In early 1920s Canada, drastic circumstances give Valancy, a twenty-nine-year-old unmarried woman resigned to being an "old maid," the courage to defy her controlling family and escape to a life of her own choosing.

"A little dog named Igvillu dreams of being a sled dog in the North."--T.p. verso.

"Engaging images accompany information about Canada. The combination of high-interest subject matter and narrative text is intended for students in grades 3 through 8"-- Provided by publisher.

"As in many Native families, Lena Mahikan grew up in the cycle of abuse. Her father was an alcoholic until he killed himself when Lena was 10. Her mother, only 14 years her senior, was consumed by gambling. By the time Lena was 15 she was pregnant and, before giving birth, was kicked to the curb by her mom. For 13 years Lena has been living poverty stricken in Toronto, struggling to make ends meet, being chased by her own demons. The cycle continues...

In 1915 eleven-year-old Sam and his father arrive in an undeveloped part of western Canada and begin to plan a new farm for the family waiting back in Iowa.

One Native Life is a look back down the road Richard Wagamese has traveled from childhood abuse to adult alcoholism in reclaiming his identity. It's about what he has learned as a human being, a man, and an Ojibway in his 52 years on Earth. Whether he's writing about playing baseball, running away with the circus, making bannock, or attending a sacred bundle ceremony, these are stories told in a healing spirit. Through them, Wagamese shows readers...

"She thinks the only things worth doing are those that will lead to success. For seventeen-year-old Adanna Nkwachi, life is all about duty: to school and the debate team, to her Nigerian parents, and even to her cousin Genny as Adanna helps prepare Genny’s wedding to Afrobeats superstar Skeleboy. Because ever since her older brother, Sam, had a fight with their parents a few years ago and disappeared, somebody had to fill the void he left behind....

After a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian spends fifty-four days in the Canadian wilderness, learning to survive with only the aid of a hatchet given him by his mother, and learning also to survive his parents' divorce. Includes an introduction and sidebar commentary by the author.

"Wynn and Jack have been best friends since freshman orientation, bonded by their shared love of mountains, books, and fishing. Wynn is a gentle giant, a Vermont kid never happier than when his feet are in the water. Jack is more rugged, raised on a ranch in Colorado where sleeping under the stars and cooking on a fire came as naturally to him as breathing. When they decide to canoe the Maskwa River in northern Canada, they anticipate long days of...