New Releases: March 12, 2020
Young Adult Fiction
Monsters (The Reckoner #2) - David A Robertson
Genres: Young adult fiction, Fantasy, Mystery
Cole Harper is struggling to settle into life in Wounded Sky First Nation. He may have stopped a serial killer but the trouble is far from over. A creature lurks in the shadows of Blackwood Forest, the health clinic is on lockdown by a mysterious organization, and long-held secrets threaten to bubble to the surface. Can Cole learn the truth about his father's death? Why won't Choch give him a straight answer? Where the heck is Jayne? Oh, and high school sucks.
Ghosts (The Reckoner #3) - David A Robertson
Genres: Young adult fiction, Fantasy, Mystery
Cole Harper is dead. Reynold McCabe is alive and free. Mihko Laboratories has reopened the research facility and works to manufacture and weaponize the illness that previously plagued Wounded Sky. People are missing. The community has been quarantined. What deal did Eva strike with Choch? Who will defeat Reynold and Mihko? Time is running out.
Strangers (The Reckoner #1) - David A Robertson
Genres: Young adult fiction, Fantasy, Mystery
When Cole Harper is compelled to return to Wounded Sky First Nation, he finds his community in chaos: a series of shocking murders, a mysterious illness ravaging the residents, and reemerging questions about Cole’s role in the tragedy that drove him away 10 years ago. With the aid of an unhelpful spirit, a disfigured ghost, and his two oldest friends, Cole tries to figure out his purpose, and unravel the mysteries he left behind a decade ago. Will he find the answers in time to save his community?
Young Adult Graphic Novels
Betty: The Helen Betty Osborne Story
Genres: Young adult nonfiction, Graphic novel
Helen Betty Osborne, known as Betty to her closest friends and family, dreamed of becoming a teacher. She left her home to attend residential school and high school in a small town in Manitoba. On November 13, 1971, Betty was abducted and brutally murdered by four young men. Initially met with silence and indifference, her tragic murder resonates loudly today. Betty represents one of almost 1,200 Indigenous women in Canada who have been murdered or gone missing.
This book is a true account. Content may be disturbing to some readers.
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE “Betty: The Helen Betty Osborne Story” by David Alexander Robertson
A Blanket of Butterflies - Richard van Camp
Genres: Young adult fiction, Graphic novel
“A Blanket of Butterflies” explores the journey of Shinobu, a mysterious stranger who visits Fort Smith, NWT, to retrieve his family’s samurai suit of armor and sword from the local museum. When he discovers that his grandfather’s sword has been lost in a poker game to the man they call “Benny the Bank,” he sets out to retrieve it with the help of a young boy, Sonny, and his grandmother. Together, they face Benny and his men, Torchy, Sfen and the giant known as Flinch, and come to an unexpected realization.
This graphic novel, beautifully illustrated by Scott B. Henderson, explores the grace of family and of trusting the power of the spirit world.
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE “A Blanket of Butterflies” by Richard van Camp
Eternal: Zachary’s Story (Tantalize #2) - Cynthia Leitich Smith
Genres: Young adult fiction, Graphic novel, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Reckless guardian angel Zachary has an unusual assignment. He’s meant to save the soul of Miranda, high-school theater wannabe turned glamorous royal vampire. Completely devoted to Miranda, Zachary takes his demotion to human form in stride, taking a job as the princess’s personal assistant. Of course, this means he has to balance his soul-saving efforts with planning the Master’s fast-approaching Deathday gala.
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE “A Blanket of Butterflies” by Richard van Camp
The Night Wanderer - Drew Hayden Taylor
Genres: Young adult fiction, Graphic novel, Fantasy, Paranormal, Horror
Newcomers to the Otter Lake native reserve don’t go unnoticed for long. So it’s no surprise that 16-year-old Tiffany’s curiosity is piqued when her father rents out her room to a complete stranger. But little do Tiffany, her father, or even her insightful Granny Ruth suspect the truth about their guest. The mysterious Pierre L’Errant has a dreadful secret. After centuries roaming Europe as a brooding vampire, he has returned home to reclaim his Native roots before facing the rising sun and certain death. Meanwhile, Tiffany is deeply troubled—she doubts her boyfriend is being faithful, has escalating disputes with her father, and her estranged mother is starting a new life with somebody else. Fed up and heartsick, Tiffany threatens drastic measures and flees into the bush. There, in the midnight woods, a chilling encounter with L’Errant changes everything as Pierre introduces Tiffany to her proud Native heritage. For Pierre, though, destiny is fixed at sunrise.
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE “The Night Wanderer” by Drew Hayden Taylor
Red Power - Brian Wright-McLeod
Genres: Young adult fiction, Graphic novel
Shelley and Billy join a group of young native activists in the battle against the huge corporate mining interest to protect their lands and culture. The story of the fight for land rights is combined with imagery of native spirits and gods and the history of the first contacts between the European explorers and the indigenous peoples.
Tantalize: Kieren’s Story (Tantalize #1) - Cynthia Leitich Smith
Genres: Young adult fiction, Graphic novel, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
As a hybrid werewolf, Kieren is destined to join an urban Wolf pack and learn to master his shift. Soon, he'll leave everything behind: home, school, his family, and Quincie, his human best friend . . . who's beginning to be a whole lot more than a friend. For years, Kieren has managed to keep his desires-- and his wolf-- at bay. But when the chef at Quincie' s family restaurant is brutally murdered, Kieren resolves to be there for her, even if it means being framed. Even if it means watching Quincie's beloved restaurant morph into a vampire lair. But when the new chef begins wooing her, how long can Kieren control his claws? How long can he protect Quincie-- and himself?
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE “Tantalize: Kieren’s Story” by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Junior Fiction Graphic Novels
Adventures of Rabbit and Bear Paws: Council of the Animals - Christopher Meyer
Genres: Junior fiction, Graphic novel
“It’s a dog’s life for me,” Rabbit thinks as he’s stuck doing chores while his dog Giibot enjoys the day. But things take a surprising turn when Rabbit sees his father, Grey Stone secretly meeting with a gigantic bear. Grey Stone has been summoned as the first human to ever appear before the Secret Council of the Animals. Rabbit, his brother Bear Paws and Strawberry sneak into the council to make sure Grey Stone stays safe. There, they discover that the animals are deciding the fate of humankind once and for all! How will the fates of our beloved characters be sealed: by the unconditional love of a single dog, or in the fangs of a wolf?
Three Feathers - Richard van Camp
Genres: Junior fiction, Graphic novel
Three young men—Flinch, Bryce, and Rupert—have vandalized their community and are sent by its Elders to live nine months on the land as part of the circle sentencing process. There, the young men learn to take responsibility for their actions and acquire the humility required to return home. But, when they do return, will they be forgiven for what they’ve done?
Three Feathers explores the power and grace of restorative justice in one Northern community and the cultural legacy that can empower future generations.
