Amanda Peters' debut novel tackles the devastating impact of a child's disappearance on both the family left behind and the child herself. When four-year-old Ruthie goes missing while berry picking with her Mi'kmaq family in 1960s Maine, the story splits between her brother Joe's lifelong search and Ruthie's own journey growing up as Norma in a white family who found her.

This is essential reading for anyone interested in Indigenous voices, family trauma, or stories that examine identity and belonging. Peters writes with remarkable restraint, allowing the emotional weight to build naturally rather than manipulating readers.

The dual timeline structure works effectively, though some readers may find the pacing uneven—Joe's sections can feel repetitive as he circles through decades of grief and searching. The book excels in its authentic portrayal of Mi'kmaq culture and the lasting wounds of cultural displacement.

Peters doesn't shy away from the complexities of Ruthie/Norma's situation—she's not simply a victim but a fully realized character struggling with conflicting loyalties and identities. The writing is clean and accessible, making difficult subject matter approachable without diminishing its impact.

However, readers seeking plot-driven narratives may find the contemplative, character-focused approach slow. The resolution, while emotionally satisfying, may feel too neat for some given the decades of trauma explored. Those sensitive to themes of child abduction, family separation, or cultural erasure should approach carefully. This book will particularly resonate with readers who appreciated the quiet power of books like 'The Round House' or 'There There'—it shares their focus on Indigenous experiences and intergenerational trauma. Peters has crafted a deeply moving exploration of how loss reverberates through families and communities, anchored by authentic cultural details and genuine emotional truth.