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3.5 

The Barren Grounds

By David A. Robertson
The Barren Grounds by David A. Robertson digital book - Fable

Publisher Description

Narnia meets traditional Indigenous stories of the sky and constellations in an epic middle grade fantasy series from award-winning author David Robertson.

Morgan and Eli, two Indigenous children forced away from their families and communities, are brought together in a foster home in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They each feel disconnected, from their culture and each other, and struggle to fit in at school and at their new home -- until they find a secret place, walled off in an unfinished attic bedroom. A portal opens to another reality, Askí, bringing them onto frozen, barren grounds, where they meet Ochek (Fisher). The only hunter supporting his starving community, Misewa, Ochek welcomes the human children, teaching them traditional ways to survive. But as the need for food becomes desperate, they embark on a dangerous mission. Accompanied by Arik, a sassy Squirrel they catch stealing from the trapline, they try to save Misewa before the icy grip of winter freezes everything -- including them.

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364 Reviews

3.5
Thumbs Up“This is an interesting book and one that I felt was very scary as I could see this happening. Morgan and Eli are indigenous children who are fostered to a white family and you can feel the confusion and the anger about the situation. Morgan is shy and doesn't really like people. You can tell that she has bitterness in her soul as she has been passed around from family to family. She never seems to stay in one place long. Eli is withdrawn for the most part from the real world living in his drawings which is the last real link to his family. You can really feel the young adult vibes in this book as Morgan is a typical teen who seems to also be rebelling against the world. She also feels disconnected from her past and culture as well as feeling unloved. This is standard for a lot of teens and even more so when you have lost what makes you unique. The build up to get to the fantasy parts of a new world that they are drawn into was slow were it felt more of a standard book. I think the pace to get to the new world should have been sped up so that instead of 7 chapters of the normal day to day life it would have been more like 2 chapters maybe 3 before they get to the new world. Don't get me wrong it is written well before the new world change but with the information on the back of the book it just made it hard to get past all the buildup. I am glad I didn't give up on it as the next part feels very exciting. The portal world Misewa is interesting and is very much based on the old ways from what I can tell. There are powerful creatures that can speak and help our young main characters along the way. I enjoy the talking animals as they bring humour to the story and also a touch of nostalgia. I am reminded of Charlotte's Web which also had the talking animals and that was a book that meant so much to me as a kid. The adventure which is generally part of any fantasy book is actually quite fun and simple. Simple is not bad in this case as they make it so it's straight forward which is perfect for the age range this is for. I also like when they keep things simple as possible as if the plot and action gets too complicated the fun can be lost. When I completed the book I was content with what I had read. The book was very good just a bit slow at points. I think that with the pace picked up a bit this would have been a phenomenal read.”

About David A. Robertson

DAVID A. ROBERTSON is the author of numerous books for young readers including Governor General’s Literary Award winners On the Trapline and When We Were Alone. The Barren Grounds, Book 1 of The Misewa Saga series, was a Kirkus, NPR, and Quill & Quire best middle-grade book of 2020, as well as a USBBY and Texas Lone Star selection. The third book in the series, The Stone Child, was a 2023 co-winner of the McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award (Older Category).  Winner of the Writers’ Union of Canada’s Freedom to Read Award, as well as the 2021 Globe and Mail Children’s Storyteller of the Year recipient, Dave is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and currently lives in Winnipeg, Canada. For more information, visit his website: www.darobertson.ca and follow him on X: @DaveAlexRoberts.

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