A review by joyful_patatas
The Barren Grounds by David A. Robertson

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I did genuinely enjoy this book even as a middle grade book. This one follows the theme of identity and culture where the adventure lets the main character, Morgan, learns a bit of her Cree heritage in her time in Askí with Ochek, Arik, and Eli. The dialogue and dynamic of the group was great to read and the mentions on the how the two-legged animals view the land and creatures is identical to how the Indigenous communities viewed the world. The villain of the story taking on the role similar to the colonizers was also an interesting take by taking actual history and implementing it in a middle grade book.

In all, I do hope more people, children especially, read this book and find joy in following the adventure of these peculiar, but fun bunch.

The reason I gave it three stars is mainly because I am nit-picky. I did find the villain underwhelming because of the lack of story behind him. Why did he go to Askí? Why did he not leave? Why did he build a cabin  in an area where they are no prey? He was only alive for less than 50 pages after meeting him. I know this is a middle grade book, so I know I am being hard, but the wild up after the tribe kept describing how horrible he was made the reveal and confrontation underwhelming.



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