I started this book thinking I'd be bored with the whole "family deals with tragedy" trope, but that is not what this book is. This is a true-feeling story that dives deep into the characters dealing with loss. When Landreaux accidentally shoots and kills his nephew Dusty, he offers his own son to his in-laws as replacement. But that's not all. As the families deal with their new complication, heartbreaking situation, there is an underlying mystery to solve--what really happened the day Dusty was shot? Who are we to blame? What kind of vengeance can be justified? 
 It's so hard to write engaging child characters (I think,) but Larose, Maggie, Hollis, Josette, Snow... they're lovely. I fell in love with them. They are normal kids painted beautifully. They drive the story. This book is steeped in indigenous culture and humanity and tragedy, but it doesn't feel like Erdrich is pandering to our desires to gawk at disaster. I wanted to read this book forever. I want to read it again.