Those Who Run in the Sky

Those Who Run in the Sky follows a young Inuit shaman-in-training named Pitu who becomes trapped in the spirit world during a hunting trip. Set in a pre-colonial Arctic landscape, the story chronicles his quest to find his way back home while developing his shamanic abilities. The narrative combines traditional Inuit mythology with fantasy elements, featuring encounters with spirit beings and legendary creatures. Pitu must learn to navigate this dangerous realm using both his training and instincts, while facing challenges that test his physical and spiritual strength. The book represents the first installment in a series and was published in both English and Inuktitut, marking a significant contribution to Indigenous young adult literature. It garnered multiple literary awards and nominations, including recognition as a CBC Best Canadian Young Adult Book of 2017. Through Pitu's journey, the novel explores themes of identity, cultural heritage, and the transition from youth to adulthood within the context of traditional Inuit spirituality and knowledge systems.

Readers appreciate the cultural authenticity and Inuit mythology woven throughout this coming-of-age story. Many note the book's success in making traditional tales accessible to young readers while maintaining respect for Indigenous storytelling traditions. Liked: - Strong character development of protagonist Pitu - Detailed descriptions of survival skills and Arctic life - Educational value for learning about Inuit culture - Fast-paced adventure elements - Inclusion of Inuktitut words with context Disliked: - Some found the pacing uneven in the middle sections - A few readers wanted more background on secondary characters - Several mentioned difficulty keeping track of spirit world elements Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (205 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (48 ratings) 49th Shelf: 4/5 (16 ratings) "Perfect blend of culture and adventure" appears in multiple reviews. Several teachers report successful use in middle school classrooms, noting strong student engagement with the material.

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Monkey Beach A young Haisla woman's search for her missing brother intertwines with her spiritual connection to the supernatural world and her nation's traditional beliefs about spirits and sacred knowledge.

⭐ The novel draws heavily from Inuit angakkuq (shaman) traditions, where spiritual leaders were believed to travel between worlds using special techniques passed down through generations. ⭐ Author Aviaq Johnston is an award-winning Inuk writer from Igloolik, Nunavut, who began her publishing career at just 21 years old. ⭐ The Arctic setting reflects the real geographical features of Nunavut, where temperatures can plunge to -35°C (-31°F) and traditional survival skills remain vital. ⭐ In Inuit spirituality, the spirit world is called Qimmirluaq, and shamans were considered essential mediators between this realm and the physical world. ⭐ The book won the 2017 Indigenous Literature Award and was shortlisted for the Governor General's Literary Award, bringing greater visibility to Inuit literature in Canada.