I am a little sad writing this review! Lisa Wingate is an amazing author. Before We Were Yours was such a beautifully written book. but. I was cautious about Shelterwood because I know Wingate’s stories can rip your heart into a million pieces.

This story felt short for me. You could tell the writing is strong and she put a lot of research into these events but the pacing of the story was so difficult. I felt like it draggggged on and then the exciting parts or key details got glazed over. I felt myself going what? a lot. I think the dual timelines were difficult to follow at times as well.

Overall, I would definitely recommend BEFORE WE WERE YOURS before I would recommend this. You have to like this topic to pick this up.

Set in Oklahoma with dual timelines of 1909 and 1990, this emotional story follows children abandoned by the law and the movement to see justice done. Knowing she isn't safe at home with her over-medicated mother and sketchy step-father, Ollie runs away with her "adopted" Choctaw sister to travel across the landscape to find her abandoned home from when her father was alive. The story follows Ollie's journey (1909) while intertwining with that of a park ranger (1990) who discovers the remains of three young girls in a cave. There's a history to uncover with many political roadblocks and a mystery to be solved.

I enjoy Lisa Wingate's novels because she highlights a piece of little known American history.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I am a big fan of Lisa Wingate but this book ended up a DNF. I could get attached to any of the characters. I really like the Native American storyline but it didn't keep my interest

I was very interested in the premise of this story. I don’t know a lot about Oklahoma and the orphan children during this time. I found the historical parts interesting, if a little long winded at times. I could not get as interested in the modern day storyline however. I think this would have been better as just a historical rather than a dual timeline book.

I’m so bummed that I didn’t like this as much as I was hoping and expecting to :(

I thought the premise was fascinating. It featured two storylines: 1909 Olive and Nessa running from their abusive stepfather and 1990s when a female park ranger stumbled on the investigation of three skeletons in her park.

But even though the two stories were interesting, I never felt very drawn into either one. Olive and Nessa’s was much faster paced and I was so worried about the two little girls, but I never felt so drawn in that I couldn’t stop reading. And I found the new park ranger’s story (I can’t even remember her name….) so boring and I found her quite bland and unremarkable. I was more interested in the local Choctaw history than I ever was about her work in the Park or about the investigation into the bones.

So overall not my favorite book, but I will definitely recommend it to folks who want to read historical fiction that’s not about a war.

Lisa Wingate tackles tough subjects in her novels. That is particularly true of her latest book, Shelterwood. Told in two time periods, 1909 and 1990, Shelterwood takes readers on a journey of danger, sadness, and hope.

In 1909, Ollie, 11, takes Nessa, 6, a Choctaw girl living with her family, and the two flee an abusive stepfather and drug-addicted mother. In the woods, they encounter three other Choctaw children, supposedly the wards of white guardians. However, during that period in OK, many Native American children were mistreated under the guise of guardianship when the whole idea was to steal their land and money. Although Ollie does not know how she can help the other three children since just keeping her and Nessa fed and out of danger is more than enough, but she can’t leave them either. The five band together to seek a better life. Later, two young boys join them even though Ollie who has begun calling herself Hazel is reluctant to take them on too.

Jump to 1990 when readers meet Valerie Born-Odell and her young son Charlie. Valerie has taken a job with the Horsethief Trail National Park in OK’s Winding Stair Mountains. Valerie, an outsider, must prove herself as a new park ranger and find a way to fit into the closed society. The discovery of the bodies of three children in a cave in the park set Valerie on a mission to find out who the children were and what happened to them.

Shelterwood is told in the two timelines, 1909 and 1990. Both stories will keep readers on the edges of their seats. I found myself reading breathlessly as one danger after the other presents itself to the band of children and to Valerie.

Publishers Weekly, in a starred review, says, “Wingate’s stellar latest explores a centuries-long legacy of missing child cases…. Her portrayal of the region’s history, culture, and landscape enthralls. Wingate is at the top of her game.” I would agree. I have read and enjoyed a number of Wingate’s novels and her nonfiction, Before and After. Shelterwood is a winner.

Wingate provides readers with a list of resources at the end of the book. Of particular interest should be books and articles about Kate Barnard. Barnard was “elected and served two terms, as Commissioner of Charities and Corrections in 1907, making her the first woman to win statewide elected office in the United States.” She worked to save children because she realized the court-appointed guardians of Native American orphans stole farmland and money from the children, mistreating the children physically and emotionally as well.

Shelterwood is an excellent choice for a book club. The number of topics for discussion will keep the book club members talking for days.

This was another powerful story about the poor in Oklahoma during the time that the whites discovered oil on the land and were figuring out how to get it for themselves and not the landowners. It's told through the eyes of young children, both white and Native American. It combines huge land losses and wonderful successes. Wingate writes so that one feels each character's personality and gumption. A book I could not put down.

I always enjoy reading books about different parts of history & different parts of the country. Shelterwood was no different. Learning about Oklahoma in 1909 was intriguing. I had not heard of Kate & her story. Nor I had hear of what was being done to children out there. I also liked Vals storyline in 1990 and it was enjoyable to see the two intertwine. Good book!

This story takes place in Oklahoma and goes back and forth between 1909 and 1990.
This is the tale of three little girls who are trying to escape a dangerous man and take care of themselves in the wild in 1909.
In 1990, Valerie, a National Park Ranger, has decided to move and start a new life for herself and her young son. She is now a widow and her son is fatherless. They have transferred near Talihina, Oklahoma. This is of interest to me as I have been there, myself many times.
Valerie is frustrated as it seems they just give her menial tasks to keep her occupied. Then, a call came in for a missing teenage boy. That hunt led Valerie to so much more. She discovers sets of three children's bones in a cave that someone, or someone's doesn't want found or talked about. At one point, the lives of her and her son were threatened and she sent her son back 'home' with relatives until the danger was over.
In 1909, a young girl is trying to keep herself and sister safe from their stepdad. Their mother is no help as she has taken to drink and powders and sleeps most of the day away in a stupor. They end up on the run doing what they can to survive, and taking in other children.
These two very different stories mesh together in a unique way.
It's obvious the author did an extensive amount of research for this story. I learned so much from the book about the native Americans, particularly the children. I, also learned about Kate Barnard, whom I had never before heard of. She was a fighter for orphans in the early 1900's. A small woman with a big voice.
Quite an amazing story.
I was given an advanced ecopy by the publisher, Ballantine Books through Netgalley. I was not obligated to leave a positive review.

Lisa Wingate does it again! Making history accessible and interesting. The focus of this book is the exploitation of Native American children in Oklahoma. I highly recommend reading the author’s note first. Thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

This novel vacillates in time between 1909 and 1990. It opens in 1990 with Val, the new park ranger in Oklahoma as she finds 3 bones--could they be human? Then in 1909 we see 11-year-old Olive who takes her younger sister, Nessa and runs away from evil stepfather, Tesco even after their other sister, Hazel disappeared. It's a fast-paced novel that explores superstitions of elves, hidden treasures, and crazy theories handed down for ages. Kept me on the edge of my seat until the end!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Lisa Wingate shares yet another unknown story about children or young adults who are trying to find their way back to family.
Taking place in 1909 and 1990, "Shelterwood" tells the tale of Olive and her Choctaw "sister" and friends who are fleeing from abusive situations to try to make a home for themselves and other children who are mistreated by adults who are supposed to be taking care of them. In 1990, National Park law Enforcement ranger finds the skeletons of 3 young children in a cave in Horsethief trail National Park. She is determined to find out who they are while also trying to find a missing teen. These stories come together in an enlightening ending.
Each storyline in this novel is interesting and heartbreaking. The protagonists are strong females who are fighting for injustices done to others. The novel brings to light the exploitation children suffered at the hands of white land barons.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this egalley.

This was historical fiction at its finist. This takes place in Oklahoma with dual timelines. One timeline takes place in 1990 and follows a young female park ranger, Valerie. There is so much going on at the park she works at, between the politics, missing persons and a grizzly find, it's a page turner. The second timeline is 1909 and follow a bunch of ragtag orphans trying to survive.
This one had me reading late into the night to see how these stories would come together.
The author did a wonderful job with the history of Oklahoma in its early statehood.
If you are a historical fiction fan, I highly recommend this one.

Like Before We Were Yours, Lisa Wingate has written another moving title about a little known history this one from the early 1900s. Readers will fall in love with Ollie and Nessa and the mystery that surrounds their story in the Winding Stair Mountains of Oklahoma. Meanwhile, Ranger Valerie Boren O’dell arrives at Horsethief Trail National Park in the 1990s seeking to heal her broken heart and forge a new path forward for her young son. Stumbling upon a a local mystery that no one seems interested in solving and fighting for respect as a female ranger, may be dangerous for Val. Did she make the right choice in fleeing her home? Alternating chapters will captivate readers and draw them in to the dual narratives.

Shelterwood is the heartbreaking story of orphaned indigenous children in the early 1900 Oklahoma. The story is told through two points of view in two timelines. In 1909, Olivia's stepfather is a ward to two Choctaw girls. After the oldest disappears, Olivia escapes with the youngest, Nessa. In 1990, Valerie is a ranger who discovers three bodies in a cave. When the bones are quickly disposed off and the case closed, Valerie looks for answers.

If you read Before We Were Yours or enjoy historical fiction, this is a must read. Wingate does a wonderful job of telling the story. The writing is very good. Combined with what had to be extensive research, the entire books gives readers a glimpse into that time and the atrocities. This is one of those books that can be difficult to read given the subject, but worth the time. The pages are filled with a lot of heartbreak, but leaves reader with a sense of hope and resilience. I highly recommend this book.

Lisa Wingate writes historical fiction usually involving the plight of children during trying times in the United States. Her books shine a light on eras past that we have forgotten, a light that often exposes a part of history people choose to forget.
Her newest novel, Shelterwood, is written about the early 1900’s Oklahoma. The Choctaws were being forced out, their children stolen to be raised with a Christian education. Oil was being discovered, often under land that the Indians or poor Americans owned. Through the stealing, kidnapping, and double-crossing, many children became orphans. And as orphans, they had less rights than a farmer’s mule.
The story focuses on Ollie and Nessa, forced to run to avoid a worse fate. Their path takes them through various obstacles and they cross paths with some colorful people, some good, some horrible.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable book to read, even though some parts are difficult to be made aware of. But this story is based on factual history, which makes it so much more interesting to me.
Thanks so much to Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Lisa Wingate is one of those authors that I will read whatever she releases. So I was thrilled to receive an ARC of Wingate's newest release, Shelterwood.

Shelterwood is a dual timeline story told from two different POV.

Oklahoma, 1909. Eleven-year-old Olive Augusta Radley: Olive known as Ollie, knows that her stepfather is not a good man. She has suspicions about his intentions towards the two Chocktaw girls who are in his care as wards. When the older girl, Hazel, suddenly disappears, Olie and and six-year-old Nessa start a journey that is hard to comprehend.

Oklahoma, 1990. Law Enforcement Ranger Valerie Boren O’dell. Valerie has arrived at Horsethief Trail National Park as a new park ranger. Valerie wants to try to start again after the tragic death of her husband. As a single mother, Valerie is attempting to balance her life and care for their young son.
Valerie is not sure if she is the new token female park ranger or what the other rangers think of her.

When the bones of three young children are discovered in Horsethief Trail National Park, a story unfolds that is hard to comprehend.

Wingate has a talent it weaving true little-known stories with fiction to make great stories. The only reason I did not give this 5 stars was that the end felt a little rushed and farfetched with Valerie's story.

All. thoughts and opinions are my own.

Emotional and riveting book. Though I expected nothing less from this author. Definitely add this to your summer reading list

I ended up listening to this book on Libro.FM and I enjoyed it! It wasn’t my favorite of her novels, but Wingate always tells well-researched and compelling stories. this one takes place in Oklahoma with a then and now story about the kids and orphans of Indian tribes and their struggles to survive. A worthwhile read.

Great story by Lisa Wingate. Every book i have read by her I have loved. Her books are the ones i always reccomend to my friends. Looking forward to whatever her next book is!