
Synopsis
Summary
In a dystopian future, the Indigenous people of North America are being hunted and locked in residential schools for their unique ability to dream, rumored to be housed in the marrow of their bones. Since losing his family to one of these schools, seventeen-year-old French has been traveling north with a group of other dreamers who, like him, are trying to build and thrive as a community. But when French wakes up in a pitch-black room, locked in and alone for the first time in years, he knows immediately where he is—and what it will take to escape. Meanwhile, out in the world, French’s found family searches for him and dodges new dangers: school Recruiters, a blood cult, even the land itself. When their paths finally collide, French must decide how far he is willing to go—and how many loved ones is he willing to betray—in order to survive.
Notable Achievements
A 2022 American Indian Library Association Youth Literature Young Adult Honor Book
Reviews
Kirkus Reviews: "The action never lets up and is inextricably intertwined with the personal and community histories of the diverse characters who band together from various nations. Dimaline paints a nightmarish world that is too easy to imagine; it will haunt readers long after they turn the final page."
Link to Review
Link to Review
Link to Review
Link to Review
Educator Guide
This guide was created by Métis educator April Waters, and includes discussion questions and extension activities.