Member Reviews
This book was a heart warming read, was never bored at any point.
It was interesting to read a murder mystery about animals instead of people, I'm glad animal abuse was bought up.
Would love a second book for some questions left unanswered, but at the same time it made me like the book more.
When I first got into the book, I thought it was gonna have a deeper focus on Wren's missing mother, but in a way it turned out better.
Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Wren is 12 years old, and her mother has been missing for five years. Part of the Cherokee Nation while also daughter to a white cop dad, she's got some complicated feelings. When animals start showing up harmed, she knows she has to investigate before things go further. But who's going to trust a twelve year old with a serious investigation?
Wren is a bold and determined kid, and I loved her as a main character. This story talks about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) movement while still talking about everything else in Wren's life. It's an accessible middle grade read and I definitely recommend.
CW: animal abuse and death, child abuse, missing woman
As soon as I saw the cover, I wanted to read this book.The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) is a movement that needs more attention. This book follows Wren as she and her family are in the purgatory of waiting and wondering what happened to her mother. She also meets a new friend through a school project which takes them on a very unexpected journey to solve a mystery that will rock the city to its core. This book would be best for 9th grade and higher due to mentions of abuse and death(human and animal).
I got this as an arc on Netgalley and it will come out in October. This beautiful book is a must read. I was near sobbing at some of it. Absolutely love it. It deals with a lot of important, heavy themes, the red chord through it all being MMIW2S, and the disappearance of the main characters mother.
I quite enjoyed this story of a young girl who is obsessed with finding things and her quest to find her mother. The characters were well written and loveable, there was mystery and intrigue but mostly there was a whole lot of heart.
The inclusion of Indigenous characters and the way that Cherokee culture was woven into the story made for an interesting read. The epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women, not only in America but globally, is horrifying and hopefully this book brings it front of mind to those who read it.
Thanks to #NetGallery and publisher for a copy of this book.
Genre: YA
Format: Digital
POV: Single
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book. This was.a quick and engaging story for upper middle grade readers. It gives off a YA vibe without being too heavy content-wise for a middle grade reader.
I really, really liked this book. Positives include the age group for which it's targeted: 10-13 or so. It's a missing story for that reading group and makes a great addition.
Wren's heart is in the right place, as she starts by helping missing and injured pets. She makes a friend (she struggled after her mom went missing). The most important theme -- Native American women considered missing or murdered in Oklahoma -- is present throughout the text. There is positive family messaging.
There is mystery and messages of healing and truth.
This read is a captivating journey of love, loss, and determination. In the heart of Cherokee Nation, where the whispers of ancient spirits blend with the rustling leaves, Wren embarks on a quest that transcends time and space. Ginger Reno's poignant novel, "Find Her," weaves together the threads of family bonds, mystery, and resilience, leaving readers spellbound.
Five years, three months, and twelve days. That’s how long Wren’s mother has been missing. She’s one of over five hundred Native Americans missing in Oklahoma alone. In dreams, Wren can see her again: her eyes, her hair, her smile. She can even hear her laugh. But reality is harsh. Her mother is one of the countless Indigenous women who have vanished without a trace. Wren refuses to give up, though. An opportunity to find lost pets seems like a real way to hone her detective skills. But everything changes when one of the missing pets is found badly hurt. Soon, there are others. With help from an unlikely friend, Wren vows to unmask whoever is behind the animal abuse. If she can do this, maybe she can do the same for her mother’s case. She’ll just have to keep it secret from her father, who will certainly put an end to all her sleuthing if he finds out.
Reno's writing is like a gentle breeze that carries the scent of pine and the echoes of ancient stories. Her descriptions evoke the Oklahoma landscape, from the rolling hills, the whispering pines, to the hidden secrets. As readers, we feel the weight of Wren's longing, her determination, and her love for her missing mother. Reno's portrayal of Wren, a sensitive young Cherokee girl, is both authentic and powerful. Through Wren's eyes, we witness the frustration and anger felt by families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). The novel sheds light on a national crisis while honouring the resilience of Indigenous communities.
The town mystery adds layers of intrigue. As Wren investigates the animal abuse cases, she uncovers secrets that intertwine with her mother's disappearance. Reno masterfully keeps us guessing, revealing clues at just the right moments. Wren's journey isn't just about solving mysteries; it's about healing. Her friendship with an unlikely ally provides solace, and the novel beautifully captures the complexities of family bonds. Reno reminds us that hope can bloom even in the darkest corners. "Find Her" isn't just a novel; it's a call to action. Reno's sensitive portrayal of the MMIW crisis urges us to pay attention, to seek justice, and to honour the missing. Through Wren's caring heart, we feel the urgency of this cause.
A powerful addition to the middle-grade mystery genre, “Find Her" is a compelling novel written with grace and beauty. Reno's gift lies not only in storytelling but also in raising awareness. As we turn the pages, we become part of Wren's quest… to find her mother, protect her community, and heal her heart. This book is a treasure. It’s a beacon of hope in a world that often forgets its missing souls.
Thank you to NetGalley, Holiday House, and Holiday House / Peachtree / Pixel+Ink for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
*Contains Spoilers*
At first, I wasn't really sold on this book. I thought Wren was a whiney girl and I was annoyed with some of her behaviors. She shut herself off from the world at 7 years old because her mom went missing and at 12 years old still did not have any friends and was extremely angry at her dad for not finding her mom. As a result of this anger, she lies to her dad A LOT. As a mom, I don't love having my kids read books that make lying to your parents look okay. Wren came clean about a lot of the things she did wrong in the book but lying to her dad was not one of them. She decided that she needed to continue lying to him even though their relationship does improve. I really loved Wren's character arc. She learns and grows so much in this story and I really enjoyed watching her turn from the whiney, annoying girl into someone who didn't only think of herself and someone who could see the good around her and have gratitude even when she was going through hard things. With some of the content in this book (animal abuse/mutilation, child abuse, lying to parents, etc.) I would suggest this book to my own children when they were 16 or older.
Dnf at 50%. This is by no means a bad book. It's a me thing. In my current mental state, it's a little triggering. I've been trying to get through it for the past week and I'm struggling. I do think this is an incredibly impactful book that is needed not just for young readers but for all ages. My heart ached for Wren. I couldn't possibly imagine going through what she is. Elsi is such a wonderful character who I just adored.
This book was great. I loved reading this book and about the Cherokee culture as the story progressed. Wren is a dynamic and strong main characters that was great to read from the perspective of. This book touches upon so many important and intense topics and does so with a level of care and respect for the culture and also shows readers the importance of bringing awareness to the issues. Reno is a talented author and I highly recommend this book
Wren's mother has already been missing for 5 years, 3 months and 12 days, and it isn't getting any easier. Nor does it help to realise that she is one of thousands of indigenous women missing from the country.
Wren is determined not to give up and feels a little disappointed in her father, a caucasian police chief, whom she feels is not doing enough to find her mother. She hopes that her own gift, of helping people find lost things, will help her to find the person she most wants to see again.
Luckily, Wren and her maternal grandmother, Elisi, are able to give each other comfort and company. The importance of her Cherokee heritage is also kept alive by her loving grandmother. And now, Wren even has a new friend, even if his life is complicated.
Not as complicated as things are about to get for all of them, though...
This is such a beautiful story, everyone should read it. The book raises any number of important issues including the disappearances of indigenous women, the need to preserve the culture of First Nation and indigenous groups, and the treatment of animals. Wren and Elisi will make a permanent place for themselves in your heart and mine. Please read it!
I think there was just something with the writing style that I didn't jive with for some reason. It came to me really highly anticipated, but just didn't click for me.
What really caught my eye was the cover, the beautiful cover alone hold such an important message, sparking interest and spreading awareness for the MMIWG movement.
The book itself was a suspenseful mystery that had me tearing through the book to get to the end. Not only are our characters fighting to solve the mystery or the abused animals, but they are navigating new friendships, being bullied, abuse at home, and our main characters missing mother. I loved the story, but the characters really did it for me, Reno crafted relatable and realistic characters that I found myself rooting for, and really caring about. I seriously recommend reading this book!
TW: animal abuse, child abuse, missing/abducted parent, bullying.
I know this isn’t out for a while, but it was a book I couldn’t wait to read. I was a little hesitant in the beginning and unsure how I felt about it, but once we got into the mystery and Wren making friends with Brantley, I couldn’t put it down. I also loved the family dynamics and especially Elisi and the ways she makes sure Wren stays connected to her Cherokee heritage and is keeping the language alive. The mystery wasn’t surprising exactly and I figured it out early, but I’m also an adult reading middle grade so it may be more shocking for other readers. All in all this was excellent and such an important book!