March 17, 2026 by Bloomsbury Children's Books
ARC provided by the publisher
In 1885, Rose lives in Batoche, a Métis community in the Northwest Territories along the Saskatchewan River with her parents and little sister Delia. She enjoys roaming the countryside, collecting medicinal plants and hunting for food with her friend Ambroise, but isn't happy that she isn't allowed to join hunts and isn't given the same freedom that boys are. She does have some problems at school, with Melanie being mean to her and Sister Mary not wanting to talk about the Red River Resistance. The Canadian government is becoming more and more problematic in its treatment of Native citizens, and after overhearing some men talking, she finds that her town is in danger. There has been systematic oppression, trying to starve the population and erase their culture so that the government can take their land, in part to build a railroad. While the Métis want to stand up to the government, they are facing many obstacles, including a larger military presence that has access to Gatling guns. When Rose finds out more plans, she disguises herself as a boy to go alert her father, who is working with other men to fight the government forces. When Batoche becomes a target, the women and children are evacuated to caves. Rose even tries to warn Melanie's family, and while Melanie brushes her off, her mother understands the seriousness of the situation. The fighting intensifies, and many houses in Batoche are damaged. Melanie's younger brother George goes back home to try to retrieve his slingshot, and Delia is shot when she follows him. She's okay, but there are many tense moments. Rose and Ambroise decide that they might be able to damage the smokestacks of the Northcote by stringing a rope across the river. It's hard and dangerous work, but they are successful in their sabotage. Sadly, it is not enough to save their community, and they are forced away from their home.
Strengths: Readers in the US have probably not read much about the horrible treatment of indigenous populations in Canada; I haven't seen middle grade novels that address this forced relocation in the Northwest Territories. The author based this book on her picture book, The Gift of the Great Buffalo, and says in an afterword that she made Rose a little older so that she could write a Little House on the Prairie style book based on the treatment of the Métis people. I also enjoyed the fact that her family has a connection to Batoche. Rose is a fantastic character who is deeply invested in her community and their way of life, and is brave enough to take an active role in the resistance movement.
Weaknesses: While Rose's courage in the face of obstacles and her bravery in fighting the government made for a harrowing but exciting read, I would have liked a little more information about daily life in Batoche before the battles. So many historical fiction books focus on negative experiences, which is understandable, but it would be nice to also celebrate good periods of history.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like historical fiction with cultural connections like Park's Prairie Lotus, McManis and Sorrell's Indian No More, or Antaki's Red Dove: Listen to the Wind.
Strengths: Readers in the US have probably not read much about the horrible treatment of indigenous populations in Canada; I haven't seen middle grade novels that address this forced relocation in the Northwest Territories. The author based this book on her picture book, The Gift of the Great Buffalo, and says in an afterword that she made Rose a little older so that she could write a Little House on the Prairie style book based on the treatment of the Métis people. I also enjoyed the fact that her family has a connection to Batoche. Rose is a fantastic character who is deeply invested in her community and their way of life, and is brave enough to take an active role in the resistance movement.
Weaknesses: While Rose's courage in the face of obstacles and her bravery in fighting the government made for a harrowing but exciting read, I would have liked a little more information about daily life in Batoche before the battles. So many historical fiction books focus on negative experiences, which is understandable, but it would be nice to also celebrate good periods of history.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like historical fiction with cultural connections like Park's Prairie Lotus, McManis and Sorrell's Indian No More, or Antaki's Red Dove: Listen to the Wind.
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