Celebrate Native American Heritage!

By Kat La Mantia | October 9 2023 | Children'sBlogGeneralAllAdults

November is National American Indian Heritage Month, and for PRH, it’s a time to celebrate the original people of this land and uplift Indigenous voices making their mark in the literary world. Read Native American stories in every genre from contemporary fiction like Never Whistle at Night and Earthdivers, Vol. 1: Kill Columbus to groundbreaking nonfiction like Project 562 and the 10th anniversary edition of An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United StatesChildren can learn about notable icons like prima ballerina Maria Tallchief, connect with their favorite Indigenous characters from the animated hit Spirit Rangers with Hoop Dance Heroes!, and learn about tribal nations and traditions with books like We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga, which celebrates the Cherokee Nation.

Books are vital to understanding ourselves and those around us. Use this month as a starting place to read more beloved stories and critical history by Indigenous authors. From award-winning modern and classic fiction to nonfiction and young adult, there are so many books to choose from! See some of our favorites below, and then click through our title lists to explore even more.

Native American Heritage Month – Gift

Native American Heritage Month – Children’s

Changing the Way We See Native America
9781984859525
A photographic and narrative celebration of contemporary Native American life and cultures, alongside an in-depth examination of issues that Native people face, by celebrated photographer and storyteller Matika Wilbur of the Swinomish and Tulalip Tribes.
$50.00 US
Apr 25, 2023
10 x 10
Hardcover
416 Pages
Ten Speed Press

9780593577813
A vibrantly illustrated children's book about an Indigenous girl who finds awe in the resting and waiting that winter teaches us and shares with her friends how Creator's gift of gratitude can transform the way we see the world.
$14.99 US
Oct 31, 2023
11 x 8-1/2
Hardcover
40 Pages
Convergent Books
Age 3-7 years

50 Indigenous Leaders, Dreamers, and Changemakers from Past and Present
9781984857941
An accessible and educational illustrated book profiling 50 notable American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian people, from NBA star Kyrie Irving of the Standing Rock Lakota to Wilma Mankiller, the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.
$18.99 US
Oct 19, 2021
7 x 9
Hardcover
144 Pages
Ten Speed Press

A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes
9780735262928
"We are a people who matter." Inspired by President Barack Obama's Of Thee I Sing, Go Show the World is a tribute to historic and modern-day Indigenous heroes, featuring important figures such as Tecumseh, Sacagawea and former NASA astronaut John Herrington.
$18.99 US
Sep 11, 2018
11-3/8 x 10-3/8
Hardcover
40 Pages
Tundra Books
Age 5-9 years

The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI
9780307742483
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST. From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lost City of Z comes the twisting, haunting true-life murder mystery about the systematic killing of Native Americans from the Osage Nation in 1920s Oklahoma, inspired by greed for their oil wealth.
$17.00 US
Apr 03, 2018
5-3/16 x 8
Paperback
416 Pages
Vintage

9780593619186
Now in paperback, here is the inspiring story of Sacagawea, the only Native American included in Lewis and Clark's historic expedition, part of the New York Times Bestselling biography series about heroes for ages 5 to 9.
$9.99 US
Mar 28, 2023
7-1/2 x 7-1/2
Paperback
40 Pages
Rocky Pond Books
Age 5-9 years

An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology
9780593468463
A bold, clever, and sublimely sinister collection of horror, fantasy, science fiction, and gritty crime by both new and established Indigenous authors that dares to ask the question: “Are you ready to be un-settled?”
$17.00 US
Sep 19, 2023
5-3/16 x 8
Paperback
416 Pages
Vintage

9780593571057
An activity book introducing kids to the characters of Netflix’s latest preschool show, Spirit Rangers–complete with a rainbow colored pencil!
$8.99 US
Jun 06, 2023
7-7/8 x 10-7/8
Paperback
128 Pages
Golden Books
Age 3-7 years

Oil, Murder, and a Woman's Search for Justice in Indian Country
9780399589171
The true crime story of a murder on an Indian reservation, and the unforgettable Arikara woman who becomes obsessed with solving it--an urgent, page-turning work of literary journalism and social criticism.
$20.00 US
Feb 16, 2021
5-3/16 x 8
Paperback
400 Pages
Random House Trade Paperbacks

Weeâchumun's Thanksgiving Story
9781623542900
In this Wampanoag story told in a Native tradition, two kids from the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe learn the story of Weeâchumun (corn) and the first Thanksgiving.A beautiful new classic perfect for fall. Written and illustrated by four Indigenous creators, this picture book for 3-7-year-olds is about the first Thanksgiving from a Native American perspective—reshaping the story and perhaps questioning how the United States sees itself.
$17.99 US
Aug 02, 2022
11 x 8-1/2
Hardcover
32 Pages
Charlesbridge
Age 3-7 years

Ancestral Wisdom, Healing Recipes, and Wellness Rituals from a Curandera
9781611808438
An accessible guide to time-honored Indigenous wisdom, healing recipes, and wellness rituals for modern life from an experienced curandera.
$24.95 US
Nov 02, 2021
7-1/2 x 9-1/2
Hardcover
224 Pages
Roost Books

9780399542657
Learn how this heroic group of American Indian men created a secret, unbreakable code and helped the US win major battles during World War II in this new addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling series.
$6.99 US
Oct 26, 2021
5-5/16 x 7-5/8
Paperback
112 Pages
Penguin Workshop
Age 8-12 years

A Memoir of Survival on Stolen Land
9781984821201
NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS’ CHOICE • A powerful, poetic memoir about what it means to exist as an Indigenous woman in America, told in snapshots of the author’s encounters with gun violence. “Essential . . . We need more voices like Toni Jensen’s, more books like Carry.”—Tommy Orange, author of There There Goop Book Club Pick • Finalist for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize 
$20.00 US
Sep 21, 2021
5-3/16 x 8
Paperback
304 Pages
Ballantine Books

9780593326220
Renowned author Joseph Bruchac tells a powerful story of a girl who learns more about her Penacook heritage while sheltering in place with her grandparents during the coronavirus pandemic.
$8.99 US
Jun 07, 2022
5-1/16 x 7-3/4
Paperback
192 Pages
Dial Books
Age 8-12 years

9781684057146
Experience the riveting, powerful story of the Native American civil rights movement and the resulting struggle for identity told through the high-flying career of West Coast rock 'n' roll pioneers Redbone.
$19.99 US
Oct 27, 2020
7 x 10
Paperback
160 Pages
IDW Publishing

9780593403051
Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger comes a chapter book series about women who spoke up and rose up against the odds--including Wilma Mankiller!A 2024 American Indian Youth Literature Honor Book!
$5.99 US
Oct 04, 2022
5-5/16 x 7-5/8
Paperback
80 Pages
Philomel Books
Age 6-9 years

(Penguin Orange Collection)
9780143129462
The Penguin Orange Collection: a limited-edition run of twelve influential and beloved Penguin Classics dressed in the iconic Penguin tri-band covers, with a touch of modern Deluxe design
$18.00 US
Oct 18, 2016
5-1/8 x 7-3/4
Paperback
272 Pages
Penguin Classics

9780593480434
Until now, you've only heard one side of the story: the "discovery" of America told by Christopher Columbus, the Pilgrims, and the Colonists. Here's the true story of America from the Indigenous perspective.
$8.99 US
Sep 12, 2023
5-1/2 x 8-1/4
Paperback
272 Pages
Crown Books for Young Readers
Age 10 and up

9780807013076
This American Book Award winning title about Native American struggle and resistance radically reframes more than 400 years of US history
$28.95 US
Oct 03, 2023
6 x 9
Hardcover
328 Pages
Beacon Press

9781623542993
The Cherokee community is grateful for the blessings and challenges that each season brings. This is modern Native American life as told by best-selling Cherokee author Traci Sorell.A perfect autumn story for babies and toddlers, this new board book for 0-3-year-olds is based on the award-winning picture book and celebrates gratitude.
$8.99 US
Sep 07, 2021
6-1/2 x 7
Board Book
28 Pages
Charlesbridge
Age 0-3 years