Hawk

When Adam/Hawk, a First Nations teenager living in Northern Alberta, is diagnosed with leukemia he seeks reasons for the disease. He believes it may be due to a process used to produce bitumen in the oil sands and with his grandfather’s help he begins to fight for the land and culture of his ancestors as well as for his life. The environmental damage also affects a pair of osprey who nests in the area but is now finding it more difficult to survive. This timely novel presents the issues of how industry is affecting the environment and economics vs. environment, and could be used for a whole class novel study, literature circle, or read-aloud, as well as for units on environmental studies or First Nations rights.