November is Native American Heritage Month. Dr. Debbie Reese, Nambé Pueblo, recommended a list of books for children and teens that portrayed Native Americans in a positive way instead of through stereotypes. Many of these books are set in present-day America. Reese says this is important because it brings Native peoples out of the past and into today’s world. We should use present-tense verbs when talking about Native Americans. This says that Native Americans did not vanish. Here are a few of the books on Reese’s list, in no particular order.
Head Start and Preschool Readers
- “Wild Berries” by Julie Flett (Cree-Métis) – Clarence and his grandmother spend the day picking wild blueberries. This children’s book is written in both English and Cree.
- “My Heart Fills With Happiness” by Monique Gray Smith (Cree, Lakota and Scottish) – Reflect on moments that bring you and your child joy in this beautifully illustrated board book.
Early Elementary Grades (K – 3)
- “Jingle Dancer” by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee (Creek) – Jenna wants to dance at the next powwow, but her dress has no jingles. She must turn to her family to help her dance find music.
- “Kamik: An Inuit Puppy Story” by Donald Uluadluak (Inuit) – Kamik is not your ordinary obedient sled dog. Jake, his owner, learns about the heritage of raising Inuit puppies and must work with Kamik to teach him to be obedient and helpful.
Middle School Books (4 -7)
- “The Birchbark House” by Louise Erdrich (Turtle Mountain Chippewa) – This book is reminiscent of the “Little House” books, but deals with an Ojibwa girl living in 1847 on an Island in Lake Superior. Instead of looking at 19th-century Native Americans as dangerous or a curiosity, this book tells your kids about living as Native American.
- “Indian Shoes” by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee (Creek) – Ray Halfmoon trades his high-top sneakers for a pair of moccasins for his grandpa in this first story of this collection about a young Cherokee-Seminole boy living in Chicago.
High School Readers (Grade 8 – 12)
- “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie (Spokane/Coeur d’Alene) – Junior lives on the Spokane Indian Reservation, but he leaves his community to attend an all-white school whose only other American Indian is the school mascot. This story chronicles Junior’s attempt to break away from his heritage while becoming a man.
- “If I Ever Get Out of Here” by Eric Gansworth (Onondaga) – In this poignant coming-of-age story about a teenager on the Tuscarora Indian reservation, two boys from different backgrounds meet. Lewis lies to George, his new friend, about his Native American family to hide the poverty in which he lives. The boys connect over music, but when George learns the truth, can the boys still remain friends?
- “Super Indian Volume One” by Arigon Starr (Kickapoo) – Commodity cheese tainted with Rezuim turns an ordinary reservation boy into Super Indian in this graphic novel. Super Indian fights crime with humor, strength and knowledge along with his sidekicks, Mega Bear and Diogi.
Make a Difference With These Books
- Ask your local librarian or school to carry these books.
- Read one of the books with your child or in a church group.
- Ask your local bookstore to create a special display of the books.
- Share books you’ve read with others. Talk about the books on social media.
- Organize a book club in your community to read books about other cultures and talk about our differences and similarities.
When you learn more about Native Americans and their contributions to our nation, you have more understanding to bring people together. Find the complete book list at FirstNations.org. Read these books with your children to give them a new look at how Native Americans really live.