Celebrate Native American Heritage: Books for Kids & Teens

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with us and check out these book recommendations for kids and teens by Brightly. Find these books by clicking on the titles below or by browsing the Library catalog. Native American Heritage Month is celebrated November 1-30 of each year! According to the Native American Heritage Month website, the month-long celebration started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., which has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose. Read more about the history of Native American Heritage Month.

Like all stories, Native stories are not a single story of defeat, bows and arrows, or of “the past.” They include stories of joy, of cultural pride, of meeting everyday challenges, fun, and celebrations of family and friendship. – Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, Brightly.com

Kids

“First Laugh – Welcome, Baby!” by Rose Ann Tahe, Nancy Bo Flood, and Jonathan Nelson
“Rabbit’s Snow Dance” by Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac, illustrated by Jeff

“Rainbow Crow” by Nancy Van Laan, illustrated by Beatriz Vidal
“We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga” by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Frané Lessac

“The Water Lady” by Alice B. McGinty, illustrated by Shonto Begay
“At the Mountain’s Base” by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Weshoyot Alvitre

“Tallchief: America’s Prima Ballerina” by Maria Tallchief with Rosemary Wells, illustrated by Gary Kelley
“Go Show the World” by Wab Kinew, illustrated by Joe Morse
“Priscilla and the Hollyhocks” by Anne Broyles, illustrated by Anna Alter

Middle Grade

“She Persisted: Maria Tallchief” by Christine Day and Chelsea Clinton, illustrated by Alexandra
“The Whale Child” by Keith Egawa and Chenoa Egawa, supplement by Jessica Hernandez