Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Powerful sci-fi tale of Natives hunted for bone marrow.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 8 parent reviews
Based on 14 kid reviews
Kids say the book has drawn mixed reactions, with many readers finding it boring and poorly executed despite its intended cultural significance and themes of hope and identity. Critics note major plot issues, lack of character depth, and discomfort with certain scenes, while others appreciate its importance in representing Indigenous perspectives even if the storytelling falters.
- mixed reactions
- plot issues
- character depth
- cultural significance
- uncomfortable scenes
- overall dissatisfaction
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
As THE MARROW THIEVES begins, in a future where most people have lost the ability to dream, 15-year-old Frenchie and his brother Mitch are cornered by Recruiters, and Mitch allows himself to be captured. Heartbroken but determined to survive without being dragged off to a "school," Frenchie allies himself with a group of refugees heading north through a climate-changed Canada. As they travel, the group faces tragedy and learns the secrets of the hunters who capture Native people and rob them of their bone marrow in order to stop from going insane.
Is It Any Good?
Climate change promises to be a topic of vital importance to teen readers, and this near-future dystopian makes the subject compelling without succumbing to melodrama. The quest for safety undertaken by Frenchie and his companions is fraught with danger and tragedy, but their indomitable spirit allows them to survive. Each character is drawn with precision, but Frenchie commands attention with his struggle to be responsible while wanting to seek his own way. Author Cherie Dimaline crafts scenes brimming with dramatic intensity but also excels at creating quiet scenes for her characters. Smart, urgent, and moving, The Marrow Thieves is likely to appeal to a wide range of teen readers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Marrow Thieves presents a dystopian future affected by climate change. How are people in your community working to mitigate threats from warming?
How does Frenchie's story reflect the history of Indigenous peoples? What does it have to say about the cost of colonialism?
Why is storytelling important? Can stories sometimes be more powerful than the facts?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Dancing Cat Books
- Publication date : April 1, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 13 - 18
- Number of pages : 231
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : February 9, 2026
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