When it comes to literature, teaching the classics is important. But it's a good idea to add contemporary titles to your curriculum, too, especially if your students sometimes have trouble connecting with older texts.
That’s why we created the Discovering Literature collection, a curated selection of noteworthy books that are capturing the attention of teachers and students across the country.
In the United States, November is National Native American Heritage Month, a celebration of the contributions and cultures of America’s Indigenous peoples. In honor of this occasion, this month’s Discovering Literature Digest showcases four fantastic books featuring Indigenous characters and history. Ranging in subject matter, both fiction and nonfiction, these books are sure to capture students’ attention.
Race to the Sun
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.
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How I Became a Ghost
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.
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The Night Watchman
Inspired by her grandfather’s fight against Native dispossession in the 1950s, Louise Erdich 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.
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An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States for Young People
Adapted from Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz’s original academic work, 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.
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Find even more exciting books in the Discovering Literature collection!