Children's Fiction Native Canadian
Maggie Lou Meets Her Match
- Publisher
- Groundwood Books Ltd
- Initial publish date
- Aug 2025
- Category
- Native Canadian, Humorous Stories, Girls & Women
- Recommended Age
- 9 to 12
- Recommended Grade
- 4 to 7
-
eBook
- ISBN
- 9781773067759
- Publish Date
- Aug 2025
- List Price
- $8.99
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9781773067742
- Publish Date
- Aug 2025
- List Price
- $14.99
Classroom Resources
Where to buy it
Description
In this sequel to Maggie Lou, Firefox, the irrepressible Maggie Lou acquires a new cousin, and a horse — both of whom have minds of their own.
When Uncle Bobby gets married, Maggie Lou suddenly finds herself with a new cousin, Rosie. Rosie is the same age as Maggie. She also has a fabulous head of curls, although hers are red. And Rosie knows everything about horses and riding — something Maggie Lou has longed to do.
A rivalry sparks between the girls from the start at Uncle Bobby and Aunt Bonnie’s wedding, which features an all-you-can-eat dessert table, as well as lots of energetic dancing. On Rosie’s horse farm, Maggie experiences her share of humiliations as she learns how to ride on a pony so short that her feet can touch the ground.
Eventually the cousins become allies and wreak some hair-raising mischief, including a secret midnight horseback ride. And in the end they are joined by friends and family to train, hilariously, for the famous Otipîm'sowak Race — a Métis voyageur relay — carrying on a family tradition.
Throughout it all, Maggie remains stubborn and enthusiastic, as she navigates the new challenges of defeat, rivalry and family change.
Key Text Features
chapters
character drawings
dialogue
glossary
illustrations
About the authors
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.
Arnolda Dufour Bowes' profile page
KARLENE HARVEY est une illustratrice autochtone (Tsilhqot’in et Syilx) résidant à Vancouver, en Colombie-Britannique. Elle a notamment illustré Joue du tambour avec ton coeur et Chaque enfant compte. Karlene est conseillère en art autochtone à l’Université de Colombie-Britannique, et quand elle ne crée pas, elle étudie la langue tsilhqot’in et écrit ses propres histoires.
KARLENE HARVEY is a Tsilhqot’in and Syilx illustrator who resides in Vancouver, British Columbia. She is the illustrator of Drum from the Heart and Every Child Matters. Karlene is an Indigenous Arts Advisor at the University of British Columbia, and when she's not making art she enjoys Tsilhqot’in language studies and writing her own stories.
Excerpt: Maggie Lou Meets Her Match (by (author) Arnolda Dufour Bowes; illustrated by Karlene Harvey)
Grooming Cocoa reminds me of brushing my own hair. His tail is like a rat's nest. I work out all the knots and am proud of how sleek his mane and tail look when I'm done.
"Looks better," Auntie says. "And I know you did a good job 'cause you're dirtier than your horse!" I look down to see my clothes covered in dust and hair.
“You ready?"
"I was born ready!" I toss the brushes into the box, excited to jump on my horse.
"Put him back in his stall, and I'll be right back."
I look at Auntie, confused. How will I learn to ride without my horse? I slowly untie Cocoa, lead him back to his stall and close his gate.
NEEEEIGGGHHHHH. I turn and see Auntie leading Wîncis toward me. "You'll learn on Wîncis first."
My heart sinks. I stare at the dirty-looking mini horse. Wîncis is a black and white pinto mix of some sort with short, bulky legs. His name means dirty butt in Michif. He practically looks like a donkey.
"You're kidding, right, Auntie?"
"I never joke about riding."
