David A. Robertson

David A. Robertson (he/him) is the author of numerous books for young readers, including Governor General’s Literary Award for Young People’s Literature winners On the Trapline and When We Were Alone. The Barren Grounds, the first book in the middle-grade Misewa Saga series, was shortlisted for many awards, including the Governor General’s Award for Young People’s Literature, the TD Award for Children’s Literature, and the Ontario Library Association’s Silver Birch Award. It received a starred review from Kirkus and was a Kirkus, NPR, and Quill & Quire best middle-grade book of 2020, as well as a USBBY and Texas Lone Star selection. The Great Bear, the second book in the series, was also shortlisted for the Ontario Library Association’s Silver Birch Award. The third book in the series, The Stone Child, won the McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award and was nominated for the Ontario Library Association’s Silver Birch Award. In 2021 Robertson was the recipient of the Writer’s Union of Canada Freedom to Read Award.

Robertson’s 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. His novel, The Theory of Crows, also won the Carol Shields Winnipeg Book Award. In 2022, he was appointed Editorial Director of a new imprint at Tundra Book Group.

A sought-after speaker and educator, Robertson is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and lives in Winnipeg with his family.

Website: David A. Robertson
Instagram/Threads: @davidrobertsonwriter

FESTIVAL BOOKS

The Sleeping Giant

Eli, Morgan and Emily embark on their most dangerous mission yet, to save the kidnapped animal beings of Ministik. But before they can reach the heavily guarded Land of the Sleeping Giant, Eli must rally more help, not just from old friends, but from surprising new allies. And he must rely on a new way to travel: on the back of the leader of the Bird Warriors himself, Pip. Together they will journey across the North Country, on a mission to reconnect the Bird Warriors, as well as confront old enemies. But even as he must fight for his life—and the lives of his friends and new family—Eli must also come to terms with his newfound knowledge: What does it mean that he is only part human?

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Owl’s Nest Books | Calgary Public Library | Audio

The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage

Everything is changing for 11-year-old Alex Robinson. After his father accepts a new job, Alex and his family move from their community to the city. For the first time in his life, he doesn’t fit in. His fellow students don’t understand Indigenous culture. Even a simple show of respect to his teacher gets him in trouble.

Things begin to look up after Alex tries out for a local hockey team. Playing for the Kodiaks, Alex proves himself as one of the best, but he becomes a target because he’s Indigenous. Can Alex trust his teammates and stand up to the jerks on other teams? Can he find a way to fit in and still be who he’s meant to be?

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Owl’s Nest Books | Calgary Public Library

God Flare

In the latest volume of Robertson’s Reckoner Rises series, Eva and Cole are back just in time to face Mihko’s latest threat: the terrifying results of human experimentation.

Cole and Eva are reunited once more. A new terror looms as Mihko Laboratories latest human experiments are about to be unleashed. Cole is on the long road to recovery, but he’s still struggling with survivor’s guilt. He must stay focused as he, Eva, and their friends prepare for the final showdown with Mihko.

After the events of Version Control, Brady’s mind is fractured, and he can’t distinguish between what really happened and what Mikho made him believe. Eva and Cole may have to face this terrifying threat without him. It’s a grim prospect, but a new discovery might just change everything: God Flare.

Will Brady recover enough to join the fight? Can Cole come to terms with his abilities in spite of his PTSD? And will God Flare help even the odds against Mihko?

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Owl’s Nest Books | Calgary Public Library

BE CURIOUSER

• David A. Robertson to develop and lead Indigenous-authored imprint at Penguin Random House. –CBC Books
• The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage, Review. –The Miramichi Reader
• ‘Reconciliation doesn’t happen without truth’: Authors on the Indigenous renaissance in Canadian literature. –The Globe and Mail
• Award-winning author opens up about ‘finding the truth’ of his Indigenous heritage. –CBC