Top Ten Books Recommended for High School via American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL)

Another November is here and educators around the country break out their sometimes dusty copies of Native American or American Indian books for their students. I have commented on this blog before about the importance of reading and sharing culturally authentic books year round. Sharing stories that depict the lives and issues of other people will help cultivate love and tolerance of others. It is a shame that books with characters and themes of American Indians are highlighted only in the November. I encourage you to branch out during the year. Read a book by an Asian American, Africa America, ect... You will be amazed at how much you have in common and how differences really make everyone the same.

Below are 10 American Indian books recommended for High Schoolers via AICL.  On the sidebar, they have a list for babies, elementary, and middle grades.


Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Broker, Ignatia. Night Flying Woman: An Ojibway Narrative

Carlson, Lori Marie (ed.). Moccasin Thunder: American Indian Stories for Today

Deloria, Ella C. Waterlily

Kenny, Maurice (ed.). Stories for a Winter's Night: Fiction by Native American Writers

King, Thomas. One Good Story, That One

Ortiz, Simon J. Men on the Moon: Collected Short Stories

Tapahonso, Luci. Blue Horses Rush In: Poems and Stories

Taylor, Drew Hayden. The Night Wanderer

Van Camp, Richard. The Lesser Blessed

Have you tried any of these titles? If you have to pick just one to read, I would highly recommend The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.

Happy Reading!