Tag: Indigenous

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Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer by Traci Sorell

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.

PAIR WITH

Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code: A Navajo Code Talker’s Story by Joseph Bruchac

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard

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!

PAIR WITH

Duck for Turkey Day by Jacqueline Jules

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom

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.

PAIR WITH

Go Show the World: A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes by Wab Kinew

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

‘Ohana Means Family by Ilima Loomis

Written by Ilima Loomis, Illustrated by Kenard Park, Published by Neal Porter Books, 2020. (fiction, ages 4-8)

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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.

PAIR WITH

Ho’onani Hula Warrior by Heather Gale

Where Are You From? By Jamie Kim

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading ‘Ohana Means Family

Shop your local indie bookstore

Indian No More by Charlene Willing McManis with Traci Sorell

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.

PAIR WITH

I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Indian No More

Shop your local indie bookstore

Nimoshom and His Bus by Penny M. Thomas

Written by Penny M. Thomas, Illustrated by Karen Hibbard, Published by Highwater Press, 2017 (fiction, 3-6)

Nimoshom.jpgBecause 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.

PAIR WITH

You Hold Me Up by Monique Gray Smith

Awâsis and the World-Famous Bannock by Dallas Hunt

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Nimoshom and His Bus

Shop your local indie bookstore

I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day

Written by Christine Day, Published by HarperCollins, 2019. (Realistic Fiction, 9-12)

This year I happily saw more middle grade books published with Native American protagonists in contemporary settings written in #ownvoice. We still have a long way to go since they can all be counted on one hand. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed this debut and hope to see more from Christine Day.

BACKGROUND

Edie knows that she is part Native American because of her mom, but knows nothing else of her heritage. When her and her friends find a mysterious photo of a woman in the attic it seems like a clue to her past, but why is her family refusing to talk about her? #OwnVoices

BEST FOR

A middle grade read that is great for fans of realistic fiction, learning about little known facts of history, and highlighting family relationships.

PAIR WITH

Two Roads by Joseph Bruchac

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading I Can Make This Promise

Shop your local indie bookstore

Go Show the World: A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes by Wab Kinew

Written by Wab Kinew, Illustrated by Joe Morse, Published by Tundra, 2018. (Biography, ages 5-12)

Go show the worldIn my own reading history, this is the first picture book I’ve come across that celebrates numerous Indigenous heroes in both a past and contemporary setting. I can only hope that more and more books like this continue to be published!

BACKGROUND

Indigenous heroes (warriors, artists, athletes, doctors, advocates) from past and present are given a brief bio in rhyming text while encouraging the reader to continue to strive and shine, because they matter and can show the world what they can do. #OwnVoices

BEST FOR

About a fifteen minute read aloud that would be a great way to introduce a biography unit. Also a great addition to an Indigenous unit to show a contemporary perspective. Includes an author’s note and biography section with slightly more details. Can be used as a research question prompt.

PAIR WITH

Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code: A Navajo Code Talker’s Story by Joseph Bruchac

Fatty Legs by Christy Jordan-Fenton

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Go Show the World

Shop your local indie bookstore

You Hold Me Up by Monique Gray Smith

Written by Monique Gray Smith, Illustrated by Danielle Daniel, Published by Orca Book Publishers, 2018. (Fiction, ages 3-6)img_1114Canada has a lot of publishing companies that produce great Indigenous children’s books written in own voice. This would be no exception. Author Monique Gray Smith is Cree, Lakota, Scottish and wrote this book with the intention of healing and reconciliation especially after a 150 year history of Indian Residential boarding schools where children suffered abuses, poor living conditions, and systematic erasure of their cultural identity.

BACKGROUND

Sparse text reveals how kindness, love and service build supportive communities that build each other up. This is a bilingual book in Plains Cree. #OwnVoices

BEST FOR

A two minute read aloud with preschool children. Great for teaching about altruism, empathy, community support and relationships.

PAIR WITH

Sweetest Kulu by Celina Kalluk

I am not a Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading You Hold Me Up

Shop your local indie bookstore

or here is a link for the book on Amazon

BookTastings-You Hold Me Up

Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code: A Navajo Code Talker’s Story by Joseph Bruchac

Written by Joseph Bruchac, Illustrations by Liz Amini-Holmes, Published by Albert Whitman & Company, 2018. (Picture Book, ages 6-10)

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If only this book came out earlier! I had two students begging for any picture book about Code talkers and unfortunately I couldn’t find anything except a one line blurb in a picture book. Thank you Joseph Bruchac for writing this!

BACKGROUND

The true story of Chester Nez. As a child he attended Fort Defiance boarding school and was constantly told that his culture and the Navajo language was “worthless”. However during WWII he served on Plantoon 382 as a Code Talker. It also addresses the mental toll of war. #OwnVoices

BEST FOR

A fifteen minute read aloud that covers the experiences of Native Americans in  boarding schools and the Code Talkers. Could be used in any WWII unit, or discussion about secret codes and messages.

PAIR WITH

I Am Not a Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis

The Unbreakable Code by Sara Hoagland Hunter

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code

Shop your local indie bookstore

or here is a link for the book on Amazon

BookTastings-Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code