The Misewa Saga

The Misewa Saga follows Morgan and Eli, two Indigenous foster children in Winnipeg who discover a portal to a magical realm called the North Country. The series consists of five middle-grade fantasy novels that move between present-day Manitoba and a world where animals walk upright and speak. Through an enchanted door in their foster home's attic, Morgan and Eli enter Misewa - the last remaining village in a land trapped in endless winter. In this parallel world, they meet talking animal guardians and learn about their own cultural heritage while facing challenges that test their courage and friendship. The books blend Indigenous storytelling traditions with fantasy elements, creating a distinct alternative to classic portal fiction. The series examines themes of belonging, identity, and the deep connection between the natural world and Indigenous ways of knowing.

Parents and young readers appreciate the blend of Indigenous culture with fantasy elements, calling it an engaging portal fiction series that teaches Cree values and traditions. The modern-day struggles of foster care kids resonate with many readers. Liked: - Strong character development throughout the series - Educational without feeling didactic - Authentic representation of Indigenous youth - Fast-paced adventure elements - Beautiful descriptions of the northern wilderness Disliked: - Some found the first book's pacing slow in early chapters - A few readers wanted more background on side characters - Transitions between real world and fantasy realm felt abrupt to some Ratings: Goodreads - The Barren Grounds (Book 1): 4.1/5 (2,500+ ratings) - The Great Bear (Book 2): 4.3/5 (900+ ratings) - The Stone Child (Book 3): 4.4/5 (400+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 average across series (500+ ratings)

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown A robot discovers how to survive in the wilderness while forming deep bonds with the forest animals and learning about community, much like the connections formed in Misewa's Indigenous spirit world.

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia This story weaves African American folklore and mythology into a modern adventure where a boy travels through portals to interact with gods and legendary figures.

Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse A Navajo girl embarks on a quest through Indigenous southwestern mythology to save her family while discovering her identity and heritage.

The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste Caribbean folklore comes to life as a girl must protect her island from supernatural creatures who emerge from the forest, blending cultural mythology with contemporary storytelling.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin A young girl's journey through Chinese folklore parallels the portal fantasy elements of Misewa, as she encounters magical creatures and learns wisdom from traditional stories.

🌟 The word "Misewa" comes from the Cree language and means "all that is" - reflecting the series' deep connection to Indigenous worldview 🐾 The animal characters in the North Country are inspired by traditional Cree storytelling figures, including Ochek (Fisher) and Mahihkan (Wolf) 📚 David A. Robertson is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and has won multiple Governor General's Literary Awards for his work in children's literature 🏠 The foster care element of the story was inspired by the author's conversations with Indigenous youth in care, bringing awareness to an important social issue ❄️ The eternal winter setting in the North Country draws parallels to climate change impacts on Indigenous communities in Northern Canada, adding environmental themes to the fantasy narrative