I'm obsessed. She is an auto-buy author for me now and forever!!

Warrior Girl delivered on everything I loved about Firekeeper's Daughter and then some! Jumping back into the Sugar Island community and the Firekeeper family specifically was a gift. It felt familiar and homey after falling in love with the first book and all the supporting characters of Daunis' story. I loved Perry's story even more - I loved following along with her as she learns the ins and outs of NAGPRA and the repatriation of her tribe's stolen cultural artifacts. IMO, this was a very approachable presentation of an issue that has been on the peripheries of the news cycle but deserves significantly more attention - this story puts familiar faces and names on those fighting for justice against enormous odds.

Despite addressing such serious topics as cultural and historical theft, the missing and murdered indigenous women (MMIW), and police violence against Black people, this story remains firmly young adult - Perry is at the age of internships, first romances, college applications (or not!), and brave (but perhaps foolhardy) acts of vigilante justice. I LOVED ALL OF THIS. I was completely enveloped in Perry's reasoning - I supported her every step of the way even though I knew in my grown-up mind that the risks were too high. I loved her flirtations with new-kid-on-the-block and her and her twin's internship struggles. It all felt very natural to me. And, to top of the high-stakes, heart-racing plot, Perry and her family become mired in a murder mystery AND a separate mystery regarding the disappearance of local anishinaabekwe. This may sound like a lot of things to cover in one book, but Boulley weaves them together beautifully.

I did however, find that this book and her first book both fell into the trap of trying to address all problems, everywhere, all at once and it resulted, in both books, in a very rushed ending. In this book, as the story climaxes, the next chapter is the epilogue and all is settled. This was much too jarring for me. I would have liked a much longer epilogue explaining the results of the MANY things that happened in that last chapter. Also, I didn't like the way Daunis' story ended THERE I SAID IT OK SUE ME!!! I was holding out hope for the other ending. But alas, I digress.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced read of Angeline Boulley's newest YA thriller, Warrior Girl Unearthed.
I loved it.
Boulley has done it again with a strong female teenage protagonist that kicks ass, and doesn't put up with anyone's bullshit. Her name is Perry Firekeeper-Birch.
I absolutely loved following Perry, niece to Daunis Firekeeper from Boulley's amazing work,The Firekeeper's Daughter.
Perry works at a local museum, where she learns more about preserving cultural and ancestral remains. More and more Native girls go missing, and after learning about "Warrior Girl", an ancestor whose bones are being stored away from her tribe, Perry and her friends plan a heist to right the wrongs done to the Native people and their sacred land.
This book sheds so much light on the Native culture, and the way the federal government, law enforcement and people have continued with the prejudices and atrocities many Native Americans have faced at the hands of their white neighbors.
As angry as the realities of the book made me, it was so informative and such a thrilling storyline. I am so grateful to have been able to read Warrior Girl Unearthed

As an adult, I enjoyed this book! I found the information about artifact repatriation fascinating and I loved how well Perry's character was developed throughout the novel. I did find the pacing to be a bit uneven, but I had no issue sticking with it, especially given how much I loved Firekeeper's Daughter. All that said, I teach an independent reading class at a high school and I do not think most teen readers would stick with this one. The first half was pretty slow and I think many young readers who were not super interested in the cultural aspects from the start would not stick it out to get to the action in the second half. So, I'd give this an easy 5 stars for adult readers, but more like 3.5 for likely teen readers.

This is in the same world as Firekeeper's Daughter, but with a focus on the twins, Perry and Pauline, during their summer internships. Early in the book Perry gets an internship at the museum that she isn't too excited about. But when she discovers that many sacred tribal artifacts are being kept in other museums and personal collections, Perry's passion for getting them back to her people emerges.

Delving into history, culture, and laws, Boulley creates a coming of age heist story that is just as memorable as Firekeeper's daughter. I fell in love with the characters, and then the social justice and history aspects were weaved in throughout the story.

I don’t even know where to start when it comes to this amazing book. I loved Angeline’s debut, Firekeeper’s Daughter, and I honestly think I loved this one even more. This is such a timely novel about honoring indigenous ancestral rights and ensuring sacred items are brought home, but it is also a story about community, family, and honoring those that have been taken and those that have been lost.

I adore Perry Firekeeper-Birch. Her spunky attitude, her bravery, and her fierce dedication to her community and her ancestors resonated so deeply with me. The passion in Boulley’s writing makes you share every emotion Perry experiences - the anger, the joy, the fear. The character development was lacking a little, but I still loved every single one of them - especially Shense and Cooper.

All in all, I absolutely loved this book and I highly recommend everyone read it!

In this sequel to Firekeeper's Daughter, Perry finds herself needing to work the summer she is 16 in order to pay off the repair bills on the car she wrecked. She gets assigned to the weird guy, Cooper Turtle, through the local internship program. When she starts to see value in his work of recovering lost tribal artifacts, to include skeletons, Perry is reassigned. Through a series of being reassigned, she comes up with a plan to help return the items. Along the way, girls are going missing and something is up with her friends. Perry must juggle everything and try to keep her head above water.
Opinion
Firekeeper's Daughter was my favorite book of 2021. When I saw another book out by the same author, I knew I had to read it without reading what it was about. When I realized it was some of the same characters from FD, I was ecstatic.
This book is a wonderful mystery that knows how to pull on your heartstrings. Along the way, I found my eyes opening to a different viewpoint and gaining a better understanding of what has been done to Native Americans and their heritage.
I really enjoyed that Perry was a bit of a rule breaker, though she did cause me worry. I think the thing that drew me most to her was her heart and the fact that it was her heart that drove her to do everything she did.
The antagonists were really unlikable. There wasn't any redeeming qualities and that made the story better because it gave me permission to hate them.
I highly recommend this book to anyone. It is a long read but so worth the time invested in it.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Warrior Girl Unearthed follows Perry Firekeeper-Birch as she navigates identity, community, and missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) in her community. It's safe to say that initially, Perry is unhappy with having to intern with the tribal center for the summer. However, through the work she does she learns how difficult it is still for tribes to recover artifacts and ancestors. Soon she finds herself planning a heist to take back the remains of 40+ ancestors that a local has "collected".

Angeline Boulley's writing in both Firekeepers Daughter and Warrior Girl Unearthed is beautiful and complex. She tackles really intense issues in a way that feels very approachable for teens (since this is YA). The found family in this was also beautiful - the "Misfit Toys" group were so supportive of each other and never questioned Perry's motivation nor plan.

Though I appreciated all the set up that happens in the beginning 75% of the book and the realizations that Perry comes to, I found the last 25% of the book to be incredibly fast paced and just a little abrupt. I think it could have used another 50 pages or so to just slow down a bit.

Other than that I absolutely loved this book, loved the writing and will continue to read whatever Angeline Boulley writes next!

Thank you to Netgalley and Henry Holt & Co publishing for the eARC in exchange for a review. All thoughts are my own.

What a wonderful sequel! I loved Firekeepers Daughter, but I enjoyed Warrior Girl Unearthed even more. I loved having a background in the area, the people, and the culture from Firekeepers Daughter (so I would suggest reading it first).
Finding out what happens to the twins - specifically Perry - was such a delight. How had the lives they lived changed since we last met them? It was wonderful to see twins that were not exact copies of each other or were so different they did not even speak to each other. Seeing how their futures were planned - and how those plans changed - was an interesting aspect that I think many teenagers will relate to. The twists with what was happening seemed natural and not forced like in some novels. And I loved that Boulley kept the teens as the focus throughout - even if we thought they may have taken a wrong turn. It was also relatable seeing who some of the antagonists ended up being.
Well written. An interesting look into Indigenous culture. Quality legal information about cultural relics and who should have ownership.

Warrior Girl Unearthed is a strong follow up to the Firekeeper's Daughter and a must read for fans of Angeline Boulley.

Set within the same tribe and lands as Firekeeper's Daughter, Warrior Girl Unearthed follows the story of Perry Firekeeper-Birch, one of Daunis's nieces. Perry is stuck working at the tribal center for the summer where she feels constantly reminder of everything she isn't, basically smart and driven like her sister. However, she is surprised to actually enjoy the work she is assigned when she starts to learn about the federal laws that are supposed to help native tribes recover their ancestors and artifacts. She also is surprised to make some unexpected friends, and perhaps even start a new romance. However, it becomes clear that someone within the community can't be trusted as women from the community go missing and plans for recovering ancestors are thwarted. The question is, who is involved?

Warrior Girl Unearthed is another thought-provoking, suspenseful, and fantastic read. I highly recommend for those interested in learning more about indigenous people, fans of Firekeeper's Daughter, or anyone who enjoys a good young adult fiction book about a strong female character and a band of misfits that aren't afraid to stand up to those in power.

Thank you to #netgalley, Henry Holt & Co publishing, and Angeline Boulley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

You do not have to read Firekeeper’s Daughter before read this book. However, it would add to your pleasure. This book takes place ten years later. The main character is Perry Firekeeper Birch an enrolled Ojibwe member. She is looking forward to a summer of fun with lots of fishing. Her twin sister Pauline is more ambitious, yet more anxious. Perrys summer of fun comes to a quick close when she crashes the twin’s jeep and has to pay for the damages. As she works at an internship at Sugar Island Cultural Learning Center, she comes to understand and appreciate the importance and difficulties involved in reclaiming Indigenous cultural artifacts from collections at Mackinac State College, as well as other colleges and museums across the United States, on eBay and worldwide. Perry often acts before she thinks. Watching her character grow and blossom is a pleasure. I have already ordered this for my high school library. As soon as the public library has the audiobook, I’ll be on the waitlist. Hearing Firekeeper’s Daughter narrated by Isabella Starr LaBlanc is a pleasure not to be missed. I can’t wait to hear her narrate Warrior Girl Unearthed. The authentic pronunciation of the language will be divine.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Perry Firekeeper-Birch just wants a summer of fun, but instead finds herself with a summer of work. When she learns of the remains of a “Warrior Girl” being kept at a local university, she starts on a search for truth and justice that brings her even closer to her family and community. I learned so much from this novel, and I even did more research while I was reading, just as Perry does.

I read other reviews that note that change in voice for this novel, mostly that it feels less mature than Boulley’s debut. I think it’s important to note that Daunis was 19 in TFD, and Perry is 16 in WGU. Her voice reflects her age, in my opinion.

This is such an important book, not only because of its simultaneously tenacious and tender main character, but also because of what it can teach us about culture and community. Boulley is such an important voice in our literary landscape, and this story elevates our awareness of MMIW, indigenous artifacts, repatriation, cultural practices, and many other ideas, I also appreciate the indigenous language used throughout the book and the way it continually offers windows for so many readers. I'm even more excited about the mirror a book like this might offer to indigenous readers (nod to Rudy Sims Bishop).

I happened to be at a book festival last spring where Boulley spoke about Firekeeper's Daughter. Before the event, I walked past a group of young people from a nearby reservation who had come to hear her speak. They were telling Ms. Boulley how much her book meant to them. I'm so thankful there's another wonderful story out in the world for all of us, but I'm especially thankful young indigenous readers have yet another book where they might see themselves and their culture.

I did not expect this book to include so many characters from the earlier book, which was an unexpected bonus of this suspenseful, page-turning read. They remained in the background, and selfishly, I wanted to know a little more about the ten years between the settings of these books. However, I appreciated that the original characters from the debut novel maintained so much of who there were in that book. This book is its own story though, and it maintains a faster, more action-packed pace than the earlier book.

I absolutely loved Firekeeper's Daughter in 2021 - one of my favorite books that year - and truly could not wait to read this new novel from the moment it was announced. My expectations were perhaps too high, but Angeline Boulley's sophomore novel isn't quite as good as her debut. It's on the long side and I felt it at times, especially as the central plot (a heist, which was part of what drew me to the book) wasn't introduced for quite a while. There are multiple mysteries and side plots, some of which weave together while others are red herrings or seem discarded/unnecessary. That said, Boulley's passion and pride for her culture shine throughout the book. She lends incredible specificity to her writing, and weaves in so many real-life issues to built out the world as well as multiple mysteries. Even when I felt the plot lagged, I was still interested and invested (and frequently infuriated); I just wasn't on the edge of my seat.

Firekeeper’s Daughter was one of my favorite books of 2021, so I immediately jumped at the chance to read Angeline Boulley’s new YA novel Warrior Girl Unearthed. It did not disappoint!

Set on Sugar Island, the same community as Firekeeper’s Daughter, Warrior Girl Unearthed is about Perry Firekeeper-Birch. She’s a twin—the less ambitious twin—who is committed to her Anishinaabe community and has little urge to look outside of it, unlike Pauline, “the smart twin.” She enters into the summer after her sophomore year with a commitment to fish, relax, and spend time with her beloved dog Elvis Junior.

After a few poor decisions, Perry’s plans change. Her parents decide that she needs more structure, so with the help of Auntie Daunis (from Firekeeper’s Daughter!), they set up an internship. Perry will be working at the Sugar Island Cultural Learning Center with Cooper Turtle, an eccentric whose first task for Perry is polishing the huge number of glass cabinets in the museum.

Perry is eager for a way out. But then, Cooper invites her on a trip to Mackinac State College and a meeting with several professors who are in charge of their museum’s collection of human remains and associated funerary objects, which—despite the passage of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act—have yet to be returned to their tribe. And Perry is hooked.

Soon, she’s undergoing an unofficial course of deep reading and learning with Cooper that makes her fully aware of just how many objects and remains sacred to her people are being held by universities, shown off by non-Anishinaabe private collectors, and sold on eBay. Perry devotes herself to reclaiming her ancestors and their heritage.

I loved so much about this book. As Perry learns about the injustices done to her people, Boulley incorporates passages from a variety of historical and nonfiction texts that offer valuable information (both for Perry and for the reader). Perry at first seems to be a character who will be laid back in her approach to life, but when she takes on this challenge, her passion and commitment are clear.

Perry’s relationship with her family and friends, in particular her sister Pauline, their friend Lucas, and Erik, who just moved to Sugar Island, is richly drawn, and I loved the nuance with which Boulley develops the secondary characters. Perry herself is a fantastic protagonist whose blunt declarations and dedication to protecting she loves combine with her impulsiveness to lead to some interesting situations.

There are some other plot points that are important to highlight. One is focused on MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) as women in Perry’s community begin to disappear. The other is about Perry’s efforts to reclaim artifacts, which turns a bit heist-y. While the former is both important and connected to all that Perry is learning about the way some people approach her people and, particularly, the women in her community, the last third of the book did stretch my credulity.

With that said, I still highly recommend this book. It’s a great successor to Firekeeper’s Daughter, taking on some incredibly important topics and featuring one of my favorite protagonists in recent memory. Warrior Girl Unearthed should be at the top of your TBR!

I loved "Firekeeper's Daughter" and was so excited to read this sequel. This is not nearly as compelling, perhaps because the suspense element took a lot to come together and the impetus of the suspense was a bit complicated. It also wasn't fully rooted in a storyline that would necessarily appeal to teens. Readers who want to continue to learn more about the Objibwe and their modern day lives in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan will continue to learn in this book. I learned a lot about the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) which was the main storyline of the book. The book also has a strong thread about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIA). I look forward to Boulley's next book.

When I saw Angeline Boulley had written a second novel, I jumped at the chance to read it. Warrior Girl Unearthed takes place in the same Anishinaabe community as The Firekeeper’s Daughter ten years later. It sees the return of many characters from the first book as secondary characters, but centers on Perry Firekeeper-Birch the niece of Danius from FKD. The plot kept me engaged and guessing. Boulley has a gift for writing and character development that never tips her hand. I love how she weaves in language and culture of the Anishinaabe and the natural beauty of northern Michigan.

Warrior Girl Unearthed covers important indigenous issues such as the endemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) and the efforts of tribes to have remains and cultural items returned using the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). We see these issues through Perry’s eyes and share her frustration and anger. It was eye opening both for me as both a non-indigenous woman and a person who professionally is engaged in library/academia/museum work.

Like, FKD, although this was a longer book, it reads very quickly. Also like FKD, although it is YA in nature, it features heavy subject matter such as murder, rape, and kidnapping. Some of WGU felt a little farther fetched in terms of character motivation. I think perhaps it tries to do too much? Overall, I liked this sophomore effort, although FKD maintains its place as my favorite.

My thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Co for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

Angeline Boulley writes beautiful stories! Her care for her people and traditions is felt on every page of her books. In her second book, Boulley reintroduces us to Perry Firekeeper-Birch a few years after we met her in Firekeeper's Daughter. While following Perry's story, we learn about NAGPRA, the federal law that allows tribes to request the return on ancestral remains and sacred items, and the growing numbers of missing and murdered indigenous women. Perry spends her summer working in various capacities in the tribal summer program. She learns about local universities and collectors holding on to ancestors' remains through legal loopholes and less than legal methods, and decides she's the person to bring them back home. Meanwhile, women are going missing, and no one knows how or why.

What I liked:
-Reuniting with many favorite characters from Firekeeper's Daughter!
-Learning about NAGPRA and MMIW
-Perry's character growth
-The way this community cares for their elders and ancestors

What I didn't love:
-The characters were too one-note
-The plot felt a little under developed- especially compared to the complexities in Firekeeper's Daughter
-Breaking the law multiple times without any consequences
-It was missing the lovable comic relief of the elders and sassy aunties

[⚠️: Although marketed as YA, this book hits on some heavy and mature content including rape, murder, and kidnapping.]

Firekeeper’s Daughter is one of my favorite YA books so when I heard she was writing a sequel I was beyond excited! I’ve been impatiently waiting for its release and I was so excited when I finally got the opportunity to early read it!

Boulley mentions that she wrote this book and main character Perry as an “Indigenous Lara Croft” and I was sold! It was exciting to see familiar characters from Firekeeper’s Daughter return, especially Daunis who is now a wise Auntie. Like Daunis, MC Perry is another example of a strong young role model for YA readers to look up to. She goes against the mold and has a passion for discovering her worth and righting injustices of her people. She fights throughout to honor her ancestors and recognize their sacrifices.

As a Michigander, I feel a connection and familiarity with the places that Boulley writes about. However not being Native myself, she has opened my eyes to a Michigan and its history and people that I sadly don’t know enough about. Boulley not only entertains readers with her thrilling story she also educates them and supplies so much wisdom on such important issues that are not widely known. In Warrior Girl, Boulley dives into NAGPRA, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and MMIW, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. This story highlights the sick and sad reality of how Native people were and still are being treated in this country and how much is owed to them and my heart ached while reading. This book leaves you with an anger and desire for more visibility and action on these tragic realities.

Like Firekeeper’s Daughter, I have no doubt this book will be a hit. Pick up this book not only for an excellent YA thriller, but to learn more about the stolen history of Native culture and its people.

I cannot begin this review without acknowledging that this book blew me away, broke my heart, and (on several occasions) had me sobbing for all of the relatives still waiting to be returned to their homelands.

Much like Firekeeper’s Daughter, this book is written for young adults, age 14-18, but appeals to a much, much wider audience. The tie-in between the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) is spot-on and so skillfully articulated for a wider audience.

I continue to be impressed by Boulley’s young, female protagonists and the families and communities that lift them up, but also the use of our Native languages, showcasing the continued life and growth of contemporary Native cultures, the rematriation not just of our relatives and their physical belongings, but of their seeds and their spirits.

I’m pre-ordering my own copy today and plan to donate this advanced copy to my own local tribal library, which (as in the story) is also housed in the same building as our tribal archive/museum and its deeply devoted staff.

I encourage people to approach this book gently. It is a gut- and heart-wrenching whirlwind that is equally beautiful and uplifting.

Enjoy this one.
tokša aké, book friends 📚☕️🪴

Wopíla tanká to Angeline Boulley for this story that grew from a single seed, to @coloredpagesblogtours and @fiercereads for the e-ARC and #partner opportunity to offer this review, and the author for this beautiful physical copy.

#IndigenousBookstagram #IndigenousBooks #WarriorGirlUnearthed #IndigenousAuthor #AngelineBoulley #IndigenousCoverArtist #MichaelaGoade #IndigenousNarrator #IsabellaStarLeBlanc #HenryHoltBooks #WarriorGirlUnearthedTour #ColoredPagesBlogTours #FierceReads #NetGalley

Another great mystery/thriller by Angeline Boulley set in northern Michigan. Perry Firekeeper-Birch is looking forward to a summer of fishing and doing what she wants when her Aunt Dounis (from the Firekeeper's Daughter, set about 10 years earlier) arranges an internship for her instead. As Perry begins learning about the overwhelming number of her ancestors and sacred objects held hostage by museums and collectors, she becomes enraged. The US laws are convoluted and frustrating and it goes against all of her impulses to patiently wait. The reader will learn a lot along with Perry, while being drawn into the story. Highly recommended for grades 8 & up.