nations people. The reader follows five young children taken from the Tsartlip Day School to live at the Kuper Island Residential School. Each of these children has a different story; their experience is unique, but at the same time, their story is the same. Each child suffers the loss of family and experiences loneliness. How could this happen?
"No Time to Say Goodbye" is geared for readers in the 9-12 age group. Although it is a heart-rendering account revealing the physical, psychological and sexual abuses that occurred, it is told in a manner appropriate for the intended reader.
I rated this book a 4 mainly because of the message I received. It helped me realize just how powerless the parents were -- the law was against them and they could not protect their children. "No Time to Say Goodbye" helped me understand how generations of children grew up learning that they could trust no one. Many of them grew up without hope -- and when you lose hope, there is nothing!
"No Time to Say Goodbye" is a work of fiction, but it is based on the recollections of a number of Tsartlip First Nations people. The reader follows five young children taken from the Tsartlip Day School to live at the Kuper Island Residential School. Each of these children has a different story; their experience is unique, but at the same time, their story is the same. Each child suffers the loss of family and experiences loneliness. How could this happen?
"No Time to Say Goodbye" is geared for readers in the 9-12 age group. Although it is a heart-rendering account revealing the physical, psychological and sexual abuses that occurred, it is told in a manner appropriate for the intended reader.
I rated this book a 4 mainly because of the message I received. It helped me realize just how powerless the parents were -- the law was against them and they could not protect their children. "No Time to Say Goodbye" helped me understand how generations of children grew up learning that they could trust no one. Many of them grew up without hope -- and when you lose hope, there is nothing!
February 28, 2017
A wonderful multiple-perspectives text. It tells five different fictionalized stories about the Kuper Island Residential School, based on real-life testimonies. A great resource for middle school students; it illustrates the emotional and physical impact of the Residential School system without stripping the characters of hope.
March 23, 2013
Helps people to understand the horrendous things that children went through in the residential schools. From loss of family and culture to loss of innocence.
Read
June 7, 2013these are the sad stories of five children who went to Kuper Island Residential School.
October 29, 2014
Very sad story. This book is well written and brings home the horror that the children had to endure in the Kuper Island Residential School
October 16, 2018
The book is about families that have gone through the Residential School system in Canada midway through the Residential School system. The first family we meet has their oldest child, Thoams be the first to go off to Residential Schools. Thomas and his brother Joey leave home and go to school on their Reserve, but the Indian Agent for the government comes to take them away. Thomas and Joey’s youngest brother, Wilis chases after the car because he is too young to go away. He was jealous that his brothers got to go for a car ride, not realizing that his brothers were off to a bad place. Wilis gets taken to Cooper Island but is separated from his older brother Thomas. The remainder of the story is told from Wilis’ point of view. At this point, the novel became more interesting since the reader was able to see how Wilis felt about the situation that he found himself in.
If the book is true and actually based on fact, I learned that perhaps Residential Schools were not all bad. There was some good stuff that happened. Little kids made friends with each other. This doesn’t change the facts about the bad stuff that went on though. A pearl of wisdom that I have taken from this book is that the Canadian government did some bad things and should be apologetic to all of the Indigenous people that were involved in the Residential School system. Overall this book was alright. It was a quick read and the characters were believable. I would recommend this book to anyone that doesn’t know much about the Residential School system in Canada. I would give this book three stars out of five.
If the book is true and actually based on fact, I learned that perhaps Residential Schools were not all bad. There was some good stuff that happened. Little kids made friends with each other. This doesn’t change the facts about the bad stuff that went on though. A pearl of wisdom that I have taken from this book is that the Canadian government did some bad things and should be apologetic to all of the Indigenous people that were involved in the Residential School system. Overall this book was alright. It was a quick read and the characters were believable. I would recommend this book to anyone that doesn’t know much about the Residential School system in Canada. I would give this book three stars out of five.
August 16, 2021
This is a book for young adults (teens), and it has been a long time since I have worked with that age group or had young adults in my life. On that basis, I feel out of touch to comment on that aspect of the book. On the topic, I think this is a "white washing" of the facts, especially in the current climate (2021) with the (re)discovery of children's graves at residential schools. The Kuper Island Residential School has been mentioned as one of the worst of the schools. This novel glosses over, or thinly alludes to events at the school. It would take a lot, I think, for a young adult to infer the depth of the wrong done to these children and their families without some clear context and guidance. I hope that I underestimate them. The two smiling children on the cover are distressing. I would not recommend this book, and hope that anyone working with this age group would direct them in a different direction. I will be reading more in this area to educate myself and to be ready for further discussions/recommendations if the opportunity arises
November 9, 2022
It took a long while for me to get around to finishing this book (mostly due to school). However, I find this novel equally heartbreaking and powerful. It allowed me to learn more about what happened within residential schools where nobody else could see. It also allowed me to understand the feelings of Indigenous peoples more clearly! I also appreciate how the novel ended with a clear message of resiliency. I highly recommend looking into this novel to learn more about the tragic history of Residential schools!
October 20, 2019
A poignant fictionalized story of children taken from the Tswawout reserve to the residential school on Kuper Island. It is no doubt based on the memories of the co-authors. It is a good depiction of the heartless way that they are taken away from the warmth of their family to an unfamiliar setting with tasteless food and cold, uncaring caregivers. One boy couldn’t bring himself to eat the food and starved himself. A truly sad story.
July 27, 2022
This is the fictional tale of 5 children's experiences at a residential school. Why anyone would think that taking children from their homes and families and ramming their beliefs down their throats would ever be a good idea is totally beyond my comprehension. And how humiliation and verbal abuse was an an acceptable "teaching" method is beyond words. Sadly these stories (and many worse) are the truth for many First Nations people. Thankfully these stories are ones of "survivors".
March 31, 2019
Seven children are taking without warning from their regular school to a residential school. Five of them have sections going over their stories, with different experiences of what residential school was like, and their ways of dealing with the separation.
Some of the content is upsetting, but it is handled in a fairly sensitive way, including sex abuse, so should be find for older kids.
Some of the content is upsetting, but it is handled in a fairly sensitive way, including sex abuse, so should be find for older kids.
November 2, 2021
Informative and touching, No Time to Say Goodbye is the fictional account of five children taken from their community one day and relocated to a residential school away from their families. While these particular stories were fictional, they were formed by the real events and stories of residential school survivors.
November 6, 2021
One of the best books I’ve read on the topic. The fictional way the author tells true accounts hooks the reader and really gets you to feel as though you are there. This book would be great for schools or young adults to read to gain a better understanding of the residential school system and the effects.
June 22, 2023
A sad ass book. Reading these stories makes my heart ache for all those who had to endure residential schools. I was in elementary when we read this as a class, and it unfortunately is a large part of my countries history. Knowledge and accountability = change.
May 28, 2021
I personally hated the book, it was poorly written and confusing. DO NOT RECOMMEND
January 29, 2022
Brutal. One of the chapters deals with priests sexually abusing one of the girls so it's not appropriate to just be in a classroom library. But parts of it could be used as they are amazing powerful
May 10, 2022
A heartbreaking read.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews