This is another great book by the Author.

The story takes place in Oklahoma, and goes between two time-lines. 1909 and 1990
In the 1909 part of the story, we follow eleven year old Olive Augusta Radley (Ollie) and six year old Nessa , as they run away from Ollie's home, after Nessa's older sister disappears, and also from Ollie's abusive stepfather. The girls head toward the mountains looking for Ollie's parents' old cabin, and on the way the meet other young people who are also trying to make it on their own.
Nessa and her sister were a ward of Ollie's family, after losing their family and were from a Choctaw tribe.
This story has quite a sad story, about Indian Children and orphans, and we learn a lot about the history of the area, and what happened to these children and why it was happening.
In 1990 the stories main character is Valerie Boren-O’Dell, who is a single mom with a young son seeking a quiet place after losing her husband. She is the new female park ranger at Horse thief Trail National Park.
Valerie has a bit of a hard time being accepted in the beginning, and she feels that there is not a lot being said about a lot of things that have been happening in the park, a lost hiker, bones of three young girls found in a cave, and noises heard in areas where no one should be. So between the two related time frames, the author has given us a very interesting story.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group -Ballantine for a copy of this book.

Told in dual timelines, one from 1909 and one from 1990, Shelterwood is historical fiction about the land, the woodland, and the rights of the Choctaw, especially the Choctaw children, over their land. Taking place in Oklahoma, it tells of a little known time in history when the Choctaw natives and their children were being killed in order to acquire the wealth of their land. Similar to Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders, Shelterwood delves into the casual disregard of the rights of the Choctaw to their land. A compelling story that is well-researched (as spelled out in the Author's Note at the end of the novel.) Lisa Wingate knows how to tell a story that captures and holds your attention throughout.

I received a copy for review purposes; all opinions are honest and mine alone.

Based on real events, SHELTERWOOD, by Lisa Wingate, is a standalone, dual timeline, historical fiction novel that’s a bit of a reading challenge due to pacing issues. This is a complex story that would have been better told in a single, contemporary time period with the use of flashbacks, letters or some other literary device to fill in the historical information.

It took me over a week to read this story because I was frustrated by the short chapters and whipsawing between storylines. If I hadn’t agreed to write a review, this might have become a DNF candidate, which would have been unfortunate because the story is important. I did find an odd solution; one that I’ve never done before over oh SO many reads - I stopped reading the chapters consecutively, (this was at day 6 and the end of my reading rope), and read them by timeline! SO. MUCH. BETTER. Thankfully, the pace moved much more smoothly and I really appreciated the story.

By now, there are over 300 reviews on this title so I won’t replay details of the story. Wingate does a good job of shedding light on an aspect of history that’s all but ignored and continues to be. Kudos to her for not running the political train thru her prose. The young female characters in the 1909 timeline were fair representations of budding Suffragettes and the female ranger in the 1990 timeline was spot on for a woman breaking into a traditionally male dominated career. Many of her scenes reminded me of my own experiences bursting the testosterone ceiling. It would be easy to see Netflix optioning this book.

If you’re a fan of overlapping plots, memorable characters, historical fiction, mystery and not bothered by a languishing pace, SHELTERWOOD is a well written story that deserves to be read and remembered 📚

Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks

Two stories in Oklahoma, one in 1990 and one in 1909 about children abandoned by the law and the battle to see justice done. I wasn’t quite sure how the two time periods would interact, but finally at about 80%, they started hinting toward each other. This ended well, but took quite awhile to get there.

This well researched novel takes us to Oklahoma in two timelines, following a group of children that society has failed as they struggle to survive and a park ranger as she navigates some mysteries in the newly developed park she works at.

The historical timeline was told from the perspective of one of the children, Ollie. I usually will always favor the historical timeline, but that was not the case in this story. I struggle to read from the perspective of children, but I will say this is one of the better ones I’ve read. The children include Ollie, her step-father’s ward, sibling Choctaw orphans, and some other misfits and runaways. Their bond and resiliency was special, and this was really showcased when we reach the end.

I really enjoyed the more current timeline and was interested in the mysteries and relationships we learn about. I learned a lot of Oklahoma history, includes the Dawes Act, the presence of “elf children” and the criminal way Native Americans were cheated and had their land parcels stolen through fake marriages and “guardianship” of children.

This was my first title by the author, but I am very interested in her other titles and what I could learn from those as well.

You can never go wrong with a Lisa Wingate book. She knows how to take a story and pull you all the way into it. I suggest going into the book blind and just take in the story. I can’t wait for her next book.

Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate

Lisa Wingate connects two timelines taking place in the Winding Stair Mountains of Oklahoma. In 1909, eleven year old Olive knows she must get herself and her little attic mate, six year old Nessa, away from her stepfather now that Nessa's older sister has disappeared following abuse from the stepfather. Reading about the travails of Olive and Nessa was grueling and I was wishing that this part of the story could be told in some other way. But as the story went on, I just faced the facts that people young and old were being killed for their land. Get rid of the parents and then become the guardian of the orphans and it doesn't take much for the wealthy and powerful to wrest the orphans' inheritances from them. Illegal and unscrupulous means of all types were employed as the rich got richer and the poor were starved, worked to death, abused in all manners, and murdered. In the case of this story, Olive hopes to someday get Nessa, and the other kids they pick up along the way, to the mountain area where she used to live with her mother and father. There they would make a town called Shelterwood, with a church, a school, some chickens, and a cow. Olive had nothing but her dreams and the weight of the world on her young shoulders. The reality of the situation was the kids were all starving and didn't even had the provisions to keep on with their travels.

In 1990, Law Enforcement Ranger Valerie Boren-O’Dell is starting her new job at Horsethief Trail National Park. She's frustrated that she's almost ignored by her co-workers and assigned the most menial of jobs. But she learns that there are the bones of three little girls in a remote cave and she travels there to actually see if the rumors are true. But before the bones can be investigated properly, they are removed and the story covered up. That's when Valerie does her own investigation into the background of the area and learns how the owners of the land in the past lost their lands through exploitation and murder. Danger lurks even now for those who attempt to dig too deep, venture too far, and ask too many questions.

I dreaded each time we went back to Olive's timeline because the life of the children is so brutal, with no sign that things can do anything but get worse. But I couldn't help wanting the best for plucky Olive, who had no choice at all but to be the one to keep her group of ragtag starving orphans alive and hidden while she tried to earn money in town. Valerie's timeline was easier to read despite the fact that there is abuse there, too. For all the rotten, conniving people in this book there are also a lot of good and likeable people, too, and that helped me make my way through the story.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

"Shelterwood" masterfully intertwines the lives of two resilient women separated by nearly a century but connected by their courage and determination. The novel’s title is a tribute to the old shelterwood trees, which protect and nurture the forest, much like the protagonists do for their communities.

In 1909, Olive Augusta Radley, or Ollie, escapes from an abusive stepfather and finds refuge with Native American children in an area she names Shelterwood. This sanctuary becomes a haven for runaway children who have been neglected by their court appointed guardians who have stolen from them. These children survive by hunting, fishing, and performing odd jobs in nearby Talihina, Oklahoma. Despite being dubbed elves or spirits by the locals, they are merely children fighting for survival and freedom.

Fast forward to 1990, and we meet Valerie Boren-Odell, a widow and single mother who has moved to Talihina to work as a Park Ranger at the new Horsethief Trail National Park. Valerie faces her own battles against the entrenched male chauvinism in law enforcement. Her investigation into the discovery of three children's bodies in a cave, the disappearance of a local boy, a suspicious rock slide, and a drowned unknown person brings her story full circle with Ollie's past.

The novel's strength lies in its poignant portrayal of both Ollie and Valerie’s struggles and their quest for justice and a new beginning. Their stories, though set in different times, converge in a powerful and meaningful conclusion.

Despite its compelling narrative, the book’s structure—alternating chapters between 1909 and 1990—can be jarring at times. This abrupt shift occasionally disrupts the flow, but the rich, interwoven tales of survival and resilience make up for this minor flaw.

Overall, "Shelterwood" is a captivating read, deserving of 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 for its emotive storytelling and the profound connection it draws between its characters across time.

An enjoyable book. I liked the part of the story that earlier and told from the child's point of view. It wrapped up nicely.

Shelterwood is sure to be another bestseller for Lisa Wingate. I thought the story was just as compelling as Before We Were Yours. I love that she highlights the stories of these children in history who were not treated well but also brings to light the stories of some female unsung heroes who worked to help them. The characters are well done and the pacing is excellent. This is dual timeline and the two story lines connect without feeling unrealistic. The historical quotes that open each chapter add depth to the book and are evidence of the research put in before writing. I had high expectations for this one and it did not disappoint. Thanks to Ballantine Books for the early copy to read through NetGalley. I’m am leaving this review voluntarily as my honest opinion because I love books and authors. This book comes out in early June 2024.

Shelterwood was an eye opening historical story about the lives of orphans on the run from unsafe homes they were placed in and the woman who secretly tried to protect them. Unfortunately this book was too slow for my liking and while the story line was intriguing it did not keep my interest. I appreciate the opportunity to read this ARC early and am thankful for Netgally and the publisher for accepting my honest review of this title.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced readers copy of Shelterwood. This book is told in dual POV. One timeline from the 1900s and one from the 1990s. Lisa Wingate can definitely write historical fiction well in terms of the research she puts into her books. The only thing for me was that it was pretty slow and hard to get through. It was a well written book but the pace was just off for me. I still love Before We Were Yours. If you like historical fiction, check this one out! Thank you again for the ARC!

In this book, we get Oklahoma in two different time periods, 1909 and 1990
We explore what happens to children in 1909 and we investigate
With Ranger Valerie Boren-Odell the long hidden burial site of three children.
We travel with her as she investigates the past and the present
This author has such a beautiful way with words and has been one of my favorites for a long time now and this book did not disappoint.

I always love Lisa Wingate's books but this one missed the mark for me. I just could not get into it and stay interested in it no matter how hard I tried. I made it to about the three-fourths mark and then it was a DNF for me.

While this did not ascend to the level of her other books, this was a solid historical fiction read what was well researched and kept me interested. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher!
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Thank you Random House Publishing Group from NetGalley for this ARC.
I'm not usually an historical fiction fan, but the dual timelines and storylines kept this book moving forward for me. I really enjoyed learning more about the Indigenous tribal nation of the Choctaw, and felt the overlap with the timelines was perfectly done. I always enjoy finding the title, and this novel provided a wonderful link to the title.
I'm looking forward to reading more of Lisa Wingate's work.

Shelterwood is another great story by Lisa Wingate. This is a heartbreaking story about Native American children in Oklahoma in the early 1900s. There is a dual story line set in 1909 and 1990. I will admit that it took me a while to really get pulled into the story, but once I got there I was hooked. If you enjoyed Wingate’s Before We Were Yours you will probably also enjoy this story. I’ll definitely keep coming back to read her work.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the advanced copy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Posted on Goodreads on 5/16/24

I love historical fiction and I have appreciated every story I’ve read by Lisa Wingate. Shelterwood is no exception. This book was so interesting I found myself wanting to know more information about the actual time period and events than was provided in the story. I love that about Wingate’s stories and the way she writes them. This book was exceptional.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review.

There is something about historical fiction about obscure events that is so engaging and Wingate is amazing at drawing readers in. I research more real history while reading her books than any other historical fiction author. This book is a beautiful masterpiece about tragic era in American history. The research done was incredible, the story line was captivating and the characters were relatable and well developed. I loved the entwining of two different era story lines. One is from 1909 and deals with a young girl and her friends and the struggles they face in a era just starting to care about the welfare of children. The other is from 1990 and deals with a single mother embarking on a new career path in a new town while trying to solve some mysteries. Intertwined in both stories is the thread of tragedy that was the treatment of Indigenous People in Oklahoma. If you are looking for an excellent engaging read about lesser known historical events- add this one to your list!

Lisa Wingate's "Shelterwood" offers an emotionally charged narrative set against the backdrop of Oklahoma in two distinct eras. The novel intertwines the stories of eleven-year-old, Olive Augusta Radley, in 1909 and Law Enforcement Ranger, Valerie Boren O’dell, in 1990, both of whom face peril and seek justice in the rugged Winding Stair Mountains.

Wingate excels in crafting a vivid portrayal of the Oklahoma landscape, capturing both its beauty and its dangers. Her prose brings the setting to life, immersing readers in the wild terrain that serves as both a sanctuary and a threat to the characters. The dual timelines are handled with skill, revealing the interconnectedness of past and present as the characters’ stories unfold.

However, the novel's pacing falters significantly, particularly in the middle sections where the plot slows down, causing the narrative to drag. This slow pacing can make it difficult for readers to stay engaged, as the story meanders and loses momentum. Some characters, despite their potential, come across as one-dimensional, making their personal journeys less impactful. The ambitious attempt to weave multiple storylines occasionally results in a disjointed narrative that can be challenging to follow.

Despite these flaws, "Shelterwood" succeeds in highlighting themes of resilience, justice, and the fight for a better future. The emotional depth of Ollie and Valerie's struggles resonates, though it sometimes gets overshadowed by predictable plot elements and familiar character tropes.

Overall, "Shelterwood" is a touching read with compelling themes and a richly described setting, though it doesn't quite reach the heights of Wingate’s best works. It’s a good choice for readers who enjoy historical fiction with a focus on nature and personal redemption, even if it falls short of being truly exceptional.