SHELTERWOOD by Lisa Wingate is a multiple POV/multiple timeline historical fiction with a murder mystery at the heart of the story. This book is recommended for readers of Wingate's BEFORE WE WERE YOURS and fans of Claire Kells' National Parks mysteries; also recommended for those who enjoyed TRAILED: ONE WOMAN'S QUEST TO SOLVE THE SHENANDOAH MURDERS by Kathryn Miles.

Content warnings: child abuse, child neglect, death of a child, death of a parent.

A big thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
It took me awhile to get into this one...while I normally love Lisa Wingate this one had a slow start. However, things picked up in the middle and I couldn't put it down. I don't know how Lisa does it but she continues to write great stories about tough subjects that also teach important history at a time when people don't necessarily want the lesson. I loved the strong female characters in this book and I loved the format with the different chapters alternating between the different years and characters.

This richly imagined dual-timeline tale introduces eleven-year-old Olive Peele and her adopted Choctaw sister, Nessa Rusk. In Oklahoma in 1909, they escape the abusive household where Olive’s brutal stepfather, Tesco, has already used and discarded Nessa’s older sister. When Olive catches Tesco eyeing six-year-old Nessa one night, she takes the little girl and flees. Their extraordinary journey explores the resilience and inventiveness of children faced with extreme danger.

Hungry and bedraggled, they make their way to the town of Talihina with a small gaggle of orphans and into Oklahoma’s Winding Stair Mountains. In 1990, Valerie Boren-Odell relocates there with her seven-year-old son, Charlie, to become a ranger and law enforcement officer for the National Park. Valerie’s encounter with Sydney, a cheeky, garrulous youngster dumped into foster care when her grandmother takes ill, is eye-opening, and her instincts, during a routine check of an abandoned car, tell her that Sydney’s missing brother, a suspicious rockslide, and a bloated body caught in a flood path are all connected. But how?

Shelterwood swept me into a time and place I knew nothing about, when the Five Tribes were systematically robbed of oil- and timber-rich land as the government facilitated a corrupt legal system which allowed ruthless grafters to purchase guardianships of Tribal children. Part mystery, part thriller, and based upon meticulous research, it explores the human struggle and search for justice in an unforgiving world. The vulnerability and abuse of children is a difficult subject, but the novel allows us to focus on the wider, untamed wilderness, spotlighting our need to maintain our connection to the natural world. Valerie and Charlie’s grounded mother-son connection is juxtaposed against Olive and Nessa’s harrowing journey, where they face impossible odds in returning to Olive’s original mountain home. Wingate crafts a tender story of family trust and responsibility, connecting two timelines into a memorable and fulfilling ending.

A heart wrenching story told in to eras. 1909 and 1990.

Two children go missing in 1909. You read about what happens to them and it's hard. One is a little Indian child who's older sister has been missing and was most likely murdered. The other child lives in the home and knows it's time to leave before he stepdad does something awful to either of them.

In 1990 Valerie Boren O’dell is a law enforcement ranger and investigating the death of two children found in a cave. Could they been the two missing girls from decades ago? Valerie is looking for a missing teenage girl when the two bodies are found. She's a single mother and doing her best.

This book is very good and so well researched. Lisa Wingate did a great job with this one.

Thank you #NetGalley, #RandomHousePublishing, for this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley for this e-copy of Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate in exchange for a honest review..This is a powerful, moving story told in 2 time periods (1909 and 1990) that describes a dark time in our nation’s history when Indians in Oklahoma. were given land parcels by the US government and many were exploited, tricked, and killed by people who wanted the natural resources that land held.Ollie is a young girl in 1909 who tries to protect her adopted Indian sisters from her sinister stepfather.When one goes missing, she leaves with the other in hopes of finding a place where they can be safe in the Winding Stair Mountains .Fast forward to 1990 and Val, a widowed park ranger comes upon the graves of 3 young Indian girls in the caves of the mountains.She tries to solve the mystery of their demise while facing backlash from townspeople who want her to leave the past hidden.This is a well researched historical story that casts light on a dark time in our country’s history..

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book.
This book held my attention all the way through. This story was so intriguing to me and I had to find out what was going to happen. I loved that it went back and forth from 1909 to 1990. In both time periods I wanted to find out what would happen. The story was sad at times and I haven't read much about what happened to orphans and indians during that time. I would definitely recommend this book to history lovers who like a little mystery thrown in.

Inspired by true events and the untold stories of the women who fought to save the children of Oklahoma in the early 1900’s. Olive Augusta Radley knows that her stepfather is a dangerous man and does not have good intentions when it comes to her and the 2 Choctaw children that her family are caring for. When the older girl disappears, she knows she must run away to save the younger one, Nessa, and herself. In a dual POV, it is 1990 and Law Enforcement Ranger Valerie is in desperate need of a fresh start with her young son after an accident claims her husband. She moves to OK to start over but never imagined she would come face to face with the dangers that lie ahead.

Lisa Wingates novels always tug at the heartstrings and they are always so good because they’re based in some part of history that I was never aware of. I had no idea about “the elf children” or Kate Barnard who had a huge role in the women’s suffrage movement. I love her books because she tells a story but also gives a piece of lost history along with it. If you like history, her books are always worth the read Before We Were Yours will always be my favorite but I also enjoyed this one.

Sad and scary reality for the small, unprotected children in the early 1900's. "Shelterwood" by Lisa Wingate was an eye-opening novel, about the traumatic and dangerous childhood of orphaned and neglected children in those days, as well as the good people that fought to protect them. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

The novel sparked my interest in Oklahoma, but the story didn’t seem to flow particularly well. It felt like a ride on a jittery horse.

Courtesy of Random House Publishing and Netgalley, I received the ARC of Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate. This extremely well researched historical novel takes place in the mountains of Oklahoma, alternating between 1909 and. 1990. With each chapter introduced by actual news articles and journal entries detailing illuminating events, the story of exploited, homeless and resourceful children living in the forests is difficult to comprehend. Learning about the strong women who championed their cause, the impact of government rulings involving the Choctaws, and the ruthless land barons was eye opening!

This is such an interesting yet tragic story historically and Lisa Wingate write such a beautiful and compelling dual story, that I'm shocked I have not heard more about this book. The character development in it is second to none and it haunts you after finishing. Do yourself a favor and don't miss this one.

Lisa Wingate’s *Shelterwood* weaves together two compelling narratives, set in Oklahoma in 1909 and 1990, exploring themes of survival, justice, and the haunting legacy of the past.

Wingate immerses readers in the rugged beauty and inherent dangers of early 20th-century Oklahoma and the evolving landscape of the late 20th century. The dual timelines are intertwined, with each era’s story enhancing the other’s emotional impact and depth. The characters are well-developed and memorable, with Ollie’s bravery and determination in 1909 echoing through time to resonate with Valerie’s quest for truth and justice in 1990.

*Shelterwood* is an exploration of the injustices faced by vulnerable children and the enduring struggle for justice. Wingate’s narrative deftly tackles complex issues of land ownership, cultural heritage, and the exploitation of the powerless, all while maintaining a gripping and heart-wrenching storyline. The novel’s resolution is both satisfying and thought-provoking, leaving readers with a deeper understanding of the historical and personal conflicts that shape the characters’ lives.

Lisa Wingate’s blends historical fiction with contemporary relevance. I enjoyed “Shelterwood” and would recommend reading any book Lisa Wingate writes. #NetGalley #Shelterwood #LisaWingate

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

Told from two POVs--Olive Augusta Radley age 11 in 1909 and Ranger Valerie Boren O'Dell in 1990. Olive runs away from an abusive step father with her six year old Choctaw ward and they collect other orphans/abandoned children. Ranger Valerie is trying to figure out who the almost 100 year old bones in an cave belong to. Olive is a fantastic character full of grit and I liked her parts of the story the best. More than a century later there are still so many societal ills that continue-abuse of power, taking advantage of children, sexual assault, etc. Well worth the read.

I am a little sad writing this review! Lisa Wingate is an amazing author. Before We Were Yours was such a beautifully written book. but. I was cautious about Shelterwood because I know Wingate’s stories can rip your heart into a million pieces.

This story felt short for me. You could tell the writing is strong and she put a lot of research into these events but the pacing of the story was so difficult. I felt like it draggggged on and then the exciting parts or key details got glazed over. I felt myself going what? a lot. I think the dual timelines were difficult to follow at times as well.

Overall, I would definitely recommend BEFORE WE WERE YOURS before I would recommend this. You have to like this topic to pick this up.

Set in Oklahoma with dual timelines of 1909 and 1990, this emotional story follows children abandoned by the law and the movement to see justice done. Knowing she isn't safe at home with her over-medicated mother and sketchy step-father, Ollie runs away with her "adopted" Choctaw sister to travel across the landscape to find her abandoned home from when her father was alive. The story follows Ollie's journey (1909) while intertwining with that of a park ranger (1990) who discovers the remains of three young girls in a cave. There's a history to uncover with many political roadblocks and a mystery to be solved.

I enjoy Lisa Wingate's novels because she highlights a piece of little known American history.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I am a big fan of Lisa Wingate but this book ended up a DNF. I could get attached to any of the characters. I really like the Native American storyline but it didn't keep my interest

I was very interested in the premise of this story. I don’t know a lot about Oklahoma and the orphan children during this time. I found the historical parts interesting, if a little long winded at times. I could not get as interested in the modern day storyline however. I think this would have been better as just a historical rather than a dual timeline book.

I’m so bummed that I didn’t like this as much as I was hoping and expecting to :(

I thought the premise was fascinating. It featured two storylines: 1909 Olive and Nessa running from their abusive stepfather and 1990s when a female park ranger stumbled on the investigation of three skeletons in her park.

But even though the two stories were interesting, I never felt very drawn into either one. Olive and Nessa’s was much faster paced and I was so worried about the two little girls, but I never felt so drawn in that I couldn’t stop reading. And I found the new park ranger’s story (I can’t even remember her name….) so boring and I found her quite bland and unremarkable. I was more interested in the local Choctaw history than I ever was about her work in the Park or about the investigation into the bones.

So overall not my favorite book, but I will definitely recommend it to folks who want to read historical fiction that’s not about a war.

Lisa Wingate tackles tough subjects in her novels. That is particularly true of her latest book, Shelterwood. Told in two time periods, 1909 and 1990, Shelterwood takes readers on a journey of danger, sadness, and hope.

In 1909, Ollie, 11, takes Nessa, 6, a Choctaw girl living with her family, and the two flee an abusive stepfather and drug-addicted mother. In the woods, they encounter three other Choctaw children, supposedly the wards of white guardians. However, during that period in OK, many Native American children were mistreated under the guise of guardianship when the whole idea was to steal their land and money. Although Ollie does not know how she can help the other three children since just keeping her and Nessa fed and out of danger is more than enough, but she can’t leave them either. The five band together to seek a better life. Later, two young boys join them even though Ollie who has begun calling herself Hazel is reluctant to take them on too.

Jump to 1990 when readers meet Valerie Born-Odell and her young son Charlie. Valerie has taken a job with the Horsethief Trail National Park in OK’s Winding Stair Mountains. Valerie, an outsider, must prove herself as a new park ranger and find a way to fit into the closed society. The discovery of the bodies of three children in a cave in the park set Valerie on a mission to find out who the children were and what happened to them.

Shelterwood is told in the two timelines, 1909 and 1990. Both stories will keep readers on the edges of their seats. I found myself reading breathlessly as one danger after the other presents itself to the band of children and to Valerie.

Publishers Weekly, in a starred review, says, “Wingate’s stellar latest explores a centuries-long legacy of missing child cases…. Her portrayal of the region’s history, culture, and landscape enthralls. Wingate is at the top of her game.” I would agree. I have read and enjoyed a number of Wingate’s novels and her nonfiction, Before and After. Shelterwood is a winner.

Wingate provides readers with a list of resources at the end of the book. Of particular interest should be books and articles about Kate Barnard. Barnard was “elected and served two terms, as Commissioner of Charities and Corrections in 1907, making her the first woman to win statewide elected office in the United States.” She worked to save children because she realized the court-appointed guardians of Native American orphans stole farmland and money from the children, mistreating the children physically and emotionally as well.

Shelterwood is an excellent choice for a book club. The number of topics for discussion will keep the book club members talking for days.

This was another powerful story about the poor in Oklahoma during the time that the whites discovered oil on the land and were figuring out how to get it for themselves and not the landowners. It's told through the eyes of young children, both white and Native American. It combines huge land losses and wonderful successes. Wingate writes so that one feels each character's personality and gumption. A book I could not put down.