The Great Bear: The Misewa Saga, Book Two

Written by David A. Robertson

Narrated by Brefny Caribou

Eli and Morgan journey once more to Misewa, travelling back in time, in this second book in the Narnia-inspired Indigenous middle-grade fantasy series.

Back at home after their first adventure in the Barren Grounds, Eli and Morgan each struggle with personal issues: Eli is being bullied at school, and tries to hide it from Morgan, while Morgan has to make an important decision about her birth mother. They turn to the place where they know they can learn the most, and make the journey to Misewa to visit their animal friends. This time they travel back in time and meet a young fisher that might just be their lost friend. But they discover that the village is once again in peril, and they must dig deep within themselves to find the strength to protect their beloved friends. Can they carry this strength back home to face their own challenges?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tundra Book Group
• Release date: Sep 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9780735272279

David A. Robertson

David A. Robertson (he/him/his) is a two-time winner of the Governor General's Literary Award, has won the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, as well as the Writer's Union of Canada Freedom to Read award. He has received several other accolades for his work as a writer for children and adults, podcaster, public speaker, and social advocate. He was honoured with a Doctor of Letters by the University of Manitoba for outstanding contributions in the arts and distinguished achievements in 2023. He was nominated for the 2026 Hans Christian Anderson Award. He is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and lives in Winnipeg.

Reviews for The Great Bear

[kenagurl-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a phenomenal read. It was a great story and I fell in love with the characters even though I hadn't read the first one yet. I recommend starting at the beginning so that you feel more of the emotion of certain aspects of this adventure and revisiting characters from the first book in this series. It is probably best for older children or young teens, but I really appreciated it as an adult and was able to finish it quickly. This book is uniquely indigenous in its storytelling, and brings such a fun fantasy perspective to the children's real life experiences. It addresses bullying in a unique and brave way.
I received a free copy for my review, but that didn't influence this perspective.

[efeh-626713 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

In exchange for a copy of the book, I am offering my honest review. This fantasy novel is a sequel and likely, because of its suspenseful ending, at least part of a trilogy. It is listed as Book Two of the Misewa Saga. The Great Bear is inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia and follows the adventures of two indigenous foster children (Eli and Morgan) who travel through a portal to another time. The plot includes sad details such as the bullying that Eli undergoes at school and the emotional turmoil that Morgan faces when given her birth mother's contact information. Are these sad details the motive for some in the Indigenous community of Durham District School Board to try to ban the book? Fortunately, the ban was overturned. A useful and much appreciated glossary/pronunciation guide helps the reader navigate the words written in Swampy Cree. A map helps any reader visualize the adventures that lay ahead as Eli and Morgan travel back to a time when a rampaging bear is young. Anthropomorphism also aids any reader to feel a kinship with the animal friends encountered. While the book is pitched at a young, YA crowd, (readers from grade 3 to 6) it can be appreciated throughout the elementary school grades. David A. Robertson who also wrote the children's book, "When We Were Alone" writes with devotion to make Indigenous children visible in the world of children's literature and for this reason alone I would highly recommend this book! It is a good read and thank goodness the book banning is over! ***

[fionaanne · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Robertson writes like a plotter (as opposed to a pantser) which means I'm not in love with his prose but he's done something very clever here and made me fall in love with his plotting. Bring on book three!

Also: I cannot understand why the DDSB banned this (briefly). There's just nothing objectionable or risqué in the tale (at least, not any more than other books for this target audience).

[chaiteachrepeat · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was an incredibly enjoyable book! I didn't win the first one, so I was a little confused in the beginning, but once the kids were in Misewa it really picked up. I love that this is from Native American children's points of view and the honesty about being the foster system. The main characters are lovable, courageous, and show grit in face of adversity. The ending leaves you begging for more.

[tellen81 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was sent this book to review. I really didn't care for it. Maybe if I read book one I might have enjoyed this better. The plot and theme are both good. It shows how the 2 worlds compare and how the kids are dealing with the same conflicts and solutions in both worlds at the same time.

[roorue-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Good Book.

[zoharlaor · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My kids enjoyed this book very much. I put it in our Little Free Library and it was snatched up within a day

[jwyss-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received a free copy of The Great Bear by David A. Robertson in exchange for an honest review.
This is book two of the Misewa Saga and it is not necessary to have the first one to follow the story. However, I now want to read the entire series.
If you enjoy time travel tales like The Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe or the Whatever After books, this Canadian series is for you. The story has a good coupling of contemporary issues facing our two young indigenous leads with traditional times from the past where they are needed to help protect a village.
In present day life, the two have little control over their lives. Both are foster children who are lonely and are now attending a new school where they feel powerless. In the older world, they find themselves. They discover their own personal strengths and insight to indigenous teachings.
Will this their new found strength help them cope with the very real struggles they face back in the contemporary world?