A Matter of Conscience
Fifteen-year-old Jamie MacPherson is confused. Everyone seems to want change but can’t agree as to how that change should come about. William Lyon Mackenzie is calling the people of Upper Canada to arm themselves and break free of British rule, and Jamie’s friends and neighbours are all for joining Mackenzie and his army.
His father is dead set against violence of any sort and has tried to pass that along to his son.
Will Jamie follow his father’s wishes and stay home or will he go along with popular opinion and join the rebels?
Join Jamie as he struggles with the political issues surrounding the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837.
His father is dead set against violence of any sort and has tried to pass that along to his son.
Will Jamie follow his father’s wishes and stay home or will he go along with popular opinion and join the rebels?
Join Jamie as he struggles with the political issues surrounding the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837.
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What others say about A Matter of Conscience
A Matter of Conscience is a captivating story about a young man who learns some valuable life lessons. The story is set in the tumultuous time of the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837. The character, Jamie, needs to decide whether he should join the rebellion like his neighbouring friend or follow his Dad's Christian principles. Interwoven in the story is a developing love relationship, intriguing decisions about which political ideal to support, and some great historical facts that lend the story authenticity. Mary has written a story that involves the reader in a way that makes the book end too soon, but concludes with a believable resolution. Thumbs up for an historical fiction that could be used in classrooms or just read for pleasure!
– I. Reinsma,
Grade 7/8 teacher
– I. Reinsma,
Grade 7/8 teacher
I liked how you showed Jamie’s feelings all in a turmoil. I could relate to that. I also liked the ‘extras’ you added such as the wedding and corn husking. The reader gets a sense of how life was in the 1830's.
I read a lot. Of all the genres my least favourite is historical fiction but I enjoyed this book immensely! I liked it better than some realistic fiction I’ve read.
-- Grade 8 student
I read a lot. Of all the genres my least favourite is historical fiction but I enjoyed this book immensely! I liked it better than some realistic fiction I’ve read.
-- Grade 8 student
To fight or not to fight is a timeless dilemma. In this book of historical fiction, the protagonist's own father is an adamant no, but Jamie’s best friend lives the next farm over and his father says yes! Both fathers have valid arguments; they both feel God’s guidance…. so now it’s up to fifteen-year-old Jamie McPherson to decide for himself. What’s a boy supposed to do?
Mary’s clever book is at once a Canadian history lesson about Mackenzie’s Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837, and a story of a fifteen-year-old’s decision-making process and the resulting consequences. Along the way, the reader learns much about what life would have been like in the Whitby, Ontario area. As we get to know the characters, Mary adds more layers. Tight and well edited, it sparks further historical reading. Well worth the read, I think it should be available in school libraries, but adults will also enjoy the book.
-- J. B. ESL tutor
Mary’s clever book is at once a Canadian history lesson about Mackenzie’s Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837, and a story of a fifteen-year-old’s decision-making process and the resulting consequences. Along the way, the reader learns much about what life would have been like in the Whitby, Ontario area. As we get to know the characters, Mary adds more layers. Tight and well edited, it sparks further historical reading. Well worth the read, I think it should be available in school libraries, but adults will also enjoy the book.
-- J. B. ESL tutor
Durham history is one for the books OSHAWA -- Mary Hosmar, a semi-retired elementary school teacher, just released a teen historical novel, 'A Matter of Conscience', about the Upper Canada Rebellion.
May 3, 2013. Ryan Pfeiffer / Metroland
OSHAWA -- An Oshawa teacher tells on Durham history in a new piece of historical fiction from a time when early pre-Canadian settlers rebelled against the government.
Elementary school teacher Mary Hosmar, 67, of Oshawa, released her first historical fiction novel, A Matter of Conscience, in March.
The teen novel takes place in the Whitby area. It focuses on a 15-year-old boy being pressured to join the popular 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion -- against the wishes of his pacifist father -- in retaliation of an oppressive government and British elitism.
The book is for readers about 12 to 14 years old, an age group she felt historical fiction does not focus on enough.
"Every teen I know has had conflict with their parents, over religion ... or over any number of things," said Mrs. Hosmar.
She explained she included parental conflict to show how it helped the boy establish independence.
"There's a fair bit of historical information in it woven through the book," she said.
Whitby was a prime setting because it was close to home for her. As well, she said there realistically would have been participants in the rebellion from Whitby, because of its proximity to Toronto, where much of the action took place.
Mrs. Hosmar also added a religious undertone to the novel, not to dominate the plot but to reflect how vital religion was in day-to-day life at the time.
May 3, 2013. Ryan Pfeiffer / Metroland
OSHAWA -- An Oshawa teacher tells on Durham history in a new piece of historical fiction from a time when early pre-Canadian settlers rebelled against the government.
Elementary school teacher Mary Hosmar, 67, of Oshawa, released her first historical fiction novel, A Matter of Conscience, in March.
The teen novel takes place in the Whitby area. It focuses on a 15-year-old boy being pressured to join the popular 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion -- against the wishes of his pacifist father -- in retaliation of an oppressive government and British elitism.
The book is for readers about 12 to 14 years old, an age group she felt historical fiction does not focus on enough.
"Every teen I know has had conflict with their parents, over religion ... or over any number of things," said Mrs. Hosmar.
She explained she included parental conflict to show how it helped the boy establish independence.
"There's a fair bit of historical information in it woven through the book," she said.
Whitby was a prime setting because it was close to home for her. As well, she said there realistically would have been participants in the rebellion from Whitby, because of its proximity to Toronto, where much of the action took place.
Mrs. Hosmar also added a religious undertone to the novel, not to dominate the plot but to reflect how vital religion was in day-to-day life at the time.
Four stars
Mary Hosmar takes the reader into the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837 with its main figure, the polarizing William Lyon Mackenzie, in "A Matter of Conscience". I was fascinated by the history which offered deeper insight into the background I had researched for one of my own books, and connection to farming which is a subject of another of my books. Through the experiences of the teenage Jamie MacPherson, the student-reader will find himself vicariously planted in the environment, reliving the excitement, tension and terrors associated with the radical Reformer, the Rebellion and the events leading up to it. The adult reader may find himself examining his own stance through the opinions and arguments contained therein. It is a great read for anyone who loves history and for Canadians in particular.
The pace dropped in some parts with over-detailing of the events. The noose on the cover initially suggested to me that MacKenzie may have been hung, but he was not (though others were). Overall, however, the information was presented in a balanced and interesting manner of the quest and conquest of power.
Hosmar, a former teacher, has created a curriculum guide as a resource to supplement her historical fiction book for a novel study. I found the questions stimulating, and appreciated that the activities can be tailored to class size as this makes it relevant to home-based schools with smaller numbers. The vocabulary exercises and character sketches offer comprehension proficiencies and skill building in English. Those of a Christian persuasion which find the bible verses refreshing. This book will leave the reader thoughtful and reflective and I deem it well suited to any school library or library in general.
-- Susan Harris, author, speaker
Mary Hosmar takes the reader into the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837 with its main figure, the polarizing William Lyon Mackenzie, in "A Matter of Conscience". I was fascinated by the history which offered deeper insight into the background I had researched for one of my own books, and connection to farming which is a subject of another of my books. Through the experiences of the teenage Jamie MacPherson, the student-reader will find himself vicariously planted in the environment, reliving the excitement, tension and terrors associated with the radical Reformer, the Rebellion and the events leading up to it. The adult reader may find himself examining his own stance through the opinions and arguments contained therein. It is a great read for anyone who loves history and for Canadians in particular.
The pace dropped in some parts with over-detailing of the events. The noose on the cover initially suggested to me that MacKenzie may have been hung, but he was not (though others were). Overall, however, the information was presented in a balanced and interesting manner of the quest and conquest of power.
Hosmar, a former teacher, has created a curriculum guide as a resource to supplement her historical fiction book for a novel study. I found the questions stimulating, and appreciated that the activities can be tailored to class size as this makes it relevant to home-based schools with smaller numbers. The vocabulary exercises and character sketches offer comprehension proficiencies and skill building in English. Those of a Christian persuasion which find the bible verses refreshing. This book will leave the reader thoughtful and reflective and I deem it well suited to any school library or library in general.
-- Susan Harris, author, speaker