A beautiful, touching and meaningful book, Girl Warrior by Joy Harjo is a treasure trove of wisdom. There are such vivid memories, insights and experiences in these pages. Harjo brings in profound, ancient new-to-me ways of thinking and understanding ourselves and the world around us, thoughts and ideas I’ve not encountered before but which I respect and which resonate. I’m lit up, fascinated and enlivened by the liminal spaces her words open up within me.
With short and impactful chapters that cover such topics as Mystery, Voice, Friendship, Fury, Failure, Fear, Dreaming, Grief, Compassion, Passion and Resonance, Harjo weaves an intimate and intricate blend of wisdom, truth and resilience using insights, stories and poems.

Expected Publication Date: October 7, 2025

Thanks to NetGalley, Author Joy Harjo and W. W Norton & Company for access to a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc of this book.

This is a beautiful and thoughtful curation of short essays exploring all aspects of life with a focus on Indigenous coming of age. I found that every word in this collection was intentional and there is a lesson in every sentence. Harjo draws on her life experiences, breaking free of the western concept of time, to share how a young person [or really at any age] might get through a life changing experience.

This is a curation for young Indigenous women/people who are coming of age; these are relevant lessons for everyone to live a more intentional life that in aligned with Mother Earth. It's an invitation to break away from unsustainable lifestyles. I find this is a book that a person can revisit many times in life.

Of course, Joy Harjo's writing is captivating. While everything was straight to the point, the language was not dry, but warm and inviting. The book was relaxing while covering heavy topics, a way to show she is there with her words and stories.

Beautifully written - and full of energy - just what you would expect from Joy Harjo. It's a spiritual tonic and a time travel device in one - grounded in the present, while reaching back for wisdom and tossing hope into the future. In a perfect combination of poetry and prose, she covers the ground any young women needs guideposts for - without once sounding condescending. Girl Warrior is an inspiration and powerful addition to any bookshelf.

This memoir in poems and short prose from Joy Harjo is the hopeful voice needed in these times. Her vast experiences provide something for everyone. Harjo provides hope through grief, love through pain, and calm in the storms of life.

So much gratitude to #netgalley and #wwnorton,for the honor and opportunity to read an advance copy of #GIRLWARRIOR: On Coming of Age by the brilliant Poet Laureate of the US #JoyHarjo which is due for publication this Fall. In the spirit of her memoir #PoetWarrior, Joy Harjo has written a collection especially for young indigenous women who are coming of age in a openly crooked and, in my opinion, extra cruel world.

This collection is personal and powerful (and will prove to be a soul-enriching and hopeful read for anyone who needs a lift and some positive messaging). Joy knows the challenges and pain that young women face, especially young indigenous women, and boldly shares her own pain and personal experiences: with relationships, romantic love, family betrayal, and young motherhood. I loved this collection and am so grateful to have spotted it and been granted access. I pray that we can continue to access collections such as Harjo's and other voices that are repeatedly targeted for the purposes of being silenced and tamped down.

On shelves 10/7/2025, this is a MUST for women but really for all who need a voice of hope and light for now and for the future. My deepest gratitude, again, and Joy Harjo is a true treasure.

Joy Harjo never lets the reader down. This book is beautifully written and supports the reader in an experience withe memoir that is so needed now. What I enjoyed about this book is both seeing the world through Joy Harjo's lived experience but also her invitation to the reader to do their own reflective inquiry. From the experience of perspective taking, this book expanded my perspective and I am grateful for Joy Harjo for writing and sharing her life with readers.

Girl Warrior by Joy Hart is a tender, powerful offering from one of my favorite poets and teachers. This book is written as a love letter to Native girls and women and carries the wisdom of generations. Now stepping into the role of elder herself, Harjo generously shares stories of her own becoming while inviting readers to reflect, create, and heal.

What moved me most was her insistence on art, poetry, and music as sacred tools for survival and growth. This book is an offering of love and guidance that reads as a spiritual map and a reminder of our deep connection to land, lineage, and each other. Harjo encourages us to honor inherited truths, not as burdens, but as pathways to power and compassion. Girl Warrior is a gift I wish every young person could receive.

Thank you NetGalley, W. W. Norton & Company, and Joy Harjo for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! I’ve read a few things from Joy Harjo before and have always enjoyed them - she’s a beautiful writer. I enjoyed this one as well and think that it would be a great guidebook for young adults. She covers many different topics, such as family, love, grief, and more. It’s not my favorite of her books, but I’m also not the intended audience. Still, I recommend picking this one, along with her other books, up! You won’t be disappointed.

I had previously only read Joy Harjo's writing in her picture book, titled "Remember". I read a quote that said most adults only read poetry from children's books, so I think my introduction to this author is fitting. I want to read all of her poetry after reading her memoir. Part poetry, part narrative, this is a wonderful book for aspiring writers, mothers, women, and anyone who is interested in powerful writing inspired by Native American culture.

I highly recommend this book for book clubs and libraries.

Having read a few Joy Harjo books before, I knew I would be getting a wonderful expression of hers through this. This book, in her beautiful and unique prose, is a book about maturing told through her own perspective. This book is well written and crafted. Overall great read!

I received a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Joy Harjo offers us words to share with the young women in our lives who are coming of age in these confusing times, in this reflective book of poetry - Girl Warrior. This is the perfect book for girls around the age of 13 and up. Harjo shares her wisdom, shows us beauty in the process of growing and makes us feel loved and cared for throughout the whole book. Definitely a must-buy for the collection, no matter your age but, again, the perfect gift for any young woman.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.