This is a book that straddles middle grade and young YA. It will be too intense for some middle grade readers, although Reno is careful not to be too graphic when describing violence. Wren's missing indigenous mother, the mystery of abused animals, and family violence are handled carefully, with spiritual underpinnings that offer comfort. There is no happy ending. Wren's mother is still not found, but the book ends with some hope as Wren, her grandmother, and her father share more openly about their grief, and as she is able to help stop a potential tragedy and help a friend. Not necessarily a book I enjoyed but one I recommend.

Find Her was a heartbreaking but powerful story about a Cherokee girl named Wren whose mom has been missing for over five years. This story addresses the issues behind MMIG (Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls) like violence, lack of media coverage and police investigation, and bullying (towards Wren). Wren has never stopped searching for her mom and decides to investigate the case of missing and hurt/murdered pets in her community in hopes she can use it to her advantage while looking into her mom's case. I loved Brantley and Landry's characters but Wren and Elisi (Wren's grandmother) were my favorites as they shed light on the whirlwind of feelings of Indigenous family members who are yearning for some type of answer and closure. Thank you NetGalley for an ARC.

I swear I say this with every book, but as soon as I saw this cover I knew it needed to be mine. This image is so striking and pulled me in immediately. The illustrator did an amazing job, because this was definitely one of the ones that I added it to my TBR without knowing anything else about it lol

So in this we meet the main character, Wren. She’s been on the counting the days since her mother’s gone missing. She’s one of the many Native women missing where she’s from. With so many of them missing, Wren doesn’t feel like enough is being done… Which makes the fact that her dad is a cop even more frustrating.

But, Wren actually has a knack for finding pets, so she thinks she might be able to assist with her mother’s case. But in the midst of looking into that case, she walks right into another. Someone is hurting animals. She makes a friend and they work together to try finding the person hurting the animals as well as her mom. This of course is just asking for trouble. And of course it finds her. In many different ways. I was actually pretty surprised at the way it presents itself too.

Her friend was actually part of the trouble. I thought it was handled in a pretty decent way, although I do wish it had went into a little more detail into what was going on at the friend’s house. I felt really bad for the friend and I wanted to see in detail what happened after they got help. It would have helped to know the process of things like that for kids.

The ending was really good tho. It could be used in two different ways and I enjoyed that. On the one hand it can leave it open for another. On the other hand it, left things like reality does, with no answers. I love that this book is a MG book talking about the MMIP. I hate when people say kids are too young for something. If they already know its happening, how are you REALLY keeping it from them?

The characters in this kind of worked my nerves, but I was more happy with them as they began to show that they were including her more. This was her way of grieving her too. She was keeping herself busy and had some pretty real realizations because she was able to process her feelings through doing things. HOWEVER, the way that she was running around and getting into all this trouble like that, I don’t understand how there was no reprimanding?! She kept telling all these adults what she was doing, “for a good cause” and everyone was so accepting. If I had done that I would have gotten into a world of trouble.

This was a book I don’t think I’ll ever forget. Tho i had a few tiny issues, for the most part I really enjoyed my read of this. I hope this review will help to tie more people to this book.

Ginger Reno is coming to the 2024 ALAN Workshop, so I was so excited to read Find Her, and it did not disappoint. It is so multi-faceted. First and foremost it was about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). We learn early on that Wren’s mother has been missing for 5 years with no leads. The author then also intertwines everything else about Wren’s life as she learns to continue to navigate a world where her mom is not there. I loved dynamics of Wren’s family, especially her grandmother Elisi. My other favorite character is Brantley who is the perfect friend for Wren and Wren is the perfect friend for him. And also within the book is a story of bullying, abuse, and animal abuse. It is a huge feat to fit so much into one book, but the author did a fantastic job, and I couldn’t put down the book.

After I requested this book I suddenlyn wasn't sure I was going to like it = turns out I really did. The problem of missing Native American women and girls is one that I have read several books about - it both interests me and saddens me that most of these cases are not resolved either in the books or in real life.
The main character in this novel, Wren is half Cherokee and half White. She works tirelessly to find out what happened to her Cherokee mother who went missing when Wren was a young child. She is frustrated by the lack of information, but even more about the lack of importance that is placed on the missing woman.
Wren is really good at finding lost things, especially lost animals and she gets involved in a series of truly horrible attacks on local animals. Along with her new friend, Brantley, they investigate the case without telling anybody they are doing it.
While that is the main plot of the story, a lot of the book examines the effects that her missing mother has on Wren and her family. Her relationship with her father is complicated and frustrates Wren. One of the other side plots is the issue of bullying. Wren is bullied by a high school girl and eventually she discovers that Brantley is also being viciously bullied.
The threads are deftly woven together into a cohesive novel that is entertaining as well as thought provoking. You get to know the characters of Wren, her grandmother Elisi and Brantley very well and they are extremely relatable.
I am so glad that I received the ARC of this book - it was really enjoyable.

Ginger Reno’s debut middle grade novel Find Her brings the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirits crisis to the forefront in an accessible, engaging story.

Wren has a special gift for finding lost things. Neighborhood pets, her grandmother’s keys– if it’s lost, Wren can find it. Except, that is, for her mom. Wren’s mom has been missing for more than five years, a loss deeply felt by Wren, her dad, and her grandmother. While Wren tries as much as a seventh-grader can to find her missing mom, she has a second mystery to contend with: animals in her town keep getting hurt, and Wren thinks they abuse cases are connected. Her frequent volunteer shifts at the animal shelter give her an inside scoop on the situation, which she uses to help solve the case.

As a Cherokee citizen myself, I’ve been anxiously awaiting this title. Reno, a Cherokee Nation citizen, includes Cherokee language and culture in Wren’s story. It was delightful to see Cherokee language on the page, to see our culture woven into Wren’s story, into the characters. This is the exact kind of book I would’ve loved as a kid. I’m grateful that kids today will have access to stories like Wren’s.

The strong relationship between Elisi and Wren is a highlight of the novel for me. Elisi supports Wren’s burgeoning friendship and detective-like work to solve the mystery of the abused animals, yet still sets boundaries and expectations. Theirs is a healthy relationship, one that is growing and changing as Wren becomes more independent. Elisi gives Wren space to feel her feelings, but still holds her accountable for her actions.

This novel addresses many tough topics in an accessible way. One major emotional hurdle that Wren faces is the difficulty of balancing her mixed emotions toward the police, as her dad is a police chief but she’s angry at the police in general for not finding her mom. Her dad’s position also provides him more information than can be available to Wren and Elisi, driving a wedge between them as Wren resents that he won’t bend the rules and share what he knows about her mom’s missing persons case.

Reno offers excellent MMIW/MMIWG2S/MMIP representation as well as an explanation of the crisis for those unfamiliar with it. Her approach is gentle but heartfelt, offering an unflinching portrayal of the hardship of missing people, especially when other missing people get more media attention. Wren’s grief over not knowing what happened to her mother is palpable.

Wado to the author, Holiday House, and NetGalley for a digital ARC such that I could share my honest opinions.

Find Her is available now!

This is such a heavy, but important topic. While there is the main issue of the missing indigenous women, there are other intense topics: animal abuse, bullying, and child abuse. The story is well written and though slow at the beginning while the scene is set, it is captivating and encouraging with themes of friendship and family.

Wren’s mother has been missing for 5 years. We follow her as she tries to use her finder instinct to both help find her mother and to solve what is happening to animals in their town.

This book addresses two difficult topics in a way that is appropriate for 5th - 8th graders. This book tackles the topic of animal abuse, without going into the gory details.

Also importantly, it addresses the topic of Missing and Murderer Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). MMIWG is a topic that has been addressed very little for young readers. When Indigenous women go missing they often don’t get the same level of police investigations or news time to try to find them.

I thought that the message and themes of this book were so important and so well-written. It’s important for the youth of the world to understand what else is happening around them, even if it’s upsetting and hard to understand. I think that I felt the pace for the first third of the book was a bit too slow and I even considered putting it down, but I’m glad that I continued reading. I’m interested in what the author will write next.

What an incredibly powerful middle grade book focusing on people and situations that are often forgotten. I wish I taught middle grade so I could teach this book, but I will be happy to recommend it and get it in my library system.

I was very interested in reading this. And it was interesting. Not fully what i expected, but i still enjoyed reading. Thought the focus would be more on her trying to find her mom. But that wasn't really the case, it started with that and then went to a different mystery. The mystery about the animals was good, but also a little messed up tho. How can someone be like that, no matter what happened in your life. It's just messed up. But the story was good, just expected more about the search for her mom. I also expected that at the end they would find her, but that was not the case. I love the characters, they are nice and fun, especially Elisi. Did not like M.J. tho. Curious if there will come a second book.

4,5 stars

This book delves deeply into sensitive and heavy themes, making it an intense but meaningful read for a middle-grade audience. Wren, a young Cherokee girl searching for her missing mother, must navigate the harsh realities of animal cruelty, child abuse, bullying, and the ongoing tragedy of her mother’s disappearance, part of the MMIWG2S (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit) crisis. The narrative is powerful, confronting difficult truths head-on and giving young readers an unflinching glimpse of the world’s darker sides.

At first, the themes may seem too dark for middle-grade readers, but Reno's thoughtful approach aligns with her belief that "young readers have the same feelings as adults. The only difference is setting and circumstance." Children are observant and often witness complex realities in their own lives, making this story both relevant and authentic. Wren’s determination to find justice for her mother while uncovering a local mystery reflects the emotional depth that children can comprehend.

One of the book’s standout messages comes from Wren’s grandmother, who offers wisdom that resonates long after reading: “When we are hurting, the best thing we can do is help others. To give another joy is to ease our own pain.” Wren’s volunteer work at the animal shelter and her knack for reuniting lost pets with their owners become her anchor, a way to channel her grief into something meaningful.

Find Her is a story of resilience and hope amid heartache, and though it may be a heavy read for younger audiences, it is one that I would recommend—with the important caveat that readers should be aware of the challenging themes. It’s a moving and powerful book, offering lessons in empathy and healing through service to others.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I do not typically read middle grade books but when I saw the cover and synopsis I knew I had to read this one. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls does not get talked about like it should. Ginger Reno did not shy away from difficult topics and did a fantastic job making them age appropriate.

Thank you Netgalley and Holiday House for the Advance Reader Copy of Find Her.

Wren Macintosh's mother went missing five years ago, one of the thousands of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman in Girls throughout the Americas. And even though it seems both her dad, who is the chief of police in Fort Gibson, and her grandmother have mostly given up searching for her, Wren has not. She spends every waking moment online hunting down clues, so much time that her family is beginning to worry about her. Her grandmother suggests that she put all of her amateur sleuthing skills to good use and start a pet finding business. Mostly, to make her grandmother feel better, she agrees. It isn't long before Wren and her best friend Brentley discover that someone in their little town is torturing animals for fun and they are to determined to stop it, even if they have to face off with a real killer.

Over the past few years MMIWG has gained traction, most definitely not enough but the red handprint across the mouths of Native Americans has brought much needed acknowledgement to an issue many of us didn't even know existed. Thousands of Native American women and girls go missing every year, their stories rarely if ever told to the larger American audience; the reason for this has largely placed smack dab on the victim, outside police agencies did little to nothing to assist in the search for these women, media outlets did not cover these stories, and much like in the case of Wren's mother families wait years, decades in many cases to here any news of their loved ones fate. If they ever do. For the reason of simply bringing a voice to the voiceless, this book is a solid five stars.

That being said, regardless of the important message behind it, Find Her is just a damn good book about living after trauma. Wren has such a solid family with her grandmother and her father, and while they may not always see eye to eye, they are wonderfully supportive of each other. And they end up naturally extending that support to Brentley, whose family life is the exact opposite. Earlier this year I read a book that had a very similar theme with the MCs family and in that book it felt fake when they offered to support the MCs friends whose lives were anything but perfect, in that book it felt like the MC and her family were almost lording over everyone else they were perfect. I didn't get that feeling here at all. And maybe that's because their Mom/Wife/Daughter was missing they knew what it was like to *feel* broken.

The whole mystery thing was also oddly perfect. I know that sounds weird but given Wren's personality it would have been weird if Reno had decided that Wren's first foray back into the world of the living had been to like start a babysitting club or something. It just made sense that this girl would hunt down a killer.


Overall, it is definitely an excellent short read that while geared towards middle grade readers is one I wholeheartedly believe everyone should read.

As always, thanks to NetGalley and Holiday House for the eArc!

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own


Although set in the United States, Find Her is very much relevant in Canada.

The story not only focuses on the Missing and Murdered indigenous woman, and what those woman leave behind, but also shelter Animals and systematic racism

It's a good read and perfect to get children to understand why it's this is so important..

In Find Her, we follow Wren, a young Cherokee girl whose mother has been missing for 5 years. She lives with her native grandmother and her white father, who is also a police chief. She struggles with the loss of her mother and feelings that her father and the rest of the police aren't doing enough, and that there is very little she can do. With the encouragement of her grandmother, she starts a 'finding business', looking for lost animals. She stumbles across a series of animal abuse cases and decides to put her detective skills to work. Along with a new friend, she investigates this mystery. Find Her touches on topics of abuse, loss, grief, and the MMIWG movement. I think this was a great book that should be read by readers of all ages (but please check the trigger warnings)

FIND HER by Ginger Reno is an excellent book. Main character/narrator Wren and her grandmother Elisi are dynamic, well-developed characters. Wren's growth throughout the novel is well written, too; not all of her change is linear and it's not all perfect. She makes mistakes, but her logic fits with being twelve and being ostracized by her classmates because she is Indigenous and her mother is missing. The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit (MMIWG2S+) epidemic is beautifully--and intensely--addressed in FIND HER. The author's choice to have the story told through a twelve-year-old girl brings home the heart-wrenching, devastating the MMIWG2S+ stories that are not being covered by mainstream media at all.

The change in Wren's family dynamic is also very moving. Wren, Elisi, and Wren's dad move from dealing with their grief and anger over the lack of answers in isolation to dealing with information together. Wren makes a phenomenal catalyst for this change. It made me wish I'd had this book when I was twelve.

In other reviews, I've seen questions and comments about whether FIND HER is "appropriate" as a middle grade novel. The young character in the movie "Fancy Dance" is 12 or 13 and dealing with the same situation. Maybe Wren's story will help another young person (Indigenous or otherwise) dealing with this crisis.

The only reason I am not giving this book five stars is that there's a surprising lack of information about the circumstances of Wren's mother's disappearance. If Wren's always checking websites and trying to find something to lead her to her mother, it seems like she would know where her mother was last scene, etc. The mention that she disappeared outside of Wren's police chief Dad's jurisdiction makes it confusing. I also hope the final version of the published novel includes back matter with additional information on how to learn more about MMIWG2S+.

Overall, I highly recommend.

Find her is a fast-paced middle grade novel. The story follows 12-year-old Wren. Her mother has been missing for five years. I loved Wren as a character.
Overall, a very great read! I really enjoyed it!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

4.5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This story was very well done and well written. Wren’s story covered many, many tough topics but in a way that is more palatable for middle grade readers. This story may have a number of triggers - child abuse, animal abuse, bullying, and the abduction and possible murder of an Indigenous woman. While the topics were heavy, the story of Wren and her family and friend had hope, resilience, courage, and honor. There were a few curse words but nothing extreme, and even though these were heavy topics for middle grade, they were handled age-appropriately. I do wish there was a bit more info about what happened to Wren’s mom - we just know she disappeared but nothing of the circumstances, and I do wish there had been more resource materials at the end about what’s happening to Indigenous women, but hopefully, this will spark readers to look into it. Overall, well done!

Three of my graduate courses incorporate readings and conversations around MMIWG. We read a few texts together, but my middle school teachers often worry about the complexity and maturity of the texts for their students. I’m excited to offer this to my teachers who want to cover this material but worry about the ridiculous censorship in our schools today. Thank you, Holiday House, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Find Her for my review.

While MMIWG is present, this book reads more like a mystery/thriller. It’s a certain hit with middle school readers, but also provides just the right of intrigue for a study of Indigenous Peoples and MMIWG, a social issue that desperately needs more attention. I loved the friendship between the two main characters, the supportive adults, and the independence of the middle school characters. There was one storyline that left me unsatisfied—one character is physically abused by this father—but it’s mostly shrugged off. I wanted more here, and a kid facing this in their own life likely would, too. Besides that, all potentially worrisome content happens off the page. This was a quick, exciting, and purposeful read. For teachers wishing you could use something like Firekeeper’s Daughter or Marrow Thieves, consider this text for your 6-9th grade students.