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The Barren Grounds

The Misewa Saga, Book One

Part of The Misewa Saga

Author David A. Robertson
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Paperback
$9.99 US
Tundra Book Group | Tundra Books
5.5"W x 8.25"H x 0.67"D   | 9 oz | 24 per carton
On sale Aug 31, 2021 | 256 Pages | 978-0-7352-6612-4
Age 10 and up | Grade 5 & Up
Reading Level: Lexile 680L
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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.
  • NOMINEE | 2022
    Surrey Schools Book of the Year
  • LONGLIST | 2022
    First Nations Communities Read Award
  • SELECTION | 2022
    YALSA Best Books for Young Adults
  • NOMINEE | 2022
    Rocky Mountain Book Award
  • AWARD | 2021
    Freedom to Read
  • HONOR | 2021
    USBBY-CBC Outstanding International Trade Book
  • NOMINEE | 2021
    Panda Book Award
  • SHORTLIST | 2021
    National Chapter IODE Violet Downey Award
  • SHORTLIST | 2021
    TD Canadian Children's Literature Award
  • FINALIST | 2021
    Diamond Willow Award
  • SELECTION | 2021
    Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2021
    Silver Birch Award for Fiction
  • FINALIST | 2020
    Governor General’s Literary Award - Young People’s Literature - Text
A 2021 Governor General’s Literary Award for Young People's Literature Nominee
One of Quill & Quire's Best Books of 2020
Recommended by booksellers on NPR's Code Switch
One of CBC Books' Best Middle-Grade and Young Adult Books of 2020
One of Canadian Children's Book News’ Best Books of 2020
A CBC Books Bestseller

PRAISE FOR The Barren Grounds: 

"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.” —Toronto Public Library
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, the first book in the middle-grade Misewa Saga series, was shortlisted for many awards, including the Govenor General's Award, the TD Award for Children's Literature, and the Ontario Library Association's Silver Birch Award. It received a starred review from Kirkus and was a Kirkus, NPR, and Quill & Quire best middle-grade book of 2020, as well as a USBBY and Texas Lone Star selection. The Great Bear, the second book in the series, was also shortlisted for the Ontario Library Association's Silver Birch Award. The third book in the series, The Stone Child, won the McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award and was nominated for the Ontario Library Association's Silver Birch Award. A sought-after speaker and educator, and winner of the Writers' Union of Canada's Freedom to Read Award, Dave is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and currently lives in Winnipeg. View titles by David A. Robertson

About

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.

Awards

  • NOMINEE | 2022
    Surrey Schools Book of the Year
  • LONGLIST | 2022
    First Nations Communities Read Award
  • SELECTION | 2022
    YALSA Best Books for Young Adults
  • NOMINEE | 2022
    Rocky Mountain Book Award
  • AWARD | 2021
    Freedom to Read
  • HONOR | 2021
    USBBY-CBC Outstanding International Trade Book
  • NOMINEE | 2021
    Panda Book Award
  • SHORTLIST | 2021
    National Chapter IODE Violet Downey Award
  • SHORTLIST | 2021
    TD Canadian Children's Literature Award
  • FINALIST | 2021
    Diamond Willow Award
  • SELECTION | 2021
    Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2021
    Silver Birch Award for Fiction
  • FINALIST | 2020
    Governor General’s Literary Award - Young People’s Literature - Text

Praise

A 2021 Governor General’s Literary Award for Young People's Literature Nominee
One of Quill & Quire's Best Books of 2020
Recommended by booksellers on NPR's Code Switch
One of CBC Books' Best Middle-Grade and Young Adult Books of 2020
One of Canadian Children's Book News’ Best Books of 2020
A CBC Books Bestseller

PRAISE FOR The Barren Grounds: 

"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.” —Toronto Public Library

Author

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, the first book in the middle-grade Misewa Saga series, was shortlisted for many awards, including the Govenor General's Award, the TD Award for Children's Literature, and the Ontario Library Association's Silver Birch Award. It received a starred review from Kirkus and was a Kirkus, NPR, and Quill & Quire best middle-grade book of 2020, as well as a USBBY and Texas Lone Star selection. The Great Bear, the second book in the series, was also shortlisted for the Ontario Library Association's Silver Birch Award. The third book in the series, The Stone Child, won the McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award and was nominated for the Ontario Library Association's Silver Birch Award. A sought-after speaker and educator, and winner of the Writers' Union of Canada's Freedom to Read Award, Dave is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and currently lives in Winnipeg. View titles by David A. Robertson

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