• General Recommendations
  • Staff-Created List

Non-Fiction for Kids for Native American Heritage Month

Finding non-fiction books written by Native Americans for kids can sometimes be hard. Here is a list to help you get started.

Mid-Continent Public Library

14 items

  • Dancing is an important part of indigenous culture. Read how Ria navigates dancing in both the classical world of ballet and the traditional world of Powwows.
    BookNew York : Penguin Workshop, 2022. — B T4244
  • Turtle Island

    the Story of North America's First People

    Yellowhorn, Eldon, 1956-
    Learn how indigenous people lived before white setters came to American, and how it changed after.
    BookToronto, Ontario : Annick Press, [2017] — 970.00497 Y38T
  • This story tells of how indigenous people are trying to live in their homeland even as everything has changed from what their ancestors knew.
    BookNew York : Children's Book Press, an imprint of Lee & Low Books, [2017] — 973.00497 OR8
  • Powwow

    a Celebration Through Song and Dance

    Pheasant-Neganigwane, Karen,
    A guide to help understand the indigenous celebration of Powwows.
    Book[Victoria, British Columbia] : Orca Book Publishers, [2020] — 970.00497 P497
  • Contenders

    Two Native Baseball Players, One World Series

    Sorell, Traci
    For the first time in 1911 two Native American baseball players face off in World Series! This true story tells a tale of perseverance and representation in baseball.
    BookNew York, NY : Kokila, 2023. — 796.357 SO68
  • *Available in multiple formats* Revenge seems like a good path when someone has wronged you, but this story helps you understand the power of peace and unity.
    BookNew York : Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2015. — 398.208997 R548
  • Classified

    the Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer

    Sorell, Traci
    *Available in multiple formats* This biography of Mary Golda Ross will inspire young kids no matter your background you can achieve anything you set your mind to.
    BookMinneapolis : Millbrook Press, [2021] — B R73328
  • Tallchief

    America's Prima Ballerina

    Tallchief, Maria
    This biography tells the story of Maria Tallchief's life from growing up on the Osage reservation to making it in the world as a ballerina.
    BookNew York : Viking, 1999. — B T144
  • Wilma's Way Home

    the Life of Wilma Mankiller

    Rappaport, Doreen,
    A picture book biography of the life of Wilma Mankiller the first woman principle chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.
    BookLos Angeles : Disney-HYPERION, 2019. — B M3143R
  • Renowned potter Maria Martinez learned the art of making pots from her aunt. With her skills she invented a new way to fire the clay that would make her work known around the world. The story of her love of her culture and sharing really…
    BookChicago, Illinois : Albert Whitman & Company, 2021. — B M3669
  • No matter where you come from or the hardships you have had to deal with you can still do great things. Nobody embodies this more the Jim Thorpe. Read this book and be inspired by a young Jim overcoming all the odds to break records and…
    UnknownNew Milford, Conn. : Roaring Brook Press, [2006] — B T398B
  • A great introductory for kids into the history of the Navajo Code Talkers and how they helped the allies win WW2.
    BookChicago, Illinois : Albert Whitman & Company, [2018] — B N499
  • Louis Sockalexis

    Native American Baseball Pioneer

    Wise, Bill, 1958-
    Louis Sockalexis was the first Native American to play major league baseball. When faced with discrimination he showed courage and persistence.
    BookNew York : Lee & Low Books, [2007] — 796.357092 SO13L
  • Spooky folk tales from indigenous culture that will leave you turning on your night light.
    BookNew York : Scholastic Press, [2021] — 398.2089 J713