The Barren Grounds (The Misewa Saga, Book 1)

David A. Robertson
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The Barren Grounds (The Misewa Saga, Book 1)

David A. Robertson
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Found in: Young Readers ages 9-12, Fiction Ages 9-12

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Overview

STAFF PICKCANADIAN9-12 YEARS256 PAGESENGLISH

Promotional Details

Overall rating: 4.7555556 / 5 from 45 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

The Barren Grounds: The Misewa Saga, Book One is a highly appreciated middle-grade fantasy book, praised for its engaging story and cultural relevance. It follows two Indigenous children on a mission to save a starving community in another reality. The book is celebrated for its beautiful narrative and its ability to connect readers to Indigenous traditions and survival skills.

Summary topics

  • Story quality: 19%
  • Enjoyment of reading: 34%

Review topics: [book, read, series, story, peoples, kids].

Review highlights

  • "I loved this tender, beautiful, magical story."Ameema
  • "If you want to read some great Indigenous stories, there are some excellent kid's books to try out too!"Milanna G.
  • "Excellent story with meaningful indigenous connections!"Robyn

Reviews

Unexpected turns

"Best for a gr. 6 class All will have fun I’m part of that class lol hehehehe"

Leos124 (5/5)

Scary Apple Chips

"reminds me of stale apple chipeds, reading was not fun, ocheck is scary"

Applechippernotchipper13 (1/5)

Indigenous Books Are Amazing! :)

"A student of mine recommended this book and it’s fantastic! He described it as Narnia meets Indigenous myths and he’s right! It’s a really great fantasy book for young readers and older readers! Plus, it is written by a Canadian author! If you want to read some great Indigenous stories, there are some excellent kid's books to try out too! :)"

Milanna G. (5/5)

Gift

"Havent gifted yet but heard great reviews from a friend and elementary teacher. Excited for my neice to read it and will have to borrow back to read myself!"

Jenn (5/5)

Love this series for preteens/teens!

"A wonderful book for preteens and teens. Very engaging and a great introduction to indigenous cultures. Would highly recommend this series!"

Maggie L. (5/5)

Excellent

"I love this author and this twist. The characters are great and I am so excited to read the rest of the series"

Sam W. (5/5)

Ideal for Grade 4+

"I purchased this text and read it to see if it would be easy to incorporate into my classroom library. Ideally, the text can be used in a grade 4 and up setting to promote text-to-self connections, cultural awareness, historical knowledge, and innovative ways of seeing Indigenous peoples in a modernized context. This text really helps readers to see Indigenous peoples as current rather than rooted to a fixed, colonial path. As an Indigenous reader and educator, I loved how unique and interesting the blend of tradition and contemporary knowledge systems were."

KC (5/5)

Yessss

"Exactly what I needed and the staff was so helpful! Great book for September"

Erika (5/5)

The Misewa saga’s beginning

"This book is a magnificent beginning of a magical series filled with thrilling adventure and nonstop action. Would recommend to 10 and up."

Ykim (5/5)

Read?

"I have no idea if you should read this book. I never read it or bought it. Indigo asked me to review this book so I could win a gift card. Wish me luck!"

Ram (3/5)

Q&A

  • Appropriate for: Ages 9-12 Years
  • Published date: Aug 31, 2021
  • Language: English
  • No. of Pages: 256
  • Publisher: Tundra Book Group
  • ISBN: 9780735266124
  • Dimensions: 5.5" W x 0.69" L x 8.25" H
A 2021 Governor General’s Literary Award for Young People's Literature Nominee
One of Quill & Quire's Best Books of 2020
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the 21st Century
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:

"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

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
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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