Warrior Girl Unearthed
Sixteen-year-old Perry Firekeeper-Birch isn’t thrilled to be a summer Kinomaage program intern. Unlike her twin sister, Pauline, she doesn’t have big college dreams but does need to repay Aunt Daunis for car repairs. Perry’s tribal museum position immerses her in the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Low compliance since NAGPRA became law in 1990 makes the soul-disturbing sight at nearby Mackinac College of Native bones in stacked boxes and sacred and treasured items disrespected and misunderstood even more agonizing. For fiery Perry, quick action seems better than long-term negotiations for their return, and two impulsive decisions threaten her internship and burgeoning romance with fellow intern Eric. Perry’s summer is also shadowed by the disappearance of several young local Indigenous women. After the murder of a college trustee leads Perry to another horrifying, heartbreaking discovery—a silo full of Native ancestral remains—she discovers more than old bones are hidden on the land. Navigating both tribal politics and intense feelings, Perry is grounded by her family (Ojibwe/Black), friendships, and Sugar Island Ojibwe culture and community, where she speaks both Anishinaabemowin and English. The connection between history and present-day violence is found in both government policy and individual acts of racism and misogyny in this riveting mystery/thriller set in 2014. A story distinguished by rich, nuanced characterizations and many moments of humor and warmth is also tender, tense, and eventually terrifying before seeing Perry safely home and considering a surprising future path. ©2023 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 14 and older
Age Range:
Grades 9-12 (Age 14 and older)
Format:
Novel
Subjects:
African Americans
Arguments/Conflict
First/Native Nations
Girls and Women
Love and Romance
Multiracial Characters/Families
Mysteries
Ojibwe People
Oppression
Politics and Political Systems
Problem-Solving
Racism
Resiliency
Siblings
Trauma
Violence
Diversity subjects:
Black/African
Indigenous
Psychiatric Disability/Condition
Publishers:
Henry Holt, Macmillan
Publish Year: 2023
Pages: 396
ISBN: 9781250766588
CCBC Location: Fiction, Boulley