Needle Lake by Justine Champine follows the story of 14 year old, Ida over the Christmas holidays in her rural logging town of Mineral, Washington. When an unexpected visit from her older city cousin, Elna occurs both girls lives are changed in ways no one ever expected. This is a coming of age story culminating in a man's death and the revelation of hidden family secrets. I really liked Ida's character as a high spectrum autistic teenager struggling to understand and fit into the world around her. Justine has done a great job of giving a glimpse into the way an autistic person views and experiences the world. Ida's character is naive,likeable,trusting and seeking acceptance. On the other hand, Elna is manipulative, self-serving, and wields her sexuality as a weapon. Justine descriptive narrative slowly reveals the characters and the storyline. However, I wish there was more dialogue between the characters and not so much reliance on the narrative. It was a slower paced story than I usually like. That said , there were some unexpected twists and turns that kept my interest to the satisfying end. Thank you Netgalley and the Dial Press for the opportunity to review this ARC.

This short novel was wonderfully written and beautifully captures what it feels like to be a young girl different from everyone around her and who doesn’t quite fit in no matter how hard she tries.

The descriptions of simple overwhelm that anyone highly sensitive to lights or sounds feels were spot on, as was the description of attachment that any young tween may feel towards the first person that shows any kindness to them.

At some points, I wasn’t sure where this story was going or where it would end up, and overall, it was a satisfying and quick read with a diverse set of characters.

Needle Lake offers a moody, introspective glimpse into a pivotal winter in the life of fourteen-year-old Ida, a fragile but sharp girl whose quiet world is upended by the arrival of her enigmatic cousin, Elna. The novel is at its best when it lingers in Ida’s internal world—her obsession with maps, her yearning for connection, and the way she watches Elna with a mix of admiration and unease. The setting, a damp and isolating Washington logging town, adds to the story’s quietly oppressive tone, serving as a fitting backdrop to a tale of adolescent longing and hidden danger.

The writing is lyrical and observant, with a slow burn that leans heavily on atmosphere and character over plot. While the novel captures the tension and intensity of early teenage emotions—especially those sparked by admiration and identity—it sometimes struggles to maintain narrative momentum. The central mystery, involving a man’s death in the woods, unfolds more as a backdrop than a driving force, which may leave some readers wanting a bit more urgency or clarity in the payoff.

Still, Needle Lake succeeds in painting a vivid, if somewhat meandering, portrait of girlhood on the cusp of transformation. Ida is a compelling narrator, and her shifting perception of Elna—between awe and suspicion—is nuanced and believable. The novel may not deliver high drama, but its emotional undercurrents run deep for those patient enough to sink into its quiet shadows.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Needle Lake! It is set in a small logging town in Washington State in 1990, complete with all of our favorite millennial references. Ida is a fourteen year old autistic girl who is struggling with figuring out why she experienced life differently than others. Her sixteen year old cousin comes to visit and Ida is fascinated by her.
I thought the author did a great job of getting Ida's thoughts, feelings, and experiences on the page. I didn't feel like there was unnecessary dialogue or descriptions and everything in the book supported or moved the story. You really felt like you were in Washington in the 90's and like you were truly seeing the world through Ida's eyes. Highly recommend this book, especially if you were ever a teenager or grew up in the 90's.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!

What a beautiful, haunting story of adolescence and family. I devoured this novel, and now, a few days later, am still thinking about it. The writing is incredible; every word feels deliberate, and the descriptions of the PNW made me feel like I was there, watching Ida navigate her life, her town, and her identity. The characters are complex and representative, and while Ida's story is unique, I found a lot of familiarity in her relationships and those around her. While the story is about Ida, my thoughts keep coming back to the tangled family web and how Ida's family navigated it. I feel like I can't say more without spoilers, but this truly might be one of the best books I've ever read, and I can't wait until it's published so I can buy copies for everyone I know.

Coming of age story set in a logging town. The book overall was good but I found for myself the story lagging just a bit. Initially I was sucked into the story at the beginning. Pace was a little slow for me and found myself skimming some of the story to see how it progressed and ended.


Thank you to NetGalley, author Justine Champine and Random House | The Dial Press for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review!

Knife River, Justine Champion's debut novel, was my favorite novel of 2024 so I was excited for her new novel, Needle Lake. Champine did not disappoint with this coming of age story about 14 year old Ida. Ida is living with her mother in the logging town of Mineral, Oregon. Her life changes when her older cousin Elna shows up and takes her under her wing. In a world where Ida is treated as "other"- Elna becomes the old sister and confidant that she craves. All is not what is seems here and as the well paced novel progresses the sense of foreboding increases. Champions writing is lyrical and I could not stop reading. Readers of liz Moore will love Justine Champion's storytelling. Thanks to NetGalley for my advanced copy.

All the stars for this story. I think it will be a hit with book clubs. It's different and atmospheric. I was sucked into the book from the beginning chapter. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

“Needle Lake” is a short fictional novel that I really enjoyed reading! This is the first time reading a book by this author and I was extremely impressed by the psychological aspects of it. This story is about all things girlhood. It delves deep into different aspects of how it is like being a girl, living in the modern world. The writing is in lyrical prose, it has a clear thesis and I found it to be thought provoking! It is fast paced and has likable characters. Be sure to read the content warnings. I highly recommend this short read! I give this book a solid 5 out of 5 stars rating!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Justine Champine and Random House | The Dial Press for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review!

This novel is expected to be published on December 2, 2025!