Book cover of Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley

Peoria Reads Author Angeline Boulley is a bestselling Young Adult novelist, Printz Medal & Morris Award winner. She’s been deemed a Top 100 Young Adult author by Time magazine.

Boulley’s books have received praise for their authenticity, touching on heavy subjects including the mistreatment of Indigenous human remains, Indigenous sovereignty and the right of repatriation, and the systemic racism that helps drive an epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous people.

Boulley is an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Her father is a traditional firekeeper. She has worked as the Director for the Office of Indian Education at the U.S. Department of Education, as her tribe’s Education Director and Assistant Executive Director, and on the Board of Regents at Bay Mills Community College.

She currently lives in Southwest Michigan, but says she will always call Bahweting (the place of the rapids) in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan her home.

We will welcome Angeline Boulley to Peoria in November as our capstone Peoria Reads event. Details inside.

Peoria Reads 2026

Take the power and pleasure in reading a compelling book and multiply that across a city of people with different thoughts and backgrounds. See the ripple effects as people who don’t normally cross paths come together. Watch as reading, normally a solitary task, transforms into a vibrant, social experience.

That’s the power of Peoria Reads, our one city/one book program.

In celebration of our 25th anniversary of Peoria Reads, Peoria Public Library and our partners have chosen a book that resonates with our roots.
Our first roots.

Long before the city of Peoria existed, the Illinois River Valley was populated by a confederation of Native American tribes, including the Peoria Tribe.

There is value in revisiting our history, even when it is through the lens of contemporary fiction, specifically a high-stakes YA heist novel.

You’re going to love our chosen book!

Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley blends an exciting museum heist plot with deep cultural education about Indigenous repatriation and missing women.

Time magazine has deemed Angeline Boulley a Top 100 Young Adult Author.

Her books are both award winning and best selling.

And, because this is our 25th anniversary, we are bringing her to Peoria, along with other award-winning authors, Indigenous educators and more!

Peoria Reads Events

Peoria Reads

For more than 20 years, Peoria Public Library has hosted a citywide literary event inviting all residents to read the same book at once. 

Peoria Reads is led by Peoria Public Library with the help of community partners, Methodist College, Bradley University and Neighborhood House.

• Bring our diverse community together in ways to promote better understanding.

• Broaden and deepen readers’ appreciation for books dealing with significant issues.

• Bring more people into libraries, bookstores, and literacy institutions

• Increase opportunities for discussion between youth and adults

• Achieve a better understanding of ourselves and of our own humanity.