Real Justice: Convicted for Being Mi'kmaq

The Story of Donald Marshall Jr.

From the Series Lorimer Real Justice

  • Interest Level: Grade 9 - Grade 12
  • Reading Level: Grade 5

When a black teen was murdered in a Sydney, Cape Breton park late one night, his young companion, Donald Marshall Jr., became a prime suspect. Sydney police coached two teens to testify against Donald which helped convict him of a murder he did not commit. He spent 11 years in prison until he finally got a lucky break. Not only was he eventually acquitted of the crime, but a royal commission inquiry into his wrongful conviction found that a non-aboriginal youth would not have been convicted in the first place. Donald became a First Nations activist and later won a landmark court case in favor of native fishing rights. He was often referred to as the “reluctant hero” of the Mi’kmaq community.

Distributed in the U.S by Lerner Publishing Group

Format Your Price Add
978-1-4594-0439-7
$12.95
978-1-4594-0440-3
$65.99
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Interest Level Grade 9 - Grade 12
Reading Level Grade 5
Genre High/Low, Social Studies, Young Adult
Copyright 2013
Publisher James Lorimer and Company Ltd., Publishers
Imprint Lorimer Children & Teens
Language English
Number of Pages 184
Publication Date 2016-09-01
Text Type Narrative Nonfiction
BISACS YAN006120, YAN031000, YAN051180
Dewey 340
Graphics 1-color illustrations
Dimensions 5.5 x 8.5
Lexile 770
Features Teaching Guides

Author: Bill Swan

Bill Swan is the author of nine Sports Stories novels and another Real Justice title on Steven Truscott, which won the 2013 Red Maple Non Fiction Award. Bill lives in Courtice, Ontario.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

Lorimer Real Justice

True stories of wrongfully convicted youths who eventually clear their names. These high/low biographies feature compelling storylines, a readable page layout, photos, a glossary and a timeline to appeal to reluctant readers. They are perfect for sparking meaningful discussions on… View available downloads →