A review by melindagallagher
The Steep and Thorny Way by Cat Winters

4.0

Set in 1920's Oregon, this historical fiction book about racism and prejudice is sometimes hard to read. Hanalee is a biracial girl whose dad was murdered. She sets out to try to find murderer after befriending the boy who was blamed for it. Based on Hamlet, this retelling brings in a part of Oregon history that is probably little known. Hanalee has to run from the Ku Klux Klan, talk to her father's ghost, and navigate around her step-father, all while keeping her and the boy that is blamed safe. She is a very strong protagonist and a someone you want to cheer for.