The Barren Grounds is a fantastic read on so many accounts. The characters and their emotional journey, while their reality is far from mine, were relatable. The intrigue was well waid and took me on quite an adventure while the parallel world came to life on the pages. Using the parallel world trope to address the experience of the main characters, mostly Morgan, stuck between the edge of two cultures was brilliant.

I think this book is a great way to introduce younger readers to alternate worldviews and to some harsh experiences such as the foster system, especially for Indigenous kids, deculturation and intergenerational trauma. If you are looking for a place to start or, hopefully continue, a dialogue on those subjects, this is a great read for that. But the story and the Misewa world can definitely be appreciated beyond that. I haven't read the sequel yet, but I can't wait to find what more is in store for Morgan and Eli, and the other world, Misewa.