Native Americans: Children’s Book Authors

Why are stories important for learning facts?

Often, stories teach us more than essays do. That is, the ideas we find in fiction can stay with us and influence our thoughts as much as, or more than, the ideas we read in non-fiction.

Why are children’s books good for learning about social topics?  

When it comes to books that have been traditionally published, often books that are written for youth have different goals than those written for adults. 

Middle grade (ages 8-12) and YA books will be more likely to have themes that most humans can relate to. Pleasure reading for adults tends to be written more to represent an idealized world. 

In other words, kids’ novels tend to focus on what actually happens and fiction for adults tend to focus on escapism. 

Why should we read fiction written by authors from the culture the book represents?

People who grow up in a culture understand the nuances better than someone who studies the culture or experiences it as an outsider. Things that to an outsider might be a mere curiosity could hold significant meaning for those inside the culture. Things that a student or observer might overlook could tell an entire story to someone from that culture. 

When authors write characters from a culture that the author is not part of, the author risks misrepresenting a group of people.

Authors who write about their own culture can more accurately represent themselves and those like them to others. They know what is a regional belief or practice and what is true across groups within their culture. They understand better than outsiders how to write characters that are true to how things actually are, not a generalization based on ideals or partial understandings.

Who are some Native American children’s book authors?

Here are 10 Native American authors to get you started. A book title is in parentheses after the author’s name.

• Angeline Boulley (Fire Keeper’s Daughter)
• Joseph Bruchac (Rez Dogs)
• Christine Day (I Can Make This Promise)
• Jen Ferguson (The Summer of Bitter and Sweet) 
• Eric Gansworth (If I Ever Get Out of Here)
• Cynthia Leitich-Smith (Rain Is Not my Indian Name)
• Anthony Perry (Chula the Fox)
• Gary Robinson (Standing Strong)
• Kim Sigafus (The Mida Series)
• Brian Young (Healer of the Water Monster)

Bonus: We Need Diverse Books is a great starting place for discovering books and authors from many backgrounds.