An immigrant from Bolshevik Russia, Anna is 15 when she leaves her family's drought-stricken prairie farm to work for the wealthy Strachans in Vancouver. Caught off-guard by her period, she's surprised when Mrs. Strachan offers her some proper pads. "[Mrs. Strachan] turned back to her magazine as if menstruating was no big secret. I could have kissed her, but by now I knew better. A kiss from a maid? She would have died from shock."; 1-55369-685-9

[Spring 2003 BCBW]