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The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

Cherie Dimaline's young adult novel is set in a dystopian future where Indigenous people are being hunted for their bone marrow.

CBC Books Posted: Jul 07, 2017 3:08 PM EDT | Last Updated: July 8

Humanity has nearly destroyed its world through global warming, but now an even greater evil lurks. The Indigenous people of North America are being hunted and harvested for their bone marrow, which carries the key to recovering something the rest of the population has lost: the ability to dream.

In this dark world, Frenchie and his companions struggle to survive as they make their way up north to the old lands. For now, survival means staying hidden. But what they don't know is that one of them holds the secret to defeating the marrow thieves. (From Dancing Cat Books)

The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline was defended by Jully Black on Canada Reads 2018.

Cherie Dimaline is a Mtis author and editor. Her other books includeRed Rooms,The Girl Who Grew a Galaxy,A Gentle HabitandEmpire of Wild. The Marrow Thievesiscurrently being adapted into a TV seriesandit was named one ofTime magazine's top 100 YA novels of all time. The sequel,Hunting by Stars, was published in 2021.

Dimalinewonthe 2021 Writers' Trust Engel Findley Award. The$25,000 recognizes the accomplishments of afiction writer in the middle of her career.

Watch the book trailer

The Marrow Thieves Trailer

6 years ago

0:49

Canada Reads trailer for Cherie Dimaline's The Marrow Thieves.

From the book

It probably started with that first pop of air against metallic plastic, no louder than a champagne cork. I imagined the school truancy officers - Recruiters, we called them coming for us, noses to the wind, sunglasses reflecting the row of houses behind which we were nestled in our wooden dream home. And sure enough, by the time we'd crunched through the first sweet, salty handfuls, they were rounding the house into the backyard.

FromThe Marrow Thieves by CherieDimaline2017. Published by Dancing Cat Books.

Panellistinterviews

Watch the 2018 Canada Reads panellists & authors in conversation with Gill Deacon

7 years ago

1:07:45

The Canada Reads defenders and authors took the stage in Toronto to discuss the five books that will be championed on CBC's battle of the books from March 26-29, 2018. Here and Now's Gill Deacon hosted the event in the Glenn Gould Studio.

Jully Black on how dialogue can start the healing process

6 years ago

1:46

Jully Black, Canada Reads 2018 panellist and defender of The Marrow Thieves, says she's honoured to be championing a book that inspires conversation about Indigenous issues in Canada.

Metro Morning6:24Cherie Dimaline on Metro Morning

Cherie Dimaline, author of The Marrow Thieves, speaks with Metro Morning host Matt Galloway about her novel and what it means to young Indigenous readers to see themselves represented in literature.

Author interviews

19:42Cherie Dimaline on Hunting by Stars

Cherie Dimaline talks to Shelagh Rogers about her latest novel, Hunting by Stars.

The Canada Reads 2018 contenders

Mozhdah Jamalzadah, defendingThe Boat PeoplebySharon Bala
Tahmoh Penikett, defendingAmerican WarbyOmar El Akkad
Greg Johnson, defendingPrecious CargobyCraig Davidson
Jeanne Beker, defendingForgivenessbyMark Sakamoto
Jully Black, defendingThe Marrow ThievesbyCherie Dimaline

Other books by Cherie Dimaline

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