Desperate to escape the clutches of her abusive stepfather, fourteen-year-old Millie Chase sets out to find her deceased mother’s best friend in nearby Yellowstone National Park. Millie doesn’t know where Ginny Baker lives in the park and it’s winter, but she has no choice. After holing up in a deserted hotel, Millie becomes ill and eventually gives herself up to the Winterkeeper – the man who takes care of the park’s buildings during the winter. Luckily for Millie, the Winterkeeper just happens to be Ginny’s husband, Nate Baker. Nate is faced with a difficult decision. Should he tell the police that he’s found Millie? And if he does, will her stepfather punish her? Nate and Ginny are the only people Millie can trust, but do they really know what Millie’s stepfather is capable of? The Winterkeeper by Anna Schmidt takes a look at the dangerous world children live in when the very people who should protect them turn against them.
Anna Schmidt has written a suspenseful young adult novel that will lead you on an exciting, but intriguing ride. I absolutely loved this novel. I am a fan of YA and especially coming-of-age stories, and this book is not one I’ll forget any time soon. The writing style is conversational, the tone dramatic and the characters are not only relatable but also endearing – just the right combination for a young adult novel. There is nothing I didn’t enjoy in this touching novel with its strong sense of place and tough, yet endearing main character. A wonderfully good read and exceptionally well-edited too. Both adults and young adults who enjoy stories of nature and a darn good mystery will find The Winterkeeper a book that they cannot put down.
Review originally written for and published by Readers’ Favorite.
