By Trina Rathgeber illus by Alina Pete
What if the key to survival was not just courage, but the wisdom of generations?
“Lost at Windy River” by Trina Rathgeber is a powerful graphic novel that brings a true story of survival to life for young readers. The book tells the incredible story of the author’s grandmother, Ilse Schweder, a thirteen-year-old Cree girl. In 1944, while checking her family’s trapline in the harsh northern Canadian landscape, Ilse becomes separated from her brothers. For nine days, she faces the unforgiving wilderness alone, with no food or supplies, battling freezing temperatures, snow blindness, and the constant threat of wild animals. The narrative follows her journey as she draws upon the Traditional Indigenous Knowledge her family taught her to endure the unimaginable.
This graphic novel is a great choice for reluctant readers. Vibrant, comic-book-style illustrations by Nehiyaw artist Alina Pete, provides strong visual support. While some vocabulary related to Cree culture and wilderness survival is specific, the illustrations and context clues make these terms clear. When Ilse builds a snow cave or finds spruce gum to eat, students can see exactly how she does it, making the survival skills understandable without relying on complex text. The language is conversational, with accessible dialogue and simple sentences. This visual scaffolding is perfect for students who struggle with text-heavy books, allowing them to follow Ilse’s emotional journey through her facial expressions and actions. It’s a compelling story of resilience that will engage even the most reluctant readers and offer them a window into a vital part of Canadian history and Indigenous culture.
