Honor Native American Heritage Month
Every November during Native American Heritage Month and throughout the year, we encourage you to read stories uplifting Native and Indigenous voices, especially those featuring contemporary characters. According to current publishing data, most people haven’t read contemporary books with Native American/First Nations protagonists. Children’s and teen literature that includes a wide variety of cultures, traditions, and beliefs can help both Native and non-Native readers experience life on a larger scale. Stories dedicated to Indigenous, modern-day characters promote empathy by letting readers vicariously experience their life’s struggles, celebrations, and everything in between. Reading these books will create opportunities for teachers and students (Native or non-Native) to better understand one another and to communicate more effectively. We've gathered some of our favorite titles below, spanning multiple genres and age groups. Happy Reading!
Picture Books
New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith’s lyrical text is paired with the warm, evocative watercolors of Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu in this affirming story of a contemporary Native American girl who turns to her family and community.
This picture book autobiography tells the triumphant story of Sharice Davids, one of the first Native American women elected to Congress, and the first LGBTQ congressperson to represent Kansas.
Hello/Boozhoo—meet Jo Jo Makoons! Full of pride, joy, and plenty of humor, this first book in an all-new chapter book series by Dawn Quigley celebrates a spunky young Ojibwe girl who loves who she is.
In this evocative and heartwarming novel for readers who loved The Thing About Jellyfish, the author of I Can Make This Promise tells the story of a Native American girl struggling to find her joy again.
Edited by award-winning and bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith, this collection of intersecting stories by both new and veteran Native writers bursts with hope, joy, resilience, the strength of community, and Native pride.
Brian Young’s powerful debut novel tells of a seemingly ordinary Navajo boy who must save the life of a Water Monster—and comes to realize he’s a hero at heart.
In this beautifully reimagined story by NSK Neustadt Laureate and New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee Creek), Native American Lily and English Wendy embark on a high-flying journey of magic, adventure, and courage to a fairy-tale island known as Neverland…
This National Book Award finalist by Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Louise Erdrich is the first installment in an essential nine-book series chronicling 100 years in the life of one Ojibwe family, and includes beautiful interior black-and-white artwork done by the author.
In her debut middle grade novel—inspired by her family’s history—Christine Day tells the story of a girl who uncovers her family’s secrets—and finds her own Native American identity.
The beloved chapter book by New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith about the love and adventures shared by a Cherokee-Seminole boy and his Grampa now has brand-new illustrations! A perfect pick for new readers.
In a voice that resonates with insight and humor, New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith tells the story of a teenage girl who must face down her grief and reclaim her place in the world with the help of her intertribal community.
This spine-tingling middle grade collection by an acclaimed author and Nulhegan Abenaki citizen brings together Skeleton Man and The Return of Skeleton Man—two modern classics that will chill you to the bone. R.L. Stine, bestselling author of the Goosebumps series, raved: “This book gave me nightmares!”
Praised as a “perfect book to gobble up in a single, sweaty sitting” by Booklist, this chilling middle grade novel from acclaimed author Joseph Bruchac is infused with suspense and heart-stopping action. Give it to fans of R. L. Stine’s Goosebumps series and readers anxious for well-crafted horror!