In this Omnibus version of the four-part series, A Girl Called Echo, readers are offered a glimpse into Métis teenager Echo Desjardins’s world as she grapples with finding her place in a new school amidst navigating her mother’s healing journey. Written by well-known Métis author Katherena Vermette, this engaging graphic novel follows Echo’s quest to understand her Métis roots as lessons from her present-day history class intertwine with dream memories of her ancestors.

With condensed versions of the Pemmican Wars, Red River Resistance, Northwest Resistance, and Road Allowance Era included, this book provides readers with a concise look at key people, places, and events from Métis history. Each story ends with interesting information, maps, and timelines with related details and facts about the Métis people and their way of life. Essential reading for all learners from grades eight to twelve, this book is suitable for lessons in Social Studies, English First Peoples, and classroom learning related to identity and belonging.

Cautions / Content Warnings: Addresses topics of mother in treatment, warfare imagery, and violence.
Other End Matter: Maps, timelines, photographs, teacher’s guide
Images: Colour illustrations
Contributor Affiliation: Author katherena vermette (Red River Métis (Michif)), Illustrator Scott B. Henderson, Illustrator Donovan Yaciuk, Foreword by Chantal Fiola
Bibliography: No
Index: No

Evaluator: Melanie M., Elementary School Teacher, Indigenous Books for Schools

KATHERENA VERMETTE is a Métis writer from Treaty One territory, the heart of the Métis nation, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Her first book, North End Love Songs (The Muses Company), won the Governor General’s Literary Award for Poetry. Her National Film Board short documentary, this river, won the Coup de Coeur award at the Montreal First Peoples Festival and a Canadian Screen Award.

Her first novel, The Break, was a national bestseller and won the Amazon.ca First Novel Award; the Burt Award for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Young Adult Literature; and three Manitoba Book Awards. It was a finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award, the Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize, and CBC’s Canada Reads. She is also the author of the children’s picture book series The Seven Teaching Stories and recently published the first book, Pemmican Wars, in the young adult book series A Girl Called Echo. Ms. Vermette’s second book of poetry, river woman, is forthcoming in the fall of 2018 from House of Anansi Press.

Katherena Vermette's profile page

Scott Henderson (he/him/his) is author/illustrator of the sci-fi/fantasy comic, The Chronicles of Era and has illustrated select titles in the Canadian Air Force’s For Valour series and Tales From Big Spirit series, the graphic novel series 7 Generations and A Girl Called Echo, select stories in This Place: 150 Years Retold, Fire Starters, an AIYLA Honour Book, and Eisner-award nominee, A Blanket of Butterflies. In 2016, he was the recipient of the C4 Central Canada Comic Con Storyteller Award. https://scotthendersonart.wordpress.com/

Scott B. Henderson's profile page

Since 1998, Donovan Yaciuk (he/him/his) has done colouring work on books published by Marvel, DC, Dark Horse comics, and High Water Press including A Girl Called Echo and Breakdown: Reckoner Rises series and This Place: 150 Years Retold. Donovan holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) from the University of Manitoba and began his career as a part of the legendary, now-defunct Digital Chameleon colouring studio. He lives in Winnipeg, MB Canada, with his wife and two daughters.
 

Donovan Yaciuk's profile page

• Nominated, Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Graphic Novel

The captivating stories and illustrations draw readers into the adventures where Echo time-travels into important moments of Métis history. An incredible collection.

Toronto Star

? Among CCBC's Best Books for Kids & Teens list, a starred selection of exceptional caliber.

CCBC

Graphic novel weaves time travel with real life for a compelling look at Métis history, belonging.

Windspeaker

It is...vermette’s storytelling and the fantastic work of illustrator Scott B. Henderson and colourist Donovan Yaciuk that makes the series so special.

Vancouver Sun