I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley.
In the beginning of the book, there is a lot of references to child sexual abuse so that made me not want to read it, but thankfully that went away so it wasn't as terrifying to read after that. This is a dual timeline book going back and forth between the early 1900s with the children and 1987 with a park ranger who is trying to start over while also trying to help several children (both living and dead). There are some twists and adventure, but it really does shine a light on an unfortunate time in history when children's land wealth was weaseled away from them.

This is the fourth book I have read by Lisa Wingate. I always enjoy her stories and the history within them. As with some of her other books, there are multiple stories told and I typically prefer one over the other. In this instance, I prefer the story of the past (early 1900's) that of Ollie, Nessa, and the other children who are orphaned or runaways over the more recent story (1990) of Val, the park ranger, I was sucked into the sad story of these children who were taken advantage of by adults whose greed made them care more about wealth than humanity. It did take a while to used to the speech of some of the people, being the dialect they had in the past as well as in Oklahoma. However, once I did, I wanted to know if these children would make it to a better place...to find people who would care. It was well written and brought to light the tragedy that many Choctaw children and families faced when their land was taken from them by people who pretended to care but were really only acting for their own interest. We are introduced to Kate Barnard, a politician (the incredible story of a strong female politician elected at a time when women weren't even allowed to vote!) who worked hard to help bring awareness to these issues and help the children (dubbed "elves" by the locals who saw them wandering through the backwoods) who were affected by these things.
The story flipped between this and one in 1990 where a park ranger, new to the area after suffering the loss of her husband, comes across a mystery that will connect to Ollie, Nessa, and Nessa's lost sister, Hazel. This wasn't as interesting to me, and I kept wanting to get back to the story of the past. It did come together well at the end and tied things up. I appreciated the author's explanation of how she came to write this story and the fact that she had grown up in the area where her story takes place. It is always important to learn about things that have happened in our country's past, the good as well as the bad. Things have been done in the U.S. that were wrong and hopefully these stories will help us from repeating those actions.
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House/Ballantine for an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

Lisa Wingate has once again crafted another historical fiction gem with her latest entry, "Shelterwood." As an avid fan of "Before We Were Yours" and "The Book of Lost Friends," I was eager to deep dive into her new book. The story takes place between two alternating time periods: 1909 and 1990 Oklahoma. Wingate's novel is an exploration of Oklahoma during the statehood era and specifically focuses on Native American children whose land and rights were confiscated by men who had obtained guardianships over them and "...thereby control over a king's ransom in land, oil and timber."

In 1909, Ollie shared an attic room with two Choctaw sisters, Hazel and Nessa. They all lived in a house with Ollie's mother and her stepfather, a man of dubious character. When Hazel goes missing and Ollie's stepfather's insidious intentions become more apparent, Ollie and Nessa embark on a perilous journey away from there to a dugout hideaway in the Winding Stairs Mountains. Along the way, they encounter unscrupulous people, physical hardships and other bedraggled orphans they envelop into their fold where unlikely friendships are forged.. Eleven year old Ollie, wise beyond her years, becomes the leader of this band of wayward children.

In 1990, Valerie Boren-Odell transfers to Oklahoma to work as a Law Enforcing Park Ranger in Horsethief Trail National Park in Oklahoma's Winding Stairs Mountains. Valerie is a single mom to her son, Charlie, after the untimely death of her husband. Within a few weeks on the job, Val is confronted with a missing teenager and a cave filled with the skeletal remains of three children. She must also deal with her condescending boss who excludes her from receiving pertinent information and prefers to sweep things under the rug.

Lisa Wingate weaves a compelling tale and manages to merge the two timelines together. As usual, she brings to the forefront a time in Oklahoma history that is unknown to most people. As you read about these orphan children, one can only question whether there was any restitution for the harm done to these Native American children who were stripped of everything they had. With Wingate's books, you get a dose of meticulously researched history served with a side of humanity. This is an excellent read and is highly recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

“Shelterwood” is a historical fiction book by Lisa Wingate. This is a dual-timeline book - one part following Olive back in 1909; the other part follows Valerie in 1990. Both stories take place in Oklahoma - one where Olive is trying to survive an abusive situation and the other were Valerie is starting and trying to hold onto a new National Parks Service job. For possibly the first time in a dual-timeline book, I actually preferred the modern timeline, not the past one. Olive was living during a difficult time - no doubt, but her timeline seemed bogged down with politics, deals, and lots of abuse. I’m so glad that Ms. Wingate included Kate Barnard - someone I wish more people knew about because she was incredible not only for that time - but also in what she did. Do read the author’s note as you will learn not only how Ms. Wingate stumbled across the idea for this story but also learn more about Ms. Barnard’s story. I think, overall, I’d be more inclined to give this book 3 stars, but because Ms. Barnard is someone I really admire, I’ll bump it up to 4 stars. This was a pretty quick book to read with an interesting dual-timeline, so that was an additional plus.

Lisa Wingate never fails to impress with her incredible research into often little known parts of history in the United States.

This book was a little slow to get into as it tells the story in dual timelines. As sometimes happens, I preferred one timeline to the other.

PAST TIMELINE:
It is 1909 in Oklahoma and we are introduced to 11 y/o Olive Radley. She knows that her stepfather has bad intentions toward the two Choctaw children living with them, Nessie and Hazel. These three children have been living with their mother and stepfather and have suffered both verbal and physical abuse. Nessie and Hazel are Chocktaw Indians who have been taken from their homes. The stepfather has gained custody of them and the tribal lands that belong to their families.

The past timeline delineates all of the ways that grifters and others “stole” the land which was found to be rich in oil and timber. There is so much to unpack here and understand – it was impossible for me to read this quickly. It was heartbreaking but incredibly eye opening.

PRESENT TIMELINE:
It is 1990 and a new Law Enforcement Ranger, Valerie Boren-O’Dell has come to the Horsethief Trail looking for a fresh start for herself and her young son Charlie. She is only on the job for a few days when she is faced with controversy over the park trail’s opening; a missing teenager and the discovery of a long hidden burial site with the bones of three children.

We are introduced to Curtis who is the head of the Chocktaw Tribal Police in the area. Together these two will discover an incredible history of land theft, child kidnapping and abuse. There are powerful men in town who want to keep these secrets. What exactly are they hiding in the present time?

The conclusion is a good one and left me googling Oklahoma history and the incredible Kate Barnard - the Commissioner of Charities and Corrections during the early 1900’s.

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.

This was a great buddy read with Debra, be sure to read her wonderful review.

This book is about two little girls in the wilds of southeastern Oklahoma in the early 1900's. They are on the run from a a mean and ruthless stepfather who has ulterior motives for them. To be honest is was a hard book for me to read at first. After the first couple of chapters, I was hooked. These two little girls banded together with other children who were on a plight of their own. Kudos to Ms. Wingate for writing a story that most likely is true history for some of the real children of that era.

“Shelterwood” is written in true Wingate fashion – superb. The book grabbed my attention from the first page, and I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend this book. It will not disappoint!

The chapters alternate between 1909 and 1990. In 1909, the protagonist, Olive, and Choctaw girl, Nessa, are running from an abusive stepfather. The story evolves with the challenges they encounter to survive. As more children join their group, a community structure, “Shelterwood,” begins to form. Wingate does an outstanding job researching and presenting information about the Choctaw people in the early 1900s. In the 1990 chapters, Val is a Ranger with law enforcement experience. She works to solve crimes and the mystery of children’s bones. Each thread carries very interesting stories which come together very well with the 1909 chapters.

Wingate introduces numerous historical people and situations, such as Kate Barnard who was the first woman elected to office who would take on land grafters and worked to help homeless children in the early 1900s and the “corrupt probate courts of the statehood era and the children whose land and mineral rights were stolen.” Severe grafting occurred where people were “seeking to build their fortunes through leases and guardianships.” Factual information presented in a very interesting approach.

Wingate presents this history in an easy, readable fashion. I learned so much about these topics that I did not know anything about! This is a well-written, researched book that will not disappoint.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Thanks to the publisher, Ballantine Books, an Imprint of Random House, and the author for the privilege to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This review will be posted on Goodreads under “Deb” (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6267079481) on February 29, 2024.

This is a fascinating story that takes place in dual timelines between 1909 and 1990. During this earlier time, indigenous children, known as “elf children”, were facing abuse and starvation while their land was being stolen.

In the later time period, a new national park was being opened and the bones of some of these elf children were discovered. A female park ranger must do some digging to find out the history of these bones.

The two timelines come together beautifully in an emotional yet suspenseful story. Lisa Wingate has put in a remarkable amount of research to tell this little known bit of history. Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this 4-star book.

A fictional look at southeast Oklahoma in the early 1900s alternating with a story set in 1990. A bittersweet look at what can happen to children without loving adults both then and now. Wonderful!

Oklahoma, 1909

Eleven-year-old Olive Augusta Radley's stepfather is not a good man. She knows that his intentions toward the two Choctaw girls staying in their home are not good. When the older of the girls disappears, Ollie flees with six-year-old Nessa. Together they brave the wild, surrounded by outlaws, nature, crooks, and dangerous individuals.

Oklahoma, 1990

Valerie Boren O’dell, a law enforcement Ranger, has arrived at Horsethief Trail National Park to begin a new job. She is hoping for a quiet, laid-back job, but when a teenage hiker goes missing and the skeletal bodies of three young children are found in a hidden burial site, things get interesting fast.

This book is told through the past and present storylines. The past story line was my favorite. This book depicts the harsh realities of life that children have had to endure. In both times there are issues over land, land rights, and ownership. Shelterwood showcases how power corrupted(corrupts) individuals and how they are willing to do whatever it takes, no matter who gets hurt, in the pursuit of wealth and power.

I enjoyed Ollie's gumption and drive to protect Nessa. She was determined, brave, strong and had a strong desire to survive. She was young when she took on the role of protector and provider. I admired her character for that. I enjoy books that not only entertain me but teach me something new and evoke feelings. I did not know about this time in my country’s history. How Native children were robbed of their land, their basic rights and were often put out, orphaned, or worse.

I can't imagine having to survive in the wild and that is just what many of these children had to do. I can't imagine how scary and hard this must have been, hoping for help from strangers yet not knowing who to trust. The injustice of it all is hard to stomach.

I found this book to be gripping, well written, well thought out, and evoking emotions. The author's note at the end is a must read as well. Although this was not my favorite book by Lisa Wingate, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Wingate's book The Book of Lost Friends remains my favorite of her books.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lisa Wingate is one of my favorite authors and her latest did not disappoint! I loved the fast paced storyline, and absolutely loved the bond with the characters. This one held my attention from the very beginning until the very end. Highly recommend!

Thank you to net galley for the arc in exchange of an honest review.

Lisa Wingate has written another amazing historical fiction book. Set in a fictional national park in Oklahoma based on an actual park, the book reveals Indian children who became orphans and left to fend for themselves. Their guardians in turn took land that rightfully belonged to the children. This book was very intense and I had to stop reading it about halfway through and then come back to it. The book is very well written and clearly a lot of research went into the telling of this little known part of history. If you like historical fiction I hope you will read this book. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

Incredibly powerful novel! Told in two different time periods, from two perspectives, Shelterwood is the story of Native American children exploited, abused and even murdered for their land and their heritage, often by so-called pillars of the community.

In 1909 young Olive "Ollie" Augusta runs away with Nessa, a native child. Nessa and her sister Olive had been wards of the family, but when Hazel disappears, Ollie decides that she and Nessa are not safe from her stepfather, and therefore must run away. Taking only a pack pony and food supplies, the two girls head for a hunting cabin that Ollie's father used to take her to. Along the way they encounter many obstacles, both natural and man made, and ultimately Ollie ends up staying with a Mrs. Grube to earn some money that will aid in their escape, while Nessa hides nearby. Mrs. Grube is passionate about helping native orphans, and takes Ollie, now using the name Hazel, to a meeting with a woman who's a leader in addressing issues of abuse and theft of native property, and the enslavement of native children.

Valerie "Val" Boren-Odell is a park ranger in a new national park in 1990's Oklahoma, at a time where female park rangers are few and far between. There are rumors about a cave in the park with the bodies of possibly native children. In an effort to learn about who they might be, and how they happened to end up there, Val begins an investigation, but it's clear that someone doesn't want that information to be known. Along the way she encounters Sydney, a precious 12 year old who's ended up in the care of a somewhat shady woman, and who's brother has gone missing. With the help of Curtis, an officer of the local Choctaw policy, Val works hard to untangle the years of lies, deceit and corruption, while managing to stay alive in spite of the efforts of unknown bad actors.

Laden with solid historical information, Shelterwood is a fascinating look at the lives, politics and dangers facing women and children, both among the native community and the larger community of women as they fight to help these children. It's one of those stories you won't be able to put down. A great read!

I loved Before We Were Yours, so I was thrilled when I received this ARC. I also thought the timing was great because the movie Killers of the Flower Moon just came out and my interest was peaked in this there of historical fiction topic.
Lisa Wingate is such a talented author and she brings out so much emotion, this story was heartbreaking.
I also love dual timelines, and this one bounces between 1909 and 1999.
I would recommend this book. 5 ⭐️

I received an early edition and I loved it. Not my first Lisa Wingate reading definitely not the last!

The characters are very well-developed, I appreciate the straight from the hip shooting about our American history and treatment of the Native Tribes that lived here

The way she ties all that was happening in the book into an ending was phenomenal.

I love author Lisa Wingate, author of Before We Were Yours. Her new historical fiction book, Shelterwood, based on true events of the orphaned children(mainly Chowtaw Indians) in Oklahoma during the early 1900's was a very good book to read. I never knew this happened in history. As land was stolen from the Indians, many Choctaw children were left in the woods to fend for themselves, were abused, and many starved.

The book was a dual timeline and the other timeline was 1990 when a National Park (not real) opened and some strange things begin to happen. Val, a new park ranger and Curtis, a police officer investigate and so history is uncovered. As Val seeks out truth, the two timelines merge together. The tragedies of these children pulled at my heartstrings. It was enlightening to learn about the women in history that sought to help these children and the difference they made.

So much research went into this book and Lisa Wingate brought this story to life! I always look forward to her new books because her storytelling is so beautiful!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an advance copy in exchange for a review.

Shelterwood is the latest novel by one of my favorite historical fiction authors, Lisa Wingate. As with her previous novels, it's apparent that Shelterwood was deeply researched. Many of the author's novels shine a light on an otherwise unknown bit of untold history. From the first chapter the reader is pulled into a creatively crafted intriguing story with heart wrenching results.
Set in a dual timeline of early 1900's and 1990's in remote Talihina, Oklahoma. At the turn of the century children Ollie and Nessa are faced with a horrible situation and must flee from their stepfather. Their journey for survival is gripping. In the 1990's timeline, Valerie, takes a job as a park ranger and finds herself entrenched in an investigation of a suspicious discovery in a cave system within the "Horsethief Trail National Park" and Choctaw Nation land.
Shelterwood calls attention to the tragic injustices of the treatment of children at the turn of the century where society has turned their backs on the less fortunate. Additionally, the reader learns of the shocking failures of the politically charged, tenuous relationship between the federal government officials, tribal authorities, and those that will look away where there is financial opportunity.
I found the novel to be brilliantly written, full of eye-opening historical facts, and overall socially compelling. Not to be missed, the authors note at the end!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Such a lovely story - Ollie and Nessie are on the run - Ollie is 11 and Nessie is younger (can't remember how old). Their stepfather is cruel and they really have no choice but to run. This story is in 1909.
There's another story in 1990 (just shift some numbers around for the change of dates) with Valerie and her son Charlie. She's a park ranger and is uncovering a host of illegal activities on the park grounds.
These two stories interweave and sometimes it's really annoying. I'm desperate to see what happens to Ollie and Nessie but it switches back to Valerie. Grr! I know the author is weaving this together, but it's a little frustrating...until....Valerie has happened on some bodies (whose are they anyway?)
So it's actually a darned good telling of two stories that come together in the end. The characters are ALIVE and the trail descriptions are spot on.
I am unfamiliar with this author so I've gotta find her other book and have a peek.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the honor of reading this book.

Lisa Wingate tells the stories of those, especially children, whose lives have been lost or forgotten in our history. In this dual timeline story Lisa reveals the shameful history of her home state of Oklahoma as timber and oil barons stole the land and livelihood from Native Americans and their families. Ollie and Nessa leave their home escaping from Ollie’s abusive stepfather after Nessa’s sister Hazel, both Choctaw, disappears and Ollie becomes concerned for Nessa’s safety. Their goal is to reach Shelterwood, a refuge Ollie’s father built up on Winding Stair mountain. Along the way they meet a number of other children fleeing work and family abuse.
Valerie is a present day ranger who takes an assignment in the new Winding Stair park to start over with her young son after her husband died in a tragic mountain accident. Facing discrimination bordering harassment, she is determined to find a young man who’s gone missing and, in the process, discovers hidden secrets of the mountains.
The two storylines converge at the end.
Shelterwood is beautifully written and well-researched drawing heavily on archival texts.
The characters are well-formed and the plot weaves together perfectly. Descriptions of the mountains were stunning.
Highly recommend, especially for those who want to understand the personal stories of our American history—the stories of those abused and with no voice and those who gave voice when no one else would.
This stands alongside Before We Were Yours as a portal into a time and period little known to most.

Shelterwood was another amazing book by Lisa Wingate. I appreciate all the research she puts in to her books. This was another story by her that I won't soon forget.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.