Lost at Windy River - by Trina Rathgeber (Paperback)

About the Book

This graphic novel for middle-grade readers tells the true story of how a young Indigenous girl survived nine days after getting lost during a snowstorm in northern Canada.

Book Synopsis

★"Colorful illustrations in classic comic-book style help readers explore the challenging landscape. An excellent choice for a book report and good addition to a children's nonfiction collection." -- School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review

It takes courage and bravery to survive in the barrens.

In 1944, thirteen-year-old Ilse Schweder got lost in a snowstorm while checking her family's trapline in northern Canada. This is the harrowing story of how a young Indigenous girl defies the odds and endures nine days alone in the unforgiving barrens. Ilse faces many challenges, including freezing temperatures, wild animals, snow blindness and frostbite. With no food or supplies, she relies on Traditional Indigenous Knowledge passed down from her family. Ilse uses her connection to the land and animals, wilderness skills and resilience to find her way home.

This powerful tale of survival is written by Ilse Schweder's granddaughter.

From the Back Cover

iskwêw pithîsiw nitisithihkâson. My name is Lady of the Thunderbird, and this is my story. In 1944 thirteen-year-old Ilse gets lost in a fierce snowstorm while checking her family's trapline in northern Canada. Separated from her sled dogs, and without food or supplies, Ilse finds herself alone in the unforgiving barrens. She survives freezing temperatures, encounters with wild animals, snow blindness and frostbite. She must rely on Traditional Indigenous Knowledge passed down from her family, and her connection to the land and animals, if she hopes to find her way home. This true story of survival is written by Ilse's granddaughter.

Review Quotes

"This riveting account draws from the author's extensive research to honor the story as her grandmother had lived it."-- "CCBC Choices"

"Young readers will love reading about Ilse's adventures of surviving in the north with no modern conveniences. Especially notable are the fun facts and survival skills that Rathgeber peppers throughout the storyline. Adding to the book's appeal are Alina Pete's highly detailed and colourful illustrations that really bring to life the Canadian barren lands...a captivating true-life survival story. Highly recommended."

-- "CM: Canadian Review of Materials"

"This graphic novel was impossible to set down. The details of the story, found in fascinating side notes about the people, animals, and wilderness, give the reader a well-rounded introduction to the immense beauty of this remote way of life. It delivers a powerful message to young readers about how determination and a thorough understanding of life's interconnectedness can make you stronger than you might believe possible."

-- "The Historical Novel Society, Historical Novels Review (HNR), Editor's Choice"

"The author mixes folklore, cultural notes, and history into this biography that reads like an adventure story. The illustrations do a good job of showing the clothes worn, the food eaten, how Ilse's family camped in the snow, and other details that shine a light on a way of life few readers today will have experienced. It's good to finally have [Ilse's] story reclaimed and retold by her family."-- "Booklist"

★"Colorful illustrations in classic comic-book style help readers explore the challenging landscape. An excellent choice for a book report and good addition to a children's nonfiction collection."

-- "School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review"

About the Author

Trina Rathgeber is a member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation and grew up in the northern community of Thompson, Manitoba, where she did all the things that northern kids do, from playing hockey and fishing to building forts in the woods. She enjoys writing for children and is the author of French Fries Are Potatoes: A Food Poem and Little Cookbook and The Bunnies Talk Money. Trina lives in Calgary with her family.

Alina Pete (they/them) is a nehiyaw artist and writer from Little Pine First Nation in Saskatchewan. They grew up urban but spent summers wandering in the Qu'Appelle Valley with their cousin from Cowessess First Nation. Alina is best known for their Aurora Award-winning comics, but they also write short stories and poems, and their work has been featured in several Indigenous comic anthologies. Alina lives on unceeded Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen land with their partner.