As a proud citizen of Cherokee Nation, Native American Heritage Month is one of my favorite times of the year. I love sharing about our tribe and learning about other tribal nations as well. One of my favorite ways to learn is through books (no surprise there!). If you’re looking for books to learn about Indigenous peoples, here are some of my favorites and some I can’t wait to read.

Books I Recommend

My tendency to find an author I love and then obsessively read their backlist is quite apparent in this list! There are many wonderful indigenous authors out there, and more will be in the second list. Some of these are pictures books, which are great to read as a family to introduce kids to the variety of Native cultures here in the U.S. This list is comprised of fiction, nonfiction, multiple tribal nations, poetry, and more. Books I’ve already reviewed include a link to my original review. Happy reading!

• 13 Moons on Turtle’s Back by Joseph Bruchac
• The First Strawberries by Joseph Bruchac
• Notable Native People by Adrienne Keene
• We are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom
• We are Still Here by Traci Sorell
• At the Mountain’s Base by Traci Sorell
• Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angelline Boulley
• We Are Grateful by Traci Sorell
• Powwow Day (releases February 2022) by Traci Sorell
• Wilma’s Way Home by Doreen Rappaport

Books by Native Authors on My TBR List:

These are the books high on my to be read list, the books I can’t wait to read. Much like the first list, this is a mix of picture books, middle grade, YA, adults, nonfiction, and fiction.

• I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day
• Stand Like a Cedar by Nicola I. Campbell
• The First Blade of Sweetgrass by Suzanne Greenlaw
• Josie Dances by Denise Lajimodiere
• Indian No More by Charlene Willing McManis and Traci Sorell
• One Land, Many Nations by Traci Sorell
• Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer by Traci Sorell
• A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger
• Poet Warrior: A Memoir by Joy Harjo
• Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac
• Sisters of the Neversea by Cynthia Leitich Smith
• Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids by Cynthia Leitich Smith
• Healer of the Water Monster by Brian Young
• An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
• Fry Bread by Kevin Noble Maillard
• Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Wado (thank you in Cherokee) for your interest in reading books about Native Americans by Native authors. Happy reading, and happy Native American Heritage Month!

Interested in purchasing these books? I’m now an affiliate with Bookshop.org, an online bookshop that benefits indie bookstores. Beginning with this post, you’ll see this on my posts:

Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you click through and make a purchase.

You can view my storefront here, or find these titles in this list.

Happy reading!