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The Barren Grounds by David A. Robertson
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The Barren Grounds

The Misewa Saga, Book One

The Misewa Saga, Book One

The Misewa Saga, Book One

The Misewa Saga, Book One

By David A. Robertson
On Tour

By David A. Robertson
On Tour

By David A. Robertson
On Tour

By David A. Robertson
On Tour

By David A. Robertson
On Tour

By David A. Robertson
On Tour

By David A. Robertson
On Tour

Read by Brefny Caribou

By David A. Robertson
On Tour

Read by Brefny Caribou

Best Seller

Part of The Misewa Saga

Part of The Misewa Saga

Part of The Misewa Saga

Part of The Misewa Saga

Paperback $9.99

Aug 31, 2021 | ISBN 9780735266124 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

Hardcover $17.99

Sep 08, 2020 | ISBN 9780735266100 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

Ebook $9.99

Sep 08, 2020 | ISBN 9780735266117 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

Audiobook Download $17.99

Oct 13, 2020 | 460 Minutes | Middle Grade (10 and up)

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    The Barren Grounds by David A. Robertson
    Paperback $9.99
    Aug 31, 2021 | ISBN 9780735266124

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    Paperback
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    • Paperback $9.99

      Aug 31, 2021 | ISBN 9780735266124 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    Hardcover
    +

    • Hardcover $17.99

      Sep 08, 2020 | ISBN 9780735266100 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    Ebook
    +

    • Ebook

      Sep 08, 2020 | ISBN 9780735266117 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    Audio
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    • Audiobook Download

      Oct 13, 2020 | ISBN 9780735270312 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

      460 Minutes

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    Buy the Audiobook Download:

    About The Barren Grounds

    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.

    About The Barren Grounds

    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.

    About The Barren Grounds

    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.

    About The Barren Grounds

    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.

    Listen to a sample from The Barren Grounds

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    About David A. Robertson

    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… More about David A. Robertson

    About David A. Robertson

    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… More about David A. Robertson

    About David A. Robertson

    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… More about David A. Robertson

    About David A. Robertson

    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… More about David A. Robertson

    Product Details

    Category: Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Paperback | $9.99
    Published by Puffin Canada
    Aug 31, 2021 | 256 Pages | 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 | Middle Grade (10 and up) | ISBN 9780735266124

    Category: Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Hardcover | $17.99
    Published by Puffin Canada
    Sep 08, 2020 | 256 Pages | 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 | Middle Grade (10 and up) | ISBN 9780735266100

    Category: Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Ebook | $9.99
    Published by Puffin Canada
    Sep 08, 2020 | 288 Pages | Middle Grade (10 and up) | ISBN 9780735266117

    Category: Audiobooks | Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Audiobook Download | $17.99
    Published by Puffin Canada
    Oct 13, 2020 | 460 Minutes | Middle Grade (10 and up) | ISBN 9780735270312

    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

    Awards

    Governor General’s Literary Award – Young People’s Literature – Text NOMINEE 2021

    Panda Book Award NOMINEE 2021

    Rocky Mountain Book Award NOMINEE 2022

    Silver Birch Award for Fiction NOMINEE 2021

    Surrey Schools Book of the Year NOMINEE 2022

    Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award SELECTION 2021

    YALSA Best Books for Young Adults SELECTION 2022

    Diamond Willow Award FINALIST 2021

    USBBY-CBC Outstanding International Trade Book HONOR 2021

    Freedom to Read AWARD 2021

    National Chapter IODE Violet Downey Award SHORTLIST 2021

    TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award SHORTLIST 2021

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