Firekeeper's Daughter

An Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller! A Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club Pick! A Printz Medal AND Morris Award Winner!

Soon to be adapted at Netflix for TV with President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama's production company, Higher Ground.

“One of this year's most buzzed about young adult novels.” —Good Morning America

With four starred reviews, Angeline Boulley's debut novel, Firekeeper's Daughter, is a groundbreaking YA thriller about a Native teen who must root out the corruption in her community, perfect for readers of Angie Thomas and Tommy Orange.

Eighteen-year-old Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in, both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. She dreams of a fresh start at college, but when family tragedy strikes, Daunis puts her future on hold to look after her fragile mother. The only bright spot is meeting Jamie, the charming new recruit on her brother Levi’s hockey team.

Yet even as Daunis falls for Jamie, she senses the dashing hockey star is hiding something. Everything comes to light when Daunis witnesses a shocking murder, thrusting her into an FBI investigation of a lethal new drug.

Reluctantly, Daunis agrees to go undercover, drawing on her knowledge of chemistry and Ojibwe traditional medicine to track down the source. But the search for truth is more complicated than Daunis imagined, exposing secrets and old scars. At the same time, she grows concerned with an investigation that seems more focused on punishing the offenders than protecting the victims.

Now, as the deceptions—and deaths—keep growing, Daunis must learn what it means to be a strong Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman) and how far she’ll go for her community, even if it tears apart the only world she’s ever known.

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Published Apr 25, 2023

512 pages

Average rating: 8.13

1,014 RATINGS

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thepittsburghreader

Feb 04, 2026

10/10 stars

★★★★★ Ten Stars — Powerful, necessary, unforgettable Firekeeper’s Daughter is one of those rare books that grabs you by the heart and refuses to let go. Angeline Boulley weaves a story that’s part coming-of-age, part thriller, and part love letter to Ojibwe culture, and every thread feels purposeful. Daunis is a deeply grounded, fiercely intelligent protagonist, and following her journey is both emotionally devastating and quietly empowering. The stakes feel real because they are real—this story doesn’t flinch from pain, but it never exploits it. What truly sets this novel apart is how seamlessly culture is woven into the narrative. The Ojibwe language, traditions, food, and community aren’t window dressing; they are the heart of the story. Boulley’s writing is immersive and respectful, making you feel like you’re being welcomed into Daunis’s world while also being trusted with its most painful truths. The mystery unfolds with genuine tension, but the emotional arcs—grief, loyalty, identity, and resilience—are what linger long after the last page. This is a book that educates without preaching, hurts without being cruel, and ultimately reminds you why stories matter. Firekeeper’s Daughter is brave, compassionate, and utterly gripping. A must-read—and one that absolutely earns every one of its ten stars. 📚✨

Hhorn7379

Jan 11, 2026

9/10 stars

This was well written. I loved that it took place in Michigan & I learned about Native American history/culture. I’m reading Book 2 for sure.

hershyv

Nov 21, 2025

9/10 stars

Wow, this was such a fun book! I loved how vividly it brought the tribe’s culture, traditions, and community to life. Every detail felt warm, textured, and deeply rooted in lived experience. The reverence for nature is woven so naturally into the story that it becomes its own quiet character, grounding everything that happens. What really stood out was how the novel embraces the full sweep of life across generations. Elders, parents, teens, and children all feel meaningfully connected, and the lyrical stories threaded through their experiences add a beautiful layer of depth and history. And beyond all that richness, the plot is tight, fast-paced, and genuinely thrilling. It’s rare to find a book that balances heart, culture, and suspense so effortlessly. Honestly, there’s very little I would fault, it’s a wonderful read.

Margie Pettersen

Oct 27, 2025

8/10 stars

I started reading this book and nearly put it down, but I’m glad I didn’t. This is a murder and some interesting surprises that kept me reading. Daunis is a bright girl on her way to college. Her plans get altered when her uncle dies and her grandmother has a stroke. She decides to go to a local school and stay closer to home.

Several young people in the community die due to drug overdoses. When Daunis is approached by an under cover officer, she is at first reluctant to help, but eventually her role becomes essential.

There is so much about Native American culture in this book and I was delighted to see a Native teen as the main character. She relates folk stories told to her, attends powwows, and is loving towards the elderly in her community.

abookwanderer

Oct 09, 2025

8/10 stars

I'm having a hard time rating this one. On the one hand, I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it was so very different than what I expected. I loved being in this world, learning about Daunis and her tribe, but I think I would have enjoyed it more had it focused less on the mystery and more on Daunis' day to day life. This novel covers A LOT in what's supposed to be a few short months, and it was a little overwhelming--and unbelievable--for me at times. But it's written so well, so beautifully done, and it's an important subject that deserves all the attention, so I'll still highly recommend it.

#popsugarreadingchallenge2022 (advanced prompt #2 - A book that features two languages)