Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate

1. Shelterwood explores a number of themes, particularly the rights of women and children, family, and justice. Which theme resonated the most deeply with you, and why?
2. At the beginning of each chapter, author Lisa Wingate included a historical quote from a wide-ranging variety of sources, including transcripts from congressional hearings, committee meetings, interviews, and newspaper articles. How did the inclusion of these quotes influence your experience reading Shelterwood?
3. Shelterwood is told through two timelines and perspectives—one of Olive Augusta Radley, in 1909, and the other of Valerie Boren-Odell, in 1990. How did these dual perspectives shape the novel? How do their stories parallel each other? What similarities and differences do you notice in their journeys and the challenges they face?
4. Historical fiction often introduces readers to new or deepened knowledge of past events and different perspectives than one's own lived experience, and Shelterwood is based on extensive research. Were you familiar with the historical events of Oklahoma and Choctaw Nation prior to reading Shelterwood? What did you take away from learning more through this novel?
5. Shelterwood is inspired by female pioneers like Kate Barnard who fought to protect children's rights and welfare in a time when child labor was unregulated and exploited. How does this historical context contribute to the overall themes and conflicts in the story?
6. How does the history of the land in Horsethief Trail National Park, even though much of it has been hidden over the years, affect the characters in the present day? Have you wondered about or discovered similar "secrets" where you live or where you grew up?
7. Both Olive and Valerie find themselves in positions where they must fight for justice and protect those who are vulnerable. How do they struggle between self-interest and the interests of others or the need to do what's right? Do we all have the capacity to be heroic, are heroes and heroines a limited few, or does heroism exist in many forms?
8. The Choctaw girls boarded in Olive's home (Nessa, Hazel) as well as the children she and Nessa encounter in their journey (Tula, Pinti, Koi, Dewey, Amos, Cora, Effie, and even the laundry girls) play a significant role in the story. How do race, identity, culture, gender, economic status, and discrimination play out in the story? How do they shed light on the historical time period of the early 1900s?
9. How do the treasure hunters, outlaws, and rugged landscape found in the Winding Stair Mountains contribute to the suspense and tension in the storytelling in Shelterwood? Were there particular moments of danger or surprising twists that stood out to you?
10. The conflict over land ownership and wealth is a central theme in the book. How does this struggle for power drive the actions of the characters? Discuss the impact of their choices on the broader community. What can we learn from the stories of ordinary people whose experiences aren't recorded in the history books?
11. How is Valerie's life affected by the move to Horsethief Trail National Park? How does she navigate the pushpull between career and family? Do all working parents face the pressure to be "all things at once" and is it even possible to do so? Has the picture of "having it all" changed over the years? How has this dilemma played out in your own life?
12. What were your thoughts as Shelterwood ended? Where do you think the characters will go from here? If you were writing the stories of their futures, what would the stories be?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Ballantine Books. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.