In search of April rain tree summary

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April Raintree (also published as In Search of April Raintree) is a novel by Beatrice Culleton Mosionier, originally published in 1984 and later revised for younger readers as April Raintree. The story follows two Métis sisters, April and Cheryl Raintree, who are removed from their alcoholic parents in 1950s Manitoba and placed into the foster care system.

Plot and Themes

  • Sisters’ Journeys: April, the light-skinned sister, struggles with internalized racism and tries to distance herself from her Métis heritage, while Cheryl embraces her identity and strives to help her community. 

  • Foster Care and Trauma: The novel vividly portrays the trauma and challenges faced by Indigenous children in the foster system, including abuse, neglect, and the struggle to maintain a positive self-identity.

  • Identity and Racism: April’s journey is marked by her desire to assimilate into white society, contrasted with Cheryl’s activism and pride in her roots.

  • Heavy Subject Matter: The book addresses difficult topics such as sexual violence, systemic racism, and the impact of colonialism.

Author Background

Beatrice Culleton Mosionier draws on her own experiences as a Métis woman who was raised in foster care due to her parents’ alcoholism, and who lost two sisters to suicide. Her personal history deeply informs the novel’s themes and emotional impact.

Educational Use

The revised version is widely used in Canadian high schools (grades 9–12) to teach about Indigenous experiences, racism, and resilience. Both versions are recommended for their powerful storytelling and important social commentary.

This novel is a significant work in Canadian literature for its honest portrayal of Indigenous experiences and its impact on readers and educators

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