Mahingan means “Wolf” in Algonquin. A young boy, soon to be a soldier, Mahingan is the protagonist in this beautiful story by Rick Revelle. I am Algonquin follows him and his family in what will be known as Ontario, as they go through events that shaped the aboriginal way of life, such as the buffalo hunt, lacrosse, and skirmishes with the Iroquois. The story culminates in a battle, but there is no overwhelming plot throughout the novel—the story is a portrayal of aboriginal life.

I loved this book because of the thrilling mix of engaging plot, and descriptive writing. I felt as though I was experiencing the surroundings of Mahingan, and I found the book hard to put down all through the night because I wanted to finish my current chapter, and then something else riveting would happen. There was a good mixture of events, both those that directly corresponded to the plot and those that merely added to my enjoyment of the read. The characters were well developed. We see Mahingan grow from a boy to a young man, through his traditional rituals, and in his manner. The novel immerses you into the Algonquin culture in an entertaining way, and the reader will feel comfortable with the story. I found the characters were diverse and lovable, and the text was also informative—something I personally really appreciate, but others may not. There was a glossary in the back of the novel, which helps, since many words in native Algonquin are used. This could be confusing, but in a way also improved the experience.

I would recommend this novel to anyone craving adventure and knowledge in the same read. I am Algonquin is a lovely beginning to a trilogy by Rick Revelle. It mixes native culture with action seamlessly. The book is nice in the way that both bookworm adults and teenagers not prone to reading would enjoy Rick Revelle’s writing equally.

The book is also good for research on Algonquin culture and language. Similar reads include The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, Algonquin Spring, and Algonquin Summer.