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The Night Wanderer

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2007

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Book Brief

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Drew Hayden Taylor

The Night Wanderer

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2007
Book Details
Pages

215

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Ontario • Contemporary

Publication Year

2007

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

12-18 years

Lexile Level

HL750L

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Super Short Summary

The Night Wanderer by Drew Hayden Taylor follows Tiffany, a 16-year-old Anishinaabe girl from Otter Lake First Nations reserve, and Pierre, an Anishinaabe vampire returning to his homeland after centuries. As Tiffany navigates life with a broken family, Pierre battles his vampiric urges and revisits his past. Both characters' journeys intersect, revealing deeper themes of identity and belonging. Contains descriptions of depression and references to suicidal ideation and suicide.

Mysterious

Dark

Contemplative

Unnerving

Reviews & Readership

3.9

974 ratings

53%

Loved it

32%

Mixed feelings

15%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Reviews of The Night Wanderer by Drew Hayden Taylor often commend its unique blend of Gothic horror with Indigenous cultural elements, making it a compelling young adult novel. Praise is frequently directed at the strong character development and rich, atmospheric setting. However, some critiques mention that the pacing can be uneven and certain plot points feel underdeveloped. Overall, it is generally well-received for its originality and meaningful representation of Indigenous themes.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Night Wanderer?

The ideal reader for Drew Hayden Taylor’s The Night Wanderer is a young adult or adult interested in Indigenous culture, folklore, and supernatural themes. Fans of Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian or Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series will appreciate its blend of contemporary Indigenous life and haunting mystery.

3.9

974 ratings

53%

Loved it

32%

Mixed feelings

15%

Not a fan

Character List

Tiffany Hunter

A 16-year-old Anishinaabe girl dealing with internal and external conflicts related to her identity, family dynamics, and relationships, which are central to her journey throughout the novel.

An enigmatic Anishinaabe man with a mysterious past, known as the "night wanderer," who plays a significant role in Tiffany's life with his complex connection to the community.

Tiffany's caring and wise grandmother, who provides guidance and support while grappling with the changes in their cultural and personal lives.

Tiffany’s father, a concerned parent dealing with his own grief and challenges, and often clashing with Tiffany as they navigate their family dynamics.

Tiffany's white boyfriend, whose actions and attitudes bring additional tension to Tiffany's experiences and relationships.

Tiffany’s absent mother, whose decisions and absence greatly impact the family, leaving emotional challenges for Tiffany and the Hunters.

Book Details
Pages

215

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Ontario • Contemporary

Publication Year

2007

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

12-18 years

Lexile Level

HL750L

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