Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
The Barren Grounds
The Barren Grounds: The Misewa Saga, Book 1 | David A. Robertson
16 posts | 15 read | 16 to read
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, Ask, 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.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
Nebklvr
post image
Pickpick

This narnia-like tale has a great storyline and wonderful characters. I will definitely recommend this one.

review
LibraryCin
post image
Panpan

Fantasy, talking animals – definitely not my thing. At first, I really did not like Morgan (sulky, complaining teenagers), but I would have been happier with a story in the real world. I listened to the audio and tuned out much of the other world stuff. I had a gist of some of what was going on, but it just wasn‘t that interesting to me. And… talking animals. No.

blurb
Chittavrtti
post image

3 likes1 stack add
review
Creadnorthey
post image
Mehso-so

For what it is- YAL written for a younger set it‘s really quite good; introducing vocabulary as well as customs in a magical Narnia-esque adventure- for the grade six student in me it hit all the right notes! As an adult reader I could appreciate but was reminded that YAL drags out endings to be sure to satisfy- the last 20 pages drag on a bit too much…

review
BookBr
post image
Pickpick

On the surface, a fantasy-style journey to another world, though not a specifically magical one. Underneath, a story about belonging—to a place, to a family; in a community, and in the world around us. Under THAT, a quietly hard look at the way Indigenous children are still treated in Canada, and a foster care system that leaves much to be desired, although our main characters seem to have landed in a safe place. (Cont‘d…)

BookBr So many layers in this unique tale, and each one written well and with care. And a smashing story, too! 3y
8 likes1 comment
blurb
BookBr
post image

Picking up this one today, in honour of its sequel being challenged/removed from schools in a local board. It‘s been on the pile since the summer, and what better time? Read banned books!

review
Amie
post image
Pickpick

Two indigenous children are living with white foster parents who are well-intentioned but fall short. After an argument with the foster parents, the kids find a portal to another world in the attic. This world is based on traditional Cree stories. The author is a member of the Cree Nation. 1st in a series.

blurb
SilverShanica
post image

I am posting one book per day from my to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new - don‘t judge me I have a lot of books.
Join the fun if you want. This is day 222.
#bookstoread
#tbrpile
#bookstagram

6 likes1 stack add
review
BookishTrish
post image
Pickpick

Read this aloud to my fifth grader and we both loved it. It‘s reminiscent of Narnia but with a strong First Nations worldview and world building. Highly recommended for adults reading alone too.

67 likes3 stack adds
blurb
Karisa
post image

The Books That Got Away : Code Switch https://www.npr.org/transcripts/945433640

" I traveled virtually around the country to speak to some independent people of color-focused bookstores about the books they think deserve a little extra shine this year."

blurb
SassenachTheBookWizard
post image

I'm officially on holidays!

Freespirit Enjoy your holiday! 4y
thegirlwiththelibrarybag Enjoy the break from work! 4y
64 likes2 comments
review
Lindy
post image
Pickpick

This portal fantasy for young people is by a Canadian #Indigenous author. It draws on contemporary reality—two Indigenous teens in foster care in Winnipeg—who enter a parallel world where Cree cultural traditions are the norm and Swampy Cree is spoken by anthropomorphic animals. There‘s no cliffhanger at the end of this first book in a series, just lots of possibility for future adventures. #Audiobook read by Brefny Caribou-Curtin.

paper.reveries Ohh I need to make note of this one. ALSO: I‘m from YEG, too!! How cool! 4y
Lindy @daisyheadmaesie Nice to meet another edmontonian on Litsy! 🤗 4y
paper.reveries @Lindy Likewise! 4y
See All 6 Comments
rabbitprincess Added to the to-read list! This looks great. 4y
Nebklvr Sounds good. 4y
34 likes2 stack adds6 comments
blurb
Lindy
post image

Some onion skin dye experiments. #Audiocrafting

Butterfinger Have I told you how much I enjoy your posts? Especially your crafting. 4y
LeahBergen So cool! 4y
Lindy @Butterfinger Aw! Thanks so much. 🥰 4y
See All 6 Comments
Lindy @LeahBergen Thanks! 😘 4y
Kenyazero Wow! These look great! 4y
Lindy @Kenyazero Thank you! 4y
32 likes1 stack add6 comments
review
Skygoddess1
post image
Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book and introduction to what promises to be a wonderful middle grade fantasy series. If you like fantasy and loved The Chronicles of Narnia, then you need to check this book out. My full review is on my blog:

https://readingstewardess.wordpress.com/2020/10/11/the-barren-grounds-by-david-a...

Chrissyreadit This sounds like a book I would enjoy. 4y
20 likes1 comment
blurb
Skygoddess1
post image

Yesterday was a pretty good reading day. I finished the tagged book which is good since my review of it for a book tour is due today. Made significant progress in Christine. I managed 5 hours for the above mentioned readathons (2 hours for #LittenListen). +176 pts #Scarathlon2020 #TeamHarkness

Andrew65 A great total 👏👏👏 4y
14 likes1 comment
review
SoManyBooksNotEnoughTime
post image
Pickpick

"???'? ?????? ????? ??? ??? ???."⁣

The first book in The Misewa Saga that tells the story of 2 indigenous foster children, Morgan & Eli. Touching on some important areas of childhood angst, the reader can begin to feel the struggles that come with losing your family & culture at such a young age. This own voices book becomes a Narnia-like fantasy, when Morgan and Eli discover a land suffering from a never-ending winter.

53 likes2 stack adds