After talking with several of our members, I know that collecting and recommending books that adequately speak to the American Indian experience is important – and a challenge! We want to be sure we are passing on the best information to our patrons and community members; so it is good to get some expert advice.
I wanted to share this information and blog, by Debbie Reese – a member of the Nambe Owingeh tribe. Her blog is called American Indians in Children’s Literature, and has not only book recommendations but also a lot of very valuable information to help library people (and others) to understand books an information in this area.
Here is a list of sixteen books published in 2016, by or about Native people that she recommends:
- Baker, Darryl. (2016) Kamik Joins the Pack. Inhabit Media, Canada.*
- Bruchac, Joseph. (2016) The Hunter’s Promise: An Abenaki Tale. Wisdom Tales, US.
- Dunn, Anne M. (2016) Fire in the Village. Holy Cow Press, US
- Dupuis, Jenny Kay. (2016) I Am Not A Number. Second Story Press, Canada.*
- Erdrich, Louise. (2016) Makoons. HarperCollins. US*
- Herrington, John B. (2016) Mission to Space. White Dog Press, US
- Highway, Tomson. (2016) Dragonfly Kites. Fifth House, Canada*
- Nelson, Jonathan. (2016) The Wool of Jonesy. Native Realities, US
- Nicholson, Hope (ed.). (2016) Love Beyond Body, Space, and Time, Bedside Press, Canada
- Rendon, Marcie. (2016). “Worry and Wonder” in Sky Blue Water: Great Stories for Young Readers. University of Minnesota Press, US
- Robertson, David. (2016) When We Were Alone, HighWater Press, Canada*
- Smith, Monique Gray. (2016) My Heart Fills with Happiness, Orca Books, Canada*
- Starr, Arigon (ed.). (2016) Tales of the Mighty Code Talkers, Native Realities, US
- Van Camp, Richard. (2016) We Sang You Home, Orca Books, Canada*
- Van Camp, Richard. (2016) The Lesser Blessed (20th Anniversary Edition), Douglas & McIntyre, Canada.
- Van Camp, Richard. (2016) Spirit, South Slave Divisional Education Council, Canada
Additionally, she lists several books she is specifically not recommending, as well as unreviewed books. (We all know, there are more books out there to examine than there is time available!)