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.

I always enjoy reading books about different parts of history & different parts of the country. Shelterwood was no different. Learning about Oklahoma in 1909 was intriguing. I had not heard of Kate & her story. Nor I had hear of what was being done to children out there. I also liked Vals storyline in 1990 and it was enjoyable to see the two intertwine. Good book!

This story takes place in Oklahoma and goes back and forth between 1909 and 1990.
This is the tale of three little girls who are trying to escape a dangerous man and take care of themselves in the wild in 1909.
In 1990, Valerie, a National Park Ranger, has decided to move and start a new life for herself and her young son. She is now a widow and her son is fatherless. They have transferred near Talihina, Oklahoma. This is of interest to me as I have been there, myself many times.
Valerie is frustrated as it seems they just give her menial tasks to keep her occupied. Then, a call came in for a missing teenage boy. That hunt led Valerie to so much more. She discovers sets of three children's bones in a cave that someone, or someone's doesn't want found or talked about. At one point, the lives of her and her son were threatened and she sent her son back 'home' with relatives until the danger was over.
In 1909, a young girl is trying to keep herself and sister safe from their stepdad. Their mother is no help as she has taken to drink and powders and sleeps most of the day away in a stupor. They end up on the run doing what they can to survive, and taking in other children.
These two very different stories mesh together in a unique way.
It's obvious the author did an extensive amount of research for this story. I learned so much from the book about the native Americans, particularly the children. I, also learned about Kate Barnard, whom I had never before heard of. She was a fighter for orphans in the early 1900's. A small woman with a big voice.
Quite an amazing story.
I was given an advanced ecopy by the publisher, Ballantine Books through Netgalley. I was not obligated to leave a positive review.

Lisa Wingate does it again! Making history accessible and interesting. The focus of this book is the exploitation of Native American children in Oklahoma. I highly recommend reading the author’s note first. Thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

This novel vacillates in time between 1909 and 1990. It opens in 1990 with Val, the new park ranger in Oklahoma as she finds 3 bones--could they be human? Then in 1909 we see 11-year-old Olive who takes her younger sister, Nessa and runs away from evil stepfather, Tesco even after their other sister, Hazel disappeared. It's a fast-paced novel that explores superstitions of elves, hidden treasures, and crazy theories handed down for ages. Kept me on the edge of my seat until the end!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Lisa Wingate shares yet another unknown story about children or young adults who are trying to find their way back to family.
Taking place in 1909 and 1990, "Shelterwood" tells the tale of Olive and her Choctaw "sister" and friends who are fleeing from abusive situations to try to make a home for themselves and other children who are mistreated by adults who are supposed to be taking care of them. In 1990, National Park law Enforcement ranger finds the skeletons of 3 young children in a cave in Horsethief trail National Park. She is determined to find out who they are while also trying to find a missing teen. These stories come together in an enlightening ending.
Each storyline in this novel is interesting and heartbreaking. The protagonists are strong females who are fighting for injustices done to others. The novel brings to light the exploitation children suffered at the hands of white land barons.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this egalley.

This was historical fiction at its finist. This takes place in Oklahoma with dual timelines. One timeline takes place in 1990 and follows a young female park ranger, Valerie. There is so much going on at the park she works at, between the politics, missing persons and a grizzly find, it's a page turner. The second timeline is 1909 and follow a bunch of ragtag orphans trying to survive.
This one had me reading late into the night to see how these stories would come together.
The author did a wonderful job with the history of Oklahoma in its early statehood.
If you are a historical fiction fan, I highly recommend this one.