53 pages • 1 hour read
Lost In The Barrens
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Book Brief
208
Novel • Fiction
Northern Canadian Wilderness • 1930s
1956
Middle grade
12-16 years
Super Short Summary
Lost in the Barrens by Farley Mowat follows Jamie Macnair, a Toronto boarding school student, who joins his uncle Angus in the remote wilderness of northern Canada. Jamie befriends a Cree boy, Awasin, and together they embark on a journey to help a starving Denésuliné camp. Stranded in the Barrens, they must use their survival skills to endure the harsh winter and eventually find safety with the help of an Inuit boy named Peetyuk. The book uses outdated and offensive language to describe Indigenous and First Nations peoples.
Adventurous
Suspenseful
Inspirational
Challenging
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
3,111 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Lost In The Barrens by Farley Mowat draws acclaim for its vivid descriptions of the Canadian wilderness and its engaging tale of survival and friendship. While some readers feel the pacing is slow at times, the relatable characters and rich detail compensate. Overall, it's praised for its adventure and educational value.
Who Should Read Lost In The Barrens?
Readers who would enjoy Lost In The Barrens by Farley Mowat are typically young adults and adventure enthusiasts who appreciate survival stories in the vein of Gary Paulsen's Hatchet. Fans of rich, naturalistic settings and tales of resilience will find this novel captivating and inspiring.
3,111 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Awasin Meewasin
Awasin Meewasin
A thoughtful and knowledgeable Cree boy who serves as a natural leader and balances Jamie's impulsive nature with his own caution and understanding of the wilderness.
Angus Macnair
Angus Macnair
Jamie’s uncle, a seasoned fur trader living in a remote cabin on Macnair Lake, who teaches Jamie survival skills and provides him with family support.
Alphonse Meewasin
Alphonse Meewasin
The father of Awasin and the leader of the Cree, who cooperates with Angus Macnair for trading purposes and entrusts the care of the camp to his son in his absence.
Marie Meewasin
Marie Meewasin
The mother of Awasin, known for her jovial and principled nature, who takes care of Jamie and Awasin during the men's absence.
Denikazi
Denikazi
The chief of the Kasmere Lake Denésuliné, who seeks aid from the Cree for his people and inadvertently sets the stage for Jamie and Awasin's adventures.
Peetyuk Anderson
Peetyuk Anderson
The half-Inuit, half-white son of Frank Anderson and an Inuit woman, who builds a trusting friendship with Jamie and Awasin and connects them to the Inuit community.
208
Novel • Fiction
Northern Canadian Wilderness • 1930s
1956
Middle grade
12-16 years
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