Red River Rose

As addressed in an endnote, Anishinaabe/Métis author Lindstrom (Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior) pulls inspiration from the North-West Resistance of 1885 in Saskatchewan to deliver a rousing historical tale about standing up for what one believes in. After learning that her Métis community is at risk of being forcibly removed from their land by the Canadian government, 12-year-old Rose determines to do whatever it takes to protect her village of Batoche. As things throughout Batoche grow tense, Rose pleads with her parents to share stories of their similar ordeal in Manitoba and the Red River area in 1870. Though her family is hesitant to relive the experience by remaining in Batoche, Rose soon helps them see the value in aiding the burgeoning resistance: she assists in spying, gathering weapons, and generating a plan to stop an approaching steamboat carrying Gatling guns. Though the story is somewhat unevenly paced, it nevertheless excels in relaying potent depictions of the cycles of grief and loss that permeate Indigenous history as seen through the eyes of an indomitable protagonist who will engender empathy and inspire readers. Ages 8–11. Agent: Allison Remcheck, Stimola Literary. (Mar.)