Maggie Lou’s grandpa doesn’t call her Firefox for nothing. She’s always finding ways to make life more interesting — even if this means getting into big trouble.
When her grandfather Moshôm finally agrees to teach her how to box, she decides that the rank odors, endless drills and teasing won’t stop her from wearing a tutu to the gym. Joining her father’s construction crew uncovers a surprising talent — besides learning how to use a broom — and a great source of scrap wood to build a canine hotel for her dogs. And when she turns thirteen, she figures out an ingenious way to make some smokin’ good camouflage to wear on her first deer hunt, where she joins a long family tradition.
Through it all she is surrounded by her big extended gumbo soup of a family, pestered by annoying younger siblings, and gently guided by her strong female relatives – her mother, her kohkom and her ultra-cool cousin Jayda. “Keep taking up space,” Maggie’s mother says. “You’re only making room for the girls behind you.”
A heroine for today, Maggie Lou discovers that with hard work and perseverance she can gain valuable new skills, without losing one iota of her irrepressible spirit.
Key Text Features
author’s note
biographical note
chapters
dialogue
epigraph
illustrations
Maggie Lou’s grandpa doesn’t call her Firefox for nothing. She’s always finding ways to make life more interesting — even if this means getting into big trouble.
When her grandfather Moshôm finally agrees to teach her how to box, she decides that the rank odors, endless drills and teasing won’t stop her from wearing a tutu to the gym. Joining her father’s construction crew uncovers a surprising talent — besides learning how to use a broom — and a great source of scrap wood to build a canine hotel for her dogs. And when she turns thirteen, she figures out an ingenious way to make some smokin’ good camouflage to wear on her first deer hunt, where she joins a long family tradition.
Through it all she is surrounded by her big extended gumbo soup of a family, pestered by annoying younger siblings, and gently guided by her strong female relatives – her mother, her kohkom and her ultra-cool cousin Jayda. “Keep taking up space,” Maggie’s mother says. “You’re only making room for the girls behind you.”
A heroine for today, Maggie Lou discovers that with hard work and perseverance she can gain valuable new skills, without losing one iota of her irrepressible spirit.
Key Text Features
author’s note
biographical note
chapters
dialogue
epigraph
illustrations
| Published By | Groundwood Books Ltd — Oct 3, 2023 |
| Specifications | 220 pages | 5 in x 7.5 in |
| Keywords | defying expectations; extended family; Metis; following your dreams; busy family; child's perspective; community; culture and heritage; dreams and goals; family relationships; confidence; determination; educating girls; finding joy; new experiences; discovery and adventure; female protagonist; feminist; first person narration; girl hero; Indigenous characters; |
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Supporting Resources
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Excerpt |
| Written By |
ARNOLDA DUFOUR BOWES is a Métis writer, playwright, screenwriter and artist with ties to Sakitawak (Île à la Crosse) and George Gordon First Nation. She grew up in Saskatoon but has lived around the world, from New Zealand to Saudi Arabia. She is the author of 20.12 m: A Short Story Collection of a Life Lived as a Road Allowance Métis, which won the Danuta Gleed Literary Award and the High Plains Book Award. Arnolda lives with her husband, three children and two dogs in Dalmeny, Saskatchewan. |
| Illustrated by |
KARLENE HARVEY (she/they) is an illustrator and writer who lives on the unceded and ancestral home territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh people. Karlene is Tšilhqot’in and Syilx and grew up on territories of the Semiahmoo and Kwantlen Nations. They have illustrated several children’s books, including Maggie Lou, Firefox by Arnolda Dufour Bowes, Drum From the Heart by Ren Louie, Every Child Matters by Phyllis Webstad and Kaiah’s Garden by Melanie Florence. |
| Written By |
|
ARNOLDA DUFOUR BOWES is a Métis writer, playwright, screenwriter and artist with ties to Sakitawak (Île à la Crosse) and George Gordon First Nation. She grew up in Saskatoon but has lived around the world, from New Zealand to Saudi Arabia. She is the author of 20.12 m: A Short Story Collection of a Life Lived as a Road Allowance Métis, which won the Danuta Gleed Literary Award and the High Plains Book Award. Arnolda lives with her husband, three children and two dogs in Dalmeny, Saskatchewan. |
| Illustrated by |
|
KARLENE HARVEY (she/they) is an illustrator and writer who lives on the unceded and ancestral home territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh people. Karlene is Tšilhqot’in and Syilx and grew up on territories of the Semiahmoo and Kwantlen Nations. They have illustrated several children’s books, including Maggie Lou, Firefox by Arnolda Dufour Bowes, Drum From the Heart by Ren Louie, Every Child Matters by Phyllis Webstad and Kaiah’s Garden by Melanie Florence. |
| Audience | ages 9 to 12 / grades 4 to 7 |
| Key Text Features | author’s note; biographical note; chapters; dialogue; epigraph; illustrations |
Commended, Kirkus Best Middle Grade Books of the Year, 2023
Commended, NPR Books We Love, 2023
Commended, Evanston Public Library 101 Great Books for Kids, 2023
Short-listed, Saskatchewan Book Awards, Young Adult Literature Award, 2025
Short-listed, Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice Awards, Diamond Willow Award, 2024
Short-listed, Red Cedar Book Awards, 2024
An amusing story showcasing Métis humor at its finest. STARRED REVEIW
” —KirkusA funny, lovingly crafted book, with a rich cast of characters that is enhanced by artist Karlene Harvey's comic-like illustrations … The humour in Maggie Lou, Firefox will pull young readers in, and the warm heart of the stories will keep them reading. STARRED REVIEW
” —Quill & QuireMaggie Lou's connection to her immediate and extended family, her awareness of her Native roots and the Northern Michif language … and her interests, which are not constrained by gender norms, give these tales a distinctive and refreshing flavor.
” —Horn BookFunny, upbeat … Maggie Lou approaches life with a can-do attitude, confidence, and a helping of sass.
” —Shelf AwarenessStudents will enjoy reading about Maggie's adventures.
” —Children's Literature Comprehensive DatabaseWhat a gem of a book! What I love most is the way Indigenous life is portrayed as just a normal way of being. Nothing tragic or stoic, it is just a large family with lots of love and mayhem.
” —Canadian Children's Book NewsMaggie Lou is ... absolutely unstoppable.
” —Globe and MailMaggie is irrepressible, brimming with ideas, energy and ambition … Many young readers will chuckle with her exploits and see Maggie as a role model.
” —Winnipeg Free Press