Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube TikTok
    • Home
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Advertise
    • Mentorship
    • Editing Services
    • About
    • Contact
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest TikTok
    The Children's Book Review
    Subscribe
    • Books by Subject
    • Books by Age
      • Ages 0-3, Infant and Toddler
      • Ages 4-8, Preschool to Elementary
      • Ages 9-12, Preteen and Tween
      • Ages 12+, Teen and Young Adult
      • Books for First Grade Readers
      • Books for Second Grade Readers
      • Books for Third Grade Readers
    • Favorites
      • Diverse and Inclusive Books
      • Books About Activism
      • Best Books for Kids
      • Star Wars Books
      • Board Books
      • Books About Mindfulness
      • Dr. Seuss Books
    • Showcase
    • Interviews
      • Growing Readers Podcast
      • Author Interviews and Q&A
      • Illustrator Interviews
    • Kids’ Book Giveaways
    • Directory
    • Podcast
    The Children's Book Review

    5 Fantastic Kids’ Fiction Books by Native American Authors

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze4 Mins Read Ages 4-8 Ages 9-12 Best Kids Stories Book Lists
    Book Cover Art
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Sponsored* | The Children’s Book Review| All Opinions Are Our Own

    A refreshing mixture of both contemporary and traditional stories, these fantastic fiction books are based on a variety of different themes that reclaim the typical narrative of indigenous people. These books are an excellent representation of the rich and varied stories written by Native American authors, including I Can Make This Promise by debut novelist Christine Day. We can’t wait to see what she writes next!

    Book I Can Make This PromiseI Can Make This Promise

    Written by Christine Day

    In this stunning debut novel from Christine Day, Edie discovers a box of letters that uncover some family secrets—secrets that will lead her to find her Native American identity. The novel ever so poignantly explores the theme of adoption and the separation of indigenous children from their families. It is a beautifully written and moving story that highlights the importance of family, friendship, and maintaining a connection to one’s cultural heritage. A must-read!

    Order a Copy Now: Amazon | Audible | Indiebound | Apple Books

    Ages 8-12 | Publisher: HarperCollins | 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-0062871992

    Makoons by Louise ErdrichMakoons

    Written by Louise Erdrich

    Louise Erdrich is the acclaimed author of the award-winning Birchbark House series. Based on her family history, this is the fifth book in the series about an Ojibwe family in nineteenth-century America. Makoons, named for the Ojibwe word for little bear, travels with his family to the Great Plains of Dakota Territory. He and his twin Chickadee will learn to become buffalo hunters and will help make a home in a new land. When Makoon has a vision that foretells challenges, readers are readily swept up in a riveting saga. Erdrich’s beautiful storytelling is brought further to life by black-and-white interior illustrations, a map, and a glossary of Ojibwe terms.

    Order a Copy Now: Amazon | Apple Books | Indiebound

    Ages 8-12 | Publisher: HarperCollins | 2018 (Reprint) | ISBN-13: 978-0060577957

    Buy the BookThe Legend of Skeleton Man: A Two-Book Collection

    Written by Joseph Bruchac

    If you’re looking for some chilling and thrilling storytelling, The Legend of Skeleton Man brings together two tales from critically acclaimed writer Joseph Bruchac. He combines both Mohawk lore and contemporary storytelling for a book that gave even R.L. Stine (the bestselling author of the Goosebumps series) nightmares. When a young girl’s parents go missing, she encounters a man who resembles the horrific Skeleton Man from the stories her father learned growing up on the Mohawk Reserve of Akwesasne. She will have to summon her inner strength and draw from her Native American heritage if she is to see her parents again. Bruchac completely captivates his audience with this strong female character.

    Order a Copy Now: Amazon | Audible | Indiebound

    Ages 8-12 | Publisher: HarperCollins | 2019 (Reprint) | ISBN-13: 978-0062747686

    Buy the BookNight Wings

    Written by Joseph Bruchac

    Illustrated by Sally Wern Comport

    Here’s another spine-tingling story from critically acclaimed writer Joseph Bruchac. In Night Wings, a Native American boy named Paul—who has always depended on the wisdom of his Abenaki ancestors’ stories to guide him—is forced to journey up a treacherous mountain where he will come face-to-face with something even more terrifying and deadly than his surroundings. He knows that dreams deliver warnings, and his dreams of a winged creature are becoming vividly real. Once again, Bruchac captivates his audience with a tale that grips readers to the very end.

    Order a Copy Now: Amazon | Indiebound

    Ages 8-12 | Publisher: HarperCollins | 2018 (Reprint) | ISBN-13: 978-0061123214

    Buy the BooksJingle Dancer

    Written by Cynthia Leitich Smith

    Illustrated by Ying-Hwa Hu and Cornelius Van Wright

    Jingle Dancer is a heartwarming, intergenerational story that shows the power of connection that comes from maintaining traditions. Jenna is a modern Native American girl, who longs for a dress with jingles, just like her grandma’s, so that it can sing when she dances. The warm, expressive watercolor illustrations and the elegant words wholeheartedly summon the beauty of family and heritage.

    Order a Copy Now: Amazon | Apple Books | Indiebound

    Ages 4-8 | Publisher: HarperCollins | 2000 | ISBN-13: 978-0688162412

    The article 5 Fantastic Kids Fiction Books by Native American Authors was curated by The Children’s Book Review and sponsored* by HarperCollins. For similar books and articles, follow along with our content tagged with Native American and Native American Heritage.

    What to Read Next:

    1. The Sea in Winter, by Christine Day | Book Spotlight
    2. The Sea in Winter, by Christine Day | Dedicated Review
    3. Best New Kids Books | August 2016
    4. C is for Chickasaw, by Wiley Barnes | Dedicated Review

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Christine Day Cornelius Van Wright Cynthia Leitich Smith HarperCollins Indigenous People Joseph Bruchac Louise Erdrich Native American Native American Heritage Sally Wern Comport Ying-Hwa Hu
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleI Can Make This Promise, by Christine Day | Book Spotlight
    Next Article Inside the Studio with Xindi Yan, Illustrator of The Itty-Bitty Witch
    Bianca Schulze
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)
    • LinkedIn

    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    TCBR Supporter
    Recent Articles
    • What Do You Do with Your Poo? | Book Review
    • Oliver’s Shadow, by Martin Knight-Yeager | Book Review
    • Hi! I’m Cher. I Go Everywhere: A Mindfuless Book For Children & Their Grownups | Dedicated Review
    • A Home for Félix, by Stéphanie Demasse-Pottier | Book Review
    • The Big Book of Climbing: An Illustrated History of Mountaineering, Bouldering, and Beyond | Book Review
    TCBR Supporters
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today

    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    Discover Kids Books by Age
    Best Books For Kids
    Media Kit: The Children's Book Review
    Author and Illustrator Showcase
    SEARCH
    BOOKS BY SUBJECT
    Archives
    Professional Resources

    Book Marketing Campaigns

    Writing Coaches and Editing Services

    Mentorship

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Policies
    • Advertise
    • TCBR Buzzworthy Mentions
    • About TCBR
    © 2025 The Children’s Book Review. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.