Celebrating National Native American Heritage Month
Posted on November 17, 2025
by Kelly P
a man called horse by Glennette Tilley Turner
"Warrior. Chief. Diplomat. In Spanish Florida during the nineteenth century, one man shaped the course of black Seminoles--descendants of slaves--more than any other. A political and military leader of both Seminole and African heritage, John Horse valiantly defended his people from slave hunters, other tribes and the US government. After fighting in the Second Seminole War--one of the longest and most costly Native American conflicts in United States history--Horse negotiated territory for the Black Seminoles and became a guide and interpreter. As part of the Underground Railroad, he led a group of former slaves and Seminoles to safety in Mexico and later to Texas, where many became scouts who defended the western American border." -- jacket.
indigenous ingenuity by Deidre Havrelock
"A middle grade survey nonfiction work celebrating North American Indigenous knowledge and Native contributions to contemporary STEM"-- Provided by publisher.
indian no more by Charlene Willing McManis
When Regina's Umpqua tribe is legally terminated and her family must relocate from Oregon to Los Angeles, she goes on a quest to understand her identity as an Indian despite being so far from home.
i can make this promise by Christine Day
"When twelve-year-old Edie finds letters and photographs in her attic that change everything she thought she knew about her Native American mother's adoption, she realizes she has a lot to learn about her family's history and her own identity"-- Provided by publisher.
the sea-ringed world by María García Esperón
Presents a collection of stories from nations and cultures across our two continents, the Sea-Ringed World, as the Aztecs called it, from the edge of Argentina all the way up to Alaska. Fifteen thousand years before Europeans stepped foot in the Americas, people had already spread from tip to tip and coast to coast. Like all humans, these Native Americans sought to understand their place in the universe, the nature of their relationship with the divine, and the origin of the world into which their ancestors had emerged. The answers lay in their sacred stories.
the storyteller by Brandon Hobson
"Ziggy has ANXIETY. Partly this is because of the way his mind works, and how overwhelmed he can get when other people (especially his classmate Alice) are in the room. And partly it's because his mother disappeared when he was very young, making her one of many Native women who've gone mysteriously missing. Ziggy and his sister, Moon, want answers, but nobody around can give them. Once Ziggy gets it in his head that clues to his mother's disappearance may be found in a nearby cave, there's no stopping him from going there. Along with Moon, Alice, and his best friend, Corso, he sets out on a mind-bending adventure where he'll discover his story is tied to all the stories of the Cherokees that have come before him. Ziggy might not have any control over the past -- but if he learns the lessons of the storytellers, he might be able to better shape his future and find the friends he needs." -- Publisher's website.
wisdom weavers by James Vukelich Kaagegaabaw
"Wisdom Weavers follows a day in the life of an Ojibwe child as they teach you 72 phrases and words. Accompanied by beautiful illustrations, each word and phrase is easy to learn. International speaker, author, and creator of Ojibwe Word of the Day, James Vukelich Kaagegaabaw, introduces young readers to the Ojibwe language using phrases that span throughout a day such as welcoming the morning, being grateful, and saying good night to the moon. Learn an ancient language and have fun doing it with Wisdom Weavers"-- Provided by publisher.
living ghosts and mischievous monsters by Dan SaSuWeh Jones
Thirty-two short stories chosen from the tradition of ghost stories from American Indian cultures across North America, featuring witches, walking dolls, hungry skeletons, skinwakers, and other supernatural beings.
finding my dance by Ria Thundercloud
"In her debut picture book, professional Indigenous dancer Ria Thundercloud tells the true story of her path to dance and how it helped her take pride in her Native American heritage"-- Provided by publisher.
ancestor approved by Cynthia Leitich Smith
"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." -- Publisher's description.
classified by Traci Sorell
"Mary Golda Ross designed classified projects for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation as the company's first female engineer. Find out how her passion for math and the Cherokee values she was raised with shaped her life and work"-- Provided by publisher.
native american stories for kids by T. F. Pecore Weso
"Native Americans have a long tradition of storytelling. Now, you can easily introduce your children to these rich cultures with a compilation of powerful tales from multiple tribes like the Cheyenne and the Lenape. What sets this book apart from other Native American books for kids: Tales from 12 tribes--Kids will embark on a literary adventure with 12 stories from tribes around America, exploring lore about how the mountain Denali formed, why the North Star stays still, and more; Tribal history--Every story ends with a brief historical sketch of the tribe, providing context and offering a glimpse into their way of life and their traditions; Fun facts--The learning doesn't stop with the stories; a collection of fascinating facts, suggestions for additional reading, and a glossary of important words give kids a deeper understanding and appreciation. Spark excitement in Native American history and culture with enchanting stories from tribes across the continent"--Amazon.com.
contenders by Traci Sorell
"The true story of John Meyers and Charles Bender, who in 1911 became the first two Native American pro baseball players to face off in a World Series, teaches important lessons about resilience, doing what you love in the face of injustice, and the fight for Native American representation in sports"-- Provided by publisher.
the first woman cherokee chief by Patricia Morris Buckley
"The story of how Wilma Pearl Mankiller challenged gender norms introduced by settlers and become the first woman Cherokee Chief" -- Provided by publisher.
i am osage by Kim Rogers
"A biographical picture book about Clarence Tinker, a member of the Osage Nation, who endured abuse growing up at the hands of a boarding school and went on to serve in the United States Air Force in World War II"-- Provided by publisher.
coming home by Mavasta Honyouti
"From master Hopi woodcarver Mavasta Honyouti, the story of his grandfather's experience at a residential boarding school and how he returned home to pass their traditions down to future generations. When Mavasta Honyouti was a boy he would go with his grandfather to their cornfield, watching him nurture every plant. During breaks, his grandfather would take out a piece of paako root and use his pocketknife to whittle away. He made beautiful carvings that Mavasta would later learn to do himself. But Mavasta would often wonder: what was his kwa'a like when he was a boy? And one day, he heard the story. Mavasta's grandfather, like many Native American children across the country in the late 19th and early 20th century, was forced to leave his Hopi reservation as a child and go to a residential boarding school far away. There, the government cut his hair, punished him for speaking his native language, and gave him a new name. But Mavasta's grandfather never forgot who he was - or where he came from - and he tried to escape again and again. Finally, he made it back to their reservation. In later years, Mavasta's kwa'a chose a simple life, taking great care of his family just like he took great care of his plants. His son and later his grandson became acclaimed Hopi katsina woodcarvers, just like him. Coming Home: A Hopi Resistance Story is a deeply personal book - written in both English and Hopi - that features sixteen stunning original painted wood carvings. It is an unforgettable testament to one man rising above a painful piece of history to keep the light of his family and culture alive"-- Amazon.
molly's awesome alaska guide
"In Molly's Awesome Alaska Guide, Molly shares all about her life in Qyah, Alaska. In this colorful paperback, written by Molly herself, you can meet her family and friends, explore Molly's community, learn about her Alaska Native culture, and check out all the cool things there are to do in Alaska. From dog sledding in the wintertime to berry picking in the summer, there's always a new adventure around the corner."
sharice's big voice by Sharice Davids
"This inspiring picture book autobiography tells the remarkable story of Sharice Davids, one of the first Native American women elected to Congress and the first LGBTQ congressperson to represent Kansas."--Provided by publisher.
how raven got his crooked nose by Barbara J. Atwater
"Chulyen, a trickster raven, loses his nose in an embarrassing incident, but vows to get it back. With the help of magic powers, Chulyen devises a caper to retrieve his missing nose, and learns an important lesson along the way." -- Provided by publisher.
keepunumuk by Danielle Greendeer
The Thanksgiving story that most Americans know celebrates the Pilgrims. But without members of the Wampanoag tribe who already lived on the land where the Pilgrims settled, the Pilgrims would never have made it through their first winter. And without Weeâchumun (corn), the Native people wouldn't have helped. An important picture book honoring both the history and tradition that surrounds the story of the first Thanksgiving--Amazon.com.
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