(2) 4-6 Maggie Lou series. Illustrated by Karlene Harvey. In this sequel to Maggie Lou, Firefox (rev. 11/23), Bowes (Metis) adds a character who rivals the feisty narrator Maggie Lou: her new cousin by marriage, Rosie. The two girls are so similar they are "almost like twins," and at first their competitiveness is a little mean-spirited. But soon, like the sister stars in the story their kohkom (grandmother) tells them, they agree that "maybe if they stopped fighting, they could be bigger and brighter together." Maggie works hard to learn to ride a horse the way Rosie does, and Rosie eventually accepts Maggie's leadership of their relay-race team. Bowes's lively writing carries readers through Maggie's adventures, with occasional black-and-white illustrations by Harvey; and the portrayal of strong female Indigenous characters is both lighthearted and inspiring. Details drawn from real life, such as family storytelling, eating bannock, and smudging running shoes to protect against tripping, also introduce aspects of Metis culture to those unfamiliar with them. A rodeo, horseback riding, farm chores, canoeing, hunting, and other such elements may hold special interest for kids who live in rural areas. The inclusion of Northern Michif words normalizes the use of Native language, and a helpful glossary is appended.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Karlene Harvey. Maggie Lou, full of "pee and vinegar" according to her grandfather, always gets into scrapes (some of which require stitches). The book comprises three episodic stories, broken up into chapters, about Maggie Lou's adventures in boxing, house construction, and hunting; per the appended author's note, Bowes (Métis) used her own experiences "growing up as a young girl in a colorful Métis family in Saskatchewan" as inspiration. Each tale focuses on her tenacity in learning new skills (even boring ones like boxing drills and gym cleaning) before the fun stuff happens. The stories are all action and humor, and if there is little character development, it's because Maggie Lou already has a confidence that's reinforced by her family members, who tell her, "If my mind believes it can happen, my body will believe it, too." This book will appeal to middle-grade readers who like fast-paced, lighthearted stories. Maggie Lou's connection to her immediate and extended family, her awareness of her Native roots and the Northern Michif language (glossary included), and her interests, which are not constrained by gender norms, give these tales a distinctive and refreshing flavor.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2023