Maggie Lou Meets Her Match

by Arnolda Dufour Bowes, Karlene Harvey (Illustrator)

Overview

In this sequel to Maggie Lou, Firefox, the irrepressible Maggie Lou acquires a new cousin, and a horse — both of whom have minds of their own.

When Uncle Bobby gets married, Maggie Lou suddenly finds herself with a new cousin, Rosie. Rosie is the same age as Maggie. She also has a fabulous head of curls, although hers are red. And Rosie knows everything about horses and riding — something Maggie Lou has longed to do.

A rivalry sparks between the girls from the start at Uncle Bobby and Aunt Bonnie’s wedding, which features an all-you-can-eat dessert table, as well as lots of energetic dancing. On Rosie’s horse farm, Maggie experiences her share of humiliations as she learns how to ride on a pony so short that her feet can touch the ground.

Eventually the cousins become allies and wreak some hair-raising mischief, including a secret midnight horseback ride. And in the end they are joined by friends and family to train, hilariously, for the famous Otipîm'sowak Race — a Métis voyageur relay — carrying on a family tradition.

Throughout it all, Maggie remains stubborn and enthusiastic, as she navigates the new challenges of defeat, rivalry and family change.

Key Text Features

chapters

character drawings

dialogue

glossary

illustrations

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781773067759
Publisher:	Groundwood Books Ltd
Publication date:	08/05/2025
Series:	Maggie Lou , #2
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	7 MB
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

ARNOLDA DUFOUR BOWES is a Métis writer, playwright, screenwriter and artist with ties to Sakitawak (Île à la Crosse) and George Gordon First Nation. She grew up in Saskatoon but has lived around the world, from New Zealand to Saudi Arabia. She is the author of 20.12 m: A Short Story Collection of a Life Lived as a Road Allowance Métis, which won the Danuta Gleed Literary Award and the High Plains Book Award. Arnolda lives with her husband, three children and two dogs in Dalmeny, Saskatchewan.

KARLENE HARVEY (she/they) is an illustrator and writer who lives on the unceded and ancestral home territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh people. Karlene is Tšilhqot’in and Syilx and grew up on territories of the Semiahmoo and Kwantlen Nations. They have illustrated several children’s books, including Maggie Lou, Firefox by Arnolda Dufour Bowes, Drum From the Heart by Ren Louie, Every Child Matters by Phyllis Webstad and Kaiah’s Garden by Melanie Florence.

Read an Excerpt

Grooming Cocoa reminds me of brushing my own hair. His tail is like a rat's nest. I work out all the knots and am proud of how sleek his mane and tail look when I'm done.

"Looks better," Auntie says. "And I know you did a good job 'cause you're dirtier than your horse!" I look down to see my clothes covered in dust and hair.

“You ready?"

"I was born ready!" I toss the brushes into the box, excited to jump on my horse.

"Put him back in his stall, and I'll be right back."

I look at Auntie, confused. How will I learn to ride without my horse? I slowly untie Cocoa, lead him back to his stall and close his gate.

NEEEEIGGGHHHHH. I turn and see Auntie leading Wîncis toward me. "You'll learn on Wîncis first."

My heart sinks. I stare at the dirty-looking mini horse. Wîncis is a black and white pinto mix of some sort with short, bulky legs. His name means dirty butt in Michif. He practically looks like a donkey.

"You're kidding, right, Auntie?"

"I never joke about riding."

Editorial Reviews

A high-energy love letter to rambunctious girls, big families, and Métis culture.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Full of hilarious high jinks yet bursting with heart … This book shines with realistic sibling relationships, funny dialogue, strong intergenerational bonds, and a steadfast connection to community and culture.” — Booklist

“The portrayal of strong female Indigenous characters is both lighthearted and inspiring.” — Horn Book

From the Publisher

Full of hilarious high jinks yet bursting with heart … This book shines with realistic sibling relationships, funny dialogue, strong intergenerational bonds, and a steadfast connection to community and culture.

Booklist

A high-energy love letter to rambunctious girls, big families, and Métis culture.

Kirkus Reviews

2025-05-16
A welcome return to the adventurous world of Maggie Lou and her big Métis family.

Uncle Bobby is marrying a Métis woman named Bonnie, and while Maggie Lou loves Auntie Bonnie, she finds her daughter, Rosie—who’s going to be her cousin—annoying. Soon the girls’ fighting hits a boiling point, and Kohkom, their grandmother, intervenes. She tells them about identical sister stars Piyak and Nîso, who constantly argued but finally realized that “if they stopped fighting, they could be bigger and brighter together.” Maggie Lou and Rosie agree to try to follow suit. In the second section, Maggie Lou dreams of being a cowgirl and competing at a rodeo like Rosie, and she endures embarrassing lessons on a “stubborn mini horse.” Kohkom shares more of the twin star story, and Maggie Lou realizes that while her skills are different from Rosie’s, they still have value. In the third and final section of the book, Maggie learns that her family used to be the champions of the Otipîm’sowak Race, the annual Métis Day six-person 10-kilometer relay. Maggie Lou decides to enter the junior division and form a team that includes Rosie. Training is difficult, and teamwork initially eludes them, but family prevails. Readers will find themselves cheering for Maggie Lou in this sequel that’s overflowing with humor and rich dialogue. Harvey’s occasional lively illustrations add to the charm.

A high-energy love letter to rambunctious girls, big families, and Métis culture. (author’s note, glossary)(Fiction. 9-12)

Kirkus Reviews