Native American Children's Literature

Text: Bruchac, J. (1997). Thirteen moons on turtle’s back. New York, NY: Puffin Books.

Synopsis: Joseph Bruchac's Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back celebrates the seasons of the year through poems from the legends of such Native American tribes as the Cherokee, Cree, and Sioux.

Author Information: Joseph Bruchac is a highly acclaimed Abenaki children's book author, poet, novelist and storyteller, as well as a scholar of Native American culture. Coauthor with Michael Caduto of the bestselling Keepers of the Earth series, Bruchac's poems, articles and stories have appeared in over 500 publications, from Akwesasne Notes and American Poetry Review to National Geographic and Parabola. He has authored more than 50 books for adults and children.

Genre: Folktale, Poetry

Interest Level: 3-5

Reading Level: Fifth grade

Text: Bruchac, J. (1998). Children of the long house. New York, NY: Puffin Books.

Synopsis: When Ohkwa'ri overhears a group of older boys planning a raid on a neighboring village, he immediately tells his Mohawk elders. He has done the right thing -- but he has also made enemies. Grabber and his friends will do anything they can to hurt him, especially during the village-wide game of Tekwaarathon (lacrosse). Ohkwa'ri believes in the path of peace, but can peaceful ways work against Grabber's wrath?

Author Information: Joseph Bruchac is a highly acclaimed Abenaki children's book author, poet, novelist and storyteller, as well as a scholar of Native American culture. Coauthor with Michael Caduto of the bestselling Keepers of the Earth series, Bruchac's poems, articles and stories have appeared in over 500 publications, from Akwesasne Notes and American Poetry Review to National Geographic and Parabola. He has authored more than 50 books for adults and children.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Interest Level: 3-5

Reading Level: Fourth grade

Text: Bruchac, J. (2007). Squanto’s journey: The story of the first thanksgiving. Boston, MA: HMH Books for Young Readers.

Synopsis: When the Mayflower landed on the shores inhabited by the Wampanoag people in 1620, Squanto welcomed the newcomers and taught them how to survive the rugged land called Plymouth. After showing them how to plant and harvest crops, the colonists and Squanto's people feasted together.

Author Information: Joseph Bruchac is a highly acclaimed Abenaki children's book author, poet, novelist and storyteller, as well as a scholar of Native American culture. Coauthor with Michael Caduto of the bestselling Keepers of the Earth series, Bruchac's poems, articles and stories have appeared in over 500 publications, from Akwesasne Notes and American Poetry Review to National Geographic and Parabola. He has authored more than 50 books for adults and children.

Genre: Biography

Interest Level: 3-5

Reading Level: Third grade

Text: Bruchac, J. (2014). On this long journey: The journal of jesse smoke, a cherokee boy, trail of tears, 1838. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.

Synopsis:

Author Information: Joseph Bruchac is a highly acclaimed Abenaki children's book author, poet, novelist and storyteller, as well as a scholar of Native American culture. Coauthor with Michael Caduto of the bestselling Keepers of the Earth series, Bruchac's poems, articles and stories have appeared in over 500 publications, from Akwesasne Notes and American Poetry Review to National Geographic and Parabola. He has authored more than 50 books for adults and children.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Interest Level: 3-7

Reading Level: Fifth grade

Text: Bruchac, J. (1998). A boy called slow. New York, NY: Puffin Books.

Synopsis: During the winter of 1831, a boy was born into a family of Sioux. As was the custom, he was given a name that came from his actions — Slow.

Anxious to be given a name as strong and brave as that of his father, the proud Lakota Sioux grows into manhood, acting with careful deliberation, determination, and bravery, which eventually earned him his proud new name — Sitting Bull.

Honors: An ALA Notable Book

Author Information: Joseph Bruchac is a highly acclaimed Abenaki children's book author, poet, novelist and storyteller, as well as a scholar of Native American culture. Coauthor with Michael Caduto of the bestselling Keepers of the Earth series, Bruchac's poems, articles and stories have appeared in over 500 publications, from Akwesasne Notes and American Poetry Review to National Geographic and Parabola. He has authored more than 50 books for adults and children.

Genre: Biography

Interest Level: K-2

Reading Level: Fourth grade

Text: Begay, S. (1988). The mud pony. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.

Synopsis: There was once a poor boy in an Indian camp who longed for a pony more than anything. So he dug the wet earth and shaped a pony out of mud. He loved his mud pony and took care of it as though it were real. One day, when his village broke camp for a buffalo hunt, the boy was left behind. "My people!" he cried out. "I will never find you! I am all alone!" That night he dreamed that his pony was alive and speaking to him.

"You are not alone," the pony said. "Mother Earth has given me to you." And when he awoke, remarkably, his mud pony had indeed come to life.

Caron Lee Cohen's poignant text is spare, yet is as rich as the earth with meaning. And Shonto Begay's accompanying art conveys all of the spirit and wonder of this ancient American classic of faith and courage.

Author Information: Shonto Begay is a children's illustrator and author. He is a Navaho, born in Shonto, Arizona.

Genre: Legend

Interest Level: 3-5

Reading Level: Third grade

Text: Ashrose, C. (1993). The very first americans. New York, NY: Grosset & Dunlap.

Synopsis: Some of the very first Americans were whale hunters along the northwest coast. Others ate salmon or hunted woodland animals. Some tribes carved tall totem poles and others lived in chickees, houses with a roof of palm leaves.

Author Information: No information found.

Genre: Nonfiction

Interest Level: Preschool-3^rd grade

Reading Level: Third grade

Text: Martin, R. (1992). The rough-face girl. New York, NY: Putnam & Grosset Group.

Synopsis: In this Algonquin Indian version of the Cinderella story, the Rough-Face Girl and her two beautiful but heartless sisters compete for the affections of the Invisible Being.

Author Information: Rafe is the author of over 20 books translated into many languages. He is an author and storyteller and speaks at many schools, libraries, festivals, and conferences in many different states. He offers writing and storytelling professional development workshops. He holds a Master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Toronto. He was born in New York City.

Genre: Folk Tale/Legend

Interest Level: 3-5 grade

Reading Level: Fifth grade

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Yolen, J. (1992). Encounter. New York, NY: Voyager Books.

Synopsis: A Taino Indian boy on the island of San Salvador recounts the landing of Columbus and his men in 1492.

Author Information: Jane Yolen has written over 200 texts. She is a writer of children’s literature, poetry, and songs.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Interest Level: Grades 3-5

Reading Level: Fourth grade