At a glance
Shelterwood
Historical Fiction
Shelterwood
384 pages · First published 2025
In 1909 Oklahoma, eleven-year-old Olive Radley flees her dangerous stepfather with six-year-old Nessa, a Choctaw girl entrusted to her family's care. Seeking safety in the Winding Stair Mountains, the two girls join a group of runaway and orphaned children struggling to survive while powerful men exploit Native American land rights and the children caught in their schemes. Eighty-one years later, newly widowed park ranger Valerie Boren-Odell arrives at Horsethief Trail National Park, where the discovery of three children's remains and the disappearance of a teenage hiker draw her into a troubling investigation. As Valerie follows clues with the help of a Choctaw tribal police officer, the stories of the past and present converge around a long history of greed, injustice, and resilience. Readers who enjoy dual-timeline historical fiction, compelling child protagonists, atmospheric mysteries, and stories of courage and hope amid hardship will find a powerful and emotionally engaging novel in Shelterwood.
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Jump to the pours ↓Wild Blueberry Cedar Tea + Spiced Rum Cider
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No surprises at chapter twelve
Content notes
Child sexual abuse and exploitation, including the sexual abuse of a young Choctaw girl by an adult guardian and threats against her six-year-old sister. Child endangerment, neglect, abandonment, domestic abuse, intimidation, and children forced to survive without adequate protection. Murder, violent deaths, missing children, unidentified human remains, and the discovery of children's burial sites. Racism, discrimination and historical injustices against Native Americans, including fraudulent guardianship arrangements, theft of Indigenous land and mineral rights, and exploitation of orphaned children. Substance addiction involving opium and alcohol, grief, death of family members, poverty, and institutional corruption. Dangerous wilderness conditions, suspenseful pursuits, and threats to investigators. Sexism and workplace discrimination against a female law enforcement officer. Mild romantic attraction between adult characters.
Alcohol-Free Pour
Wild Blueberry Cedar Tea
Wild Blueberry Cedar Tea reflects the forest refuge where Olive and her companions form a protective family of their own, like the shelterwood trees surrounding them.
What you'll need
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.How to mix it
- Steep the tea. Muddle blueberries with maple syrup in the mug, pour the hot tea over them, and stir; strain if a smoother drink is preferred.
- Garnish: A few blueberries.
- Glassware: Mug.
Cocktail Pour · 21+
Spiced Rum Cider
For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.
Warm spiced cider evokes the comfort and protection Olive and the other children struggle to create for one another amid the dangers of the Oklahoma wilderness.
What you'll need
- 6 oz apple cider ↗
- 1.5 oz dark rum
- 1 cinnamon stick ↗
- 1 orange slice ↗
Alcohol-shopping links are not shown on children's or young-adult book pages.
How to mix it
- Warm cider with the cinnamon stick and orange slice in a small saucepan for 5–10 minutes, without boiling. Remove from heat, stir in rum, and pour into a heatproof mug.
- Glassware: Heatproof mug.
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