Books, comics, and podcasts offer opportunities to connect with Native American and Indigenous voices, from stories rooted in tradition to those celebrating contemporary life.
This November, introduce your readers to authors, artists, and storytellers with plenty to share. Explore author spotlights, book recommendations for all ages, Comics Plus® picks, and podcasts that invite your community to discover Indigenous histories, cultures, and experiences during this month and all year long.
Discover Award-Winning Indigenous Authors
Native American and Indigenous authors have significantly impacted literature, with many recognized by prestigious literary awards for their contributions to children's and young adult literature. Here are a few award-winning authors whose works deserve a special spotlight:
- Louise Erdrich (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa)
Erdrich, winner of the National Book Award for The Round House, is a prolific author whose works often focus on Native American identity, family, and community. Her storytelling, steeped in Ojibwe traditions, has earned her numerous accolades, including the Pulitzer Prize for The Night Watchman. - Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee Creek Nation)
Smith is the 2021 NSK Neustadt Prize for Children's Literature laureate and has received multiple honors for her middle-grade books, including Ancestor Approved and Indian Shoes. Her work often features Native characters and celebrates the beauty and resilience of Indigenous cultures. - Joy Harjo (Muscogee Creek Nation)
Harjo, the first Native American U.S. Poet Laureate, has won numerous awards, including the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize and the Academy of American Poets Wallace Stevens Award. Her poetry collections, such as An American Sunrise, blend Indigenous history, spirituality, and contemporary experiences. - Carole Lindstrom (Anishinaabe)
Lindstrom won the Caldecott Medal for We Are Water Protectors, a poetic tribute to the movement against environmental destruction led by Native peoples. The book's compelling narrative about activism and stewardship of the earth has resonated widely, making it a favorite among educators. - Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation)
Sorell’s We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga was a Sibert Honor Book and also received a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor. This vibrant picture book introduces children to Cherokee culture and the importance of gratitude, with rich illustrations that celebrate community.
Reading Recommendations for All Ages
As we celebrate Native American and Indigenous Heritage Month, reading is one way to honor the powerful narratives and histories passed down through generations. Stories offer a lens through which we can better understand the richness and diversity of Indigenous experiences.
Children’s Books
Books for young readers help introduce Native American stories early on, offering a window into traditions, cultures, and history in ways that resonate with children.
- We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom (Anishinaabe)
This Caldecott Medal-winning book tells the story of a young girl standing up for her community’s water rights, weaving in themes of activism and environmentalism through beautiful illustrations. - Buffalo Dreamer by Violet Duncan (Kehewin Cree Nation)
A story about reclaiming the past, Buffalo Dreamer dives into the dreams that Summer has while visiting family on a reservation in Alberta, Canada, and the harrowing history Native families in the area experienced at a residential school. When she learns her grandfather was one of the children who attended the school as a child, she joins the community’s rally against the painful past that had remained unspoken until now. - Bowwow Powwow by Brenda J. Child (Red Lake Ojibwe)
A vibrant story about a young girl attending a powwow with her dog, this book celebrates traditions, community gatherings, and Native joy.
Middle Grade
For middle-grade readers, the following selections explore identity, culture, and history, engaging young minds with the Indigenous experience.
- Raven, Rising by Christine Hartman Derr (Cherokee Nation)
This is a coming-of-age story about 13-year-old Raven Miller, a Cherokee girl who has recently lost her parents in a terrible accident and must move to Bear Creek Falls to live with her aunt. The tragic loss spurs her magical abilities in the kitchen as she tries to make friends in her new town. - Weird Rules by Kim Spencer (Ts’msyen Nation)
This novel is set in a British Columbia fishing village in the 1980s, where tweens Mia and Lara are neighbors and best friends. While Mia lives a humble, less affluent life with her Indigenous family, Lara has a very middle-class, non-Indigenous lifestyle with her parents and brother—a difference that Mia begins to notice more in how adults treat her compared to Lara. - Healer of the Water Monster by Brian Young (Navajo)
Blending Navajo mythology with modern-day life, this coming-of-age story follows a boy on a spiritual journey that teaches him the importance of community, family, and cultural heritage.
Young Adult
This list of young adult fiction features Indigenous protagonists and explores themes of identity, resistance, and reconnection with heritage.
- Sisters in the Wild by Angeline Boulley (Ojibwe)
A young adult thriller about a foster teen named Lucy Smith who discovers her Ojibwe heritage, following the death of her biological father. - A Broken Blade: The Halfling Saga by Melissa Blair (Anishinaabekwe)
A young adult fantasy novel about a talented spy and assassin named Keera. Ordered to track down her king’s adversary, Keera ventures into a magical land where truths are revealed and she must make a decision on who her true enemy is. - Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger (Lipan Apache)
A supernatural mystery follows a young Lipan Apache girl with the power to raise the ghosts of dead animals. The novel blends Indigenous traditions with a modern-day fantasy setting.
Adult
Indigenous adult literature often spans various genres, from poetry to speculative fiction, with storytelling as a powerful tool for cultural preservation and resistance.
- Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko (Laguna Pueblo)
This novel follows the story of a battered veteran, Tayo, as he returns home to heal his mind and spirit at the Laguna Pueblo Reservation. - House Made of Dawn by N. Scott Momaday (Kiowa)
Set on a reservation, this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel deals with a young Native American named Abel and his return home from war to modern, industrial America. - Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse (Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo)
A fantasy novel inspired by the pre-Columbian cultures of the Americas, Black Sun offers a gripping, richly imagined world with deep cultural roots in Indigenous history
Comics & Manga Spotlight on Comics Plus
Comics PlusⓇ allows your readers to explore thousands of titles for Native American and Indigenous Heritage Month. From comics and picture books to manga and graphic novels, there’s something for every age group to explore and learn from the wisdom, resilience, and traditions of Native American and Indigenous communities. Here are a few selections from our growing list, Indigenous Voices.
Children:
- Who Am I? by Julie Buchhotlz and Aliya Ghare (Cherry Lake)
A young girl’s question sparks a gentle conversation with her mother about identity and belonging. This picture book celebrates the connections between people, the natural world, and the place each of us holds within it. - Navajo Code Talkers: Top Secret Messengers of World War II by Blake Hoena and Marcel P. Massegu (Capstone)
Discover how Navajo soldiers used their language to create a military code that enemies couldn’t crack. This graphic nonfiction title introduces readers to the ingenuity, courage, and contributions of the Navajo Code Talkers during World War II.
Teen:
- The Woman in the Woods and Other North American Stories by Alina Pete, Kate Ashwin, Kel McDonald, Elijah Forbes, Izzy Roberts, and various artists (Iron Circus)
Meet clever tricksters, mysterious spirits, and other unforgettable characters in this collection of Indigenous folktales retold through comics. With stories from communities across North America, the anthology offers plenty of adventure and a few chills along the way. - Redbone: The True Story of a Native American Rock Band by Christian Staebler, Sonia Paoloni, and Thibault Balahy (IDW)
Go beyond “Come and Get Your Love” to discover the story of Native American rock pioneers Redbone. This graphic biography follows brothers Pat and Lolly Vegas as they navigate musical success, cultural identity, and the fight for Native American civil rights.
Young Adult:
- Indiginerds: Tales of Modern Indigenous Life by Alina Pete, Asia Wiseley, Biance Em Matson, Idea Aronson, and various artists (Iron Circus)
Gaming, fandom, music, and Indigenous cultures come together in this lively comics anthology from an all-Indigenous creative team. Eleven stories celebrate contemporary Indigenous life and the many ways people connect through the things they love.
- Yucatan 1512 by Alex Vede (Dark Horse)
When a Spanish soldier defies his commander to protect an Indigenous child, their search for safety becomes a desperate flight through the jungle. This dark historical fantasy weaves colonial violence, vengeance, and supernatural forces into a tense adventure.
Listening to Native Voices
Beyond the pages of books, podcasts provide another rich avenue for hearing from Native storytellers, activists, and leaders. These shows amplify Indigenous perspectives, exploring everything from cultural traditions to current social issues. Whether you want to expand your understanding of Native American history or engage with contemporary conversations about identity and sovereignty, tuning into these podcasts will offer insight and inspiration.
- All My Relations: Hosted by Matika Wilbur (Swinomish and Tulalip) and Adrienne Keene (Cherokee Nation), this podcast explores relationships between Indigenous peoples, their cultures, and the broader world. Each episode delves into topics like land, language, and Native representation in media.
- Toasted Sister Podcast: Hosted by Andi Murphy (Diné), this podcast focuses on Native American foodways. It highlights the cultural significance of food and the modern Indigenous food movement, with interviews from chefs, farmers, and food advocates.
- The Red Nation Podcast: Focuses on Indigenous resistance, history, and current events. It features in-depth discussions on decolonization, Indigenous sovereignty, and activism.
These podcasts and literary works provide meaningful ways to engage with Native stories, perspectives, and voices during Native American and Indigenous Heritage Month and beyond.
Keep Reading
Celebrating Native American and Indigenous Heritage Month through literature allows us to explore diverse perspectives and amplify the voices of Indigenous authors. Whether for children or adults, these stories deepen our understanding of Native cultures and create spaces for reflection, connection, and appreciation.
Contact our team today to discover how your library or school can join the Native American and Indigenous Heritage Month or explore thousands of other exciting challenges!
