• Age: 8 to 9
• Grade: 3 to 4

In a hidden canyon in British Columbia's Southern Interior, a ponderosa pine tree sprouts. Seasons pass as the tree grows, witness to generations of human history in the Okanagan Valley, from First Nations quests to fur brigades, horse wrangling, secret wartime commando training, to the firestorm of 2003. Richly illuminated by maps, illustrations, and historical images and informed by a timeline and historical notes, this fascinating book weaves First Nations history with European settlement and natural history. By following the thread of one tree growing in one sheltered and sacred space, award-winning author Karen Autio gently explores patterns of colonization that will resonate with readers all over North America.

Née à Thunder Bay, en Ontario, KAREN AUTIO a grandi dans la ville voisine de Nipigon, où elle a pu laisser libre cours à sa créativité et à son amour pour les chevaux. Vers l’âge de neuf ans, c’est sa passion pour le dessin qui l’a poussée à composer des histoires. Pour Karen, la magie de l’écriture opère lorsque les personnages prennent vie au point de tisser eux-mêmes l’intrigue! Lorsqu’elle n’est pas en train d’écrire, de réviser des textes ou d’expliquer à des étudiants le travail de recherche et l’inspiration sur lesquels reposent ses livres, Karen aime faire du canoë, photographier la nature, lire et voyager. Elle vit à Kelowna, en Colombie-Britannique.

KAREN AUTIO was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and grew up creative and horse-loving in nearby Nipigon. Around the age of nine she began writing stories just so that she could illustrate them. When she’s not writing, freelance editing, or speaking with students about the research and inspiration behind her books, Karen enjoys canoeing, photographing nature, reading, and travelling. Karen lives in Kelowna, British Columbia.

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“This celebration of the cycle of life, as expressed in the slow growth and quick destruction of the ponderosa pine, and the ebb and flow of lives lived in its shade, is deeply satisfying. — The combination of narrative and historical fact renders Growing Up in Wild Horse Canyon not only fascinating for any young reader interested in our history, but even more appropriate as an addition to school and classroom libraries throughout BC and Canada.” “Karyn Huenemann, There Will Be Books (blog); “a history book that young readers will welcome and enjoy for its realism and truthfulness.” “Canlit for Little Canadians (blog)