I grew up camping just south of where this book is set in Oklahoma and many of my memories with my family have this landscape as the backdrop. So reading more about the history of the area in the context of this novel was extra fascinating to me.

Lisa Wingate is a master at creating unique voices in her novels. And paired with the excellent multi-voice narration, this book has personality in spades. I was so drawn to these characters that when the perspectives switched, I immediately missed the other one.

I will say that although this good is heavily researched, it does not delve super deep into the issue of children's land rights, but rather gives a snapshot of one story that represents the experiences of some. This is a character driven novel with a plot that at times meanders along. In fact, the historical timeline reminds me of some children's classics that are more languid in their storytelling.

I saw some reviews saying that the pacing of this book didn't work for them. And I get that as a person who generally likes a plot that moves. But the personality in this book endeared these characters to me and kept me invested when the story took it's time. So the whole book worked for me!

Thanks to Ballantine Books for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.