David A. Robertson’s The Misewa Series blends Narnia-like world building with traditional Indigenous stories of the sky and constellations to produce an epic, middle-grade fantasy series, nominated for multiple awards and featured as a “Best Book” by media outlets across the country. The Great Bear is the second book, following the bestselling The Barren Grounds, in which Eli and Morgan journey once more to Misewa to visit their animal friends. In conversation with classrooms, Robertson can speak to the inspiration behind an Indigenous fantasy series, the lessons that his characters learn from others on their journey, and some of the ways we can face challenges in our lifetimes.
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Themes: Fantasy, Indigenous perspectives, time travel, friendship, natural world, and resilience.
Curriculum Connections: English Language Arts 6-9, and Social Studies 5-8. Suitable for Grades 5-8.
Participants and Speakers
David A. Robertson
DAVID A. ROBERTSON is a two-time Governor General’s Literary Award winner and has won the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award and the Writer’s Union of Canada Freedom to Read award. He has received several other accolades for his work as a writer for children and adults, podcaster, public speaker, and social advocate. He was honoured with a Doctor of Letters by the University of Manitoba in 2023 for outstanding contributions to the arts and distinguished achievements. He is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and lives in Winnipeg. (MANITOBA)