Reviews

The Barren Grounds by David A. Robertson

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thepetitepunk's review

4.0

Thank you Hear Our Voices Book Tours and Penguin Random House Canada for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In Winnipeg, Manitoba, Morgan and Eli, two Indigenous children living together with a foster family, struggle to find their meaning of the word home. Between their foster parents, their school, their culture, and themselves, Morgan and Eli are having a hard time finding a place where they fit in. Morgan especially questions what it means to be Indigenous when one has “grown up white.” However, despite the fights and uncertainty, Morgan and Eli stumble upon a surprise in their family's attic that changes their lives: a portal to Askí, another reality in the barren grounds. Here, Morgan and Eli meet new friends and learn about their culture and survival as they set out on a dangerous quest to save a dying community.

Enchanting, heartwarming, and thoughtful, The Barren Grounds is a beautifully creative middle grade novel about family and culture. The characters were realistic--at times, they weren't incredibly likable, but their emotions were understandable and it was easy to emphasize them. I especially loved Morgan. She was angry, a bit lonely, and quite prone to outbursts. I loved this portrayal of a young teen girl who feels as if she has no sense of home; Robertson did a wonderful job of writing through the eyes of a thirteen year old, as Morgan's reactions did not seem entirely unreasonable from her point of view. Furthermore, I loved the theme of family and friendship. At the beginning of the story, these concepts were greatly questioned by Morgan and Eli, but as they learned more about their culture and what it means to be there for others, they also learned more about themselves. The development of these relationships were natural and reassuring. Regarding the fantasy element of this book, I thought characters and plot within the portal were fun, engaging, and surprisingly touching.

Overall, I would highly recommend The Barren Grounds to anyone looking for a touching middle grade novel about culture and friendship. It's part of a series, but even if a reader doesn't particularly enjoy series, I think it works great as a stand-alone too.

Content warnings: discussion of cultural appropriation, loss of parents, death

Note: This book is an #ownvoices novel with Indigenous representation. I am not Indigenous--this tour was open to all reviews.

burritobug's review

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

werdnamich's review

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2.0

I honestly would have DNFed this book if I didn't have to read if for work. I enjoyed the Indigenous elements in the book, but gave it only two stars because the plot was really simplistic and underwhelming. I've read middle grade fiction that is way more dynamic and complex than this one that claims to be inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia. Also, Morgan as a character? No, thank you.

And now I have to read book 2 for work, pray for me.