Episode 23: Classroom essentials: Native American books every middle school library should have

Books for middle schoolers often center on themes of adventure and friendship, while students in these grades are also developing problem-solving skills and discussing more complex topics in social studies and English language arts. In this episode, Allison and Odia share their picks for the top Native American books that every middle school library should have.

The top Native American books for elementary schools were covered in a previous episode. Stay tuned for another episode on book recommendations for high schools!

Have questions or comments? Email us at ⁠info@booksaregoodmedicine.com⁠.

RESOURCES:

• ⁠Episode 4: Native American books every elementary school library should have⁠ ⁠

• Episode 3: “Where Wolves Don’t Die” and more with Anton Treuer⁠

• ⁠A Guide to Reliable Native American-Related Teaching Resources⁠

• Books are Good Medicine website⁠

• ⁠Books are Good Medicine YouTube channel⁠ ⁠

• Books are Good Medicine Instagram⁠

NATIVE AMERICAN BOOKS EVERY MIDDLE SCHOOL LIBRARY SHOULD HAVE

1. “A Stranger at Home” by Margaret Pokiak-Fenton

2. “Apple in the Middle” by Dawn Quigley

3. “Eagle Drums” by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopso

4. “Fatty Legs” by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton

5. “Heroes of the Water Monster” by Brian Young

6. “How I Became A Ghost” by Tim Tingle

7. “In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse” by Joseph M. Marshall III

8. “Jo Jo Makoons” series by Dawn Quigley

9. “Lei and the Fire Goddess” by Malia Maunakea

10. “Native Women Changing Their Worlds” by Patricia Cutright

11. “Rain Is Not My Indian Name” by Cynthia Leitich Smith

12. “Rez Ball” by Byron Graves

13. “She Persisted: Wilma Mankiller” by Traci Sorell

14. “She Persisted: Deb Haaland” by Laurel Goodluck

15. “She Persisted: Maria Tallchief” by Christine Da

16. “The Case of the Rigged Race” by Michael Hitchinson

17. “The Gift Is in the Making: Anishinaabeg Stories” by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

18. “The Marrow Thieves” by Cherie Dimaline

19. “The Night Wanderer” by Drew Hayden Taylor

20. “Three Feathers” by Richard Van Camp

21. “Walking in Two Worlds” by Wab Kinew

22. “Where Wolves Don’t Die” by Anton Treuer

23. “We Still Belong” by Christine Day

This podcast is sponsored by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and produced by Goff Public. Our theme music is “Stomp Dance” by Bluedog.