Return of the Trickster

Set in Vancouver, British Columbia and written by Haisla/Heiltsuk author Eden Robinson, this novel explores Indigenous mythology. An evil ogress targets Jared because he is the only trickster with enough power to face her. But he learns that his family’s magical powers can bring them all together to defeat the evil being. The story broaches topics such as family bonds and relationships, residential schools, alcohol and drug abuse, and pipeline protests. Suitable for a senior secondary audience, the story’s magical realism, complex ideas, and rich literary language provide many points of interest for readers to explore. In the classroom, the book lends itself as a whole-class novel study or in literature circles.