Read Up On It

Annotated Titles

The Curse of the Shaman: A Marble Island Story
Michael Kusugak
Illustrations: Vladyana Krykorka
Toronto: HarperTrophyCanada, 2006. 157 p.
ISBN 0006395120
Ages 15 and up

The Curse of the Shaman tells the story of two Inuit families who live on Marble Island, north of Nunavut. After the birth of their son Wolverine, his family decides to take him to visit their friend, a shaman. Unfortunately, the shaman Paaliaq was not happy that day. His daughter would not stop crying and being teased by Wolverine's father only irritated him further. In a fit of spite, the shaman casts a spell on the baby boy. Over time, the families forgot about the curse until the day...

This story explores the social mores and the richness of Inuit folklore. The book is punctuated by the illustrations of Vladyana Krykorka, who is inspired by the art of the people of the North.

–DSH

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