Dickens & Rumi
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WARRIOR GIRL UNEARTHED

Angeline Boulley

Perry and Pauline Firekeeper-Birch discover that a local university is holding on to deceased Anishinaabe remains. (Ages 14 to 18)

Ages 14+Source checked

Why this age? Best suited to teens because of suspense, crime, missing-person themes, violence, grief, foster-care issues, substance references, and emotionally complex treatment of Indigenous identity and repatriation. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age14+

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes4/5
  • Death of a character3/5
  • Religious themes3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience5/5
  • Diverse representation5/5
  • Educational value4/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

No significant commercial product placement.

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

Deals heavily with the death of ancestors and the emotional impact of missing persons in the community.

Graphic injury2/5
Why this rating?

Mentions of forensic examination of remains and some descriptions of injuries related to crime scenes.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional use of mild to moderate profanity suitable for a teen audience.

LGBTQIA characters1/5
Why this rating?

Features minor queer representation within the diverse community.

Religious themes3/5
Why this rating?

Deeply rooted in Ojibwe cultural and spiritual practices regarding ancestors and repatriation.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Includes teen romantic interests and relationships, but they are not the primary focus.

Frightening scenes4/5
Why this rating?

Sustained suspense includes missing girls, criminal threats, break-ins, pursuit, and characters in realistic danger; the story is tense rather than horror-focused.

Sexual content & nudity2/5
Why this rating?

Contains references to sexual assault and its impact, but no explicit sexual descriptions.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

References to alcohol consumption within social settings.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Includes descriptions of past trauma, threats to characters, and physical altercations during the investigative process.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience5/5
Why this rating?

Facing threats and injustice while defending community, identity, and vulnerable people is central to the protagonists’ development.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Requires innovative thinking to conduct the investigation safely and effectively.

Diverse representation5/5
Why this rating?

Indigenous characters, culture, language, community relationships, and contemporary Native issues are central and portrayed with agency and specificity.

Educational value4/5
Why this rating?

The novel offers substantial insight into Ojibwe community life, Indigenous identity, repatriation, museums, and the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

Strong emphasis on community support and empathy for ancestors.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Strong themes support cultural sovereignty, returning stolen heritage, protecting vulnerable people, community responsibility, truth, and justice.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

Characters show growth and dedication to standing up for their community and principles.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in WARRIOR GIRL UNEARTHED would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in WARRIOR GIRL UNEARTHED, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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