Louise Wolfe is a Native teen navigating the world in its racism and hatred not only in our present time but also in the past. After her boyfriend says something awful about Natives, she dumps him via email and decides to spend her valuable time as a writer at the school newspaper. Meanwhile, the school play chooses to cast diversely, much to some parent's dismay. The call of "reverse racism" amongst other things propels Louise to follow the story, and it hits home more than she thought it would.

Like another book I have recently finished, Trail of Lightning, this features a Native protagonist, and it is so refreshing. What I loved most was the that throughout this book, almost everyone had a learning experience. Including the ex-boyfriend and Louise herself who makes mistakes and uses that to make a positive change in her life and those around her.

I recommend this book to everyone. This is an OWN VOICES novel so take yourself out of what you know and step into Louise's shoes. The back of the book gives you some information on a lot of what the author mentions along with info on some key moments in America's tragic history.

We need more novels like these on the shelves.

I received an advanced copy from through the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hearts Unbroken tells the story of Lou Wolfe who is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation (an indigenous person). The Wolfe family has recently moved to East Hannesburg, Kansas from Texas during the middle of her junior year. After her athletic boyfriend Cam criticizes his brother’s Native fiance based on racist stereotypes, Lou dumps him via email and decides to make senior year a fresh start, including who she hangs out with.

Lou joins the journalism class at school, and on the first day, she meets Joey, a new student, who instantly catches her eye.

Simultaneously, the new theater director announces a color-conscious casting approach to the school’s fall musical and instantly stirs up controversy from a a group of parents who call themselves “Parents Against Revisionist Theater” and are hellbent against this decision. This same group of parents also fought against book selection in the library and stirred up trouble in the journalism class last year as well.

This book was absolutely terrific. First, it’s important to note that this is an own-voices novel but don’t walk into this book expecting the author to do all the educating for you. If you are unaware of Native history in the U.S., the author does mention several resources at the end of the book to help guide your research. Furthermore, the author also uses Mvskoke language sprinkled throughout. Rather than the typical editorial choice to italicize words in another language, this uses the standard text format which is a refreshing change to see. (I will say that if you’re not used to non-English words not being italicized, it’ll take some time to become used to it, but I think it’s a positive change.)

The author also includes a character who is Lebanese-American (Joey) and characters that fall into the LGBT+ community. Additionally, faith is actually a part of the characters’ lives which is seldom seen in YA but a nice change. Religion is presented in both a positive and a negative light which is also refreshing to see (as most YA books tend to only present it in a negative light). Socioeconomic status is all brought into light as well as the main character’s best friend has to constantly work to try to help make ends meet for her family.

While some people may criticize and say that it’s all too much, I found the diversity within the story to be extremely true to life and felt extremely natural within the story.

This is a book that will cause you to question your own judgments and own actions or lack thereof. It will infuriate you at times (and yes, Lou will infuriate you at times too because she is a flawed person…but we all are), but it will also cause you to cheer for Lou as well as the rest of the journalism class.

When this comes out, you will definitely want to read it.

Final rating: 5/5.

Thank you for this early copy!

I would recommend this to anyone who wants to read a diverse young adult novel that deals with important topics! :)