Synopsis
Summary
Ever since Lucy Smith’s father died five years ago, “home” has been more of an idea than a place. She knows being on the run is better than anything waiting for her as a “ward of the state”. But when the sharp-eyed and kind Mr. Jameson with an interest in her case comes looking for her, Lucy wonders if hiding from her past will ever truly keep her safe.
Five years in the foster system has taught her to be cautious and smart. But she wants to believe Mr. Jameson and his “friend-not-friend”, a tall and fierce-looking woman who say they want to look after her. They also tell Lucy the truth her father hid from her: She is Ojibwe; she has – had – a sister, and more siblings, a grandmother who’d look after her and a home where she would be loved.
But Lucy is being followed. The past has destroyed any chance at safety she had. Will the secrets she’s hiding swallow her whole and take away any hope for the future she always dreamed of?
When the past comes for revenge, it’s fight or flight.
Notable Achievements
A Good Morning America Book Club Pick
Reviews
School Library Journal: "A strong standalone story full of suspense and survival."
Kirkus: "A powerful story of family, belonging, and identity interlaced with thriller elements."
Publishers Weekly: "Boulley delivers a propulsive mystery thriller... unflinching prose... [and] a devastating yet gripping tale of finding family, recontextualizing faith, and reclaiming ancestry that serves as a searing critique of the ways that systems can fail vulnerable youth."
Booklist: "Weaving together the history of stolen Native children with the contemporary dangers to vulnerable teens, this unforgettable novel is impossible to put down... and races to an explosive conclusion."
Link to Review
The Horn Book: "Shocking revelations keep pages turning. Boulley’s latest gripping thriller poignantly expands familiar characters’ stories and introduces a compelling new heroine."
Educator Guide
Link to Guide
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