The Lynching of Louie Sam

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Murder, racism, and injustice wreak havoc in a frontier town. The year is 1884, and 15-year-old George Gillies lives in the Washington Territory, near the border with British Columbia. In this newly settled land, white immigrants have an uneasy relationship with the Native Indians. When George and his siblings discover the murdered body of a local white man, suspicion immediately falls on a young Indian named Louie Sam. George and his best friend, Pete, follow a lynch mob north into Canada, where the terrified boy is seized and hung. But even before the deed is done, George begins to have doubts. Louie Sam was a boy, only 14could he really be a vicious murderer Were the mob leaders motivated by justice, or were they hiding their own guilt As George uncovers the truth, tensions in the town begin to rise, and he must face his own part in the tragedy. Inspired by the true story of the lynching, recently acknowledged as a historical injustice by Washington State, this powerful novel offers a stark depiction of historical racism and the harshness of settler life.

Reviews

A chilling, captivating novel about an innocent scapegoat, a searing injustice and the far-reaching damage secrets and lies do.--Christina Minaki"Canadian Children's Book News" (11/01/2012)
Based on a true story, two white teenage boys witness the lynching of an innocent Indian boy named Louie Sam when a mob is whipped into a killing frenzy... After a local man is murdered and his cabin set on fire, there is testimony that a teenage Indian was seen on the road nearby. As George and Dave watch from the edges of the proceedings, they see that some facts don't add up. But it is only after Louie Sam is dead that George tries to stand up for the truth. This novel is a powerful fictionalization of a poignant story... valuable for middle school units on westward expansion or for the study of discrimination against Native Americans. Recommended.--Karen Perry, Educational Reviewer, High Point, Nor"Library Media Connection" (04/01/2013)
Elizabeth Stewart has crafted a compelling young adult novel centred on important themes of racism, justice and personal responsibility. These important themes are deftly developed; the tone never becomes preachy or pedantic. Strong curricular ties to both English and social studies programmes will appeal to teachers. The Lynching of Louie Sam is perfect for the senior high school library.--Nancy Prentice"Deakin Review of Children's Literature" (02/28/2013)
Stewart's experience as a screenwriter enables her to create vivid characters and effective dialogue.--Patricia Jeremy"Resource Links" (12/01/2012)
The plot moves quickly and should interest many readers, even those not usually drawn to historical fiction.--Caroline Hanson"School Library Journal" (09/01/2012)

Author Bio

Elizabeth Stewart's writing credits for film, television, and the Internet include the TV movie "Luna: Spirit of the Whale" (2007) and the series "Falcon Beach," "Edgemont," and "The Adventures of Shirley Holmes." This is her first novel. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.