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The Barren Grounds: The Misewa Saga, Book One Audiobook
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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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"David A. Robertson has written such a fine, beautiful novel. He manages to combine hard truths about our history with a Narnia-like fantasy, sweeping us into the world of the story while opening our hearts as well."
— Susin Nielsen, author of We Are All Made of Molecules and No Fixed Address
Quotes
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“The Barren Grounds has a strong message about living with the earth and not taking more than you need.
— Toronto Public Library -
David A. Robertson has written such a fine, beautiful novel. He manages to combine hard truths about our history with a Narnia-like fantasy, sweeping us into the world of the story while opening our hearts as well.
— Susin Nielsen, author of We Are All Made of Molecules and No Fixed Address -
"This middle-grade fantasy deftly and compellingly centers Indigenous culture.
— STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews -
“This is a book that is rich in its characterization, evocative in its descriptions, and skillful in its weaving together of traditions of the past and life in the present.
— CM Magazine -
[T]he treatment of Cree culture resonates, and the engaging characters and folklore ensure readers will look forward to the next installment.
— Publishers Weekly -
“Reminiscent of C.S. Lewis’s Narnia stories, this fantasy is very much its own tale of ruptured Indigenous culture, of environmental reciprocity and care.
— Toronto Star“The Barren Grounds has a strong message about living with the earth and not taking more than you need. -
"This middle-grade fantasy deftly and compellingly centers Indigenous culture.
— STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews -
“[T]he treatment of Cree culture resonates, and the engaging characters and folklore ensure readers will look forward to the next installment.
— Publishers Weekly -
This is a book that is rich in its characterization, evocative in its descriptions, and skillful in its weaving together of traditions of the past and life in the present.
— CM Magazine -
“Reminiscent of C.S. Lewis’s Narnia stories, this fantasy is very much its own tale of ruptured Indigenous culture, of environmental reciprocity and care.
— Toronto Star
Awards
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Among shortlisted titles for Diamond Willow Award, 2021
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Among longlisted titles for First Nations Communities Read Award, 2022
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Among shortlisted titles for Governor General’s Literary Award - Young People’s Literature - Text, 2020
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Among shortlisted titles for National Chapter IODE Violet Downey Award, 2021
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Nominated for Panda Book Award, 2021
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Nominated for Rocky Mountain Book Award, 2022
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Nominated for Silver Birch Award for Fiction, 2021
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Nominated for Surrey Schools Book of the Year, 2022
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Among shortlisted titles for TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, 2021
-
Among shortlisted titles for Diamond Willow Award, 2021
-
Among longlisted titles for First Nations Communities Read Award, 2022
-
Among shortlisted titles for Governor General’s Literary Award - Young People’s Literature - Text, 2020
-
Among shortlisted titles for National Chapter IODE Violet Downey Award, 2021
-
Nominated for Panda Book Award, 2021
-
Nominated for Rocky Mountain Book Award, 2022
-
Nominated for Silver Birch Award for Fiction, 2021
-
Nominated for Surrey Schools Book of the Year, 2022
-
Among shortlisted titles for TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, 2021
The Barren Grounds Listener Reviews
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Joanna Mangan, 2/5/2024