Firekeeper's Daughter


Bibliography
Boulley, Angeline, 2021. FIREKEEPER'S DAUGHTER. New York, NY: Square Fish. ISBN 9781250866035.

Plot Summary
Daunis has never quite felt understood. Having just graduated high school, she was looking forward to a new adventure at college. Being a part of two different cultures, white and Native American, has that effect on a young adult. As devastation hits Daunis' family, she decides to put her college dreams on hold in order to help her family. However, more tragedy hits Daunis' life as her best friend is killed by her meth addicted boyfriend. In order to help solve the drug connections to the reservation, Daunis teams up with the FBI to provide them with her authentic knowledge of Ojibwe medicine and chemistry. Digging up Sugar Island Obijwe Tribe history and secrets, Daunis is forced to face reality and wonder how far she will go to save her name and community. 

Critical Analysis
Boulley provides relatable family and young adult situations, as Daunis navigates two different cultural worlds. Daunis' father was Native American, enrolled in the Sugar Island Ojibwe Tribe, while her mother came from a wealthy white family. Authentic Ojibwe language and traditions are used thoughout the story, as Daunis lives a conflicted life being known as a Firekeeper/Fontaine. Due to family tragedies occurring, Daunis makes the difficult decision to put her family first and attend college at home, rather than begin her independent journey elsewhere. When tragedy strikes again for Daunis, she agrees to work with the FBI to help solve the murder connection to her best friend, Lily. Although, many people refer to Daunis as being white, she is able to use her background knowledge of Ojibwe traditional medicine and advanced science to link the drug connections and sellers to the reservation. Every twist and turn of Daunis' journey brings nothing but suspense as she navigates love, fear, grief, bravery, and cultural pride. Young adults will relate to this coming of age situation, feeling as though they must immediately take on responsibility and will do anything to protect their family.

Review Excerpt(s)
- Michael J. Printz Medal Winner
- William C. Morris Award Winner
- Walter Dean Myers Award Winner
- TIME Magazine Best YA Book of All Time
- American Indian Young Literature YA Honor Book
- Starred review in THE HORN BOOK: "This is a gripping page-turner, multifaceted, authentic, and suspenseful, that will keep readers wondering who is responsible for the meth that is taking over Daunis's community - and who exactly she can trust." 
- Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "This fast-paced crime thriller will keep readers on edge until the final chapters." 

Connections
- For readers interested in learning about Native American language, culture, and traditions.
- Readers can relate to struggling to find the balance with family expectations, expected to follow two cultures and traditions. 
- The suspense and thrill will capture readers to learn more about Daunis' investigation and findings into the meth connections on Sugar Island. 
- Similar book recommendations:
Boulley, Angeline. WARRIOR GIRL UNEARTHED. ISBN 9781250907073.
Sánchez, Erika L. I AM NOT YOUR PERFECT MEXICAN DAUGHTER. ISBN 9781524700515

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