Key Selling Points: Book two in the Shining Waters series for middle grade readers. It follows book one, Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold, which won the CCBC's Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People, was a Junior Library Guild (JLG) Gold Standard Selection, and was widely praised by Booklist, Anishinabek News, Historical Novel Society, and more. There are very few children's books with Métis characters. Although fictional, the story is inspired by the author's family story, in particular her great-aunt Bernice, who was like a grandmother to Jessica Outram. Bernice and the Wild Waters continues the story of brave, adventurous Bernice. In book one, young Bernice finds what she thinks is a treasure map, and goes in search of treasure to help her family financially. In book two, the tone of the book is more serious, although Bernice once again wants to help her family. Bernice's mom is afraid for the safety of Bernice and her siblings since an Indian Agent has been spotted in town.
They're taking Indigenous children away to Indian Residential Schools. When Bernice's cousins go missing, they fear the worst. Bernice and her brothers go in search of them, as they'll do anything to help them. This book shares an Ontario Métis story including history, culture, perspective, and the Michif-Fransè language. The series will appeal to young readers who enjoy historical fiction and adventure stories. The book features a strong female character who values the land, water, family, music, and freedom. The story talks about the difficult history for many Indigenous families, and how some families tried to hide their Indigeneity in order to protect their children from being taken to Indian Residential Schools. Written by Métis author Jessica Outram, who has a deep love for and knowledge of the Georgian Bay landscape, where these adventures take place.
An educator for over 20 years, Jessica Outram is the Superintendent of Education at Durham Catholic District School Board. Previously, she was the Principal of Program in Indigenous Education in the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, and she was the 4th Poet Laureate of Cobourg, Ontario.