On Thursday, Pernille Ripp announced the next book for her Global Read Aloud for middle school students. I had just said that my new focus was going to be on reading books by and about Indigenous authors and then this book came up on my feed. I ordered it right away and it was at my house the next day.
I could not put this book down! The Barren Grounds is the story of two Indigenous youth who are living in foster care in Winnipeg. Morgan is in grade 8 and she has been living in an endless series of foster home, and is not only unhappy herself, but ends up making everyone around her unhappy as well. Eli is in grade 7 and has just entered the foster care system. He is trying to adjust to his new reality, while missing his home.
Morgan and Eli find a secret room in the attic of their home and are surprised to discover that it leads to a portal that takes them into a different reality. This new land is a place where it is always winter, and when the pair meet up with Ochek, who is the only hunter in his village desperate to find a way to keep his people alive they join him in his fight for survival. Ochek recognizes that the children are needed to end the endless winter and as he teaches them the traditional ways of living off the land, they set out on a dangerous mission to bring food and warmth back to the community.
I understand why this book was selected for the Global Read Aloud, I am so amazed that it is a Canadian author and set in Winnipeg. What a wonderful connection for our students. I cannot wait to introduce this to teachers and students!
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