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The Birthing Tree
Not yet published
Expected 1 Sep 26From the internationally bestselling author of The Berry Pickers: a powerful, intensely moving novel of family and legacy, following one woman as she confronts buried truths and the fragile future she alone must protect.
As I stood under it, looking up into the branches, listening as the wind rustled the leaves, I could hear my Kiju’s voice: “This tree holds our stories.”
Born under the shadow of a tree sacred to generations of Indigenous women, Aliet has been brought up outside a small Nova Scotia town by her fierce, loving grandmother, Kiju. Her father remains a mystery no one will name, while her mother died under that very tree, gently held by its cradle of roots as Aliet came into the world.
But the world beyond their community is changing, and although Kiju has a wealth of wisdom to share, local women are increasingly reluctant to follow traditional birthing rituals. At the local hospital, white doctors are sceptical of Indigenous practices, and Aliet and Kiju are distraught to witness as prejudice turns to condemnation.
Decades later, Aliet is living a quiet life in the city while she grapples with a personal tragedy that has shaped her adulthood. She works as a nurse, administering modern medicine while still holding her grandmother’s teachings and stories dear, tucked beside memories of the tree that once welcomed new life. But when Kiju passes away suddenly, grief-stricken Aliet understands that she must return to the it is only these roots that can help her reconnect with her heritage, and discover long-buried secrets about herself.
Sweeping and intimate, spanning decades, The Birthing Tree follows one woman’s journey to protect her land, her traditions, and the memory of the women who came before her, as she decides which parts of her inheritance she will carry into the future.
As I stood under it, looking up into the branches, listening as the wind rustled the leaves, I could hear my Kiju’s voice: “This tree holds our stories.”
Born under the shadow of a tree sacred to generations of Indigenous women, Aliet has been brought up outside a small Nova Scotia town by her fierce, loving grandmother, Kiju. Her father remains a mystery no one will name, while her mother died under that very tree, gently held by its cradle of roots as Aliet came into the world.
But the world beyond their community is changing, and although Kiju has a wealth of wisdom to share, local women are increasingly reluctant to follow traditional birthing rituals. At the local hospital, white doctors are sceptical of Indigenous practices, and Aliet and Kiju are distraught to witness as prejudice turns to condemnation.
Decades later, Aliet is living a quiet life in the city while she grapples with a personal tragedy that has shaped her adulthood. She works as a nurse, administering modern medicine while still holding her grandmother’s teachings and stories dear, tucked beside memories of the tree that once welcomed new life. But when Kiju passes away suddenly, grief-stricken Aliet understands that she must return to the it is only these roots that can help her reconnect with her heritage, and discover long-buried secrets about herself.
Sweeping and intimate, spanning decades, The Birthing Tree follows one woman’s journey to protect her land, her traditions, and the memory of the women who came before her, as she decides which parts of her inheritance she will carry into the future.
Audible Audio
Expected publication September 1, 2026
About the author
Amanda Peters
3 books2,435 followersAmanda Peters is a writer of Mi’kmaw and settler ancestry. Her work has appeared in the Antigonish Review, Grain Magazine, The Alaska Quarterly Review, the Dalhousie Review, and filling station magazine. She is the winner of the 2021 Indigenous Voices Award (IVA) for unpublished prose and a participant in the 2021 Writers Trust Rising Stars program. Amanda has a certificate in creative writing from the University of Toronto and she is a graduate of the Master of Fine Arts program at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe New Mexico. Amanda is an Associate Professor in the Department of English and Theatre at Acadia University. She lives and writes in the Annapolis valley Nova Scotia with her fur babies Holly and Pook.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was so excited to receive an arc of Amanda Peters’ new book because I had enjoyed The Berry Pickers.
The focus is on holding onto the threads that connect us to our past and Peters reminds readers of the risk of losing a connection to our heritage; the ripple effects run through generations. She encourages us to live boldly AND keep our traditions.
Aliet Paul was raised in Nova Scotia by her grandmother and taught the Mi’kmaq medicinal wisdom. When her grandmother dies, Aliet returns to her hometown and is devastated when she discovers the extent of restoration needed. Aliet sets aside her journey toward modern medicine and rebuilds Kiju’s home and focuses on restoring the Mi’kmaq traditions under the birthing tree. Trauma may have pulled her on a different trajectory, but her love of her heritage pulled her home and gave her the strength to reconcile a broken heritage.
I appreciated reminders about:
🌳Choosing love over hate
🌳Sharing knowledge
🌳The danger in lies of omission
🌳Living with grief
🌳Belonging and purpose
As much as I enjoyed The Berry Pickers, I feel that this one will spend more time in the spotlight! It’s worthy of the silver screen and will resonate with a wider audience. The examination of what happens when we stop serving our purpose kept me spellbound.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
The focus is on holding onto the threads that connect us to our past and Peters reminds readers of the risk of losing a connection to our heritage; the ripple effects run through generations. She encourages us to live boldly AND keep our traditions.
Aliet Paul was raised in Nova Scotia by her grandmother and taught the Mi’kmaq medicinal wisdom. When her grandmother dies, Aliet returns to her hometown and is devastated when she discovers the extent of restoration needed. Aliet sets aside her journey toward modern medicine and rebuilds Kiju’s home and focuses on restoring the Mi’kmaq traditions under the birthing tree. Trauma may have pulled her on a different trajectory, but her love of her heritage pulled her home and gave her the strength to reconcile a broken heritage.
I appreciated reminders about:
🌳Choosing love over hate
🌳Sharing knowledge
🌳The danger in lies of omission
🌳Living with grief
🌳Belonging and purpose
As much as I enjoyed The Berry Pickers, I feel that this one will spend more time in the spotlight! It’s worthy of the silver screen and will resonate with a wider audience. The examination of what happens when we stop serving our purpose kept me spellbound.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Want to Read
June 17, 2026I was so excited to see this ARC on NetGalley. I loved The Berry Pickers and would absolutely love to be granted an ARC for The Birthing Tree. Amanda Peters writes beautifully, and from the heart. I've put in a request to the Toronto Public Library to order this author's second book. Can't wait to read it!
Want to Read
March 23, 2026I love when an author's catalog has cohesive covers <3
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May 4, 2026
I really loved The Berry Pickers so I was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of Amanda Peters new novel.
Aliet Paul was raised by her grandmother, Kiju, a Canadian native Mi'kmaq woman who was the town's midwife. Tradition dictated that the women she helped would give birth at the birthing tree, a majestic tree that they believed held the stories of all those who birthed at the tree. As time progresses, the old ways give way to more traditional medicine, and Kiju is forbidden from midwifery; the birthing tree becomes just another tree in a dense forest. When Kiju dies, Aliet returns home to a crumbling house and secrets that were left by Kiju.
This book was so beautifully written. Amanda Peters does such a wonderful job of telling the story and developing the characters in such a way that you feel fortunate to have known them. It wasn't a long novel - just at 300 pages - but each page was intentionally written to add important elements to the story. There were so many nuggets of wisdom from Kuji that I loved.
"We need to hold on to the threads that connect us to our past. Without knowing our past, we won't know who we are."
"Violence, whether with words or hands, is always a bad idea. But boy, did that feel good."
"It's a greedy thing, grief. You have to sit with it, let it do what it does, and then rise up and keep going."
The book was told in dual timelines - Aliet's childhood and teen years, and the present day. Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't. This one worked very well because the historical story really informed the present day. And to be honest, both stories could have stood on their own; both had just the right amount of suspense to keep me interested. The book took me through a wide range of emotions - nostalgia for my grandmother and simpler times, grief at lost family members, excitement for new babies. It was so very well done.
This book has taken a well-deserved place in my list of top 2026 reads. 5 ⭐s!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Catapult, Counterpoint Press, and Soft Skull Press for an advanced copy of this novel. It's scheduled to be published on September 1, 2026.
Aliet Paul was raised by her grandmother, Kiju, a Canadian native Mi'kmaq woman who was the town's midwife. Tradition dictated that the women she helped would give birth at the birthing tree, a majestic tree that they believed held the stories of all those who birthed at the tree. As time progresses, the old ways give way to more traditional medicine, and Kiju is forbidden from midwifery; the birthing tree becomes just another tree in a dense forest. When Kiju dies, Aliet returns home to a crumbling house and secrets that were left by Kiju.
This book was so beautifully written. Amanda Peters does such a wonderful job of telling the story and developing the characters in such a way that you feel fortunate to have known them. It wasn't a long novel - just at 300 pages - but each page was intentionally written to add important elements to the story. There were so many nuggets of wisdom from Kuji that I loved.
"We need to hold on to the threads that connect us to our past. Without knowing our past, we won't know who we are."
"Violence, whether with words or hands, is always a bad idea. But boy, did that feel good."
"It's a greedy thing, grief. You have to sit with it, let it do what it does, and then rise up and keep going."
The book was told in dual timelines - Aliet's childhood and teen years, and the present day. Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't. This one worked very well because the historical story really informed the present day. And to be honest, both stories could have stood on their own; both had just the right amount of suspense to keep me interested. The book took me through a wide range of emotions - nostalgia for my grandmother and simpler times, grief at lost family members, excitement for new babies. It was so very well done.
This book has taken a well-deserved place in my list of top 2026 reads. 5 ⭐s!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Catapult, Counterpoint Press, and Soft Skull Press for an advanced copy of this novel. It's scheduled to be published on September 1, 2026.
Review of advance copy
4.5 ⭐️
“Spoilers” are simply quotes shared below. 🤗
Received an early release of this book at Novel Bay during Indie Book Store Day! 🤍 Thank you for hand selecting this for me!
Page 20: Grief is hard to look at straight on, especially when it’s so new and unfocused. It feels almost contagious. Looking into the eyes of the grieving, only serves to remind you of your own grief, those moments of sadness stored in the past. They threatened to burst out when you make eye contact with the bereft.
Page 46: When I see wood painted over with a colour, or even plain white, I cringe. The beautiful grains of wood, the twists and turns of age lines, stories of long winters and wet springs written in the grain— that's what I love. My grandmother never painted the wood in our little house. She always left it as nature intended.
Page 55: "When you hear a bird sing at night, it means that there is a skite' kmuj about, a ghost wanting to talk to you. The birds can see them, so best be keeping your ears open. Might be a bad ghost."
Page 89: She thinks she is unlovable. I wish she could leave the past in the past and see what I see, the love she has yet to experience. She may not believe it, but her joy is written in my rings.
Page 112: "But those medicines, they steal your memory. How can you tell your own child their birth story it you cant remember it your-self? How will they know where they came from, who they came from?" Kiju's voice was desperate, her face drawn. "And you sleep through the most beautiful..." She stammered. "And the lights, and the noise, so harsh on the ears of a new born. And they steal the cord, the birth sac."
"Superstition is what they told my girl when I asked to keep them. She tried to explain that it needs to be buried to remind children of their roots. But they made her feel silly, like she was a child. so she let them take it." She looked sad. Kiju reached over and held her hand. There was no admonishment, no advice, only comfort.
Page 120: *the entire page*
Page 274: There is no word for goodbye in our language because there is no such thing. You can't give a name to something that doesn't exist. For us, we are always walking among the ancestors. We will see each other again someday is always true.”
Page 276: "If there is anyone who can understand your heart right now, it's me. But this is your grief, it's heavy, and I'll be here to help you carry it.”
“Spoilers” are simply quotes shared below. 🤗
Received an early release of this book at Novel Bay during Indie Book Store Day! 🤍 Thank you for hand selecting this for me!
Page 20: Grief is hard to look at straight on, especially when it’s so new and unfocused. It feels almost contagious. Looking into the eyes of the grieving, only serves to remind you of your own grief, those moments of sadness stored in the past. They threatened to burst out when you make eye contact with the bereft.
Page 46: When I see wood painted over with a colour, or even plain white, I cringe. The beautiful grains of wood, the twists and turns of age lines, stories of long winters and wet springs written in the grain— that's what I love. My grandmother never painted the wood in our little house. She always left it as nature intended.
Page 55: "When you hear a bird sing at night, it means that there is a skite' kmuj about, a ghost wanting to talk to you. The birds can see them, so best be keeping your ears open. Might be a bad ghost."
Page 89: She thinks she is unlovable. I wish she could leave the past in the past and see what I see, the love she has yet to experience. She may not believe it, but her joy is written in my rings.
Page 112: "But those medicines, they steal your memory. How can you tell your own child their birth story it you cant remember it your-self? How will they know where they came from, who they came from?" Kiju's voice was desperate, her face drawn. "And you sleep through the most beautiful..." She stammered. "And the lights, and the noise, so harsh on the ears of a new born. And they steal the cord, the birth sac."
"Superstition is what they told my girl when I asked to keep them. She tried to explain that it needs to be buried to remind children of their roots. But they made her feel silly, like she was a child. so she let them take it." She looked sad. Kiju reached over and held her hand. There was no admonishment, no advice, only comfort.
Page 120: *the entire page*
Page 274: There is no word for goodbye in our language because there is no such thing. You can't give a name to something that doesn't exist. For us, we are always walking among the ancestors. We will see each other again someday is always true.”
Page 276: "If there is anyone who can understand your heart right now, it's me. But this is your grief, it's heavy, and I'll be here to help you carry it.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2026
women are so strong and powerful and beautiful and resilient!!!!!!! you’ll always find ur way back home!!!
it’s devastating to think about the amount of indigenous practices and wisdom that has been lost over canada’s history. the callbacks to the berry pickers had me tearing UP
it’s devastating to think about the amount of indigenous practices and wisdom that has been lost over canada’s history. the callbacks to the berry pickers had me tearing UP
May 22, 2026
WOMEN❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 stars
I absolutely loved The Berry Pickers so I am delighted to have received this arc from the publishers.
The ancient oak tree holds their stories, their traditions, and knowing your past means you know who you are.
Aliet is born under the sacred birthing tree where many indigenous Mi’kmaw women also give birth. Her mother dies giving life to Aliet and she is raised by her grandmother Kiju, as to who her father is, that remains a mystery. Kiju has a wealth of medical knowledge passed on by previous generations and is an unofficial midwife in the community but times are changing and modern medicine and attitudes alter everything.
Decades later, nurse Aliet returns to the home she is born in when Kiju dies and she is determined to reconnect to her Mi’kmaw heritage and in the process, learn about herself. The story is told in dual timelines which flows naturally and fluidly from one to the other.
This is a wonderful story which is beautifully told and the bond between Aliet and her grandmother tugs at the heartstrings. Parts of the storytelling are very moving and emotional and the pain of the injustice of dismissal of traditions is palpable and when everything these women hold dear is in jeopardy. This is counterbalanced by the deep relationships that denote who you are and give characters especially Aliet a sense of identity. The novel incorporates issues the Mi’kmaw face, the blinkered thinking, the prejudice, the disrespect given to tradition and suspicion and at these times, there is considerable tension. On the other hand, there are deep and lasting friendships that are formed over many years which gives Aliet the stability and healing that she needs.
I absolutely love the tradition of the birthing tree and am fascinated by indigenous traditions so this book is definitely in my wheelhouse. There are (mostly) wonderful characters that grace the pages, taking me on an emotional journey of love, friendship, grief, pain, resilience and identity. It’s a powerful book in an atmospheric setting and although I don’t love it quite as much as the authors previous novel, it’s still one I have no hesitation in recommending.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin General for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
I absolutely loved The Berry Pickers so I am delighted to have received this arc from the publishers.
The ancient oak tree holds their stories, their traditions, and knowing your past means you know who you are.
Aliet is born under the sacred birthing tree where many indigenous Mi’kmaw women also give birth. Her mother dies giving life to Aliet and she is raised by her grandmother Kiju, as to who her father is, that remains a mystery. Kiju has a wealth of medical knowledge passed on by previous generations and is an unofficial midwife in the community but times are changing and modern medicine and attitudes alter everything.
Decades later, nurse Aliet returns to the home she is born in when Kiju dies and she is determined to reconnect to her Mi’kmaw heritage and in the process, learn about herself. The story is told in dual timelines which flows naturally and fluidly from one to the other.
This is a wonderful story which is beautifully told and the bond between Aliet and her grandmother tugs at the heartstrings. Parts of the storytelling are very moving and emotional and the pain of the injustice of dismissal of traditions is palpable and when everything these women hold dear is in jeopardy. This is counterbalanced by the deep relationships that denote who you are and give characters especially Aliet a sense of identity. The novel incorporates issues the Mi’kmaw face, the blinkered thinking, the prejudice, the disrespect given to tradition and suspicion and at these times, there is considerable tension. On the other hand, there are deep and lasting friendships that are formed over many years which gives Aliet the stability and healing that she needs.
I absolutely love the tradition of the birthing tree and am fascinated by indigenous traditions so this book is definitely in my wheelhouse. There are (mostly) wonderful characters that grace the pages, taking me on an emotional journey of love, friendship, grief, pain, resilience and identity. It’s a powerful book in an atmospheric setting and although I don’t love it quite as much as the authors previous novel, it’s still one I have no hesitation in recommending.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin General for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advance reader's copy received from NetGalley.
Have you ever read a book where you're worried your review won't do it justice? That's how I feel about The Birthing Tree by Amanda Peters.
After loving The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters, The Birthing Tree was one of my most anticipated reads of 2026 and it did not disappoint. This beautifully written novel left its mark on me. I felt sadness, anger, hope and joy, while also being reminded of the beauty and strength required of motherhood.
The Birthing Tree is a powerful story about the importance of passing down traditions, connections to nature, the consequences of ignorance and the freedom to make choices about one's own body and future. I also enjoyed the interstitial moments spread throughout the novel.
Told across dual timelines spanning decades, the story follows two Indigenous Mi'kmaq women: Aliet and her Kiju (grandmother). Kiju is an Indigenous midwife who hopes to pass on her knowledge of traditional medicine and Indigenous birthing practices to her granddaughter. One tradition that stood out to me is that during a birth beneath the Birthing Tree, everyone remains silent once the baby is born. That way, the first sound the baby hears is its mother's voice welcoming it into the world.
As outside influences start to threaten longstanding cultural traditions, Aliet finds herself caught between modern medicine and her ancestral teachings. Amanda Peters does an excellent job exploring themes of cultural preservation, racism, friendship, love, resilience and the significant impact that decisions can have across generations.
There was nothing I did not like about this book and I will be recommending it widely. I highly recommend The Birthing Tree to readers who appreciate emotionally charged stories, strong female characters and stories that leave a lasting impression.
Have you ever read a book where you're worried your review won't do it justice? That's how I feel about The Birthing Tree by Amanda Peters.
After loving The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters, The Birthing Tree was one of my most anticipated reads of 2026 and it did not disappoint. This beautifully written novel left its mark on me. I felt sadness, anger, hope and joy, while also being reminded of the beauty and strength required of motherhood.
The Birthing Tree is a powerful story about the importance of passing down traditions, connections to nature, the consequences of ignorance and the freedom to make choices about one's own body and future. I also enjoyed the interstitial moments spread throughout the novel.
Told across dual timelines spanning decades, the story follows two Indigenous Mi'kmaq women: Aliet and her Kiju (grandmother). Kiju is an Indigenous midwife who hopes to pass on her knowledge of traditional medicine and Indigenous birthing practices to her granddaughter. One tradition that stood out to me is that during a birth beneath the Birthing Tree, everyone remains silent once the baby is born. That way, the first sound the baby hears is its mother's voice welcoming it into the world.
As outside influences start to threaten longstanding cultural traditions, Aliet finds herself caught between modern medicine and her ancestral teachings. Amanda Peters does an excellent job exploring themes of cultural preservation, racism, friendship, love, resilience and the significant impact that decisions can have across generations.
There was nothing I did not like about this book and I will be recommending it widely. I highly recommend The Birthing Tree to readers who appreciate emotionally charged stories, strong female characters and stories that leave a lasting impression.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🌳 🤰 🌳 ARC REVIEW 🌳 🤰 🌳
PUB DATE: Aug 31st
My Rating : ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 4 Trauma Ancestry Stars
“Once a story is told, it cannot be untold. I feel her bitterness, reaching past my roots and burying itself in the dark earth. But I know this is temporary and she will soon embrace love again.”
“She may think that tragedy has imprinted on her. But joy also follows her. She will learn to embrace the joy with the sorrow.”
This is my first Amanda Peters and will not be my last , as she writes these woman with such tenderness .
This is a dual timeline story that takes on a heritage journey of midwifery in the indigenous community in a town in Nova Scotia .
With this story comes grief , heartbreak, resilience and a bit of coming of age and touches on some racism.
The story of The Birthing Tree will make you think of a time before there were hospitals and doctors and the ways of bringing a child into this world .
I really liked this story alot however it did feel some of passages were repetitive so I felt like I was reading the same chapters sometimes , but other than that it was a great story and would be a fantastic Bookclub pick as there’s LOTS to discuss !
PS the image I chose for this photo is a location I hiked to that is said Chief Tzouhalem was banished by his own people and lived in this cave with numerous wives ! It definitely felt haunting and I felt I was being watched the whole time!
Fun fact - I grew up never knowing my heritage background and it wasn’t until about 10 years ago my grandparents were First Nations 🫶🏼 it’s been challenging to learn more about it .
Thank you NetGalley ,Harper Collin’s Canada & Amanda Peters for this informative ARC !!
Thanks for reading , Respectfully Another Read by Angie 🖤🧡
PUB DATE: Aug 31st
My Rating : ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 4 Trauma Ancestry Stars
“Once a story is told, it cannot be untold. I feel her bitterness, reaching past my roots and burying itself in the dark earth. But I know this is temporary and she will soon embrace love again.”
“She may think that tragedy has imprinted on her. But joy also follows her. She will learn to embrace the joy with the sorrow.”
This is my first Amanda Peters and will not be my last , as she writes these woman with such tenderness .
This is a dual timeline story that takes on a heritage journey of midwifery in the indigenous community in a town in Nova Scotia .
With this story comes grief , heartbreak, resilience and a bit of coming of age and touches on some racism.
The story of The Birthing Tree will make you think of a time before there were hospitals and doctors and the ways of bringing a child into this world .
I really liked this story alot however it did feel some of passages were repetitive so I felt like I was reading the same chapters sometimes , but other than that it was a great story and would be a fantastic Bookclub pick as there’s LOTS to discuss !
PS the image I chose for this photo is a location I hiked to that is said Chief Tzouhalem was banished by his own people and lived in this cave with numerous wives ! It definitely felt haunting and I felt I was being watched the whole time!
Fun fact - I grew up never knowing my heritage background and it wasn’t until about 10 years ago my grandparents were First Nations 🫶🏼 it’s been challenging to learn more about it .
Thank you NetGalley ,Harper Collin’s Canada & Amanda Peters for this informative ARC !!
Thanks for reading , Respectfully Another Read by Angie 🖤🧡
June 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Canada | Harper Perennial for the ARC.
The Birthing Tree by Amanda Peters was absolutely stunning. This is my first book by this author, and I already want to read The Berry Pickers—because if it’s even close to this emotionally powerful, I know it will be a five-star read for me.
This book really stayed with me in a way I didn’t expect. I felt so many emotions while reading it—sadness, anger, tenderness. It’s one of those stories that just sits heavy in your chest in the best way.
The novel spans decades and follows Aliet and her Kiju, two Indigenous Mi’kmaq women whose lives are deeply connected through tradition, family, and the birthing tree. The birthing tree itself felt almost like a character—something alive, holding generations of stories.
Kiju is a respected Indigenous midwife who helps women give birth beneath the tree, continuing a practice rooted in tradition and community. But as time passes, outside systems start to push those teachings aside. Modern medicine begins to replace traditional birthing practices, and slowly Kiju is no longer allowed to continue the work that defines her. That loss felt really painful to read—it’s not just a profession being taken away, it’s a whole way of life and identity being erased.
When Kiju passes, Aliet returns home and is forced to confront everything that was lost, along with long-buried truths about her family and land. I found myself just sitting with those moments after reading, thinking about how much silence and grief can be passed down without anyone fully realizing it.
What stood out most to me was how Amanda Peters writes with such softness, even when the subject matter is heavy. It never felt forced or overly dramatic—just deeply human. The themes of cultural loss, resilience, love, and the impact of decisions across generations really hit me harder than I expected.
This is a quiet book, but not an easy one to forget.
The Birthing Tree by Amanda Peters was absolutely stunning. This is my first book by this author, and I already want to read The Berry Pickers—because if it’s even close to this emotionally powerful, I know it will be a five-star read for me.
This book really stayed with me in a way I didn’t expect. I felt so many emotions while reading it—sadness, anger, tenderness. It’s one of those stories that just sits heavy in your chest in the best way.
The novel spans decades and follows Aliet and her Kiju, two Indigenous Mi’kmaq women whose lives are deeply connected through tradition, family, and the birthing tree. The birthing tree itself felt almost like a character—something alive, holding generations of stories.
Kiju is a respected Indigenous midwife who helps women give birth beneath the tree, continuing a practice rooted in tradition and community. But as time passes, outside systems start to push those teachings aside. Modern medicine begins to replace traditional birthing practices, and slowly Kiju is no longer allowed to continue the work that defines her. That loss felt really painful to read—it’s not just a profession being taken away, it’s a whole way of life and identity being erased.
When Kiju passes, Aliet returns home and is forced to confront everything that was lost, along with long-buried truths about her family and land. I found myself just sitting with those moments after reading, thinking about how much silence and grief can be passed down without anyone fully realizing it.
What stood out most to me was how Amanda Peters writes with such softness, even when the subject matter is heavy. It never felt forced or overly dramatic—just deeply human. The themes of cultural loss, resilience, love, and the impact of decisions across generations really hit me harder than I expected.
This is a quiet book, but not an easy one to forget.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"This tree holds our stories...Without knowing our past, we won't know who we are."
Absolutely one of my best reads so far of 2026. If you enjoyed Peter's debut novel "The Berry Pickers," you may like this one even more. And can I add...What a beautiful cover!
Aliet is born under the Birthing Tree in her small village in Nova Scotia, attended to by Kiju, her grandmother, who is the keeper of the Mi'kmaq tradition of women birthing out in nature under this ancient and majestic tree. In the process of her birth, Aliet's mother, Maggie, dies, and Kiju raises Aliet.
Aliet is not privy to the identity of her father, and given her white skin, wonders if she is part white. But she is raised with the total love and devotion of Kiju and other friends who are as close as family. Aliet is complex -- she is secure in the love of her people, but grieves for the mother she never knew and has never even seen a picture of, and also grieves the absence of her unknown father, always trying to imagine him in the men that she sees, especially those with green eyes like hers.
Aliet comes of age in a time when the white people in the area disparage the process of women giving birth under a tree, and go to great lengths to put a stop to it. She becomes a nurse and leaves Kiju to go work and live in the city, but her roots call to her from time to time, and especially so when Kiju passes on. It is then that Aliet returns to the village to live in Kiju's home, take up Kiju's herbal practice, and live a simpler life.
This book provides a glimpse into Mi'k,maq life, and also a front row seat to the lifelong grief process. "The Birthing Tree" is beautifully written and really hits you in the heart. Highly, highly recommend that you read it when it releases in September 2026.
Thanks to #Netgalley for the ARC.
Absolutely one of my best reads so far of 2026. If you enjoyed Peter's debut novel "The Berry Pickers," you may like this one even more. And can I add...What a beautiful cover!
Aliet is born under the Birthing Tree in her small village in Nova Scotia, attended to by Kiju, her grandmother, who is the keeper of the Mi'kmaq tradition of women birthing out in nature under this ancient and majestic tree. In the process of her birth, Aliet's mother, Maggie, dies, and Kiju raises Aliet.
Aliet is not privy to the identity of her father, and given her white skin, wonders if she is part white. But she is raised with the total love and devotion of Kiju and other friends who are as close as family. Aliet is complex -- she is secure in the love of her people, but grieves for the mother she never knew and has never even seen a picture of, and also grieves the absence of her unknown father, always trying to imagine him in the men that she sees, especially those with green eyes like hers.
Aliet comes of age in a time when the white people in the area disparage the process of women giving birth under a tree, and go to great lengths to put a stop to it. She becomes a nurse and leaves Kiju to go work and live in the city, but her roots call to her from time to time, and especially so when Kiju passes on. It is then that Aliet returns to the village to live in Kiju's home, take up Kiju's herbal practice, and live a simpler life.
This book provides a glimpse into Mi'k,maq life, and also a front row seat to the lifelong grief process. "The Birthing Tree" is beautifully written and really hits you in the heart. Highly, highly recommend that you read it when it releases in September 2026.
Thanks to #Netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved this book! Thanks to NetGalley for the Advanced e-copy. I won’t repeat the story, just my thoughts and feelings about it. I loved the insight into the Mi'kmaq, indigenous people of Canada’s Atlantic provinces. The story of Aliet (and Kiju her grandmother) in the mid 1960s, early 1970s was a very interesting coming-of-age story for Aliet and her friend John.
Peters did a nice job of showing the social and emotional challenges the Mi’kmaq faced, especially in the store with the little boy — and Aliet’s decision in high school. (Being deliberately vague to avoid spoilers).
Some of the lines I highlighted:
“Indians were never listened to in matters considered important to the rest of society, and that was even more true for Indian women.”
Kiju says to Aliet: “Don’t let that light skin of yours keep you from being who you are. What you did is a lie of omission. Nothing good comes from denying who you are. Only hurt.” The novel wrestled with this, and the cessation of Mi’kmaq birthing traditions - under the birthing tree - in a clear and heartbreaking way.
I would have liked to see more of Aliet’s story between the early 1970s and 1996, when the rest of the story takes place. Maybe that’s for another novel?
some caveats:
- I didn’t read the Berry Pickers, so I don’t know if this is related.
- The Kindle formatting was off in the ARC, which ALMOST made me stop reading. The writing and the story drew me in and I couldn’t stop reading it.
Thanks again, NetGalley.
Peters did a nice job of showing the social and emotional challenges the Mi’kmaq faced, especially in the store with the little boy — and Aliet’s decision in high school. (Being deliberately vague to avoid spoilers).
Some of the lines I highlighted:
“Indians were never listened to in matters considered important to the rest of society, and that was even more true for Indian women.”
Kiju says to Aliet: “Don’t let that light skin of yours keep you from being who you are. What you did is a lie of omission. Nothing good comes from denying who you are. Only hurt.” The novel wrestled with this, and the cessation of Mi’kmaq birthing traditions - under the birthing tree - in a clear and heartbreaking way.
I would have liked to see more of Aliet’s story between the early 1970s and 1996, when the rest of the story takes place. Maybe that’s for another novel?
some caveats:
- I didn’t read the Berry Pickers, so I don’t know if this is related.
- The Kindle formatting was off in the ARC, which ALMOST made me stop reading. The writing and the story drew me in and I couldn’t stop reading it.
Thanks again, NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In the atmospheric setting of a village in
Nova Scotia, Aliet - whose mother died giving birth to her - is raised by her strict, loving grandmother, who is an experienced practitioner of traditional birthing rituals in the Native American community.
But although Aliet grows up steeped in that indigenous wisdom, she and her grandmother also witness the growing alienation and scorn poured upon such traditional, often misunderstood, methods.
After Aliet adapts to city life and spends years working as a practitioner of modern medicine, it is her grandmother's death that draws her back to the place where she came from in the realisation that her best life lies in understanding and accepting her roots.
This is a moving story that spans generations, examines the relationships that are fundamental to our lives and make us who we are, and incorporates important issues such as racism, cultural alienation, the mistreatment of indigenous people, and the difficulty of living a life that is rootless and removed from your origins.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Nova Scotia, Aliet - whose mother died giving birth to her - is raised by her strict, loving grandmother, who is an experienced practitioner of traditional birthing rituals in the Native American community.
But although Aliet grows up steeped in that indigenous wisdom, she and her grandmother also witness the growing alienation and scorn poured upon such traditional, often misunderstood, methods.
After Aliet adapts to city life and spends years working as a practitioner of modern medicine, it is her grandmother's death that draws her back to the place where she came from in the realisation that her best life lies in understanding and accepting her roots.
This is a moving story that spans generations, examines the relationships that are fundamental to our lives and make us who we are, and incorporates important issues such as racism, cultural alienation, the mistreatment of indigenous people, and the difficulty of living a life that is rootless and removed from your origins.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you haven't read Amanda Peters yet, this is a great place to start. Following Aliet, a Mi'kmaw woman in Nova Scotia torn between her life as a nurse and the traditional teachings of her beloved grandmother Kiju, it's the kind of book that quietly gets under your skin.
The dual timelines work really well, past and present weave together to slowly unravel a family mystery, with just enough suspense to keep you turning pages without it ever feeling gimmicky. The characters are the real draw though. The bond between Aliet and her grandmother is beautifully written, and when loss hits, you feel it.
What stayed with me was how much I learned about Mi'kmaw heritage and traditions, particularly around Indigenous midwifery, without it ever feeling like a history lesson. Peters writes about the impact of racism and outside forces on cultural tradition in a way that's subtle but hits hard.
Emotional, absorbing, and quietly unforgettable. Loved it!
The dual timelines work really well, past and present weave together to slowly unravel a family mystery, with just enough suspense to keep you turning pages without it ever feeling gimmicky. The characters are the real draw though. The bond between Aliet and her grandmother is beautifully written, and when loss hits, you feel it.
What stayed with me was how much I learned about Mi'kmaw heritage and traditions, particularly around Indigenous midwifery, without it ever feeling like a history lesson. Peters writes about the impact of racism and outside forces on cultural tradition in a way that's subtle but hits hard.
Emotional, absorbing, and quietly unforgettable. Loved it!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is a stunningly crafted book of warmth and complexity. It is a quiet tale that brings you deeply into the world of indigenous medicine, family history, and maternal health, while also playing with the definition of family. What I loved most about this book was that I learned an enormous amount of information but at no point felt like I was being schooled or overtly educated. It was more that Amanda Peters managed to draw out my curiosity on small details, making the culture and history something I craved to learn. She excels at providing the reader with a feeling of discovery and a kind of collaboration with the narrator. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through the Good Group Reads review process. It has not yet released its final decisions. I will update my review when that decision is made.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
I loved the Berry Pickers by this author so I was thrilled to be able to download this new book. A Mi'Kmaq woman (Aliet) returns to her childhood home after her grandmother (Kiju) passes away. Steeped in the history of The Mi'Kmaq, her grandmother was the local midwife who delivers babies under a sacred tree. After a horrific event happens to Aliet, she leaves to become a nurse in the city.
Returning to face her past, Aliet reconnects with friends (and new ones) and rediscovers her grandmother's ways of life which enables her to move on. I did think that the book was slow in parts but I did enjoy it.
Returning to face her past, Aliet reconnects with friends (and new ones) and rediscovers her grandmother's ways of life which enables her to move on. I did think that the book was slow in parts but I did enjoy it.
June 5, 2026
Thank you NetGalley & Catapult for the ARC of this book!
I haven’t read Amanda Peters’ first book yet, but I want to after reading The Birthing Tree! It is a beautiful multi-timeline story following Aliet as she comes of age and then as she gets back to her roots as an adult. It brought me right back to the beauty and heartbreak of young love and growing up. “For the first time, I felt my childhood was more behind me than in front.” Can’t you remember that feeling? This book made me cry at times, but in the sadness there was still hope!
I haven’t read Amanda Peters’ first book yet, but I want to after reading The Birthing Tree! It is a beautiful multi-timeline story following Aliet as she comes of age and then as she gets back to her roots as an adult. It brought me right back to the beauty and heartbreak of young love and growing up. “For the first time, I felt my childhood was more behind me than in front.” Can’t you remember that feeling? This book made me cry at times, but in the sadness there was still hope!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was thrilled to receive a review copy of this author’s latest book as I loved her previous book The Berry Pickers, which easily got a five 🌟rating from me.
The author is an expert on the North American Indian community, and this knowledge is evident throughout, giving authenticity and depth to this beautiful novel on the importance of heritage and family. Loved this, a very worthy successor- highly recommended and would make a fabulous book club pick. Look forward to seeing this in the bestseller chart. Thank you NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the review copy.
The author is an expert on the North American Indian community, and this knowledge is evident throughout, giving authenticity and depth to this beautiful novel on the importance of heritage and family. Loved this, a very worthy successor- highly recommended and would make a fabulous book club pick. Look forward to seeing this in the bestseller chart. Thank you NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the review copy.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
4.5 stars.
Beautifully written. Amanda Peters has a way of weaving a story that makes me feel deep things over and over and over again. I'm only docking 0.5 because there were times where I felt that there was almost too much happening at once, but it was overall a stunning story.
And, of course, as a New Brunswicker who had both a home and a hospital birth with midwives (one of whom attended both my daughters' births), this book hit home.
Beautifully written. Amanda Peters has a way of weaving a story that makes me feel deep things over and over and over again. I'm only docking 0.5 because there were times where I felt that there was almost too much happening at once, but it was overall a stunning story.
And, of course, as a New Brunswicker who had both a home and a hospital birth with midwives (one of whom attended both my daughters' births), this book hit home.
May 31, 2026
Very engaging story of a young girl of Mi’Kmaq heritage finding her way in a world where she never feels has a place for her. I appreciated the relative simplicity of the story and the rich, interesting characters. The novel ends quite abruptly and felt it would benefit from one more chapter to pull some loose ends together especially in regards to William. Readers of The Berry Pickers won’t be disappointed when this one comes out in September.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Amanda Peters has once again, brought us a story filled with ethos and pathos and brought us unforgettable characters with Aliet and her Kiju. Told in two timelines through Aliet’s distinctive voice, the history of the Mi’kmaw women’s sacred birthing tree comes to life as well as Aliet’s reconciliation with her past. I read this in one day and absolutely loved it.
I received this from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
I received this from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
It’s great to have Peter’s back in novel form. All her best elements are here: motherhood, indigenous traditions, family secrets and a story you already know how it ends, but you are here for the journey not the reveal.
May 7, 2026
3.75⭐️
May 17, 2026
Beautiful book. Thoughtful, reflective and speaks to the importance of traditions. A story of women and the power of birth and connections. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
June 17, 2026
This was a beautiful beautiful book.
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