The Sleeping Giant

The Misewa Saga #5

by David Alexander Robertson

Eli and Morgan embark on a dangerous mission to rescue kidnapped animal beings in this new adventure in the award-winning, Narnia-inspired Indigenous middle-grade fantasy series.Eli, Morgan and Emily embark on their most dangerous mission yet, to save the kidnapped animal beings of Ministik and to ensure that these terrible deeds will never happen again. Accompanied by Arik and Mahihkan, as well as the remaining Bird Warriors, they journey across the Flatlands toward the Land of the Sleeping Giant, in search of a long-lost cave where the Green Stars are said to be. The valuable gems are rumored to have great power, which Eli and Morgan will need to overcome an evil they've not faced before. As they draw ever closer, Eli develops more of his powers and learns new revelations about his mother.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Indigenous, Canada, Childrens

216 pages, Hardcover

First published August 6, 2024

About the author

DAVID A. ROBERTSON is a two-time winner of the Governor General's Literary Award, has won the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, as well as the Writer's Union of Canada Freedom to Read award. He has received several other accolades for his work as a writer for children and adults, podcaster, public speaker, and social advocate. He was honoured with a Doctor of Letters by the University of Manitoba for outstanding contributions in the arts and distinguished achievements in 2023. He is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and lives in Winnipeg.

Reviews

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was happy to see that Morgan learned to help Eli deal with his anxiety. This fits in well with the theme of ‘shared burdens’ in this sequel. We see Eli taking on so much and forget that he’s only 12 years old. Having someone to share the burden of his new family, former family, and his anxiety was necessary.

The message about the value of community and being stronger together piggybacked on the sharing burden theme and was well integrated and showcased.

There were several disappointments in this book that weighed heavily on my decision to stop reading this series. Unfortunately, for me it felt like the author was grabbing hot topics centered around identity and using them to fill his narrative. I would have appreciated a warning.

Reading about the “non-binary wooden figures” had me shaking my head…would it have hurt to just call them stick figures?!

I was gifted this copy by Tundra Books Group and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Sleeping Giant” picks up soon after book 4, in which humans had captured Morgan’s and Eli’s Askí village friends, having found a way into Misewa.

The kids decide to rescue their friends, but they encounter obstacle after obstacle, including a terrible attack by some lizard people that gravely injures the brave Pip, who was critical to their plans, but also has his own terrible grief to shoulder.

Eli crafts a daring plan after getting a chance to talk to his father, but everything goes wrong and everyone is in dire situation by this book’s end. I’m deeply worried that Eli and Morgan won’t be able to get free (Eli is also injured, making things worse), much less successfully break all their friends out of their chains, and, also prevent the humans from ever returning to Aski to again terrorize the animal people.

It’s all horribly reminiscent of the atrocities settlers committed against the indigenous in Canada, with Eli drawing the parallel for younger readers.

I am deeply anxious for these characters, and the next instalment cannot arrive fast enough.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Penguin Random House Canada for this ARC in exchange for my review.

[Mateusz · Rating 5 out of 5]

David A. Robertson's Misewa Saga is one of the most captivating Canadian series of middle-grade novels I've read in recent years. "The Sleeping Giant" did not disappoint! The novel follows the adventures of the characters introduced in the original trilogy and highlights the importance of collaboration and community-building. Highly recommended.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great installment in the Misewa Saga featuring Morgan and Eli and their animal friends. This book is about found family, forgiveness, second chances, community and banding together to fight off colonialism. A perfect mix of Pax and Narnia with Indigenous characters and teachings. This was great on audio and the whole series is highly recommended for middle grade readers!

[Jamie · Rating 1 out of 5]

First off, I want to start off by saying I love this series... And I really do think that the author is a very talented writer. Here are my complaints, an honest review:

- The book felt very short. Even if you include the epilogue it's only 201 pages long. This isn't always a problem to have a shorter book, why it's an issue here ties into my next point.........

- I felt like almost all of the book was filler, I didn't really learn anything new about the characters that mattered that they didn't already tease in the last book.

- It seemed like there wasn't a really concrete story here. Morgan and Em were barely in the book. We didn't learn anything new about Eli really. There was almost nothing with the real world involved in the story.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good catch up in chap 1 to the big cliffhangers of book 4

“Now that you have this…considerable power, you feel, in turn, a considerable responsibility,” the wolf stated.

Eli’s father says: Whatever’s Happening the answer lies with the people you hold most dear, family, community. Stronger together.
Why was Eli taken away from them and put in foster care? I don’t remember
To have lost so much, and still give more, was the mark of greatness
We cannot take back what has happened, we can only change what we will do.
Another big cliffhanger, Eli and friends in danger

[Makayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Sleeping Giant by David A. Robertson is a powerful continuation of the Misewa Saga that raises the stakes emotionally, spiritually, and politically.

Morgan, Eli, and Emily return to the world of Aski only to discover devastation. Their animal friends have been taken, sacred beings are being exploited, and a dangerous human presence is destroying everything in its path. As Eli begins to uncover his deeper connection to his Cree heritage—and the stars themselves—he must choose between the life he’s always known and the purpose he was born for.

This book is full of action and heart, but it’s the deeper themes that truly shine: identity, reconciliation, and the strength that comes from choosing to stand up, even when it’s hard. Robertson seamlessly weaves Indigenous knowledge and storytelling into an epic fantasy that doesn’t shy away from colonial realities or the importance of cultural belonging.

Emotionally rich and beautifully written, The Sleeping Giant is a must-read for fans of the series—and a perfect example of why Indigenous voices are so essential in children’s and middle-grade literature.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great series - still good at book number 5!

[Mrs Heidrich]

Review to come…

[Signey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another great addition to the Misewa Saga! I am missing not following along with Morgan so much, but I’ve loved learning more about Eli.

But that ending?? I am so happy the library just added the next and final book for this series so I’m able to pick it up right away! Can’t wait to see how this story will conclude.

[Lillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cliff hanger Batman

[Victoria Toria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d give it a 3.5/5. I love the world-building and the use of Cree language and traditions, but I still get the feeling of staleness in the interactions, but I can’t pinpoint why. As a teacher, I feel like this would make a great grade 4-5 book, but it uses the word “shit,” which felt a bit out of place to me.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the strongest in the series, but I'm looking forward to the next one

[Rob Brock · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fifth book in the Misewa Saga series picks up right where it left off and it feels like the clock is ticking on every single page as Eli, Morgan, and Emily, Mahihkan the wolf, and Arik the squirrel, race to save their animal friends from Aski who have been taken captive by humans who came to enslave them. The story centers again on Eli, who recently discovered his heritage and the special powers he somehow got from his mother, who came from the stars. As he learns to open portals between worlds, he also becomes essentially the leader of the group and he sets out to gather the bird warriors to help save their friends. As the narrative barreled toward the end of the book, I wasn't sure how things could get wrapped up in the pages remaining, but as with previous books, this one sets up the next and leaves you longing for more. The author has said that the sixth book will be the final book in the series, and we are anxious to see how it all wraps up. While this book picks up in the middle of an ongoing story, and it ends setting up what is next, there are also improtant themes addressed here, like the importance of family and friends, the vulnerability of allowing others to help you, and the redemption that can come when we choose to recognize the potential for good in people, helping them see what they could be rather than being defined only by what they have done.

[Maggie (Magsisreadingagain) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some series die out as they stretch through multiple books. Not so with David A. Robertson's Misewa Saga.

The Sleeping Giant is the fifth instalment in this middle-grade series featuring Eli and Morgan, two foster kids from Winnipeg, who have stumbled into another world, filled with animal beings that the kids have come to love and treasure as family. The story picks up directly from the fourth book, The Portal Keeper, and the tension remains high as Eli, Morgan, their human friend Emily, along with Arik, Mahihkan and the remaining Bird Warriors work to rescue kidnapped animal beings from Ministik, and overpower the other humans who have gained access to Aski and are using it for nefarious purposes.

Robertson deftly weaves in lessons about colonization and the attempted eradication of indigenous traditions and values, while writing a story that is appealing to young people, and some of us older youngsters. I flew through this book, wanting to see how Eli and his friends were going to defeat the interlopers. And that ending... cliffhangers are soooo hard. Can not wait until the next book is released!!

Many thanks to Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books and NetGalley for offering me a complimentary eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

[Lori Emilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wild ride! David A Robertson does it again with another wholly satisfying story in the Misewa saga - a Narnia-inspired series featuring foster siblings Eli and Morgan, complete with Cree sky stories and legends.

As in Book 4, Eli is front and center in this installment, and we learn more about his newfound powers. Eli struggles to control these powers and come to terms with the knowledge that he is only half-human. Eli, Morgan, their friends, and even former enemies work to rescue kidnapped animals from the Assiniboine Zoo in Winnipeg. Time travel and portals don't make this easy. It is dangerous work, and several thrilling, violent battles occur between and among humans and creatures. New characters are introduced, and old characters reveal a different side of themselves. Can't wait for the next (is it the final?) book.

Thanks to the author, Tundra Books at Penguin Random House, and NetGalley for an electronic advanced reading copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

[middle_schoolers_read Lindsay P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again I find myself pulled into the world of Aski’ rooting for Eli, Morgan and Emily to save their animal beings friends. Now that that humans have infiltrated their home, the North Country becomes more dangerous than ever. As they attempt to rescue their friends, Eli begins to learn more about himself and his powers. As he begins to trust his instincts more, the others look to him for guidance, but will the pressure to save everyone become too much for him?

I cannot wait for the next book to come out because I need to know what happens next!

Who will like this?

✅ Fans of the first four books in the Misewa Saga
✅ Fans of fantasy adventures
✅ Grades 6-8+
✅ Fans of the Narnia series

[Shelly Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sleeping Giant starts right where book 4 left off. Once again, Eli and Morgan are trying to save Aski only this time it is humans that are trying to take over for profit. Eli works on understanding better how to open portals to save his friends, while also trying to understand why his mother The Star Woman left him.
This is an exciting fantasy book that will lead you from one adventure to another, while playing out friendship and loyalty.
After you read this, you will be anxious to read book 6. This will not disappoint!
I won this book from LibraryThing and enjoyed it immensely!

[Emma Denhoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

**e-ARC received in exchange for an honest review.**

This series is very popular in my classroom, and I am so grateful I got the chance to read the fifth book. I am (and so are my students) loving this series. Everything I’ve seen says this is the last book in the series, but I am really hoping that is not the case, there are still so many things I wonder about!
This book definitely doesn’t shy away from tough topics but it still remains very accessible and age appropriate.

[Bradley Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book keeps you reading and has you hooked, but the story is not finished now I have to wait for book 6 to find out the end of the story. All of the stories are great and keep your interest going.

[Shauna Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great story in The Misewa Saga series. Eli and Morgan have found themselves in quite the pickle in this installment. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series to see what happens next.

[Caroline Hendry · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 I found this pretty violent for a kids book. I kind of felt bad for the lizards. I still liked it and the final book just came in for me at the library so I finished this one in perfect time.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the previous two but still a worthwhile adventure!