David A. Robertson

David A. Robertson

David A. Robertson (he/him) was the 2021 recipient of the Writers’ Union of Canada Freedom to Read Award. He is the author of numerous books for young readers, including the Governor General’s Literary Award winners When We Were Alone and On the Trapline. The Barren Grounds, the first book in the middle-grade Misewa Saga series, was shortlisted for many awards, including the Governor General’s Award, the TD Award for Children’s Literature, and the Ontario Library Association’s Silver Birch Award.

His memoir, Black Water: Family, Legacy, and Blood Memory, was a Globe and Mail and Quill & Quire book of the year in 2020 and won Manitoba’s Alexander Kennedy Isbister Award for Non-Fiction, in addition to the Carol Shields Winnipeg Book Award. Robertson is the writer and host of the podcast Kíwew, winner of the 2021 RTDNA Prairie Region Award for Best Podcast. In 2022 ,he was appointed Editorial Director of a new imprint at Tundra Book Group.

A member of Norway House Cree Nation, he lives in Winnipeg with his family.

Instagram: @davidrobertsonwriter

FESTIVAL BOOK

The Portal Keeper

<blockquote>Though he shifts perspective, Robertson nevertheless delivers what series fans have come to expect: fast-paced adventure, humorous banter, and tender explorations of Indigenous experiences." <em>–Kirkus Reviews</em></blockquote>
<strong>Eli and Morgan experience life-changing revelations in this new adventure in the award-winning, Narnia-inspired Indigenous middle-grade fantasy series.</strong>

While exploring World’s End, an area in Aski they’ve just discovered, Morgan and Emily delight in their developing relationship, while Eli struggles to understand his new-found power: the ability to locate a portal. A shocking turn of events leads them to a new village, Ministik, where the animal beings who live there are going missing. Horrified to discover who is responsible, the children vow to help and turn to friends, old and new. But it’s getting harder and harder to keep the two worlds separate, especially when details of a traditional legend change everything. Forever.

<strong>GET THE BOOK</strong>

<a href="https://store.shelflifebooks.ca/item/-yr1IYAXyfpKMH44uVYVlw">Shelf Life Books</a> | <a href="https://calgary.bibliocommons.com/">Calgary Public Library</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.ca/pd/The-Portal-Keeper-Audiobook/B0BRBLTN9P?qid=1692372949&amp;sr=1-1&amp;ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&amp;pf_rd_p=b278ed0a-c3b2-4491-808c-7cb2190a487c&amp;pf_rd_r=K70QA4J5F8AWFQZZVT81&amp;pageLoadId=nxaIaeH9yIdA7urh&amp;creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c">Audible</a>

The Theory of Crows

<blockquote>In weaving together themes of identity, belonging, grief and land, The Theory of Crows is a novel that approaches rapture.”<em> –Yann Martel, author of Life of Pi</em></blockquote>
<strong>When a troubled father and his estranged teenage daughter head out onto the land in search of the family trapline, they find their way back to themselves, and to each other.</strong>

Deep in the night, Matthew paces the house, unable to rest. Though his sixteen-year-old daughter, Holly, lies sleeping on the other side of the bedroom door, she is light years away from him. How can he bridge the gap between them when he can’t shake the emptiness he feels inside? Holly knows her father is drifting further from her; what she doesn’t understand is why. Could it be her fault that he seems intent on throwing everything away, including their relationship?

Following a devastating tragedy, Matthew and Holly head out onto the land in search of a long-lost cabin on the family trapline, miles from the Cree community they once called home. But each of them is searching for something more than a place. Matthew hopes to reconnect with the father he has just lost; Holly goes with him because she knows the father, she is afraid of losing won’t be able to walk away. When things go wrong during the journey, they find they have only each other to turn to for support. What happens to father and daughter on the land will test them, and eventually heal them, in ways they never thought possible.

<strong>GET THE BOOK</strong>

<a href="https://store.shelflifebooks.ca/item/ihViYpG-txUz8he6fo8Tvg">Shelf Life Books</a> | <a href="https://calgary.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S95C1476012">Calgary Public Library</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.ca/pd/The-Theory-of-Crows-Audiobook/B09PRVFF4R?qid=1692375101&amp;sr=1-1&amp;ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&amp;pf_rd_p=b278ed0a-c3b2-4491-808c-7cb2190a487c&amp;pf_rd_r=FFVQ4563VRRFX3QQXP8C&amp;pageLoadId=UicmKS0v7zPNpL7v&amp;creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c">Audible</a>

<strong>BE CURIOUSER</strong>
<ul>
<li>David A. Robertson to develop and lead Indigenous authored imprint at Penguin Random House – <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/books/david-a-robertson-to-develop-and-lead-indigenous-authored-imprint-at-penguin-random-house-canada-1.6599328">CBC Books</a></li>
<li>Review: The Portal Keeper – <a href="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/david-robertson3/the-portal-keeper/">Kirkus Reviews</a></li>
<li>Excerpt: The Theory of Crows is a dramatic tale of hurt &amp; healing – <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/books/david-a-robertson-s-new-novel-the-theory-of-crows-is-a-dramatic-tale-of-hurt-healing-read-an-excerpt-now-1.6429771">CBC Books</a></li>
</ul>

ALL EVENTS WITH David A. Robertson

11 AM
How to 'Empower' Kid Lit: Kyo Maclear & David A. Robertson
Oct 14 @ 11 AM MT - 11:45 AM MT

Memorial Park Library, Alexander Calhoun Salon

1221 2 St SW
7 PM
Writers Family Feud
Oct 14 @ 7 PM MT - 9 PM MT

DJD Dance Centre

111 12 Ave SE

More Shows by Wordfest

1 PM
SOLD OUT - Wordfest & Taylor Centre  for the Performing Arts  Present Matty Matheson
Nov 16 @ 1 PM MT - 2:30 PM MT

Bella Concert Hall, The Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts @ MRU

18 Mt Royal Cir SW
7 PM
Wordfest Presents Marc Garneau
Nov 19 @ 7 PM MT - 8:15 PM MT

Memorial Park Library, 2nd Floor

1221 2 St SW
Add To Cart
7 PM
Wordfest Presents Jody Wilson-Raybould
Nov 27 @ 7 PM MT - 8:15 PM MT

Memorial Park Library, 2nd Floor

1221 2 St SW
Add To Cart