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Firekeeper's Daughter is a compelling YA mystery/thriller. Read my full review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#firekeepers-daughter

This novel lived up to the rave reviews! Daunis Fontaine is a whip-smart, gifted hockey player excited to begin college. As she journeys to health despite recent personal tragedy her Ojibwe community becomes the center of an FBI investigation of a new dangerous drug. To help her community, Daunis agrees to help the FBI. Her snooping brings danger close and Daunis will be changed immeasurably by the end. Unpredictable with an emotional punch! 5⭐️s

It took me a whole year to get into this book, but I‘m so very glad I persevered. Past the teen hormones (and they‘re necessary because this is a book for teens first) and the thrilling FBI case, is so much heart and love for indigenous folks. I cannot do Firekeeper‘s Daughter justice in my review. It was beautiful. Parts made me sob. I saw a few things coming. I cheered Daunis on. I sobbed some more. #pop23 #meanttoread2022

That got intense! I didn't read the description of this book before diving in, so everything that happened was a surprise. I really enjoyed this read, and loved the characters. I especially enjoyed getting to know Daunis and seeing how her many worlds connected and guided her through being an informant in her quest to take out the meth destroying her community. #NativeAmerican #Hockey

I‘m still plugging away. So far, the deeper I get, the less teenage angst there is!

Confession time: This is the Winter Community Read for our library. The library I work at. I am on the committee that chose this book. I‘ve known that we were going to be reading this book since last January. I‘ve had this very book in my house since June. Internet friend, I have not read this book. Oh well, no time like the present.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. This is our pick for book club for the new year. Starting the year off on a good note. I can't wait for our discussion.

“We love imperfect people.”
“Inaction is a powerful choice.”
“Kindness is something that seems small, Daunis, but it‘s like tossing a pebble into a pond and the ripples reach further that you thought”.

This book is a newly published and I think a lot of teens can relate to feelings of not fitting in and wanting a fresh start in college.

Printz Medal Winner, Morris Award Winner, American Indian Youth Literature Honor Book, and so many more (pictured below). Published 2021. This book is about a girl that‘s a member of the Ojibwe tribe and has dreams of going to college for a fresh start because she doesn‘t fit in at home. Great read for teens and young adults.

I am so glad this was my #bookspin as it finally gave me the kick in the pants I needed to read it! It‘s the type of book that makes you thankful when you‘re done - not thankful to be finished, just thankful you read it ❤️ @TheAromaofBooks

I loved this book- the characters and the setting. One of those books that they call YA because of the age of the main character, but it‘s not really.

I am so glad I stuck with this one. It was a little slow in the beginning, but I loved the cultural aspect mixed with the mystery and I thought that the writing was excellent. The author really brought you into Native American culture. The story was engrossing and once I got to a certain point, I couldn‘t put this one down. Definitely a must read book and I can‘t wait to read more by this author.

Published in 2021, this story is about a half-white, half-native girl who sees her best friend get murdered. She becomes involved in the FBI investigation revolving around a new drug.

Awards:
American Indian Youth Literature

Genre:
Fiction
Mystery

Wow, what a ride! This book takes place in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and I live in Michigan and have been to the UP a couple times, so that was cool. I learned a lot about Native culture in the UP, and the story was very gripping. The main character gets involved in a drug investigation with the FBI, and it‘s very mysterious and action-packed! It‘s a long book, but it‘s a great read.

Wisdom is not bestowed. In its raw state, it is the heartbreak of knowing things you wish you didn't.

Amazing

Late to the party on this I know. Was recommended by a friend last year. Maybe because its not my usual type of read it's been on my TBR for the last year, but I have to say I enjoyed it tremendously. It's a mix of Nancy Drew-ish mystery, a romance, a deep dive into Indigenous culture (Anishinaabe), and a great setting right here in Michigan's UP.

YA, but I would say late teens and up given the content. Full review: https://bit.ly/rvw-FireDautr

Enjoying a Fall Cider while reading at the cafe and pretending the leaves are changing 🍂🍁

I really enjoyed most of this. Having grown up in the area and having family members who are Ojibwe, this was a cool experience reading the book. I enjoyed the dive into the culture and beliefs of the tribe, as well as the author‘s acknowledgment of how tough it is to be an indigenous woman. The stark reality and commonality of things like rape startled and saddened me. Really the only thing I did not like was the insta love story.

Just read it. It's amazing and has it all: romance, intrigue, danger, an unexpected twist. Although the ending is bittersweet, it does allow the reader to hold out hope.

So far really enjoying getting to know the main character. I mean it‘s got fire in the title so perfect for reading in front of the fire

So pumped to be in a new book club and looking forward to reading this. @michellelav will give to you when I‘m done

What a wonderful start to fall! 🍁 I can't wait to use the cat journal and drink the tea from the mug! The books are perfect for spooky season and #scarathlon 🎃 I absolutely love the stained glass pumpkin you made!! I already hung it up in my kitchen window so I can see the beautiful colors every day! 😍 Thank you so much Brittany!
#fallingforfallswap #fffs

Likely an #unpopularopinion but while I found this debut to be readable & more entertaining than not, I didn‘t love it. The writing is solid, setting fantastic, as is everything we learn about Ojibwe culture, it has a strong female lead, & the story is timely, but there‘s little mystery, narrative threads with no real conclusion, & a scene incorporated so inelegantly & unnecessarily it completely derails the story. A great book with more editing.

Thanks for the tag @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
I haven‘t had a stellar reading year, and I don‘t know if these will actually end up on the best of list by the end of the year, but the best of the bunch include the tagged book plus
Migrations
Saint X
Heartstopper
It would have been easier to compile a list of the crappiest books. Lol.
Alone Time
The Last Thing to Burn

Firekeeper's Daughter

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

So I didn‘t start reading this I got sidetracked by a few things and this morning I changed my mind and I‘m going to read something else 😖 … hate when I do this but it happens right? 🤦🏼‍♀️

Starting this can‘t wait to dig in 🤗📖

This was a great young adult book. This is coming from an old adult, but a young adult recommended it to me. A little romance, a little mystery, and lots of native culture references. And hockey. I loved the main character and her aunt. I‘m putting this on my Will Read It Again stack.

Started off loving this story, but then I think it dragged a bit in the middle. I usually love a romance, & at first I wanted the MCs to get together. But, I think it would have been better without the ya romance trope, with them just having a friendship. The last chapter was a perfect ending. ❤️ enjoyed learning so much about the Ojibwe culture & plan to look up the words later to learn better pronunciation.

1. Yes and text too!
2. I won't decide until I finish the books I'm reading.

#two4tuesday
@TheSpineView

⭐️ 5.0
This… was an heartbreaking, thrilling and heartwarming debut. I couldn‘t let go of the words and the wisdom that were shown in every page. As well as, the characters actions and build-up to the ending was truly a sight to read. How Dauni‘s story and journey showed even of a time of grief you can come out stronger and fight for the rights you deserve.

Excellent book! Modern novel/mystery set in Sault Ste Marie on an Anishinaabe reservation. Strong female lead and a compelling story. I really enjoyed this book and found it hard to believe it was a debut novel. Strong two thumbs up!

New buddy read, liking the Native American influence and to learn a bit more about how it could look like for a person whom grows up in a community like this. 🥰
#firekeepersdaughter #angelinaboulley #augustread #wednesdayread #fantasy #mysterythriller #realisticfiction #romance #audiobook #ya #contemporary

#readingbracket2022 July pick! Super hard to pick the best book each month, but I‘m loving it!

Next up! I haven't been on litsy for a while but I'm back!! I hope everyone is having a great Summer!!

I read a lot of Fantasy, but I absolutely loved this present day novel. The story was heartwarming and sad. I fell in love with the Anishinaabe culture and everything I learned through this story. I felt like the setting itself became a character as well- it was so important to the story. Definitely recommend!

#MMDBookClub 2022 Summer Reading Guide

Since I am originally from Michigan, this story held a lot of meaning and memories for me. But you don‘t have to be familiar with the area to enjoy this amazing young adult mystery.

Eighteen-year-old Daunis has never quite fit in, both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. She dreams of a fresh start at college, but when family tragedy strikes, she puts her future on hold.

WOW @DinoMom !! What an amazing #sliceofsummerswap ! I‘m in love with everything and the blow up sloth cup holder is coming with me to the pool right now! Can‘t wait to dive into my new book! Everything is so me and I love it and appreciate you! Thank you so much! 👒🦩🕶☀️🎉🦥📖💖

This is my surprise love of the year. I definitely judged the book by the reading group sticker and put this one off, I don't normally like Reese Witherspoon picks but this one I legit could not put down the characters stuck with me hard until I was able to read more.
Solid writing, character development, and storytelling.

This one has been hard to put down.

This has been my work audiobook for a couple weeks and I finally got to the point yesterday where i could not put it down. Took the paper copy home and finished it after school. It was sooooo good!

So— I THOUGHT i knew a lot about this book going into it… Even with a handful of spoilers and a rather detailed back cover, this book still surprised me over and over. Nicely-paced and easy to read, wildly intricate plot, and some lovable characters. The book covers drug abuse, bigotry, violence, sexual assault, grief… but it‘s not presented in an overly-visceral way. its a remarkably easy and compelling read with complex topics

Highly recommend. Hard to put down. Well written. Engaging. All the things.

This was beautifully written, with a gripping plot to boot. Full of wisdom and culture and nature and mystery and love. I hope that many people read this one and get interested in learning more abt native peoples, as I did.