The Barren Grounds

David A. Robertson

After being taken away from their families and communities, Morgan and Eli, two First Nations children, are sent to the same foster home in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Struggling to adapt to this new life, the two find solace in the attic, away from their foster parents. One day, a magical portal opens on the attic wall, transporting Morgan and Eli to a world called Askí. In this frozen landscape, they meet Ochek, an animal-like hunter trying to save his starving community, Misewa. In the quest for food, Morgan, Eli, and Ochek embark on a dangerous mission, racing against the icy grip of winter. Inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia and Indigenous legends of the sky and stars, The Barren Grounds deserves a place on any middle-grade fantasy shelf.

Race to the Sun

Rebecca Roanhorse

Seventh grader Nizhoni Begay has a unique ability: She can see monsters, including the creature posing as her dad’s new boss, Mr. Charles. So when her dad goes missing, Nizhoni knows exactly who to blame. Together with her brother, Mac, and her friend Davery, Nizhoni sets out on a journey across Dinétah, the traditional Navajo homeland, to rescue her dad. But before they can defeat Mr. Charles, the trio must first prove themselves worthy of fighting the monster by completing a series of trials and reaching the legendary House of the Sun.

How I Became a Ghost

Tim Tingle

In 1830, after his family is uprooted from their homeland and forced to march along the Trail of Tears, a young Choctaw boy named Isaac begins seeing visions of people’s deaths, including his own. During the journey, Isaac encounters ghosts of the people from his village, who guide him until he, too, joins their ranks. As a ghost, Isaac bands together with fellow spirits to rescue a teenage girl imprisoned by soldiers. Woven together with Choctaw language and folktales, this moving narrative is both an informative and engaging read for middle-grade students.

Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two

Joseph Bruchac

In this work of historical fiction, Joseph Bruchac explores the story of the Navajo code talkers, members of the US military who played a key role during World War II. Although speaking Navajo is forbidden at his boarding school, teenager Ned Begay vows to never forget his native language. His resolve leads him to join the Marines as a code talker, a soldier tasked with sending and decoding secret messages using the Navajo language. Well-researched and action-packed, Code Talker will captivate your students and show them the importance of identity and culture.

The Marrow Thieves

Cherie Dimaline

In Cherie Dimaline’s dystopian world, people have lost the ability to dream—and it’s believed the Indigenous people of North America carry the cure within their bones. To save both their lives and their cultural history, Frenchie and his companions must journey north to safety, avoiding those who seek to harvest their marrow on the way. Winner of the 2017 Kirkus Prize for Young Readers' Literature, this futuristic story of survival comments on the true impact of colonialism and systemic racism Indigenous peoples in Canada still experience today.

An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States for Young People

Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, adapted by Debbie Reese and Jean Mendoza

Adapted from Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz’s original academic work by Dr. Debbie Reese (an enrolled member of the Nambé Pueblo nation) and Dr. Jean Mendoza, this nonfiction book details the history of Indigenous peoples’ fight against imperialism. Starting with pre-colonial times and ending with modern-day resistance movements, including the Standing Rock protests, the book covers key moments in history from the perspective of North America’s Indigenous nations. Archival images, discussion topics, and reading recommendations throughout will keep students engaged and encourage critical thinking.

Lakota Woman

Mary Brave Bird

In this memoir, Mary Crow Dog (now Mary Brave Bird) recounts her experiences coming of age during the tribal pride movement of the sixties and seventies, starting with her childhood living in poverty on a reservation. The deplorable treatment she encountered at boarding school drove her to join the American Indian Movement, eventually participating in the 1973 occupation of the Wounded Knee Reservation. A remarkable personal tale of a world that is invisible to many in the United States, this is a fantastic nonfiction title that has been rediscovered by many teachers over the last few years.

There There

Tommy Orange

The untold story of urban Native Americans is brought to life in this groundbreaking story of twelve people who attend the Big Oakland Pow Wow. They each have a different relationship with their individual native backgrounds, but they all have been shaped by a hardship that goes back generations. Winner of the 2019 PEN/Hemingway Award, this book will speak to students who feel powerless in the face of the invisible forces that influence their lives.

The Night Watchman

Louise Erdrich

Inspired by her grandfather’s fight against Native dispossession in the 1950s, Louise Erdrich shares a story of resilience in this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. The Turtle Mountain Reservation is home to Thomas, a night watchman at a local factory, and his niece Patrice. A member of the Chippewa Council, Thomas opposes a new bill that, if passed, would end federal recognition of Native American tribes. Patrice, concerned about her sister Vera’s wellbeing, makes a dangerous trip to Minnesota that exposes her to humanity’s darker side. Through their respective struggles, Thomas and Patrice learn important lessons on ambition, courage, and love.

Ceremony

Leslie Marmon Silko

Winner of the 1980 American Book Award, this poignant novel quickly immerses students in the world of Tayo, a young veteran of Pueblo descent. Haunted by his experiences during World War II, Tayo returns to the Laguna Pueblo Reservation only to fall into self-destructive behaviors. In his quest for healing, Tayo seeks help from his grandmother, who calls on Betonie, a Navajo medicine man. With Betonie’s guidance, Tayo embarks on a journey to complete a traditional ceremony, finding peace and purpose in the process.