November marks National Native American Heritage Month—a time to recognize and celebrate the rich histories, cultures, achievements, and stories of Indigenous peoples across the United States. From picture book biographies to counting books, coming-of-age narratives to thrillers, and dystopian sci-fi to contemporary graphic novels, this roundup of 2024 books centering Native American stories offers something for every reader to enjoy this November and all year long.

Young Readers

Drouillard, Staci Lola. A Family Tree. illus. by Kate Gardiner. HarperCollins/Clarion. 2024. ISBN 9780063242463.
K-Gr 3–A baby spruce tree named Gaawaandagoonce is planted on the lands of Grandma’s garden, a haven for indigenous flora to thrive in their authentic home. Baby Francis, holding the same height as the spruce, grows with this newly planted tree, both of their roots growing deep and sturdy in Grandma’s land. But when the caretakers are faced with leaving, a beautiful story unfolds of tender, authentic yearning to keep connection with whom and what is considered home. Soothing illustrations imitate the natural, lush world of Gichigamiing, as based on the real life of the author’s family.

Poll, Willie. My Little Ogichidaa: An Indigenous Lullaby. illus. by Hawlii Pichette. Medicine Wheel. 2024. ISBN 9781778540301.
PreS-Gr 3–An Indigenous mother walks through the woods reciting an anthem of strength, power, and social change to her unborn child. The interconnectedness of all living beings is woven through flowing lines, seeds, braids, or vines with Native American motifs incorporated. The lyrical text is reinforced by illustrations in richly hued colors. The empowering narrative and stunning artwork combine for a lovely tribute to a future child.

Rogers, Kim. I Am Osage: How Clarence Tinker Became the First Native American Major General. illus. by Bobby Von Martin. HarperCollins/Heartdrum. 2024. ISBN 9780063081161.
PreS-Gr 3–The incredible life story of Clarence Tinker, the first Native American Major General in the United States. Rogers explores Tinker’s life and military career, detailing the acts of bravery that formed a personal narrative based on the power of resilience, honor, and duty. Tinker’s history is not separate from the struggles of Indigenous people in North America, as colonial entities unlawfully or immorally controlled and restricted their freedoms. Von Martin’s art glows with the radiance of oil paintings, drawing the eye to key moments and highlighting aspects of Osage culture.

Smith, Monique Gray. Circle of Love. illus. by Nicole Neidhardt. HarperCollins/Heartdrum. 2024. ISBN 9780 063078703.
PreS-Gr 3–A warmhearted, welcoming book that introduces readers to the word tawâw, which means much more than “there is always room.” In Molly’s neighborhood, the urban intertribal center is her circle of warmth where everyone is welcome and included. All are accepted, belong, and are loved. Colorful, joyful illustrations show Molly’s entire community singing, celebrating, eating, and dancing. This positive, heartfelt picture book highlights belonging, equity, culture, community, inclusiveness, and love.

Sorell, Traci. On Powwow Day. illus. by Madelyn Goodnight. Charlesbridge. 2024. ISBN 9781623545765.
PreS-K–A colorful counting book engages children in identifying the different visual elements that occur on powwow day. From the car that vrooms to the shaking shiny jingle cones, the exciting expressions catch more beyond the eye. The rainbow palette is shown off in organic and youthful design work. Every number from one to ten has a corresponding color, attached to a powwow day element. Young readers can identify and count these elements, from the gray feathers on regalia to the bright moccasins. This delightful picture book allows children to learn and connect with powwow tradition and presents readers with a great counting book full of beautiful Indigenous imagery.

Middle Grade

Duncan, Violet. Buffalo Dreamer. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen. 2024. ISBN 9780593624814.
Gr 3-7–A powerful novel about a family reunion, as well as the histories of the Indian residential schools that were set up across the U.S. and Canada. While visiting her grandparents, 12-year-old Summer, whose mother is Cree and father is Apache, begins dreaming about Buffalo Dreamer, a girl who is running to escape the horrors of residential school. Summer is puzzled at first, but when unmarked children’s graves are unearthed at the site of the old residential school that her grandfather attended as a child, it leads to more people in her life opening up about their experiences at these traumatic institutions. Based on Duncan’s real family history, this novel balances an exploration of painful events with idyllic scenes of intergenerational love and connection. Descriptions of traditional Native American culture and dress make scenes vivid for readers as Summer’s family rides horses, picks berries, prepares meals, and shares stories, even ones that have remained unspoken.

Jones, Dan SaSuWeh. Stealing Little Moon: The Legacy of the American Indian Boarding Schools. Scholastic Focus. 2024. ISBN 9781338889475.
Gr 4-6–The Jones family was present through the entire existence of the Chilocco Indian Agricultural School, from 1885 to its 1980 closing. Through the memories and accounts recited by four generations of his Ponca Nation family, Jones respectfully portrays the intense lived experience inflicted on his and so many other Native families. Black-and-white photographs provide a visual element, from tribal leaders and heroes to Chilocco’s campus over the years. Detailed with emotional sympathy inherent in the retelling from a family’s lineage, this narrative nonfiction title pays homage and remembrance to those harmed and intended to be forgotten. It grants readers a chance to reflect on systemic mistreatment and appreciate the power of culture and family.

Mukwa, Cameron. The Ribbon Skirt. Scholastic/Graphix. 2024. ISBN 9781338843262.
Gr 4-8–Anang, a nonbinary Indigenous 10-year-old, dreams of wearing a ribbon skirt—a traditional garment for Anishinaabe women—at the upcoming powwow. Despite others insisting on seeing them as a boy, Anang remains true to themself and embraces their identity as two-spirit: a person who exists beyond the gender binary. What seems like a simple task soon becomes a spiritual adventure, guided by the spirits of animals and even the lake itself. This graphic novel tugs at the heartstrings and explores deep themes of acceptance, friendship, and hope. Anang may feel different, but by the end of their journey, they realize they are far from alone.

Quigley, Dawn. Red Bird Danced. HarperCollins/Heartdrum. 2024. ISBN 9780063223622.
Gr 4 Up–Quigley’s novel in verse highlights a Native American community through the alternating lens of two preteens—Ojibwe Nation dancer Ariel, 11, and her neighbor in the Intertribal Housing Complex, Tomah, 12, who is a gifted oral storyteller afraid to open up about his reading difficulties. Both characters evolve through the process of finding their voice and displaying pride in their heritage, with hearty emotional impact. The Ojibwe language and cultural practices are effortlessly infused in the free-verse poems. This impactful story about discovering how to declare yourself proudly opens an important window into the modern-day life of Native American culture that has yet to be fully explored in middle grade literature.

Rathgeber, Trina. Lost at Windy River: A True Story of Survival. illus. by Alina Pete. Orca. 2024. ISBN 9781459832268.
Gr 3-7–This adventurous graphic novel follows the real-life story of Ilse Schweder, a young girl from Cree Nation. In 1944, Ilse had to rely on her traditional Indigenous knowledge to survive being lost and alone on the Arctic tundra after a sudden, intense snowstorm separated her from the rest of her family while checking traplines near their home in Windy River Trading Post (modern-day Nunavut). Colorful illustrations help readers explore the challenging landscape as they learn about Schweder’s survival story. Also included are extra explanations and images of Arctic and Indigenous culture, clothes, and environment from Pete and Rathgeber, who is Schweder’s granddaughter.

Young Adult

Cobell, K.A. Looking for Smoke. HarperCollins/Heartdrum. 2024. ISBN 9780 063318670.
Gr 9 Up–Cobell’s debut thriller addresses injustice within the Montana Blackfeet community and provides a window into contemporary Native American culture. Teenager Rayanne Arnoux has been missing for months, and when her friend Samantha White Tail is murdered at a festival, fears mount that the two incidents are somehow connected. The story cycles among the four teens who last saw Samantha alive as they come under police scrutiny, and the book shines in their character development. Through this compelling read, Cobell, an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Nation, puts focus on missing and murdered Indigenous women and raises awareness of the grim statistics present in Native American communities.

Ferguson, Jen. A Constellation of Minor Bears. HarperCollins/Heartdrum. 2024. ISBN 9780063334229.
Gr 9 Up–Half-siblings Molly and Hank and their friend Traylor have been planning their graduation trip for years—to hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). But when Hank has a life-changing accident, Molly and Traylor, both Métis, are left to carry out the hike without Hank. This coming-of-age story’s beauty is in its characters and their dilemmas: Molly’s anger toward her brother and best friend, Hank’s inability to be truthful to his sister, and Traylor’s guilt over what happened to Hank and his unspoken feelings for Molly. With the PCT as the backdrop, almost a character itself, truths are brought to the surface as the teens find themselves.

Rogers, Andrea L. The Art Thieves. Levine Querido. 2024. ISBN 9781646143788.
Gr 7 Up–In the year 2052, Cherokee teenager Stevie is living in Texas and working at an art museum, trying to survive the increasingly volatile weather patterns. A new arrival at the museum, an Indigenous boy from Costa Rica named Adam, brings with him a dire warning that Stevie doesn’t want to believe at first: a dystopian future bears down on them, Adam is from the future, he’s trying to save some Native art from the coming destruction, and Stevie has an important role to play. Rogers adeptly creates an immediately compelling character in Stevie while also incorporating weighty but clear discussions of ethics in museum collections, climate change, and the exploitation of Indigenous identities. An exciting and intense plot combines with wonderfully realistic emotions as the story shifts from one of slow realization to dystopia and uncertainty.

Storm, Jen. Little Moons. illus. by Ryan Howe. HighWater Pr. 2024. ISBN 9781774921074.
Gr 9 Up–A beautifully woven story about culture, heritage, family, loss, and grief. Reanna’s sister Chelsea disappears on her way home from school. Each person in Chelsea’s community reconciles their grief in their own way: Reanna wants to hold on to Chelsea’s memory, some want to forget and move forward, and others can see and feel Chelsea’s spirit lingering in the household. This fictional depiction of true events brings to light the discussion of missing people and how their disappearance affects those who are left behind, more specifically, in Indigenous and Native communities. The text and illustrations, alongside Reanna’s perspective, offer a view into Ojibwe culture and heritage, and the traditions that are performed in memoriam of a loved one.