Book Description
for Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
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. (Ages 14 and older)
CCBC Choices 2024. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2024. Used with permission.