After crashing her aunt's Jeep, Perry Firekeeper-Birch finds herself forced to take on a summer internship to repay her aunt for the damages. Her easy summer soon becomes a summer of learning hard truths about her ancestors, their remains, and repatriation. As she struggles to bring artifacts and remains back to her tribe, Perry must also face the reality that local women are going missing. With the help of her friends, Team Misfit Toys, Perry works to bring justice to her community, the ancestors, and to the missing women.

Thanks to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) for the copy of this ARC!

"Warriors do for their people what others can't or won't."

Angeline Boulley is such a talented author. While her books are YA, she writes across genres so that they're perfect for anyone who likes YA, contemporary fiction, thriller/mystery, and a hint of romance. She also writes about incredibly important topics and educates through often too-real fictonal storylines.

Warrior Girl Unearthed follows the story of Perry Firekeeper-Birch and navigates through missing Indigenous women and NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act), the federal law that allows tribes to request the return of ancestral remains and sacred items. We quickly unveil the amount of injustice present in both of these areas, and Perry is determined to take some matters into her own hands with her group of friends, Team Misfit Toys. My emotions were ALL OVER THE PLACE during this read and I honestly learned a lot.

Read if you:
- want to learn from an OwnVoices Native author
- enjoy YA books, mysteries and/or heists
- like cameos from an author's past books
- have wondered where museum items come from
- followed the case of Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind and the creation of Savanna's Act

What a wonderful companion to Firekeeper's Daughter. Boulley is a force in literature. I will be reading all of her books always. The plot and the characters were wonderful and I couldn't wait to keep reading.

Wow, Boulley's books are INTENSE! Her teenagers end up in some very serious situations. I found this book comparable to her first, and I liked that one a lot. Both books made me want to keep reading to figure out the mysteries. I like that Warrior Girl followed characters from Firekeeper's Daughter, several years in the future. I found the protagonist, Perry, to be very frustrating but in a believable teenage way. She was so impetuous but also such an awesome fighter for her family, friends, and culture! I would definitely recommend this book to my high school students, but I would warn them that the book includes murder and kidnapping. That said, these mature themes call attention to the important issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, as well as cultural theft and appropriation. I love that the nonfiction texts the characters reference in the story are actual texts by Native authors, too.

Thanks to Henry Holt and Co and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book.

4.5 stars. Perry Firekeeper-Birch can't wait to spend her summer fishing — except she'll have to, because she gets roped into the town's internship program and lands herself indoors, cleaning museum display cases. At first loathsome of her new role, Perry discovers that the local university has been hoarding Indigenous artifacts and, even worse, the bones of ancestors taken from their resting places. This lights a fire inside Perry, and she enlists the help of her fellow interns, the Misfit Toys, to enact a plan that will bring the ancestors home. Is it entirely by-the-book? No, not at all, and Perry will quickly feel the sting of her rash actions. All the while, Indigenous women from the community are disappearing, and it feels like something truly sinister is at work...

Oh how I adored this book. Perry is a perfect teen protagonist, anxious to get on with her hobbies and rueful that she gets stuck in a dusty museum. What I especially loved about her journey was learning about repatriation alongside her, and feeling the twin flame of indignation and disgust rise in myself. There are very few "gray area" characters here, and I think some will surprise you when they reveal their true colors.

The pace of this narrative is a bit of a slow burn up front, but it starts to really pick up after the first third or so. I found myself unable to put the book down until I knew what was going on and where the story would end up. It's a lovely blend of genres: a little bit of mystery, history, and fantasy thrown into a contemporary midwest setting with unique and vivid characters that I relished.

This is the sort of book that serves a dual purpose — it is at once entertaining and educational, which is (in my opinion) the highest calling of literature. Did I note down the books Perry was reading about repatriation so I can read them myself? Absolutely. And I believe this is what Angeline Boulley intended, to teach others about NAGPRA and some of the challenges faces modern-day Indigenous communities. I hope it sparks others to learn more and to take action when and where they can.

Thank you to Angeline Boulley, Henry Holt & Co, and NetGalley for my advance digital copy.

Angeline Boulley writes stories and characters with sooo much life that when you are done reading, it feels like you are saying goodbye to lifelong friends. I was bowled over by Firekeeper’s daughter and Warrior girl unearthed was therefore a highly anticipated read. And I was not at all disappointed. Perry has all my heart along with Cooper. And not just these two, every single character was made so memorable and left a lasting mark. There were so many moments were I was filled with impotent rage and crying with frustration at the injustice of it all but at the end Boulley still manages to leave you with a sense a hope rather than desperation and helplessness. If I had one complaint it would be that the ending felt rushed and a little half baked compared to the rest of the book. It was like a very minor 2-3% of the book so I am willing to ignore it. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good coming of age YA novel or thriller full of heart.

What wouldn't you do for your people and your culture? Perry Firekeeper-Birch is going to find out. Perry, the outgoing slacker twin of the family, has no interest in an internship with her Tribe. She just wants to fish, but after some rule breaking, there is no choice. Now she's stuck working in the quiet Tribal Archives. But, while their she begins to learn about NAGPRA, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. Most importantly, that some of her Tribes culturally significant items, and even people, are retained by collectors and museums. These people, purposefully keeping these items under lies and fabrication. The story is quick and engaging. Further in the story there is plans for a heist and a mystery threaded throughout. There is space to learn alot about NAGPRA and between chapters the author quotes real nonfiction titles and articles pertaining to it. I was not able to read an Authors Note in the ARC, but I expect the Author will explain more of this process. The story itself also covers a lot of great topics like Grooming/Assault, Race, and Anxiety. The story also references the ongoing crime of missing Native Women, a topic readers may not be aware of. Definitely will be recommending it to YA and Adult readers. (Thank You to Netgalley and Henry Holt & Co.)

What a wonderful book! The story is a difficult one to read, because you know it is based on real life, but Angeline Boulley treats her characters and their stories with care and love. Perry thought she would have an easy summer fishing and driving boats, but a car incident to pay for creates a whole new look for her days. When a chance happening changes your life, sometimes it also helps you realize your life path. Keep writing Ms. Boulley! I will continue reading and recommending your work!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. And thanks to Angeline Boulley for writing another book and completely avoiding a sophomore slump. This was sooo good! I rooted for Perry just as much as I did Daunis. I was delighted with just about everything about this. I love how the story dealt with racism, of course, and missing Native women, AND the problem of unreturned remains and artifacts that were legally required to have been returned already, AND mental illness, AND quantum requirements, but woven so carefully into Perry's story that you can't separate them out--just like real life. This was just excellent and I recommend it highly; I promise you will not be disappointed at all if you loved Firekeeper's Daughter.

Briefly, this one stars Perry, niece to our favorite character Daunis from FD. Perry is excited to have a summer full of fishing and fun until she is forced to intern at the tribal center. There is works with different community members and discovers ancestral items and remains that are in the wrong hands. With wonderful side characters to help, Perry hatches a plan to bring her ancestors home.

I love Boulley’s storytelling. The way she captures her communities customs, love and history in her stories is so wonderful. It is a heartfelt story (in only the way that YA stories can be - emotional and passionate) but brimming with so much information regarding the systems that still are failing Indigenous communalities. I HIGHLY recommend and can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on this!

Thank you NetGalley! I was so excited to get a copy of this book before publication date. I loved her first book, and could not wait to jump into this one.

I honestly think that I ended up liking this book better than her first book. I found myself immersed in the story, feeling like I was right there in the action. The pain Perry went through as she learned more and more about herself, and the struggles her people have gone through, was heart-wrenching. The literary world needs more strong, determined girls of color standing up for themselves and others.

Everyone needs to read this!

Thanks to NetGalley & Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I actually couldn't finish the author's first book, but I devoured this one in one sitting! There were some names that popped up that probably would've had more of an impact if I read the first one but I still was able to follow along. I think what happened with the first one is that it had a lot of back and forth dialogue that didn't go anywhere and it drove me nuts--but this book slims it down and every conversation early on contributes to the final conclusion.

I loved how strong the protagonist, Perry, was, and how flawed she was. You didn't always agree with her decisiveness, but she quite literally pulled no punches throughout the book. I loved how the story and mystery came together around her decisions and personality.

Although the cover makes it seem like it's a fantasy book, it's not. It's more like...realistic fiction mixed with a mystery. The biggest piece of this book is how the reader learns about the North American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and how it's influenced her culture and community over decades. It's really morbid but fascinating stuff.

Highly recommend!

“There are times, not just when I’m dreaming, when it’s as if the Warrior Girl is with me as well.”

This book will make your heart break and your blood boil. Being back in Sugar Island was such a bittersweet feeling is this book. While I was happy to revisit some characters and meet new ones, this story left an ache in my chest.

Perry Firekeeper-Birch has a passion about her that is unmatched. Her desire to bring justice to her Anishinaabe tribe and peace to her ancestors will speak to something in your core you may not have known existed. There was a level of growth within her that was beautiful to watch unfold though she never wavered in her determination. Along with Perry, we see a glimpse into the life of her twin sister Pauline as well as a group of friends deemed the ‘Misfit Toys’ — I adore each of them so much.

Warrior Girl Unearthed is so much more than a group of misfit teens though. It’s a story filled with the constant injustices Indigenous people face and have face for so long. While this book is a work of fiction, much of it is based off of lived experiences and struggles. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for Indigenous representation, found family, strong family bonds, mystery, thriller or a YA contemporary.

*While reading The Firekeeper’s Daughter is not necessary for this book, I would highly recommend reading it first.

In this sequel to the award winning "Firekeeper's Daughter", Daunis' niece Perry is ready to chill all summer. She plans on fishing and hanging out with her Pops and her dog, Elvis Jr. Unfortunately, after an unfortunate series of events, Auntie Daunis sets up an internship for Perry, mandatory attendance. As Perry begins working at her Tribe’s Cultural Learning Center, she learns more and more about the struggle to reclaim and repatriate Native American artifacts and remains from non-Native institutions. She begins to take some pretty big risks to bring home some artifacts that are being kept from her Tribe, and after a disturbing find on Sugar Island, Perry has to decide. How far will she go to bring her ancestors home? And who can she trust to help her?

Where do I even start with this review? Warrior Girl Unearthed was a wild ride from start to finish. I was expecting a straightforward story based on the summary, but I was surprised (in a good way!) that it went in a slightly different direction.

First off, I loved Perry, the MC. She pretty much did her own thing and gave zero shits about what other people thought of her. Maybe a large chunk of it was due to her youth and naivety, but damn, she really didn't let anything negative affect her goals.

Annnnnd, I won't lie. I loved how she subverted the "not like other girls" trope (which is something that I really hate in YA). She's athletic. She loves fishing. And she'll wear a ribbon skirt without complaining.

But the one huge thing that I loved about this novel is that I learned a lot about NAGPRA, the North American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. I recognized the basics of NAGPRA from my anthropology classes as an undergrad, but I never took any classes that focused specifically on Native American communities.

Even though this is a novel, I loved learning about how NAGPRA has affected, and still affects, how institutions (such as universities and museums) handle and return Native American remains and cultural objects to their rightful owners.

Understanding it from an indigenous community's perspective really carried a lot of meaning and emotion that wouldn't have been conveyed through, say, reading a Wikipedia article. Perry had a lot of strong feelings and you could really feel her hurt, anger, helplessness, and disappointment when dealing with the roadblocks and delays that came to repatriating the remains and objects belonging to her community.

I'd recommend this novel based on this alone, tbh.

The novel also tackled MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women). I thought it'd be a side plot, but I'm glad it became as integral to the plot as NAGPRA. Without dropping any spoilers, the buildup to the ending was definitely worth the wait.

Similar to the author's debut, the one issue I had was that the author's writing style had a lot of telling, not showing. There was a lot of "Perry did x, y, z." It made for easy reading, but I wished there was more showing. Though I was willing to overlook that fact because the story hooked me from the beginning to the end.

Thank you to Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley for this arc.

I think readers of Firekeeper's Daughter are going to be split on this companion novel following Daunis' nieces (specifically Perry) but I for one loved it. Found Family Heist!! Museum Reclamation!! Bad people getting what's coming to them!! Was the ending a bit convoluted? Maybe but don't worry about it!

I gave this a five star because no one does Information but Entertaining quite like Boulley does. There's a reason I requested Firekeeper's Daughter for our school. You learn so much and feel the weight of that knowledge in every word. My personal favorite is how she does not hold your hand in translating ever single bit of Ojibwe in the novel. It both familiarizes you and alienates you in equal measure which, for a lot of mixed race characters in the novel, is true. It's worth a listen to the audiobook though because the poetic nature of the language really adds to some of the scenes.
I think this is a solid update and extra to the narrative already set and while I think you could read this of Firekeeper's Daughter in any order, I think it works better to pick this up second. I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy. Big thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy.

Received an eArc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Angeline Boulley did it again with this companion novel to the Firekeeper’s daughter. This book revolves around Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act..

Perry was an engaging character to follow. She often leaps before fully thinking, letting her passion drive her choices, which causes a few misunderstandings and unintended consequences along the way. Daunis, from Firekeeper’s Daughter, makes appearances as well.

Overall this was a compulsive read for me. It was a 5 stars read until the end, which felt too rushed for my tastes. I would highly recommend this book for any YA or adult reader.

jesus CHRIST this is so much.

I have a degree in anthropology (concentrated in archaeology) so seeing the impacts that profession has had on the Indigenous people of this country, ESPECIALLY from the point of view of those people, is very important.

Beyond that, this was everything. Perry is a fantastic character.

(I do wanna what happened to Daunis in the ten years between though)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for eGalley!

When Boulley’s first book came out a few years ago it was my favorite book of that year. When I saw that she is releasing her second book in May, I knew I had to read it. While this one was not as good as the first one, it still was a pretty engaging read.

Perry along with her twin sister and good friends are part of internships on Sugar Island for the summer. There is a lot going on during this summer including: stolen native remains and items, natives going missing, a little bit of teen crushing, and a lot of mystery around all of these topics.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

5 stars

Boulley has another winner for readers with this most recent effort!

Perry, the m.c., is excited to experience a relaxing summer, but those plans rapidly change first when she ends up having to do an internship and then even more so because of what she learns during said internship. Summer goes from chill to boring to finally thrilling when Perry begins to uncover the many ways in which indigenous people - especially women - have been harmed and are continuing to be harmed in the present day. This weaving together of past trauma, culturally centered disrespect, and present terror create a complex web that forces Perry, her contemporaries, and certainly readers to face some difficult truths about how people are treated and how they choose to treat others. There's not a simple answer or a simple correction, and the layers of different women in distinct life stages and their specific stories really help to bring the depth of these horrors to light.

The plotting is excellent, but Perry is such a likeable character that she really stands out as the most admirable part of the entire work. She's flawed but focused on what is right according to her own value system, and her determination and certainty are refreshing.

I joined the masses in loving Boulley's first novel, and I love this one just as much if not more. The representation is excellent, but also this is just an exceptionally well-crafted narrative with a compelling m.c. Recommended, obviously!