- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
Bestselling author Angeline Boulley (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe) was awarded on Thursday night the Edgar Award for Young Adult for Firekeeper’s Daughter by the Mystery Writers of America at a ceremony held at the New York Marriott Marquis Times Square.
Boulley, who is on deadline for her second book which is due in two weeks away, did not attend the ceremony in New York, but watched it via live stream.
"I'm thrilled to win an Edgar Award! I tried so hard to craft a mystery that would keep readers guessing. I love hearing readers say which villian was the most surprising reveal," Boulley said to Native News Online. "It is an honor to be included with the other four finalists' books. Each weaves an incredible mystery."
Firekeeper’s Daughter is the first book by Boulley, who previously worked for the U.S. Dept. of Education in Washington, D.C. before moving back to Michigan to be closer to her aging parents. Released in March 2021, it made the New York Times best-seller list during the first week of April 2021. The book spent 20 weeks on the New Times best-seller list.
In this riveting novel, a biracial, unenrolled tribal member and the product of a scandal, Daunis Fontaine, has never quite fit in—both in her hometown of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. When her family is struck by tragedy, Daunis puts her dreams on hold to care for her fragile mother. The only bright spot is meeting Jamie, the charming new recruit on her brother’s hockey team.
After Daunis witnesses a shocking murder that thrusts her into a criminal investigation, she agrees to go undercover. But the deceptions—and deaths—keep piling up and soon the threat strikes too close to home. How far will she go to protect her community if it means tearing apart the only world she’s ever known?
Boulley lives in southwest Michigan, but her home will always be on Sugar Island.
Firekeeper's Daugher also won the Walter Dean Myers Award for Outstanding Children’s Literature (Teen category) in 2022. In August 2021, TIME Magazine named the book to its "Best Young Adult Books of All-Time" list.
More Stories Like This
From Dishwasher to Award-Winning Chef: Laguna Pueblo's Josh Aragon Serves Up Albuquerque's Best Green Chile StewRob Reiner's Final Work as Producer Appears to Address MMIP Crisis
Vision Maker Media Honors MacDonald Siblings With 2025 Frank Blythe Award
First Tribally Owned Gallery in Tulsa Debuts ‘Mvskokvlke: Road of Strength’
Zuni Youth Enrichment Project and Partners at Ho’n A:wan Productions Launch 8th Annual Delapna:we Project
Help us defend tribal sovereignty.
At Native News Online, our mission is rooted in telling the stories that strengthen sovereignty and uplift Indigenous voices — not just at year’s end, but every single day.
Because of your generosity last year, we were able to keep our reporters on the ground in tribal communities, at national gatherings and in the halls of Congress — covering the issues that matter most to Indian Country: sovereignty, culture, education, health and economic opportunity.
That support sustained us through a tough year in 2025. Now, as we look to the year ahead, we need your help right now to ensure warrior journalism remains strong — reporting that defends tribal sovereignty, amplifies Native truth, and holds power accountable.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Your support keeps Native voices heard, Native stories told and Native sovereignty defended.
Stand with Warrior Journalism today.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
