Mystery / Thrillers

Spirit Rider is an enchanting mystery for young readers, blending friendship, Indigenous storytelling, and the supernatural. In this third book in the Lillian Mystery series, Lillian and her friends once again find themselves at the crossroads of spirits and secrets. When a mysterious boy on a bicycle appears outside Lillian’s window, his mischievous antics hide a deeper, more haunting purpose. With her gift of communicating with spirits, and the support of her friends Chloe and Grace, as well as her wise Kokum and Auntie, Lillian embarks on a journey to uncover the truth. Can they unravel the mystery of the Spirit Rider? Or will this spirit’s secrets lead them somewhere they never expected?

Reviews
"[Lillian stories are] from the spirit and are messages for all of our First Nations relatives that it is now time to rise up and take this responsibility back to being natural helpers, and to nurture our children who are struggling.”— Robin Decontie, MSW, Director, Kitigan Zibi Health and Social Services

"Spirit Rider was captivating. I was excited to read the more adventures of Lillian. The caregivers were very kind understanding and patient with Lillian. The book is a perfect example of the seven grandfather teachings; love honesty respect bravery humility wisdom and truth. My emotions as the reader was crying and laughing. Thinking of how the spirit rider was feeling through his young life and Lillians jokes she loved sharing even if they didn’t really want to hear. As a retired Aboriginal Indigenous social service worker it was heart warming and I embraced the book whole heartedly of our First Nation children who perhaps have the same story, With Kindness to the Author Miigwech for allowing me to read this it was an honour."- Stephanie Sandy, Nimki Beneshiinh Kwe . Nookmis of Chippewas of Rama First Nation

"Lynda Partridge books have a way of drawing you in. I couldn't put it down. Her latest book Spirit Rider has you from the first page. Her characters and character development are amazing and so relateable to both young and old, indigenous and non indigenous. Her ability to reach the reader both spiritually and culturally is so strong it's almost tangible. Her best to date." —Sandra Herkimer, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Elder

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 8 to 13.

This book is part of the Indigenous Spirit of Nature series.

This book is also the third book in the Lillian Mystery series. 

Additional Information
194 pages | 5.50" x 8.50" | 6 Black and White Illustrations | Paperback 

A teenage girl walks home in a burgeoning blizzard, happy to have an unexpected snow day. Ignoring an Elder’s warning about the terror the blizzard holds, she finds herself alone in her home with an unseen presence stalking and tormenting her. What does it want? And will she survive?

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 12 to 18.

Additional Information
40 pages | 7.00" x 9.00" | Hardcover 

Five years, three months, and twelve days.
That’s how long Wren’s mother has been missing.

In dreams, Wren can see her again: her eyes, her hair, her smile. She can even hear her laugh. Her mother, one of hundreds of Native Americans considered missing or murdered in Oklahoma. Sometimes it seems like Wren and her grandmother are the only people still looking. Even more frustrating, Wren's overprotective father won't talk about it.

Wren refuses to give up, though. And an opportunity to find lost pets seems like a real way to hone her detective skills. But everything changes when one of the missing pets is found badly hurt. Soon, there are others.

With help from an unlikely friend, Wren vows to unmask whoever is behind the animal abuse. If she can do this, maybe she can do the same for her mother's case. She'll just have to keep it secret from her father who will certainly put an end to all her sleuthing if he finds out.

Find Her explores the crisis of missing Indigenous women from the perspective of a sensitive young Cherokee girl who yearns to find her mother, while also navigating a chilling town mystery, a new friendship, and a family in need of healing.

Awards

• A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Reviews
"Via crisp prose, Reno meshes plot threads involving abandoned shelter pets and a mystery surrounding a locator on Wren’s grandmother’s keys, which emphasize the futility Wren feels in trying to find someone who seems unreachable."—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"A dramatic and captivating call for attention."—Kirkus Reviews

"Cherokee writer Reno crafts a powerful debut centering an important issue affecting Indigenous women and families; a strong purchase for all middle schools."—School Library Journal

"Wren's caring heart and single-minded determination to find her mom shows the frustration and anger felt by too many young people and their families over our country's national crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW)."—Traci Sorell, award-winning author of Indian No More and Mascot

"Find Her is a compelling novel written with sensitivity by gifted Cherokee writer Ginger Reno. In this contemporary story of Wren and her family in Cherokee Nation, Reno addresses the injustice of so many missing and murdered indigenous relatives and the heartbreak and hope that comes with not knowing. Find a place on your shelves for Find Her."—Andrea L. Rogers, award-winning author of Man Made Monsters

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 10+ 

Additional Information

Uncover the Terrifying Intersection of History and Horror

Imagine a chilling horror collection that weaves classic monsters like werewolves and vampires with the true horrors of colonialism, domestic violence, and displacement. Man Made Monsters, by acclaimed Cherokee writer Andrea Rogers, delivers.

Follow a Cherokee family across centuries, from their ancestral lands in 1830s Georgia to the battlefields of World War I and Vietnam, and beyond. Each story offers a chilling glimpse into a different era, revealing how history's monsters intertwine with the supernatural.

Man Made Monsters is a powerful exploration of identity and the enduring legacy of colonization. Rogers masterfully blends Cherokee legends with chilling horror, creating unforgettable characters and monsters.

Each story is accompanied by haunting illustrations from Cherokee artist Jeff Edwards, incorporating the Cherokee syllabary for a truly immersive experience.

Don't miss out on this masterpiece! Man Made Monsters will stay with you long after the last page.

Reviews
“Man Made Monsters is a brilliant and expansive journey across time, seen through a Cherokee lens, written by the brilliant and essential voice of Andrea Rogers. This collection is full to the brim with voice and breadth, including but not limited to magic, horror, and fantasy. The book is fun, funny, and dead-serious. It is beautifully written, and it is full of monsters.” - Tommy Orange

"Although each of Cherokee author Rogers’ stories could stand alone (and versions of some were previously published individually), placing them in chronological order and thus in dialogue with each other results in a thematically richer read and allows readers the delight of tracing the family trees in the frontmatter to situate the characters in relation to other protagonists. " - Kirkus Reviews

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 12 to 18 by the publisher.

Additional Information
336 pages | 6.02" x 9.00" | Paperback 

A living legend roosting in the backyard. An unmissable game. A hair-raising mystery. A road trip full of adventure and danger. And all the overlapping circles that connect us throughout Creation.

Melanie “Mel” Roberts and Ray Halfmoon may be from different Indigenous Nations, but the friends have become like siblings since the Robertses moved in with the Halfmoons. And they soon welcome a distinguished guest: Great-grandfather Bat, whose wing is injured, has taken refuge in their old oak tree.

A rematch of the legendary Great Ball Game is coming up, with Bat as the star player. Grampa Charlie Halfmoon offers to drive Bat from Chicago down to the traditional playing field outside Macon, Georgia, and Mel and Ray are determined to help out.

Together, they all set off on a road trip—facing adventure, danger, and a hair-raising mystery—on the way to the historic game.

With loving care and boisterous humor, acclaimed author Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee) tells a modern folklore story about friendship, embracing the unexpected, and all the overlapping circles that connect us throughout Creation.

Reviews
"A unique and noteworthy tale that weaves together past and present with humor through stellar, multilayered writing." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Cynthia Leitich Smith incorporates the traditional Muscogee story of the ball game between the Animals and the Birds, and legendary Great-Grandfather Bat, into her novel about modern-day Indigenous characters. Though it nods to the traditional tale, this is an all-new story set in a world that young readers will recognize.

Some of the characters in this work are introduced in other books by the author. Ray and Grampa Halfmoon were first depicted in Indian Shoes. Mel was introduced in a short story in Ancestor Approved. And, the story of Bat is mentioned in the picture book Jingle Dancer. Though this new story stands alone, readers may recognize the characters they already have relationships with that will make the story feel even richer. 

Keywords/Themes/Subjects: Family and Community; Blended Family; Mystery; Animals.

Additional Information
240 pages | 5.50" x 8.25"| Hardcover

The Windy Lake First Nation’s lands have been shared with cottagers for fifty years, but no one can agree on where the reserve land ends. The only thing that can prove the boundary is a steel surveyor’s pin with the borders of the Windy Lake reserve etched into its head.

When the Mighty Muskrats hear that the pin was stolen years ago—and that it is connected to their grandpa’s mysterious past—they make it their mission to find the missing pin and prove that the land belongs to their people. But the mystery gets tense when Grandpa becomes a suspect. Cousins Sam, Otter, Atim, and Chickadee must find that pilfered pin!

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 9-12.

This book is part of the fun and adventurous A Mighty Muskrat Mystery Series. This series puts an Indigenous spin on the classic Hardy Boys and Three Investigators books. 

Additional Information
184 pages | 5.25" x 7.50" | Paperback 

Ezra Cloud hates living in Northeast Minneapolis. His father is a professor of their language, Ojibwe, at a local college, so they have to be there. But Ezra hates the dirty, polluted snow around them. He hates being away from the rez at Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation. And he hates the local bully in his neighborhood, Matt Schroeder, who terrorizes Ezra and his friend Nora George.

Ezra gets into a terrible fight with Matt at school defending Nora, and that same night, Matt’s house burns down. Instantly, Ezra becomes a prime suspect. Knowing he won’t get a fair deal, and knowing his innocence, Ezra’s family sends him away to run traplines with his grandfather in a remote part of Canada, while the investigation is ongoing. But the Schroeders are looking for him…

From acclaimed author Anton Treuer comes a novel that’s both taut thriller and a raw, tender coming-of-age story, about one Ojibwe boy learning to love himself through the love of his family around him.

Reviews
“Where Wolves Don't Die will lift you up and not let you down. Anton Treuer knows how to tell a gripping story and the suspense doesn't let up for a single page. Along the way you'll learn about Ojibwe lifeways, languages, sharp jokes, gentle humor, and how to keep romantic love alive from youth to old age. I couldn't put this book down until I'd finished it, and then, I could not forget it.”—Louise Erdrich, Pulitzer Prize winner and owner of Birchbark Books

“I am in awe, crying and smiling at the same time. Where Wolves Don’t Die is a love letter to our Ancestors.”—Angeline Boulley

“Treuer immerses the reader in Ojibwe culture in this suspenseful novel of wilderness survival… An essential illumination of contemporary Indigenous life.”—Booklist

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 12 to 18.

Set in the Canadian wilderness, Where Wolves Don't Die is a thrilling YA coming-of-age novel that has garnered praise from Angeline Boulley, Booklist, and more. A suspenseful adventure tale for teens.

Additional Information
256 pages | 5.50" x 8.25" | Hardcover 

It's the summer of 1914. Eight-year-old Bernice lives with her family in a lighthouse on Georgian Bay. One day Bernice wakes up to find a stranger named Tom Thomson sleeping in their living room. When she overhears him talk about gold on a nearby island, Bernice is determined to find it. Inspired by her beloved Mémèr’s stories of their Métis family’s adventures and hardships, Bernice takes the treasure map the stranger left behind and sets out in a rowboat with nothing more than her two dogs for company and the dream of changing her family’s fortunes forever.

Educator Information
Ages 9 to 12.

Additional Information
190 pages | 7.50" x 5.25" | Paperback

Imagine an America very similar to our own. It's got homework, best friends, and pistachio ice cream.

There are some differences. This America been shaped dramatically by the magic, monsters, knowledge, and legends of its peoples, those Indigenous and those not. Some of these forces are charmingly everyday, like the ability to make an orb of light appear or travel across the world through rings of fungi. But other forces are less charming and should never see the light of day.

Elatsoe lives in this slightly stranger America. She can raise the ghosts of dead animals, a skill passed down through generations of her Lipan Apache family. Her beloved cousin has just been murdered, in a town that wants no prying eyes. But she is going to do more than pry. The picture-perfect facade of Willowbee masks gruesome secrets, and she will rely on her wits, skills, and friends to tear off the mask and protect her family.

Awards

• TIME's Best 100 Fantasy Books of All Time
• NPR Best of the Year
• Locus Award Winner -- Best First Novel
• Shelf-Awareness Best of the year

Reviews
"Creative and meticulously plotted...a Lipan Apache Sookie Stackhouse for the teen set." — Shelf-Awareness

"Educates about settler colonialism while also entertaining with paranormal twists.... Groundbreaking...A brilliant, engaging debut" — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"[A] refreshing voice. Indigenous stories, modern-day technology, and the supernatural successfully blend to build a fast-paced murder mystery." — Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Little Badger's stunning, haunting debut brings to the fantasy genre a fresh voice and perspective, weaving in folktales, omens, and urban legends of the protagonist's Lipan Apache culture." -- Booklist, starred review

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 12+

Darcie Little Badger is an extraordinary debut talent in the world of speculative fiction. This is a book singular in feeling and beauty.

This book is part of the Elatsoe series.

Additional Information
368 pages | 5.50" x 8.25" | Paperback

NSK Neustadt Laureate and New York Times best-selling author Cynthia Leitich Smith delivers a thrilling cross-genre follow-up to the acclaimed Hearts Unbroken.

Deftly leading readers to the literary crossroads of contemporary realism and haunting mystery, Cynthia Leitich Smith revisits the world of her American Indian Youth Literature Award winner Hearts Unbroken. Halloween is near, and Hughie Wolfe is volunteering at a new rural attraction: Harvest House. He’s excited to take part in the fun, spooky show—until he learns that an actor playing the vengeful spirit of an “Indian maiden,” a ghost inspired by local legend, will headline. Folklore aside, unusual things have been happening at night at the crossroads near Harvest House. A creepy man is stalking teenage girls and young women, particularly Indigenous women; dogs are fretful and on edge; and wild animals are behaving strangely. While Hughie weighs how and when to speak up about the bigoted legend, he and his friends begin to investigate the crossroads and whether it might be haunted after all. As Moon rises on All Hallow’s Eve, will they be able to protect themselves and their community? Gripping and evocative, Harvest House showcases a versatile storyteller at her spooky, unsettling best.

Reviews
"Using short, propulsive chapters, Smith (Hearts Unbroken), a member of the Muscogee Nation, intertwines thoughtful conversation surrounding the racism faced by Indigenous teenagers with a convincing ghost story to craft a spine-tingling, edge-of-the-seat chiller." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Part coming-of-age tale, part social justice story, and part paranormal thriller. . . . Smith knows what appeals to teens and what makes them tick, and so includes plenty of current teen slang and occasional curse words to keep this story relevant and engaging for them. This is one heckuva roller coaster ride that ratchets up the tension the closer the story comes to Halloween."—School Library Connection (starred review)

"Smith’s companion novel to Hearts Unbroken (2018) is well-paced and suspenseful, raising thoughtful questions about the intersections of urban legend, cultural trauma, and genre tropes."—Booklist

"Superbly highlights and discusses key topics facing contemporary Indigenous youths, including redface and the plights of missing and murdered Indigenous women and two-spirit people. Hughie’s encounters with different types of racism are recognizably authentic, handled with delicacy and distinct realism. . . . An atmospheric novel compellingly interweaving chills and contemporary themes."—Kirkus Reviews

Additional Information
320 pages | 5.81" x 8.56" | Hardcover 

Buddy wants to prove to his big brother that he is not a scared little kid anymore.

For as long as Buddy can remember, there has been a rumour that the local theme park is haunted. After a fight with his brother, he convinces his friends that they should sneak into the park and spend the night. That way, everyone will know how brave they are. But can Buddy and his friends avoid the guards and the cameras and whatever is haunting the theme park? Or is the whole thing just an urban legend after all?

Reviews
“An excellent story about friendship, teamwork, brothers and growing up…Fast-moving and simple with the book’s themes clearly laid out. The supernatural element adds to the story but is suitable for the intended audience. Highly Recommended.” — CM: Canadian Review of Materials

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 9 to 12.

This book is part of the Orca Currents series. Orca Currents are short, high-interest (Hi-Lo) novels with contemporary themes written specifically for middle-school students reading below grade level.

Legends of Funland is written at a 2.6 reading level.

Lexile:HL510L

ATOS:3.6

Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient: T

Additional Information
128 pages | 5.00" x 7.50" | Paperback

Missing jewelry, a false accusation, and a real thief. Shamus the Urban Rez Dog, P.I. is on the case.

The name’s Shamus. I’m a special kind of dog known as a Rez Dog. That means I’m a mix of different breeds and I come from a reserve. I live in the city with Mom and the twins, Rainey and Cole. We are one of many Indigenous families on our block.

Life is great — until Mom is falsely accused of stealing from the jewelry store she’s worked at for years. When the kids and I set out to catch the real thief, we discover some surprising and, if I do say so myself, hilarious clues — including a false wall, a lucky bowling ball, and a vicious poodle named Hepzibah!

Reviews
“I'm a sucker for a four legged P.I. Shamus the Urban Rez Dog, P.I. by Leslie Gentile is my new favorite flea attracting clue-chaser … I love this book, it was so adorable.” — Angela Misri, CBC’s The Next Chapter, June 2023

“The view from the doghouse isn’t half bad, and Shamus the Urban Rez Dog should know. As a pup, he’s got lots to learn about becoming that ‘well-behaved dog,’ but as a P.I., this dog can sniff out a clue like no-puppy else (as long as he avoids those Thai leftovers).” — Angela Misri, author of Tails from the Apocalypse and the Portia Adams Adventure Series

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 9 to 12.

Additional Information
216 pages | 5.37" x 8.00" | Paperback

From National Book Award finalist Brandon Hobson, a kaleidoscopic middle-grade adventure that mixes the anxieties, friendships, and wonders of a Cherokee boy's life with Cherokee history and lore.

Ziggy has ANXIETY. Partly this is because of the way his mind works, and how overwhelmed he can get when other people (especially his classmate Alice) are in the room. And partly it's because his mother disappeared when he was very young, making her one of many Native women who've gone mysteriously missing. Ziggy and his sister, Moon, want answers, but nobody around can give them.

Once Ziggy gets it in his head that clues to his mother's disappearance may be found in a nearby cave, there's no stopping him from going there. Along with Moon, Alice, and his best friend, Corso, he sets out on a mind-bending adventure where he'll discover his story is tied to all the stories of the Cherokees that have come before him.

Ziggy might not have any control over the past -- but if he learns the lessons of the storytellers, he might be able to better shape his future and find the friends he needs.

Reviews
"The Storyteller is an all-night adventure between four kids, and it's a journey they will never forget. Hobson's middle-grade debut is thoughtful, moving, and even humorous at times, while also challenging colonial history and bringing awareness to MMIW, Missing Murdered Indigenous Women." - Andrew, Goodreads Review 

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 9 to 12.

Additional Information
224 pages | 5.50" x 8.25" | Hardcover 

Unlikely bug buddies bring the science of compost heaps to life.

Bee is spending another beautiful, boring day pollinating flowers in the backyard when a visitor named Flea gallops onto the scene on a dog’s back. Flea is the one and only agent of the Fenced-in-Area Law Enforcement Agency (the F.L.E.A. for short) and she’s heard about trouble in the compost heap: it’s erupted into a wild frenzy, and Flea needs to investigate. Enlisting Bee in the investigation, the pair flies off to the scene of the crime, where they discover compost critters dancing, slime surfing, and playing games of dodge-poo. But is there more to this compost chaos than meets the eye?

This hilarious hop through the compost heap is the first book in a primary chapter book series featuring Bee and Flea. Lively black and white illustrations bring the crime-fighting team to life, while stealthy, accessible STEM content introduces readers to the tiniest composting creatures and how they make backyards bloom.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 9.

Primary chapter book.

Book 1 in the Bee and Flea series.

Additional Information
120 pages | 6.00" x 8.25" | Hardcover 

Windy Lake First Nation is hosting the annual Trappers Festival, and the four Mighty Muskrats are excited about the sled-dog races and the chance to visit with family and friends from far and wide. But during the Teen Sled Race, the lead dog is the victim of a frightening accident that may be more than it seems.

Between mysterious strangers seen lurking by the trail and a loud group of animal rights protestors, the Muskrats have a lot of suspects. Despite the chill of winter, the case is heating up for Sam, Otter, Atim, and Chickadee!

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the fun and adventurous A Mighty Muskrat Mystery Series. This series puts an Indigenous spin on the classic Hardy Boys and Three Investigators books. 

Recommended for ages 9-12.

Additional Information
232 pages | 5.25" x 7.50" | Paperback