Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate is a captivating dual-timeline story following the lives of Ollie and Val. It’s a heartbreaking narrative that reveals why children were forced to flee to the woods and the incredible bravery and resourcefulness they needed to survive. Wingate’s descriptive language brings the setting and characters to life, making their journeys all the more vivid. While I appreciated the depth and detail, I did find the pacing a bit slow at times, causing my mind to wander and occasionally lose track of where I was in the story

Shelterwood gives a dual timeline story of a wildlife refuge. Follow the young children that were homeless and roamed the area a hundred years ago. Meanwhile you get to follow the conclusion of their story, finally revealed in 1990.

I didn't enjoy this book as much as I had hoped. It moved a little bit slow. Overall, I enjoyed both stories and how they came together in the end.

Shelterwood is a quietly compelling novel that blends themes of nature, healing, and self-discovery, though it sometimes feels slow-paced. Set in a remote forest retreat, the story follows characters who are each grappling with their own personal struggles. The natural setting is beautifully described, adding a tranquil yet haunting atmosphere that complements the novel’s reflective tone.

The characters are thoughtfully written, but the plot meanders at times, focusing more on internal growth than external action. For some, this introspective approach may be meaningful, while others might find the lack of momentum frustrating. The themes of environmental conservation and personal renewal are well-woven into the narrative, though they occasionally feel heavy-handed.

For readers who appreciate slower, character-driven novels with a strong connection to nature, Shelterwood offers a soothing and contemplative read. However, its lack of urgency and quiet pacing may not appeal to those looking for a more dynamic or plot-driven story. It’s a gentle and thoughtful book, but not particularly memorable in the long run.

I really loved this book. I live in Oklahoma so this story really resonated with me. I would highly recommend this book.

A sweeping historical fiction that at times had me in tears. Wingate can write a master class in writing historical fiction that gets you invested while learning something as well. Simply beautiful written.

Thank you for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fascinating historical fiction book about a young girl named Olive from 1909 and how her story intersected with Valerie in 1990. Taking place in the Winding Stair region of Oklahoma, Shelterwood tells the story of the Choctaw children and the lengths some people went through to get their land and oil. Very interesting and great characters. Told in two separate timelines that are brought together at the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Lisa Wingate's new book Shelterwood will not disappoint her fans. The book takes place alternating between Olive Augusta Radley's jouney in 1909 and Valerie Boren-Odell 's as the new law enforcement ranger at Horsethief Trail National Park in 1990. Ollie , an eleven year old is fleeing her home in order to save herself and her adoptive sister Nessa , who is six from their stepfather's hands. Nessa's sister Hazel has been missing for months and now Ollie is the only one that can save them both. Valerie is a single mother trying to start over again when she took the job at Horsethief Trail National Park. Val thought that this job would be quiet however, from her first day on the job is hasn't been. Val is now caught up trying locate Braden, one of the locals that has gone missing and is wondering if Sydney , Braden's sister is really telling the truth about his disappearance. The more Valerie digs into this case the more danger she and Sydney find themselves in. Valerie turns to the only person she thinks she can trust Curtis, who works for the police on the Indian Reservation. The two stories come toghter in the end when we find out that Sydney and Braden's grandmother is finally found and the turth of what really happened to Ollie and Nessa comes to light 81 years after the fact. With all of Lisa Wingate's book she weave historic fact with fiction. I would like to thank both NetGalley and Ballantine Books for letting me read an advanced copy of this book.

Shelterwood is set in two different time periods, one covering 2 Choctaw runaways in the early 1900's and another covering the story of newly appointed ranger, Valerie, at the Horsetheif Trail National Park set in the 1990's who is a single parent facing the challenge of being a new female officer in a male dominant field. When the skeletal remains of 3 children are found in an abandoned cave, Valerie is determined to find answers to what happened to them as well as the answers to other suspicious happenings around the area.

Lisa Wingate is a very talented author and I was excited to read her latest novel but this one missed the mark. There were two many, poorly related events happening and it just didn't hold my attention.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the E-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

I've tried several times to finish this one and just couldn't do it. I have loved Lisa Wingate's other books, but this one was a flop for me.

Beautiful book!

I loved reading both points of view and could have continued reading if the book was longer because I felt invested in the characters.

I will definitely be recommending this to others!

This is a really well researched historical novel. I really enjoyed Ollie in the 1909 time. All the characters were well developed. Lisa Wingate does a really good job of telling the dual timelines in 1909 and 1990, and bringing them together by the end. I enjoy the historical aspect that we don't hear about in every other book. Wingate has a way of bringing to light lesser known times in history and makes you want to know more. Be sure to read the author's note about the history and events that inspired the book. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.

Synopsis: Shelterwood's two storylines take place in Oklahoma about 80 years apart: In 1909 – two young runaways meet up with other children living on their own — in a time before there were social service agencies or child labor laws to keep unscrupulous adults from taking advantage of children. 12-year-old Olive Augusta Radley, the older of the two runaways narrates the story. Then in 1990 – Newly widowed Valerie Boren O’dell (narrator) and her very inquisitive seven-year-old son Charlie have just relocated to Oklahoma to make a fresh start. Valerie is one of the first women rangers assigned to a national park and eager to prove herself to her sexist male colleagues. Almost immediately she gets involved in missing persons.

My thoughts: Shelterwood is a poignant exploration of child abuse, neglect, and the resilience of the human spirit. Set against a backdrop of historical injustice, the novel follows a group of orphaned children navigating a world marked by mistreatment and exploitation. At the heart of the story lies a powerful conflict between the wealthy landowners and the marginalized, as the children fight for survival and justice.

The novel's dual timelines, alternating between the past and present, add depth and complexity to the narrative. Readers are immediately captivated by the resourceful children and the determined woman who seeks to uncover the truth about their past. The story's exploration of grief, loss, and the enduring power of hope makes for a compelling and thought-provoking read.

Many thanks to Random House - Ballantine Books for sharing this remarkable historical fiction from Lisa Wingate. I love all of her historical fiction books, as I always learn something new.

I have loved a couple of this authors books but for some reason this one just has not resonated with me and it has taken forever for me to be interested in even finishing this book. I appreciate the content, the characters, and even the storyline but for me it just seemed to drag on a bit. There details in the story that weren’t relevant and parts of the story that needed more. Honestly not sure there really needed to be two different timelines. Olive and Nessa’s timeline would have been the only one to keep.

I have enjoyed other books by Lisa Wingate in the past, but I could not get into this one. The back and forth between time periods was confusing and I had to put it down.

This dual timeline novel opened my eyes to a time which seems forgotten by the history books.
The 1909 story about orphans from Oklahoma tribes who were taken from their families to live with court appointed guardians. The "Guardians" then stole the children's mineral rights which brought them wealth from the rich coal, oil and timber reserves on the land. They abandoned the children who then wandered the forests and mountains and eventually banded together foraging for food. Many of the townspeople thought that the children were actually "elves" living in a hollow tree, and stealing or begging for food. The main characters in this timeline were Olive Radley and her Choctaw "sister" who escaped an abusive stepfather, who Olive thought had something to do with her sister Hazel's disappearance. Fortunately, her real father had taught her some survival skills which she applied in the forest with the other children.
The second story was set in 1990 as Valerie Boren-Odell, a new Law Enforcement Ranger at Horsethief National Park, discovers a3 skeletons in a cave, and a dead male body in a river. The author describes the difficulties she had as she attempts to raise her 7 year old son, and learn about the new job. And, being an outsider, and a woman in a typically male profession, things were not easy for her.
The historical significance of the abandoned children and the wrongs committed against indigenous people throughout our country was appalling.
Unfortunately, I do not think that these descriptions were fictional.
I learned a lot from this book but I felt that the descriptions of the children's activities were a little excessive. Although they were important to the story, the book became 3 stories as the ranger also looked for a missing teenager.
I received a free ARC of Shelterwood from NetGalley and the publisher, and the opinions expressed here are completely my own.

I love Lisa Wingate. No matter if her stories are historical fictions or novels about small town living, they always make me feel like I am part of the story and want to devour the book. Well, that was until I read Shelterwood. This book was a slog.
I'm not big on dual point of views and this book was everything I dislike about them. These two POV's seemed to have nothing in common until the last 10 percent, I really only liked the 1990 story and even it wasn't amazing and chapters didn't seem to flow together well going from one to the other.
I am giving this book two stars because it is an important topic (though I didn't really know what it was until WAY too late in the book) and Wingate did seem to do a lot of research to make sure she taught the reader about life in the early 1900's.

From Lisa Wingate:
"Shelterwood began with an unexpected spark on an ordinary day, when the research for another novel led to a vintage newspaper mention of “Oklahoma Kate” Barnard, a female elected official (a rarity in a time when women couldn’t even vote) who was compelled to investigate reports of three “elf children” living in a hollow tree and begging for food at nearby farmhouses in 1909. In rescuing the children, Kate would discover that they were not elves at all, but orphans of Oklahoma’s Five Tribes (the Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole). Along with fifty-one other children, they were under the protection of a court-appointed guardian, who had “lost all track of ” most of his wards. He was living lavishly on their oil monies, while the children survived in the woods and became so malnourished, skittish, and small that people thought they were elves."
What Worked For Me:
I always enjoy when a book directly ties to a piece of history, especially one that I'm not as familiar with. I love learning about what inspired books, particularly when that inspiration is based on a piece of unknown history. Here Wingate has done a terrific job of taking this small piece of history and crafting a world around these children.
Those children. I really grew attached to all of them...even the bad boys. They were all done wrong by the adults in their lives. Their tenacity, resourcefulness, and relationships were believable to inspiring, even if that part was fiction. Equally as believable was the way they couldn't help but be the children they were, destroying what they had built.
Valerie, a widowed single mother who is torn between wanting to protect her son and wanting to get to the truth. Wingate doesn't make her invincible, all knowing, or fearless - she makes her relatable and realistic.
I liked this look at a woman breaking into a traditionally male career. I always like books that do that.
We've got a setting in this book that I was entirely unfamiliar with and I enjoyed learning more about the mountains of Oklahoma (I'll be honest, until a couple of years ago, I was pretty sure that Oklahoma was entirely flat).
What Didn't Work As Well For Me:
This is one of those books where we move back and forth in time, reading two storylines and moving to the place where they will intersect. As so often happens, the historical storyline captured my attention more than the present day storyline. Even so, in this book, I will say that I was really enjoying the present day storyline. Until the ending, where the past and the present come together. Even given that the "present day" in this book is almost 35 years ago, readers are required to suspend disbelief to a certain extent. It would have worked better for me if the "present day" of this book were in 1980 even.
The "bad guys" were a little too stereotyped for me and very early on I was sure about the truth of one character.
I think Wingate's fan will find this one gives them exactly what they are looking for in one of her books and new-to-her readers will find plenty to enjoy in this book. I certainly did and will be picking up more of Wingate's books, especially working on the assumption that her other books will also have an element of historical fact that she's crafted the book around.

An interesting historical fiction about children who were mistreated and abandoned and the people who tried hard to save them. A little long and repetitive, but also something I did not know much about before reading.

From the shelves

Through spring and summer, we now fall into reading


By Tom Mayer
tmayer@cullmantimes.com

So many books, so little time, so … let’s get to it. Here we offer two dozen titles that I’ve picked and plucked from the … more than a few dozen … I receive from publishers each year. From the best nonfiction (and a journey through history with Pope Francis), children’s fiction (just try to resist a story with the title, “Two Friends, One Dog, and a Very Unusual Week”) and fiction from acknowledged masters to masters-in-the-making, this list isn’t exhaustive — somewhere north of 1 million books are published each year — but I’m betting you’ll find more than few titles listed here to ignite your fall reading.

“Ferris” (Candlewick) by Kate DiCamillo: Introduce a ghost and a family of warring raccoons into Ferris Wilkey’s summer before fifth grade and it becomes a season of sheer pandemonium. As always, DiCamillo's writing shines with warmth and empathy.

“After Annie” (Random House) by Anna Quindlen: A poignant story of loss and the long road to healing following the death of Annie Bowen as her husband, children and closest friend are left to understand and repair the chasms left in their own lives and addictions. The novel is a beautiful exploration of love, grief and resilience.

“The Number One Lawyer” (Little, Brown and Company) by James Patterson and Nancy Allen: The authors team for a fast-paced legal thriller about a top lawyer who becomes a top murder suspect following the death of his wife. The novel is a gripping page-turner filled with unexpected twists and turns.

“Life: My Story Through History” (HarperOne) by Pope Francis, translated by Aubrey Botsford: Pope Francis shares his personal journey intertwined with pivotal moments in modern history, offering insights into his faith and leadership. This memoir is a deeply reflective and inspirational account of a life dedicated to service.

“Friends in Napa” (Mindy’s Book Studio) by Stella Yasmin Marikar with an introduction by Mindy Kaling: Marikar’s novel is a delightful exploration of friendship and wine in California's Napa Valley, where six old friends reunite to navigate life’s complexities … and the illusion of friendship. The story is filled with warmth, humor and a touch of nostalgia.

“Two Friends, One Dog, and a Very Unusual Week” (Peachtree) by Sarah L. Thomson, illustrated by Vin Vogel: Thomson presents a heartwarming tale of friendship, adventure and Otto the dog that turns two soon-to-be friends' world upside down. Those who loved “The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking” will relish this new tale.

“For Worse” (Blackstone Publishing, paperback) by L.K. Bowen: This dark thriller puts readers into intricate plots of marital revenge as Ellie tries to, again, leave her seemingly picture-perfect married life. A tale about a psychologically abusive, manipulative and cruel marriage keeps readers on the edge.

“The Forgetters” (Heyday) by Greg Sarris: Sarris delivers a compelling tale of memory and identity, as two crow sisters, Question Woman and Answer Woman, must work in tandem to recount the journeys of the Forgetters. The novel, told in the style of Southern Pomo and Coast Miwok creation stories, is a profound meditation on the power of storytelling.

“Lost to Dune Road” (Thomas & Mercer, paperback) by Kara Thomas: Pulled back into an unsolved murder after a mistake ruined her reporting career, Lee Ellerin finds a chance for redemption in finding the killer. Thomas weaves a tale of secrets buried along a road to vindication. The story is a haunting exploration of the past's grip on the present.

“Pictures of Time” (Silver Street Media, large format) by David Alexander with graphic design by Tommy Steele: A tale of time is told through photographs as the book explores how art and science converge and cross. The book is rich with vivid descriptions and thought-provoking themes.

“Murder on Demand” (Blackstone Publishing) by Al Roker and Matt Costello: Book 4 in Roker’s The Morning Show Murders series takes place a decade after Billy Blessing’s adventure in Chicago. Much has changed for Blessing in the past 10 years, but when a woman walks into his life talking about murder, things start to seem very familiar. The novel is a clever, fast-paced thriller with a bookish twist.

“Matterhorn” (Mac Dekker Book 1) by Christopher Reich: Mac Dekker is living in an Alpine village, trying to put his past in the past — until he learns that his son, following in his footsteps, was killed in the Alps. Reich crafts a tense military thriller set against the backdrop of a high-stakes mission. The novel is packed with action, suspense and geopolitical intrigue.

“The Hunter’s Daughter” (Berkley, paperback) by Nicola Solvinic: Suppressed childhood memories return after Lt. Anna Koray kills a man in the line of duty. The novel is a haunting exploration of family as a serial killer emerges — and one who is both copying her father and seems to know way too much about her.

“The House That Horror Built” (Berkley, paperback) by Christina Henry: House cleaner Harry Adams tries to do her job, keep her head low and safeguard the employment she need to support her son. She maintains all of that until she hears noises from behind a locked door that sound like a human cry for help. The story is a spine-chilling mix of gothic horror and psychological suspense.

“In Our Stars” (The Doomed Earth Duology) (Ace) by Jack Campbell: Campbell’s space opera is an epic tale of love, loss, and interstellar conflict. The novel is a sweeping adventure that explores the human spirit's resilience in the vastness of space as the genetically engineered — and ostracized because of it — Lt. Selene Genji is thrust four decades into the past with a chance to save Earth from the annihilation she witnessed in her present time.

“Freeset” (The Four Cities Series Book 3) (Blackstone) by Sarina Dahlan: This sequel to “Reset” (“Preset” was the first in the series) continues the thrilling saga of a group of Dreamers fighting to find each other after Tabula Rosa — the process that wipes citizens’ memories every four years. The story is built on a foundation of family and hope … and fragile trusts.

“Camino Ghosts” (Doubleday) by John Grisham: The best of the Camino Island series to date (“Camino Island” and “Camino Winds” preceded), Grisham’s latest legal drama follows a seasoned lawyer on a quest for justice in a small coastal town. The justice here is social as the sole descendent of a community of runaway Black slaves must save a haunted island, and her heritage, from the hands and wallets of developers. The novel is a gripping exploration of corruption and redemption.

“Lake County” (Thomas & Mercer, paperback) by Lori Roy: Reimagining the life of Marilyn Monroe, aka Aunt Jean, involves a niece and her boyfriend, who also happens to be part of the illegal bolita he’s running on mob lands. When he’s forced to make a deal that could save both of their lives, worlds are altered in an atmospheric 1950s setting from the Edgar Award-winning Roy.

“Serendipity” (Dutton, paperback) by Becky Chalsen: Chalsen weaves a heartwarming tale of unexpected love and second chances set in the charming backdrop of a seaside town. The novel is a delightful mix of romance, humor and serendipitous moments as Maggie reconnects with her ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend. In a summer share house named Serendipity, Maggie, with the help of her friends, will try to get her life back on track — if she can avoid the drama running on the rails.

“Shelterwood” (Ballantine Books) by Lisa Wingate: Exploring a centuries-old legacy of missing child cases, Wingate’s novel tells the story of a long-hidden burial site in the newly minted Horsethief Trail National Park. When a ranger’s quest for justice unearths more than the burials from a century ago, the book becomes a poignant exploration of memory, loss and the story of children abandoned by the law.

“The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra Needle” (Holiday House) by Dan Gutman: Gutman’s novel is a playful retelling of Cleopatra’s life, with a humorous twist that reimagines history: Could Central Park’s Cleopatra’s Needle have been built by thousands of people in 1461 BCE? The story is a fun and educational romp through the ancient world.

“Jackpot Summer” (Penguin) by Elysa Friedland: Born into a frugal family, the four Jacobson siblings have nonetheless made a mess of their adult financial lives. Whiles one declines to partake, the other three buy a (winning) Powerball ticket and soon find their lives really spiraling out of control. The story is a suspenseful exploration of greed, family, fate and drama.

“The Helper” (Blackstone) by M.M. Dewil: Written by a former monk from North India who is today an award-winning Hollywood director and director, Dewil’s novel is laced with lies, deceit, revenge and how one woman struggles to earn her own piece of the American Dream. The debut is a testament to the author’s biting wit and satirical commentary.

“Winter Lost” (Mercy Thompson, book 14) (Ace) by Patricia Briggs: Ancient and arcane magics are at work, as is Mercy Thompson Hauptman’s mate, a werewolf protector of the Tri-Cities of Washington State, and her brother, Adam, who needs a helping hand in Montana. “Winter Lost” is the 14th segment of this best-selling, highly rated urban fantasy series.

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This was our book club choice. We enjoyed the book but felt there should have been a shorter time frame between the two periods. When certain things are revealed near the end, the timing feels off.

I learned a lot from this book about what happened to the five tribes in Oklahoma and how they were treated. I could tell a lot of research went into it.

Enjoyable read