YA Novels for Native American Heritage Month
Discover books that honor Native American and indigenous peoples' history, traditions, and culture.
November is Native American Heritage Month and there has been so many really amazing young adult novels written by Native and Indigenous authors in the past few years. Below I’ve featured 10 of the books that were published from 2021 or later, ranging from historical fiction to sports to horror.
Let me know in the comments what books you’d add to this list or whether you have read any of the ones featured!
Four Faces of the Moon by Amanda Strong
Annick Press/ September 7, 2021
Genre: historical fiction, graphic novel
“On a journey to uncover her family's story, Spotted Fawn travels through time and space to reclaim connection to ancestors, language, and the land--creating a path forward in this essential graphic novel.” - Bookshop
Man Made Monsters by Andrea Rogers
Levine Querido/ October 4, 2022
Genre: horror, short stories
Connected short stories that combines the true horrors of history with classic supernatural monsters like vampires. Each story examines a different era in the lives of a Cherokee family in this haunting collection.
Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
Henry Holt and Co./ March 16, 2021
Genre: mystery/thriller
After witnessing a murder, Daunis finds herself helping the FBI in their drug investigation involving her Ojibwe community. As more lies are uncovered and more deaths happen, Daunis has to decide how far she is going to go for the truth.
Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley
Henry Holt and Co./ May 2, 2023
Genre: mystery/thriller
Rebellious and laid-back Perry Firekeeper-Birch wants nothing more than a carefree summer fishing but instead is being made to work at a local museum. Here she is exposed to the history of grave robbing of her ancestors, as well as the growing number of missing and murdered women in her community. Headstrong Perry jumps into action but will taking on the case of her stolen ancestors lead her directly to danger?
Rez Ball by Byron Graves
Heartdrum/ September 12, 2023
Genre: sports fiction
“… When Jaxon's former teammates on the varsity team offer to take Tre under their wing, he sees this as his shot to represent his Ojibwe rez all the way to their first state championship. This is the first step toward his dream of playing in the NBA, no matter how much the odds are stacked against him.
But stepping into his brother's shoes as a star player means that Tre can't mess up. Not on the court, not at school, and not with his new friend, gamer Khiana, who he is definitely not falling in love with.” - Bookshop.
The Unfinished by Cheryl Isaacs
Heartdrum / September 3, 2024
Genre: horror
“When small-town athlete Avery's morning run leads her to a strange pond in the middle of the forest, she awakens a horror the townspeople of Crook's Falls have long forgotten. The black water has been waiting. Watching. Hungry for the souls it needs to survive.”- Bookshop.
Harvest House by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Candlewick / April 11, 2023
Genre: fantasy, supernatural
“Halloween is near, and Hughie Wolfe is volunteering at a new rural attraction: Harvest House. He's excited to take part in the fun, spooky show--until he learns that an actor playing the vengeful spirit of an "Indian maiden," a ghost inspired by local legend, will headline. Folklore aside, unusual things have been happening at night at the crossroads near Harvest House…While Hughie weighs how and when to speak up about the bigoted legend, he and his friends begin to investigate the crossroads and whether it might be haunted after all. As Moon rises on All Hallow's Eve, will they be able to protect themselves and their community?” - Bookshop
Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jen Ferguson
Heartdrum / May 10, 2022
Genre: realistic
“Lou has enough confusion in front of her this summer. She'll be working in her family's ice-cream shack with her newly ex-boyfriend … and her former best friend, King, who is back in their Canadian prairie town after disappearing three years ago without a word… But when she gets a letter from her biological father--a man she hoped would stay behind bars for the rest of his life …While King's friendship makes Lou feel safer and warmer than she would have thought possible, when her family's business comes under threat, she soon realizes that she can't ignore her father forever.” - Bookshop.
Those Pink Mountain Nights by Jen Ferguson
Heartdrum / September 12, 2023
Genre: realistic
Berlin has lost her best friend; Cameron has dropped out of school; Jessie has been written off simply as a rich girl. During one weekend with the three teens working at Pink Mountain Pizza, they need to confront the ways they’ve been hurt and maybe find connection to each other.
Looking for Smoke by K.A. Cobell
Heartdrum / June 4, 2024
Genre: mystery/thriller
Read my full review here! “ When local girl Loren includes Mara in a traditional Blackfeet Giveaway to honor Loren's missing sister, Mara thinks she'll finally make some friends on the Blackfeet reservation. Instead, a girl from the Giveaway, Samantha White Tail, is found murdered.” - Bookshop
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