The Great Bear: The Misewa Saga, Book Two

On April 15, I began to see posts on social media about David A. Robertson’s The Great Bear being removed from libraries. Published by Puffin (Penguin Random House Canada) in Sept 2021, it was on my to-be-read list.

Because of the growing conversations about it, I made time to read it this week. I saw the things I look for when I evaluate a book. The author is Native (Cree) and is writing about their own nation (Robertson’s characters are Cree). There is Native (Cree) language in the book. Another item I look for is setting. I prefer books set in the present day because they provide educators with many opportunities for helping children know that we (Native peoples) did not disappear. I’ll say more about the book in a review later. Based on my read of it, The Great Bear will carry a Highly Recommended tag. Continue reading.

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The Great Bear by David A. Robertson
Published by Penguin on September 28, 2021
Genres: American Indians First Nations Metis Inuit
Pages: 240
Reading Level: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8
ISBN: 9780735266148
Review Source: American Indians in Children's Literature
Also by this author: On the Trapline

Publisher's Synopsis: In this second book in the Narnia-inspired Indigenous middle-grade fantasy series, Eli and Morgan journey once more to Misewa, travelling back in time.

Back at home after their first adventure in the Barren Grounds, Eli and Morgan each struggle with personal issues: Eli is being bullied at school, and tries to hide it from Morgan, while Morgan has to make an important decision about her birth mother. They turn to the place where they know they can learn the most, and make the journey to Misewa to visit their animal friends. This time they travel back in time and meet a young fisher that might just be their lost friend. But they discover that the village is once again in peril, and they must dig deep within themselves to find the strength to protect their beloved friends. Can they carry this strength back home to face their own challenges?