Dog Tracks

by Ruby Slipperjack

Overview

Abby is having trouble fitting in at Bear Creek Reserve. After having lived most of her life with her grandparents in town, it's definitely a transition moving back to the reserve. When Choom, her grandfather, falls ill, Abby must leave her best friends at school, her supportive grandparents, and her perfect pink bedroom, and adjust to living with her mom. But it’s not only being back with Mom that is hard - there’s a new father, John, a pesky half-brother, Blink, a schoolroom full of kids who don’t know her (and don’t seem to want to, either), not to mention a completely different way of life that seems so traditional, so puzzling and complicated.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781927083833
Publisher:	Fifth House Books
Publication date:	02/06/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	1 MB
Age Range:	10 - 13 Years

About the Author

Ruby Slipperjack was born and raised at her father’s trapline at Whitewater Lake in northwestern Ontario. She is a member of the Eabametoong First Nation and speaks fluent Ojibway. She uses her maiden name “Slipperjack” when she writes, in honour of her parents and ancestors for the cultural knowledge and teachings that inform her writing. Ruby is the mother of three daughters and currently lives in Thunder Bay with her husband and their two shelties. She is an accomplished artist and a certified hunter. Ruby works at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and is known to her students as Dr. Ruby Farrell, Associate Professor, Chair, Department of Indigenous Learning. Ruby’s other books include Honour the Sun and Silent Words.

Editorial Reviews

"Slipperjack carefully paints a portrait of traditional and non-traditional life incorporating history and culture into a coming of age story. . . The novel, aimed at readers of Abby's age group, serves as a primer on Aboriginal life for readers of all ages and would be a useful addition to public and school libraries especially in support of the Social Studies' curriculum focus on First Nations.

Recommended"

— CM Magazine

"A lovely story..."

— The Chronicle Journal

"This is not one of those clumsily written 'young-adult-learning-to-walk-in-two-weeks' novels. Rather, this story is about knowing who you are; it's about knowing you have the love of your relatives, no matter where they are; and it's about coming home to your community. . .This novel will stay with readers long after they have finished reading it."

— Multicultural Review

"Abby is a very interesting and appealing character who experiences the realities of everyday teenage life. . . Although the novel is not action packed, it would be a wonderful choice for young readers who are interested in learning about the lifestyle and traditions of the Anishinabe culture and the relationship between city life and reservation life."

— Resource Links

From the Publisher

02/05/2021

Gr 4–9—Slipperjack (Eabametoong First Nation) crafts a hopeful coming-of-age tale about 13-year-old Abby who was raised by her grandparents, whom she lovingly calls Choom and Goom, her version of short form in Ojibwe. The teen must return to her family after her grandfather becomes ill, and she reconnects with her mom, stepdad, sister, and half-brother in the Bear Creek Reserve. Through Abby's journey, readers are introduced to Anishinawbe people, culture, and language. This novel of a loving Indigenous family is endearing. Abby learns her language and develops life skills based on her culture, all with the support of her family, who are always laughing and joking around. This a refreshing read that does not delve into negative stereotypes or social issues that sometimes overshadow Indigenous stories. VERDICT This uplifting coming-of-age tale is a recommended purchase.—Danielle Burbank, San Juan Coll., Farmington, NM

School Library Journal

2020-12-24
Abby’s priorities drastically shift when she moves away to a small reserve in this rerelease of a 2008 title.

Twelve-year-old Abby lives with her grandparents in Nibika, a small Canadian town. She speaks a mixture of English and Ojibwe with her grandmother, Goom, and grandfather, Choom. After her grandfather has a health scare and needs more support than her grandmother can provide, her grandparents move into her Aunty Gilda’s small house, and Abby is sent north to Bear Creek First Nation to live with her mother, stepfather, and little half brother. Abby’s stay gets off to a rocky start, but she settles in as she slowly learns more about her family and culture. She helps her community as they set up and run what they dub “the Real Anishinawbe Experience,” through which tourists can experience life as it was during the 1800s. Shortly after coming to the reserve, Abby gets a puppy they call Ki-Moot, who brings into her life all the joys of a canine companion. The heart of the story is the Ojibwe culture that readers learn about along with Abby. She is given a new name by the Medicine Man and tries to learn skills like sewing and embroidery. Slipperjack’s (Ojibwe) quiet, gentle story of a girl moving to a smaller place and getting the chance to connect with her community is accentuated with values of family and friendship.

A tale of new beginnings in a place with deep roots. (map) (Fiction. 9-12)

Kirkus Reviews