Preschool
When We Were Alone
by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Julie Flett
A young girl notices things about her grandmother that make her curious. Why does her grandmother have long, braided hair and beautifully colored clothing? Why does she speak Cree and spend so much time with her family? As the girl asks questions, her grandmother shares her experiences in a residential school, when all these things were taken away.
Chooch Helped
by Andrea L. Rogers, illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz
Big Sister Sissy is trying to be patient with younger brother Chooch, who is always “helping” with everything, even when it leads to chaos. Through tender moments, the story highlights the universal experience of welcoming a new child into the family, while showcasing Cherokee cultural traditions with beautiful illustrations and heartfelt storytelling.
Primary (Kindergarten – Grade 2)
My Powerful Hair
by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Steph Littlebird
Our ancestors say our hair is our memories,
our source of strength and power,
a celebration of our lives.
Mom never had long hair – she was told it was too wild. Grandma couldn’t have long hair – hers was taken from her. But one young girl can’t wait to grow her hair long: for herself, for her family, for her connection to her culture and the Earth, and to honor the strength and resilience of those who came before her.
From Carole Lindstrom, author of the New York Times bestseller and Caldecott Medal winner We Are Water Protectors, and debut illustrator Steph Littlebird comes an empowering and healing celebration of hair and its significance across Indigenous cultures.
Rock Your Mocs
by Laurel Goodluck, illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight
We’re stepping out
and kicking it up.
Wearing beauty on their feet –
as art, as tradition,
with style, with pride –
kids from different Native Nations know
every day is a day to ROCK YOUR MOCS!
This book features information about Rock Your Mocs day, for readers curious to learn more about intertribal pride and the joy found in different Native identities.
Intermediate (Grades 3 – 5)
Heroes of the Water Monster
by Brian Young
Edward feels ready to move in with his dad’s girlfriend and her son, Nathan. He might miss having his dad all to himself, but even if things in their new home are a little awkward, living with Nathan isn’t so bad. And Nathan is glad to have found a new guardian for Dew, the young water monster who has been Nathan's responsibility for two years. Now that Nathan is starting to lose his childhood connection to the Holy Beings, Edward will be the one to take over as Dew’s next guardian.
But Edward has a lot to learn about taking care of a water monster. And fast. Because Dew’s big sister, the powerful Yitoo Bii’aanii, is coming up to Fourth World to instruct Dew after recovering in the Third World for 160 years. She suspects a monstrous and enormous Enemy from the Hero Twins stories has returned and is stealing water from all the Navajo Nation.
Lucha Libre: The Man in the Silver Mask
by Xavier Garza
Young Carlitos attends his first lucha libre match in Mexico City. Ringside, he's mesmerized by the famous Man in the Silver Mask, whose familiar eyes even smile at him. As the hero triumphs over the evil rudos (bad guys), Carlitos becomes a lifelong fan of the masked wrestler.
Middle School (Grades 6 – 8)
Clairboyance
by Kristiana Kahakauwila
After accidentally wishing on a family heirloom to hear what boys are thinking, Clara wakes up the next day able to do just that. Every idea, every worry, every generous or petty thought crossing their minds—somehow, they now form a chorus of voices in hers.
But why couldn’t her newfound powers have arrived sooner? Then, maybe, she could have stopped her ex–best friend Leo from betraying her and ditching her for the more popular kids. At least her dad is open to the idea of moving her off O‘ahu and out to Arizona to be with him.
If Clara can use what she hears to solve her problems, then her powers might just be able to make up for lost time – but instead, she ends up making a bigger mess of everything. While scrambling to fix her mistakes, Clara must question old friendships, enter new ones, and try to figure out what makes a home, and if she is willing to leave hers behind.
Four Eyes: A Graphic Novel
by Rex Ogle and Dave Valeza
Sixth grade isn't as great as Rex thought it would be. He's the only kid who hasn't had a growth spurt, and the bullies won't let him forget it. His closest friend is unreliable, at best. And there's a cute girl in his class, who may or may not like him back. With so much going on, everything is a blur – including Rex's vision! So, when he discovers that he needs glasses, and his family can only afford the ugliest pair in the store, any hope Rex had of fitting in goes completely out of focus.
High School (Grades 9 – 12)
Looking for Smoke
K.A. Cobell
When local girl Loren includes Mara in a traditional Blackfeet Giveaway to honor Loren’s missing sister, Mara thinks she’ll finally make some friends on the Blackfeet reservation.
Instead, a girl from the Giveaway, Samantha White Tail, is found murdered.
Because the four members of the Giveaway group were the last to see Samantha alive, each becomes a person of interest in the investigation. And all of them—Mara, Loren, Brody, and Eli – have a complicated history with Samantha.
Despite deep mistrust, the four must now take matters into their own hands and clear their names. Even though one of them may be the murderer.
Rosa by Any Other Name
by Hailey Alcaraz
Rosa Capistrano has been attending posh North Phoenix High School to boost her chances of a college education and a career in journalism, thanks to the groundbreaking Brown v. Board of Education verdict for desegregation. But though she’s legally allowed to be there, it’s still unsafe for Mexican Americans. That’s why she’s secretly passing as Rosie, a white girl. All she must do to secure her future is make sure her Mexican home life and her white school experience never intersect.
However, Rosa’s two worlds collide when her best friend Ramon and classmate Julianne meet and find themselves entangled in a star-crossed romance. Rosa is terrified about what their relationship could mean for her and them . . . and her worst fears are soon realized in an unspeakable tragedy. Rosa is thrown into the center of a town-wide scandal, and her true identity is put in the spotlight. With the help of Marco, Ramon's brooding and volatile brother whose passion ignites hers, Rosa must choose what is more important to her—protecting her fragile future or risking everything to help her friends find justice.
Books in Spanish
Dónde los árboles cantan (Grades 9-12)
por Laura Gallego García
Viana, hija del duque de Rocagrís, está comprometida con Robian, a quien ama profundamente. Pero su mundo cambia cuando él y su padre parten a la guerra contra los bárbaros. Mientras espera su regreso, Viana descubre antiguas leyendas sobre el misterioso Gran Bosque, donde los árboles cantan. Así comienza una aventura que la llevará a desafiar su destino y a encontrar su verdadera fuerza.
Viana, daughter of the Duke of Rocagrís, is engaged to Robian, whom she deeply loves. But her world changes when she and her father leave for war against the barbarians. As she waits for their return, Viana uncovers ancient legends about the mysterious Great Forest, where the trees sing. Thus begins an adventure that will lead her to defy her destiny and discover her true strength.