Book Review

David Robertson’s young adult fantasy The Barren Grounds is a clever wink to a classic, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, and the first book in Robertson’s Misewa Saga. Its inclusion in the 2021 Global Read Aloud gave the book the head start most authors can only dream of, and the themes and topics dealt with ensure it will be read for years to come. Robertson tells of the Indigenous characters and foster siblings Morgan and Eli in Winnipeg, Canada while he guides us through their journey navigating a new family, a new school, new friends, and a portal to a new reality, Askí. There they meet Ochek, a fisher cat who shows them the ways of their ancestors and takes them on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance. They find a friend in Arek, a squirrel who they recruit on their mission to save Misewa, Ochek’s community, from an eternal freeze. I am so excited to read the rest of the Misewa Saga. Robertson released book two The Great Bear this past September and announced the release of the third book The Stone Child for this coming summer. The Barren Grounds was the perfect introduction to Morgan and Eli, and the theme of identity is universally applicable. The indigenous lens offers a perspective to the 10+ age group that they may not be exposed to outside of thanksgiving stories, but it is a truly valuable read for all age groups.