Reviewed by Jean Mendoza
Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature
Book Author: Michael Hutchinson
Oh, the joys of a good mystery! This year saw publication of the third book in the middle-grade Mighty Muskrats series by Michael Hutchinson (Cree). This is a “Short and Sweet” review.
The publisher, Second Story Press, says this about The Case of the Burgled Bundle:
The National Assembly of Cree Peoples has gathered together in the Windy Lake First Nation, home to the Mighty Muskrats — cousins Chickadee, Atim, Otter, and Sam. But when the memory bundle, the center of a four-day-long ceremony, is taken, the four mystery-solving cousins set out to catch those responsible and help protect Windy Lakes reputation!… [P]rime suspect and long-time bully Pearl takes off to the city with her older brother and known troublemaker, Eddie. If they’ve brought the burgled bundle with them, the Mighty Muskrats fear it may be lost for good.
Here’s my first reason of four to highly recommend this book: Authenticity. The author is Cree, and the setting is a fictional Cree community in what is currently known as Canada, with Cree characters who are believable, likable, and never stereotypical. The mystery confronting the young sleuths is plausible and meaningful in their community (though it can certainly resonate with non-Native readers). The resolution is surprising (to me, at least) but logical and satisfying in that context. Continue reading.
The Case of the Burgled Bundle: A Mighty Muskrats Mystery: Book 3 by Michael Hutchinson
Published by Second Story Press on April 6, 2021
Genres: American Indians First Nations Metis Inuit
Pages: 216
Reading Level: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8
ISBN: 9781772601671
Review Source: American Indians in Children's Literature
Also by this author: The Case of Windy Lake: A Mighty Muskrats Mystery
Publisher's Synopsis: The National Assembly of Cree Peoples has gathered together in the Windy Lake First Nation, home to the Mighty Muskrats — cousins Chickadee, Atim, Otter, and Sam. But when the treaty bundle, the center of a four-day-long ceremony, is taken, the four mystery-solving cousins set out to catch those responsible and help protect Windy Lake’s reputation! What’s worse, prime suspect Pearl takes off to the city with her older brother and known troublemaker, Eddie. If they have the burgled bundle with them, the Mighty Muskrats fear it may be lost for good. With clues pointing in too many different directions, the cousins need to find and return the missing bundle before the assembly comes to an end. The history and knowledge passed down to each generation through the bundle is at stake.
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