The Case of the Missing Auntie

The Case of the Missing Auntie is the second mystery undertaken by the Mighty Muskrats and is the sequel to The Case of Windy Lake. Like the first book, this installment follows Chickadee and her cousins Otter, Atim, and Samuel (known affectionately as the Mighty Muskrats) as they try to discover what happened to their grandfather’s sister after she was taken from her family during the Sixties Scoop. In this story, Chickadee and her cousins are going to visit the city to visit their Aunt Sadie and their cousins and to attend the Expo. Before they leave, their grandfather confides to Chickadee that he had always wondered what happened to his sister Charlotte after she was unwillingly adopted by a white family during the Sixties Scoop. Chickadee decides that her visit to the city is the perfect opportunity to investigate and maybe discover what happened to her great aunt.

The Mighty Muskrats, who have never been to the city before, are excited to experience all it has to offer. Initially, they are reluctant to help Chickadee in her search for their great aunt, but, after some disappointing setbacks and the discovery that the city can be a harsh place for naive kids from up north, they decide to help. The investigation takes the kids to the Provincial Archives, the government office that holds adoption records, and finally to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. They experience roadblocks along the way, but they also learn more about residential schools and the Sixties Scoop.

The Case of the Missing Auntie is an interesting and engaging read as a mystery novel that focuses on topics that are still uncommon in middle grade fiction. While the subject matter is heavy at times and the novel does not shy away from discussions of the abuse and hardship that Indigenous People in Canada experience in the past and present, the topic is presented at an age-appropriate level and through relatable characters.

This novel would be an appropriate accompaniment for school curricula about residential schools and the Sixties Scoop. It also presents an excellent example to students of how one goes about conducting historical research and the types of organizations, such as archives, that can be used to facilitate such research.

While the first book in the series, The Case of Windy Lake, provides background about Chickadee, her cousins, their family, and community, it is not necessary to read the first novel before embarking on this one. The Case of the Missing Auntie is a well-told mystery that deals with important topics at a middle-grade level. It is highly recommended for school and public libraries.