Junior Chapter Books
Books for Grades 4 to 6
This list includes chapter books and graphic novels that reflect Indigenous Voices for the junior grades.
The Case of the Missing Auntie by Michael Hutchinson (2020)
Description: This is the second chapter book in a series called The Mighty Muskrat Mystery Series featuring four mystery-solving Cree cousins from fictional Windy Lake First Nation. In this story, they head to the Big City to attend an Exhibition Fair. But after being told by their Grandfather that his younger sister, Great-Auntie Charlotte is missing, they decide to search for her. They learn that she was ‘scooped’ by the government, first to attend a Residential School, and then adopted out.
Why use this book? This story presents First Nations Youth as proud, smart, caring and capable, with knowledge, talents, and skills that fit their environment, with different ways of thinking and a different relationship to Canada. This story also weaves in the harsh realities of Canada’s treatment of First Nations People and racist policies that continue to affect First Nations families in an age-appropriate way.
Themes: Residential Schools, Sixties Scoop, systemic racism, Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Reading Level: Grades 5-6
Fatty Legs: A True Story by Christy Jordan-Fenton & Margaret Pokiak-Fenton (2010)
Description: This is an illustrated chapter book that shares the true story of Margaret, an Inuit girl as she attends Residential school in hopes of learning to read. However, upon starting school, she was treated harshly by a nun who made her clean and complete other chores instead. She was disrespected, was the only one who was given red stockings, was stripped of her cultural identity and made to feel excluded. Instead of calling her by her name, they call her fatty legs instead. Margaret although experienced trauma during her time in Residential School, she learns to stay optimistic and preserves through difficult times.
Why use this book? The illustrations in this story intricately captures the experiences of those attending Residential schools and how their culture was taken away. Although this book can be emotionally striking at times, the story shares how the main character is strong, resilient and stands up for herself when faced with the trauma caused by one of the nuns. This story can be used to share with students in the junior grades when discussing bullying and ways to overcome difficult situations.
Themes: Residential Schools, Overcoming challenges as a survivor in Residential Schools, Inuit culture, overcoming trauma, self-identity
Reading Level: Grades 4-5
A Girl Called Echo: Red River Resistance Vol.2 by Katherine Vermette (2019)
Description: This graphic novel is the second in a trilogy about contemporary Indigenous social justice issues. As a 13 year old girl named Echo adjusts to her new foster family, she also learns about her Métis Culture, But one afternoon in school, a powerful daydream transports her through time to the summer of 1869 on the banks of the Red River. Benjamin, a boy from this era, is her guide as she observes the arrival of Canadian surveyors, and Métis families, who have lived there for generations, losing access to their Land. As the Resistance takes hold, Echo fears for the future of her people in the Red River Valley.
Why use this book? It presents Métis History through a contemporary lens and also illustrates the effects of intergenerational trauma on Indigenous Youth.
Themes: Métis culture, Red River Resistance, Louis Riel, intergenerational trauma
Reading level: Grades 5-6
The Mask That Sang by Susan Currie (2016)
Description: This is a fast paced adventure story about a 12 year old girl who inadvertently discovers her Cayuga Heritage while retrieving an inherited wooden Iroquois Healing Mask after her Mother sells it to buy a computer. The author draws upon her own adoption and her Cayuga Ancestry to convey realistic contemporary Urban Indigenous experiences that include racism, bullying, and poverty.
Why use this book? This book reveals the mistreatment of Indigenous Peoples living in urban areas of (what we now call) Canada. But it also offers a hopeful and positive message about healing, and about the importance of embracing one’s community and culture.
Themes: Cayuga Culture, Urban Indigenous experience (includes issues of racism, poverty, bullying), intergenerational trauma caused by Residential School and colonialism, discovering one’s identity and belonging
Reading Level: Grades 5-6
Peacemaker, Thanadelthur by David A. Robertson (2014)
Description: This graphic novel is number six in a seven-book series called Tales From Big Spirit. This story takes place in a contemporary First Nations School where Cole is caught daydreaming in class. As a result, his teacher assigns him an oral presentation about an important Indigenous Hero. Although Cole has public speaking anxiety, he is inspired by the story of a Dené Woman named Thanadelthur from the 1700s who brought peace between her Dené People and the Cree. When this opened up trade routes for the Dené with Fort York fur traders, she became the Fort York Governor’s interpreter. Inspired by her bravery, Cole overcomes his fears and delivers a great presentation.
Why use this book? It presents a strong female Indigenous Hero from history that contemporary students will identify with. This book series corresponds to grades 4–6 Social Studies curriculums across Canada; a teacher’s guide to this series is available.
Themes: First Nations, Dene, Denesuline (Chipewyan), courage in overcoming fear
Reading Level: Grades 5-6
A Stranger at Home: A True Story - Christy Jordan-Fenton (2011)
Description: This illustrated chapter book is the true sequel to Fatty Legs. After two years of living in Residential School, Margaret (Olemaun) Pokiak returns home to Inuvialuit at age ten, and her mother greets her with, “Not my girl.”. Margaret knows she is an outsider who has forgotten her Language, Traditional Stories, and Ways of Living. As she rediscovers her Inuit Culture and regains her place-based identity, she realizes how important it is to respect the Traditional Ways of her Peoples.
Why use this book?: Categorized as children’s non-fiction, this book offers a true memoir that realistically illustrates the lasting impact of Canadian Residential Schools on Inuit Children and their families; it includes archival photographs and striking illustrations by Liz Amini-Holmes. Margaret a strong, compassionate girl who selflessly places her family’s needs above her own.
Themes include: Canadian Residential Schools, Residential School Survivors, Inuit Culture
Reading level: Grades 4-5
When We Play Our Drums, They Sing by Richard Van Camp & Lucy & Lola -by Monique Gray Smith (2018)
Description: These two chapter books are bound together as a flip book. Both stories, are told by First Nations Youth with differing perspectives on Reconciliation. Van Camp’s novella includes a 12 year old Dené boy, angry at his people for losing their Language, Traditions, Ways of Being. But an Elder shows him the lasting impact of Residential Schools on his People, and the value of understanding the past to change the future. In Gray Smith’s novella, Lucy and Lola are 11 year old twins who spend a summer with their grandmother (Kookum) in (what we now call) British Columbia where they learn that their mother and grandmother are both Residential School Survivors. These girls learn what it means to be intergenerational survivors.
Why use this book? At the end of each story are resources that include a Language Guide, Reader's Guide, and Author's Note. Both stories offer authentic insights into intergenerational trauma (#OurOwnVoices).
Themes: Residential Schools, intergenerational trauma, foster care (Sixties Scoop), Truth and Reconciliation
Reading Level: Grades 5-6