List
Captivating Indigenous Nonfiction for Teens
From memoir and narrative history to self-help and social justice, this list is a small sampling of recent and essential Indigenous nonfiction for teens to explore.
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Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants
2022 by Kimmerer, Robin WallGet this itemIn this young readers' adaptation of the adult bestseller, Kimmerer (Potawatomi) and Monique Grey Smith (Cree and Lakota) honor and explain Indigenous nations’ relationships with nature, including sustainability etiquette, clean energy, and a gifting economy.
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The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Life in Native America
2022 by Treuer, DavidGet this itemThe true story of the resilience of the Indigenous People of Turtle Island/North America, from before colonial contact to the current era.
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Voices of the People
2022 by Bruchac, JosephGet this itemThis poetry collection by Bruchac (Abenaki) and illustrated by 30 tribally enrolled artists highlights Native Americans across time to both honor their impact and help non-Native readers gain a deeper understanding of the Indigenous experience.
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Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians but Were Afraid to Ask
2021 by Treuer, AntonGet this itemBroken down into accessible sections, Treuer's (Ojibwe) book answers nearly 200 questions that young people might have about Native Americans and is adapted from the adult book of the same name.
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#NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women
2017Get this itemThis anthology of stories, art, and poetry hands the megaphone to Indigenous teen girls and women to honor their joys and their harms, and to stand against harmful stereotypes that eclipse the wonderful diversity of what it means to inhabit their world.
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An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People
2019 by Mendoza, JeanGet this itemThis corrective narrative of a traditional American History book provides an important Indigenous perspective on key events and urges young readers to think critically about ideas like "civilized," "land rights," and conservation, among others.
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Apple: Skin to the Core
2020 by Gansworth, Eric L.Get this itemGansworth (Onondaga) writes an autobiography that explores his connection to heritage, the appropriation of his culture and language, and the experience of coming-of-age on a reservation.
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Notable Native People: 50 Indigenous Leaders, Dreamers, and Changemakers from Past and Present
2021 by Keene, AdrienneGet this itemKeene (Cherokee) and illustrator Ciara Sana (Chamoru) profile 50 important Native American, Alaska Native, and Kanaka Maoli people to celebrate their impact and urge readers to look beyond stereotypes.
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The Seven Circles: Indigenous Teachings for Living Well
2022 by Luger, ChelseyGet this itemWellness advocates Luger (Ojibwe and Lakota) and Collins (Onk-Akimel O'Odham, Wa-Zha-Zhi, and Haudenosaunee) present a guide that is rooted in Indigenous knowledge and appropriate for both teens and adults.
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