SaskBooks Reviews

Danger in Dead Man’s Mine by Dave Glaze Published by Coteau Books for Kids Reviewed by Shanna Mann $8.95 ISBN1-978-1-55050-416-3 Danger in Dead Man’s Mine is a great book, especially for reluctant readers. The Mackenzie Davis Files (this book is third in the series) is set in 1912 on the prairies. The author does a terrific job of settling the reader into the era without being too obtrusive. It’s possible that the younger reader will not even notice the quaint details, like the fact that dishes are washed in a basin, not a sink, using soap flakes, not detergent, and the dirty water is carefully toted outside to water the vegetables. Mackenzie travels with his mother and sister to Lethbridge, so that his mother can take care of his pregnant aunt. Since his uncle is sick, his aunt is bedridden, and his mother has her hands full with the household, Mackenzie and his cousins are at loose ends. Unlike a lot of books, the author doesn’t make the mistake of allowing his protagonist to make extravagant changes and experience sweeping success. Instead, he shows the boys hunts gophers for a few pennies (there is a bounty on the tails) or…

The Duty to Consult: New Relationships with Aboriginal Peoples by Dwight G. Newman Published by Purich Publishing Review by Shanna Mann $30 ISBN 978-1895830-378 While this is, first and foremost, a scholarly work, the author makes an earnest attempt to present the information in a clear manner. There is no doubt that a layperson would likely benefit from a point-by-point chapter summary, but the absence of Latin terminology and self-referential citations makes it understandable—though it will never be a beach read. The book explores the legal ramifications and implicit necessities of the so-called “duty to consult,” the duty of the crown to notify, consult, or if necessary include First Nations people in any licensing, sale, or use of land or waters that may affect the rights of Aboriginals. If you’ve been paying attention to the news over the past decade of Aboriginal rights litigation, many of the cited court cases will be familiar to you—Taku River Tlingit First Nation v. British Columbia, Mikisew Cree First Nation v. Canada, and so on. It explores the ramifications for First Nation’s bands and organizations as well as for the crown and interested third parties. It notes that many First Nations bands lack resources…

The Saskatchewan Secret: Folk Healers, Diviners, and Mystics of the Prairies by Jacqueline Moore Published by Benchmark Press Review by Shanna Mann $19.95 ISBN 978-0-9813243-2-6 It was inspiring to read about people with the intestinal fortitude to live unconventional lives. In our scientific, logical world that kind of nonconformity separates us from our fellow man at the same time as we learn the underlying truth– we are more inter-connected than we believe. Jacqueline Moore wisely advises readers in the preface, “‘Reality’ is a curious word–it sounds undeniable, authoritative, scientific. But it’s a completely subjective concept… These individuals are truthfully depicting their version of reality; however, one’s personal version must not be — can not be — the whole, entire, and complete reality…I would ask that you simply accept that these are other good people’s real experiences; and that you keep an open mind.” On one hand, many of the stories lined up with my personal beliefs, and perhaps I like the book simply because it makes me feel “right.” But on the other hand, when you read about faith healers invoking the Virgin Mary or Jesus and getting phenomenal results (an event which before reading this book I would have…

Fight for Justice by Lori Saigeon Published by Coteau Books Review by Shanna Mann $7.95 ISBN 978-1-55050-405-7 Fight for Justice, a middle years novel by Regina author and inner-city elementary teacher Lori Saigeon, is unique in giving authentic voice to bullying in urban schools and vividly portraying bullying behavior as a precursor for gang involvement. It was easy to sympathize with Justice’s motivations; his machismo, his responsibility as man of the house and his need to protect his twin sister Charity. Students and adults will identify with his slippery slope of bad decisions that leads to his isolation from the protection of adults and further vulnerability to the bullies. But Justice isn’t stupid. He asks for advice, he studies the adults around them and assesses their behavior. How will they react if he tells them about being bullied? Will they do something dumb (from his perspective) like simply tell Trey to stop it? With maturity and clarity, Justice assesses the people in his life and puts them into categories. Are they his allies, does he protect himself from them, or is he their protector? Lori Saigeon is deadly accurate in her portrayal of not only the instigation and escalation, but…

Return of the Fearsome Critters by Warren S. James Published by Your Nickel’s Worth Publishing Review by Shanna Mann $12.95 ISBN 978-1-894431-26-2 Have you heard of the horrible Hodag? Do you know what an Agropelter is? Regina storyteller Warren James has parlayed his interest in cryptozoology into this creative and original book of poems featuring some of the nearly lost creatures of North American folklore. Each silly poem is preceded by a short encyclopedic entry (complete with pseudo-scientific name!) of the fearsome critter in question. The handsome facing illustrations by Susan Hopkins McQuarrie are reminiscent of Edward Gorey or Maurice Sendak. The whole family will enjoy the spooky illustrations and the amusing and inventive poems. The poems are clearly meant to be read out loud, the same way that many years ago these stories were told by lamplight. Though the stories began as eerie tales told to frighten unwary greenhorns and travelers, the regrettable lack of gullible greenhorns (and the resultant lack of sightings) meant that these weird and terrifying creatures would have been almost forgotten, if not for the author and his delightful poems. Take this book camping with you, or read it around the fireplace for an authentic…