Written by Todd Yamashita, Illustrated by Jamie Meckel Tablason, Published by BeachHouse, 2014. (Realistic Fiction, Ages 4-8)
Thanks to my colleague @taotaotaitai on Instagram she helped me find publishers and resources to Pasifika children’s literature. With May celebrating AAPI, the PI – Pacific Islander part is sadly overlooked. This year, Instagrammer @thisislandreads has initiated the hashtag #pasifikareadathonchallege. Make sure to follow them to learn more! I was super excited to get my hands on a few Pasifika titles including this one!
BACKGROUND
In Hawaii, Uncle’s thrownet is known to catch every kind of fish that is in the sea. When a child questions why his thrownet has a hole in it, Uncle explains the importance of only taking what you need and sharing with others. #Ownvoices
BEST FOR
About a seven minute read aloud that is great for modeling responsibility, taking care of the environment, sharing, and respect of nature and others.
I finally got my copy in the mail this week and it did not disappoint! I have been excited to get a hold of this title since I read Traci Sorell’s previous middle grade novel, Indian No More. I was able to get a signed copy through a great bookstore called Birchbark Books. They are an independent Native bookstore located in Minnesota and have a great collection, check them out!
BACKGROUND
Native Mary Golda Ross was always gifted at math and science and paved her own path becoming an engineer responsible for designing aircrafts for the US during World World II. All along the way she stayed true and taught according to the Cherokee values she was raised with. Much of her work is still kept secret today. A timeline, notes about Cherokee Values, and a bibliography is included. #Ownvoices
BEST FOR
About a fifteen to twenty minute read aloud that would be great for a biography unit, STEM, to highlight trailblazers, and World War II.
Written by Christine Day, Published by Heartdrum, 2021. (fiction, ages 9-12)
Christine Day is an author that I have been keeping an eye on and she did not disappoint. She has a talent of writing simplistic narratives that capture the complexity of issues and the emotions of her characters. In this particular title she addresses how protagonist Maise must deal with the loss of a dream and finding a new goal to work towards.
BACKGROUND
Native Maise Cannon lives for ballet, so when she suffers a knee injury the pain is more than physical. When her family takes her on a vacation to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, Maise realizes her need to heal with the support of her community. #Ownvoices
BEST FOR
This middle grade novel is great for readers that love to read about relationships, family, friendships, big life transitions, and dance.
Normally I would have another book trailer released and I’m still working on one for this week. However, the Youth Media Awards presented by the ALA (American Library Association) was announced this morning and I wanted to highlight a few titles! Also a special shoutout to all my peeps that served on the APALA Literature Award Committee on a job well done!
Illustrated by Michaela Goade, Illustrated by Carole Lindstrom, Published by Roaring Brook Press
This is the first time a Native has won the Caldecott Medal so a big thank you and a very hearty congratulations to Michaela Goade for your award and for paving the way for more Native creators!
Written by Tae Keller and published by Random House Children’s Books
Lily must navigate a new town when her family moves to be closer to her sick grandmother. This magical realism title touches on family relationships, grief, and Korean folklore.
Written by Saadia Faruqi & Laura Shovan and published by Clarion Books
Sixth graders Sara, a Pakistani American, and Elizabeth, a Jewish English American, find friendship through their school’s cooking class and their shared experience of their moms taking the US citizen test. This realistic fiction is great for readers who love food!
Written by Christina Soontornvat and published by Candlewick Press
Pong, an orphan in Thailand escapes from prison hoping to change his doomed fate. However he struggles to escape his past running from Nok, the prison warden’s daughter, and the dark and powerful governor. This fantasy is an action packed adventure.
Written by Ernesto Cisneros and published by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
When Efren’s mother gets deported, he finds himself taking care of his younger siblings on very little funds while still balancing school life. While he and his Papa try to bring Mama back he struggles to hold everything together. This realistic fiction touches on immigration, family, activism, and friendships.
Written by Linda Sue Park and published by Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers
When Hanna moves to the Dakota territory in 1880 with her father, there is one thing she notices, she is the only half Chinese girl in the entire town and probably terrority. This historical fiction addresses racism, family dynamics, friendships, and never giving up on your dreams.
WINNER OF THE SCHNEIDER FAMILY BOOK AWARD FOR MIDDLE GRADES
Written by Ann Clare LeZotte and published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.
Mary is deaf and has always felt safe in her largely deaf community on Martha’s Vineyard island in the 19th century. However things start changing when an outsider comes to study her community. This historical fiction talks about family relationships, Native history, Deaf history and sign language.
This is just a tasting (ha!) of the many wonderful titles honored today. Congrats to all the creators! Here is a link to the official Youth Media Awards including a full list of all winners.
Written by Kevin Noble Maillard, Illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal, Published by Roaring Brooke Press, 2019. (fiction, 4-6)
November is Native American Heritage Month. I am grateful that my children have the age appropriate resources and books to learn the truth of the Thanksgiving story and gain a greater knowledge and respect for Native Americans, their history, culture, and contributions. If you have access through your school or local library, Brainpop has a great video discussing the Thanksgiving myth vs actual events.
BACKGROUND
Food, history, culture, and hope intersect as Native American family and friends gather together to make fry bread and share their stories. #Ownvoices
BEST FOR
About a five minute read aloud that would be a great pick for Native American Heritage Month and Day. Also a great way to promote self-acceptance, family, respect for one’s roots, culture, and of course food!
Written by Carole Lindstrom, Illustrated by Michaela Goade, Published by Roaring Brook Press, 2020. (Picture book, 5-12)
In honor of Indigenous People’s Day I had to feature this powerful and beautiful title. Reflecting on my formal education I didn’t learn much about the native tribes in my area and if I did, it was restricted to limited snippets in history or a folktale. I am grateful that there are so much more resources and titles available for younger readers. Don’t be mistaken, we still have a long way to go, but I always get excited to see more titles that show not only the painful ancient past, but also the accomplishments, joys, resilience, activism and vast array of experiences within the indigenous identity.
BACKGROUND
A young Native American girl (Ojibwe, Tlingit, Haida) is taught that water is the lifeline of all living creatures. It is up to her to fight for it’s protection from an evil black snake, foretold in the Elder’s stories. #Ownvoices
BEST FOR
This seven minute read aloud is a great choice to open up discussions about the environment, activism, respect, courage, and also showcase indigenous culture.
Written by Brenda J. Child, Translated by Gordon Jourdain, Illustrated by Jonathan Thunder, Published by The Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2019. (Picture book, 5-8)
Summer is about making memories and I love books that show family traditions. Another reason I love this title is that it shows a Native American girl in a contemporary setting. In my experience, most books about Native Americans in the classroom are either folklore or set in the past, giving the very wrong impression that Native Americans are stuck in one time period. This particular title was the winner of the American Indian Library Association’s Literature Award for the picture book category for 2020.
BACKGROUND
Windy Girl loves listening to her uncle’s stories and going to the powwow every year. This summer she has a dream that outlines the ceremonies and events that make each powwow so special. It is a bilingual book in both Ojibwe and English. #Ownvoices
BEST FOR
A great read aloud to talk about summer, family traditions, and Ojibwe culture.
Written by Ilima Loomis, Illustrated by Kenard Park, Published by Neal Porter Books, 2020. (fiction, ages 4-8)
It is wonderful to find a title that puts Hawaiian family, culture, and traditions front and center. Not only is the cumulative text lyrical and simple, it is perfectly matched with the deeply textured illustrations by Kenard Park. This read will gently lure young readers deep into the story.
BACKGROUND
A Hawaiian boy and girl watch as their community gather together to grow, tend, and harvest poi to prepare for their ‘ohana’s lū‘au. #Ownvoices
BEST FOR
About a five minute read aloud that would be perfect to talk about family traditions, respect of natural resources, to use to spot patterns or model cause and effect.
Written by Charlene Willing McManis with Traci Sorell, 2019. (Historical Fiction, 9-12)
This read will make you reevaluate your biases. I already believe that accurate representation in media and books is important, but this book will cement that belief in case you had even a shred of a doubt. There were times where I was cringing reading how Regina and her family had to deal with questions from their Los Angeles neighbors about being “a proper Indian” and witnessing the school’s Thanksgiving play. This is such an important read for kids and adults alike.
BACKGROUND
Regina and her family are notified that the federal government terminated their tribe effectively erasing their reservation off the map. Through the relocation program the family moves to Los Angeles where the family will have to face many obstacles including what it means to be Umpqua and American. #Ownvoices
BEST FOR
A middle grade read for lovers of historical fiction, Native American history, family relationships, and identity.
Written by Penny M. Thomas, Illustrated by Karen Hibbard, Published by Highwater Press, 2017 (fiction, 3-6)
Because of residential schools and other culture suppression policies many indigenous languages in North America were nearly lost. Thankfully efforts have been made to preserve and teach them once again. It is because of this history it is wonderful to see titles like these that teach about something so precious.
BACKGROUND
Nimoshom is a bus diver. Every morning he has a gentle way of interacting with children while talking to them in Cree. #OwnVoices
BEST FOR
About a two minute read aloud. A great way to showcase Cree culture, especially in a contemporary setting. Also a way to talk about important members in the community. It additionally provides a glossary of the terms used.
Because of residential schools and other culture suppression policies many indigenous languages in North America were nearly lost. Thankfully efforts have been made to preserve and teach them once again. It is because of this history it is wonderful to see titles like these that teach about something so precious.
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