Warrior Girl Unearthed

Perry Firekeeper-Birch works alongside her Aunt Daunis to advocate for missing and murdered Indigenous women in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. When valuable tribal ancestral remains and grave belongings go missing from local museums, Perry launches an investigation to track down the stolen artifacts. The summer before her senior year becomes a race against time as Perry pursues leads about both the museum thefts and the unsolved disappearances of Native women in the region. Her determination to protect her community puts her on a collision course with dangerous people who profit from exploiting Indigenous cultural heritage. Through Perry's quest for justice, this YA thriller examines the ongoing crisis of missing Indigenous women and the fight to reclaim and protect Native cultural artifacts. The novel connects past and present as it explores themes of cultural identity, family bonds, and the true meaning of being a warrior.

Readers appreciate the book's authentic representation of indigenous culture, strong female protagonist, and complex exploration of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Many note the emotional depth and careful handling of difficult topics while maintaining accessibility for young adult readers. Likes: - Detailed research and accuracy about tribal laws/customs - Balance of serious themes with moments of humor - Strong family relationships and community bonds - Educational without being didactic Dislikes: - Some find the pacing slow in the first third - A few readers mention confusing plot threads - Romance subplot feels underdeveloped to some Ratings: Goodreads: 4.29/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (450+ ratings) BookPage: 5/5 Reader quote: "The mystery keeps you guessing while teaching about real issues facing Indigenous communities today. Perry is a protagonist you can't help but root for." - Goodreads reviewer "Strong followup to Firekeeper's Daughter though the middle section drags somewhat." - Amazon reviewer

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🌟 Angeline Boulley spent ten years crafting and revising this story before its publication in 2023 🏺 The book addresses the real-world issue of missing Native American artifacts and ancestral remains being held in museums and private collections 🌿 Like her previous novel "Firekeeper's Daughter," this book is set in the Sugar Island Ojibwe community of Michigan's Upper Peninsula 🎬 Netflix has already acquired the rights to adapt "Warrior Girl Unearthed" into a feature film 📚 The author worked for the U.S. Department of Education in tribal education before becoming a full-time writer, bringing authenticity to her portrayal of Indigenous education and policy issues