Top Native American Children's Literature

The best Children's Native American Books includes Code Talker: Navajo Marines in WWII, The Sign of the Beaver [Paperback], We Are Water Protectors [Caldecott Winner] and many others as mentioned below.

1

Code Talker: Navajo Marines in WWII

  • Honors Navajo Marines' bravery in World War II.
  • Highlights the unique Navajo language as a code.
  • Features the journey of Ned Begay, a code talker.
  • Inspires readers with true stories of resilience.
  • Awarded as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults.
  • Accurate portrayal of Navajo culture and history.
  • Engaging narrative combines adventure with historical facts.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $5.99
2

The Sign of the Beaver [Paperback]

  • A gripping Newbery Honor Award-winning tale.
  • Set in 18th-century Maine wilderness.
  • A thirteen-year-old boy's survival journey.
  • Explores Native American and settler relationships.
  • Includes introduction by Joseph Bruchac.
  • Teaches cultural understanding and respect.
  • Perfect for young readers and educators.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $6.99
3

We Are Water Protectors [Caldecott Winner]

  • Celebrated Caldecott Medal winning picture book.
  • Powerful message about protecting Earth's water resources.
  • Illustrated by acclaimed artist Michaela Goade.
  • Inspired by Indigenous-led movements worldwide.
  • Encourages young readers to join environmental activism.
  • Companion book features real-life water protector Autumn Peltier.
  • Beautifully illustrates the importance of water conservation.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $9.71
4

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Tradition (Hardcover)

  • Award-winning children's picture book.
  • Evocative portrayal of Native American family life.
  • Celebrates tradition and modernity through fry bread.
  • Lively verse by debut author Kevin Noble Maillard.
  • Vibrantly illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal.
  • Brings families together through shared meals.
  • Recognized by numerous prestigious literary awards.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $11.40
5

Chooch Helped Andrea L. Rogers [Caldecott Winner]

  • Caldecott Medal Winner and Kirkus Best Book 2024.
  • Heartwarming sibling story about cultural traditions.
  • Beautiful collage illustrations from debut artist Rebecca Lee Kunz.
  • Teaches acceptance and understanding between siblings.
  • Perfect for families welcoming a new sibling.
  • Celebrates Cherokee family heritage and traditions beautifully.
  • Engaging narrative that resonates with young readers.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $19.99
6

Native American Stories for Kids [12 Tales]

  • 12 captivating Native American tales for children.
  • Stories from diverse tribes across North America.
  • Engaging narratives for ages 6 to 9.
  • Includes historical sketches of each tribe.
  • Fun facts and additional reading suggestions included.
  • Enhances understanding of Native American culture.
  • Encourages appreciation for rich storytelling traditions.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $7.04
7

Killers Flower Moon Adapted Readers eBook

  • Young reader edition of a gripping true story.
  • Explores the Osage murders and FBI's involvement.
  • Highlights shocking crimes against Native Americans.
  • Written by acclaimed author David Grann.
  • Engaging narrative for young readers.
  • Educational insights into U.S. history's dark chapters.
  • Addresses themes of prejudice and injustice.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $1.99
8

Trail Tears Step Into Reading Level 5

  • Engaging story about the Cherokee Nation's journey.
  • Features chief John Ross and his leadership.
  • Illustrates themes of friendship, war, and betrayal.
  • Designed for early readers transitioning to chapter books.
  • Colorful illustrations enhance the reading experience.
  • Step 5 Readers for confident, developing readers.
  • Captivating narrative encourages love for history and reading.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $4.50
9

Indigenous Peoples' History for Young Readers

  • Engaging history for young readers.
  • Recognized by prestigious literary organizations.
  • Explores Indigenous resilience and resistance.
  • Adapts academic content for middle-grade audiences.
  • Includes discussion topics and archival images.
  • Encourages critical thinking about history.
  • Offers recommendations for further reading.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $9.88
10

I Sang You Down from the Stars

  • New York Times bestseller celebrated for its beauty.
  • Features stunning illustrations by Michaela Goade.
  • Celebrates love and connection between mother and child.
  • Incorporates Native cultural details and traditions.
  • Perfect gift for expecting mothers and newborns.
  • Encourages bonding through shared experiences and gifts.
  • Ideal addition to any baby's library collection.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $10.81
11

Berry Song by Michaela Goade [Caldecott Honor]

  • Caldecott Honor Book recognition for exceptional illustration.
  • Celebrates nature and indigenous wisdom through storytelling.
  • Michaela Goade's first self-authored picture book.
  • Explores seasonal connections with earth and community.
  • Features vibrant illustrations of land and berries.
  • Encourages children's appreciation for nature's gifts.
  • A joyful journey of family and tradition.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $11.63
12

Legend of the Bluebonnet by Tomie dePaola

  • Captivating story of courage and sacrifice.
  • Beautifully illustrated by renowned artist Tomie dePaola.
  • Teaches important lessons about nature and community.
  • Ideal for Native American cultural studies.
  • Engaging narrative for young readers.
  • Perfect gift for children and educators.
  • Encourages empathy and understanding of heritage.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $5.90
13

The Rough-Face Girl by Rafe Martin

  • Enchanting retelling of a classic fairy tale.
  • Inspired by Algonquin Indian folklore and traditions.
  • Features a strong, resilient female protagonist.
  • Explores themes of beauty and inner strength.
  • Illustrates the power of perseverance and courage.
  • Richly illustrated, captivating for all ages.
  • Perfect for fans of diverse storytelling.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $7.19
14

The Mishomis Book: Ojibway Wisdom Revealed

  • Documents Ojibway history and traditions.
  • Written by spiritual leader Edward Benton-Banai.
  • Explores Ojibway creation stories and legends.
  • Teaches about clan systems and family structure.
  • Highlights the Midewiwin religion's significance.
  • Encourages respect for all living things.
  • Aims to preserve knowledge for future generations.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $17.79
15

Walk Two Moons Audiobook [1 CD]

  • Newbery Medal winner Sharon Creech's captivating storytelling.
  • Two intertwined tales of love and loss.
  • Thirteen-year-old Salamanca's journey of self-discovery.
  • Engaging adventure from Ohio to Idaho.
  • Humor mixed with heartfelt moments throughout the narrative.
  • Explores complex human emotions and relationships.
  • Perfect for young adult and middle-grade readers.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $13.38
16

My Powerful Hair: A Children's Book

  • Empowering story about hair and identity.
  • Celebrates family history and cultural connections.
  • Illustrated by debut artist Steph Littlebird.
  • Written by award-winning author Carole Lindstrom.
  • Highlights resilience of Indigenous cultures.
  • Perfect for young readers seeking empowerment.
  • Inspires self-expression and celebration of heritage.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $11.22
17

Who Was Jim Thorpe? [Paperback Edition]

  • Discover the legacy of Jim Thorpe.
  • First Native American Olympic gold medalist.
  • Exciting addition to a best-selling series.
  • Excelled in football, baseball, and track.
  • Icon and trailblazer in sports history.
  • Born in Oklahoma, 1887.
  • Inspires future generations of athletes.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $4.39
18

The Year of Miss Agnes [Aladdin Edition]

  • Engaging story set in remote Alaska.
  • Features a unique and inspiring teacher, Miss Agnes.
  • Highlights the importance of creative learning.
  • Captivates young readers with relatable characters.
  • Explores themes of perseverance and hope.
  • Encourages a love for reading and education.
  • Ideal for fans of historical fiction.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $6.50
19

Indian No More (Paperback) by Charlene Willing McManis

  • Explores identity and heritage in changing times.
  • Winner of American Indian Youth Literature Award.
  • Based on author’s Umpqua tribal history.
  • Addresses racism and cultural displacement themes.
  • Regina’s journey from Oregon to Los Angeles.
  • Middle-grade novel for young readers.
  • Captivating storytelling with rich cultural insights.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $10.88
20

Two Roads by Joseph Bruchac [Paperback]

  • A compelling tale of identity and friendship.
  • Explores Native American heritage during the Great Depression.
  • Engaging first-person narration by twelve-year-old Cal Black.
  • Highlights the struggles of life on the road.
  • Introduces a government boarding school for Native Americans.
  • Encourages strength through friendship and community support.
  • Celebrated author Joseph Bruchac's noteworthy storytelling.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $5.69
21

Jingle Dancer by Cynthia L. Smith

  • New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith.
  • Lyrical text paired with warm watercolor illustrations.
  • Affirming story of a Native American girl.
  • Celebrates family and community traditions.
  • Engaging read-aloud for families and children.
  • Inspires interest in jingle dancing culture.
  • Supports We Need Diverse Books initiative.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $6.99
22

The Very First Americans [All Aboard Books]

  • Discover Native American history before Columbus.
  • Explore diverse tribes across North America.
  • Learn about traditional homes and lifestyles.
  • Understand their food sources and cooking methods.
  • Find out about their recreational activities.
  • See how they thrive today.
  • Engaging illustrations enhance learning experience.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $3.99
23

Two Roads Audiobook by Joseph Bruchac

  • A poignant tale of identity and heritage.
  • Set in the Great Depression era.
  • 12-year-old Cal discovers his Creek Indian roots.
  • Explores friendship and resilience among Native American youth.
  • Highlights the challenges of boarding school life.
  • Written by acclaimed author Joseph Bruchac.
  • Engaging audiobook for all ages.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $15.04
24

How I Became A Ghost: Choctaw Story

  • Compelling story of a Choctaw boy's journey.
  • Explores themes of loss and resilience.
  • Captivating historical narrative of the Trail of Tears.
  • Magical realism with a ghostly perspective.
  • First book in the intriguing series.
  • Rich cultural insights into Choctaw heritage.
  • A poignant tale of hope and healing.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $7.50
25

The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush Book

  • Stunning illustrations by renowned artist Tomie dePaola.
  • Captivating legend of the Indian Paintbrush flower.
  • Perfect for teaching children about cultural storytelling.
  • Vivid colors reflect the beauty of nature's art.
  • Inspires creativity and imagination in young readers.
  • Ideal gift for nature lovers and art enthusiasts.
  • A timeless tale celebrating dreams and artistic expression.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $7.19
26

Knots on a Counting Rope [Reading Rainbow]

  • Poignant story of a boy's confidence journey.
  • Illustrated by renowned artist Ted Rand.
  • Captivating narrative about overcoming blindness challenges.
  • Highlights themes of love, hope, and courage.
  • Engaging for children and adults alike.
  • Part of the acclaimed Reading Rainbow series.
  • Perfect for bedtime stories and family reading.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $8.42
27

Who Was Maria Tallchief? [Paperback]

  • Discover Maria Tallchief's inspiring life story.
  • Learn about America's first prima ballerina.
  • Illustrated sidebars enrich ballet's historical context.
  • Explore her Osage heritage and childhood experiences.
  • Supportive family helped shape her artistic journey.
  • Collaboration with George Balanchine defined her career.
  • Perfect for young readers passionate about dance.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $6.29
28

Remember: Poems by Joy Harjo [Paperback]

  • Illustrated by award-winning Michaela Goade.
  • Inspired by Joy Harjo's iconic poem "Remember."
  • Encourages reflection on family and heritage.
  • Celebrates the wonder of nature and connection.
  • Timeless message for young readers to cherish.
  • Features vibrant, engaging illustrations for easy understanding.
  • A recognized literary work with multiple awards.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $11.09
29

Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun's Thanksgiving Story Book

  • Native American perspective on Thanksgiving history.
  • Written by Indigenous authors and illustrators.
  • Engaging story for ages 3-7 years old.
  • Highlights importance of Weeâchumun (corn).
  • Reshapes traditional Thanksgiving narratives.
  • Celebrates Wampanoag culture and traditions.
  • Beautifully illustrated for young readers.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $11.80
30

The People Shall Continue by Simon Ortiz

  • Celebrating forty years since original publication.
  • Written by renowned Acoma Pueblo poet Simon J. Ortiz.
  • Explores Native American history from creation to present.
  • Highlights resilience of Indigenous peoples against oppression.
  • Told in the style of traditional oral narratives.
  • Encourages pride in cultural identity and heritage.
  • A powerful story of survival and solidarity.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $8.91