The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage by David A. Robertson

David A. Robertson has expertly woven age-appropriate teaching moments with all the unknowns of a young adolescent’s sudden upheaval in The Kodiaks. The main character, Alex Robinson, is an 11 year old from the Norway House Cree Nation who must adapt to two of the most stressful things a child can go through: moving to a new and bigger city, and going to a new school. He is forced to leave behind George, his best friend from the reserve, as well as his beloved hockey team where he was the MVP. Bravely, Alex bears a positive attitude in the face of change and looks forward to tryouts for the new team in Winnipeg. With the new friendships comes challenging interactions, especially with his own views of his cultural identity. There are plenty of emotional highs and lows throughout this hero’s journey.

The teaching moments aren’t only for children, however. The story cleverly introduces how mindlessly over-used expressions steeped in our colloquial language can be culturally insensitive. Through those jarring experiences, Alex must learn to speak up for himself and confront many stereotypes. It can also be a wake-up call for the adults in the room who have either heard or used such expressions; Alex in turn becomes a teacher not only for the adults in the story, but for the ones reading.

The intense play-by-play action of the minor peewee league games is enough to get the pages turning rapidly and perhaps consume the attention of the reader for several hours. I will pass this book along to my similarly aged nephews to see what they think of the dialogue. That may have been the only part were I was scratching my head — do kids really converse like that? Does it take a way from the story? It depends on the reader and how much the authenticity of peer dialogue matters. Aside from that, this book is a very engaging read and could be spotlighted as an educational tool for everyone on National Truth and Reconciliation Day. I’d love to see this book as mandatory reading for kids across Canada.

Kids bully each other for many reasons. In The Kodiaks, we can trace a direct line to the parents, as a learned behaviour mimicked by children. It’s a realistic scenario that we hear about in small town and bigger cities across Canada. This book doesn’t shy away from presenting such a reality, but with a tone and depth suitable for middle grade aged kids. Amidst the name calling, we witness Alex’s own self-reflections about who he is and where he came from.

While the target audience for this read may be adolescents, the themes are impactful enough for adults to add this book to their own reading lists. For those of us who passed through ancient school curriculums designed without the consult and participation of First Nations communities, leaning into Indigenous literature of all genres, including children’s fiction, is one way to actively listen. With the serious themes of this book, the audience is left feeling hopeful and perhaps eagerly awaiting book two of the series.

DAVID A. ROBERTSON (he, him, his) was the 2021 recipient of the Writers’ Union of Canada Freedom to Read Award as well as the Globe and Mail Children’s Storyteller of the Year. He is the author of numerous books for young readers including When We Were Alone, which won the 2017 Governor General’s Literary Award. The Barren Grounds, Book 1 of the middle-grade The Misewa Saga series, was shortlisted for the Ontario Library Association’s Silver Birch Award, and was a finalist for the 2020 Governor General’s Literary Award. His memoir, Black Water: Family, Legacy, and Blood Memory, was a Globe and Mail and Quill & Quire book of the year in 2020, and won the Alexander Kennedy Isbister Award for Non-Fiction as well as the Carol Shields Winnipeg Book Award. On The Trapline won David’s second Governor General’s Literary Award, the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, and was named one of the best picture books of 2021 by numerous outlets. Dave is the writer and host of the podcast Kíwew (Key-Way-Oh), winner of the 2021 RTDNA Praire Region Award for Best Podcast. His first adult fiction novel, The Theory of Crows, was published in 2022. He is a member of Norway House Cree Nation.

Publisher: Portage & Main Press (April 9, 2024)
Paperback 8″ x 5″ | 184 pages
Ages 9-12
ISBN: 9781774921012

Mala Rai

Mala Rai is a poet, drummer, psychology student, and technical writing hired gun on the West Coast. Her most recent poems have appeared in Eclectica Magazine, High Shelf Press, and Anti-Heroin Chic. You can follow her on Instagram @malaraipoetry