Mysterious adventures in Pointe Claire

Grade 5 students from École primaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys in Pointe Claire spent Friday afternoon learning about an exciting piece of history – and they didn’t need to go very far.

To celebrate the launch of long-time Pointe Claire resident Louise-Michelle Sauriol’s new book, Odyssée Troublante À La Pointe Claire, the students acted out three scenes from the novel’s pages.

The book, which is intended for readers between nine and 12 years old, mixes fact and fiction to take young readers on an adventure in Pointe Claire through the past, present, and even the future.

Odyssée Troublante À La Pointe Claire follows four friends – Arielle, her sister Natasha, Félix, and Théo – who find a mysterious message in a bottle floating in Lake St. Louis. The words printed in the note send the children on an adventure that leads them to the 300-year-old Pointe Claire windmill, which happens to be located right down the street from the Marguerite-Bourgeoys school.

With about 30 children’s books under her belt, Sauriol said she was inspired to write a story about the windmill when she visited it after moving to Pointe Claire 27 years ago. “I always had it in the back of my mind,” she said. “It was a fantastic story…I’m fascinated by the history of Pointe Claire.’

Sauriol said she included familiar West Island references, like Bourgeau Park and the 211 bus route that runs along Lakeshore, so children could relate to the characters and be pulled in by the history of their home. “It’s really great. It inspires them to get interested in the history and the current (restoration project),” said Claude Arsenault, the president of the Pointe Claire Historical Society, which is currently working on refurbishing the mill. Arsenault was on hand for the book launch and treated the students to a tour of the mill after the performance.

Michèle Séguin, the school’s principal, was very pleased to see the students’ reaction to the book and the mill itself. She told The Chronicle the school has bought a number of Sauriol’s new book to use as part of the Grade 5 curriculum. “It’s their heritage. It’s their own history,” she said. “It’s really to get them to learn about it and to be proud of it.”

Louise Pratte of Pointe Claire Village’s Babar Bookstore, which partnered with the school for the event, echoed this sentiment. “It’s right here, living in the neighbourhood,” she said. “It’s the spirit of the village.”

After the performance, there was a draw for Babar gift certificates. The children also excitedly lined up to get Sauriol’s autograph before heading off to tour the mill.

Odyssée Troublante À La Pointe Claire by Louise-Michelle Sauriol is available at Babar Books, 46 Ste. Anne St. in the Pointe Claire Village.