Cady and the Search for Family
Ann Dallman
Modern History Press (2025)
ISBN: 979-8896560241
Reviewed by Susan Violante for Reader Views (12/2025)
“Cady and the Search for Family” by Ann Dallman is the 3rd book of the A Cady Whirlwind Thunder Mystery series, and I worried about reading it without having read the first two books. However, after reading it, I must say I did not have any trouble following the story as it was written in such a way that the story worked as a stand-alone book as well. The main character, Cady, is a teenage Native American from the Midwest who is trying to find her mother after she disappeared years before. Her father married a young woman and gifted Cady a little brother. Needless to say that Cady does not enjoy having a stepmother, especially when she is barely a few years older than her.
This is the environment where Cady’s coming-of-age story takes place. A Native American modern family who is trying to keep the bonds with their heritage alive is Cady’s foundation. As a motherless child, she looks up to her grandmother, who tries to help Cady navigate her teenage years through her anger, disappointments, and hopes of solving the mystery of her mother’s disappearance, along with finding herself as a young Native American woman. The story is also enriched with mystical elements from the start, like a persistent bluejay that shows up everywhere, and a stone that warms up by itself; all of which entice readers to keep reading into the mystery.
Dallman presents readers with a captivating young adult book that crosses genres as a mystery book series and a coming-of-age teen story. Mixing regular teen stressors like writing an essay submission for their town’s centennial celebration contest and her love crush with Cady’s desperate search for her mother and her own identity. I was also impressed by how Dallman found the way to educate readers about Native American culture and even languages, as she includes native words with translation. I also found myself relating to Cady as my memories of my teen years took me back to intercultural battles as the daughter of Italian immigrant parents. I have great appreciation for how important it is to understand your own heritage and embrace it alongside the culture of the place where you are growing up.
Although this book touched on serious topics like growing up without your mother, intercultural heritage, modern family relationship issues, and a girl’s coming of age drama, Dallman tackles all these and makes an entertaining mystery ride for readers. Overall, I enjoyed Cady and the Search for Family by Ann Dallman, a five-star ride for young and older readers. Great book for middle – junior high school libraries as it also includes a discussion guide at the end of the book!
