Touching Grass - by Kristy Jackson (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

From the author of the Governor General's Award shortlisted, Silver Birch Award finalist Mortified, a funny, heartfelt middle-grade novel about a young gamer who is sent to "touch grass" at a Dene First Nation culture camp

Tristen would do anything to avoid going outside. The bugs sting, the snakes are poisonous, the heat will kill you if the cold doesn't, and bodies of water? Forget it. Tristen likes it best indoors, deep in his online world where it's safe, with his online friends. Something he has a hard time with IRL.

But Tristen is in trouble at school again, and the principal is threatening to kick him out of this third school in two years. His mom believes the answer is to get Tristen off the games and in touch with nature and his Dene roots. This means Tristen has to spend a week to a culture camp in the wilderness. It's his worst nightmare!

And at first it is a nightmare--no internet, no phone reception, no Bepsi!--and Tristen has no idea how to do any of the skills the other kids seem to do easily. But soon, with some surprising new friends and a few patient teachers, and a little help from technology, Tristen begins to think he might be able to hack this nature stuff after all.

Review Quotes

"I think it's so important for kids to see themselves in books, and our area isn't often included. I think kids from the north who read this will feel included. I think they will laugh when they read it. I sure did." -- Ronelda Robillard, Hatchet Lake Denesu?line´ First Nation, Treaty 10

I am Dene, and I come from an Athabasca Dene community. I endorse Touching Grass. This book, with its themes of resilience, survival, and the importance of community, resonates deeply with the Saskatchewan community. . . . We would love kids everywhere to read it!" -- Rosalie Tsannie-Burseth, Hatchet Lake Denesu?line´ First Nation, Treaty 10