Family is a big part of November as many of us gather together to observe Veteran’s Day and American Thanksgiving.
For our younger readers, I’ve selected books pertaining to November, fall and the harvest, and gratitude.
The books I selected for older readers are all from Métis authors who in addition to being excellent storytellers are finding novel ways to give representation to the legends and traditions of their ancestors and the many challenges faced by today’s indigenous youths.
Many of these concerns are universal for all young people. Enjoy!
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlings – When the leaves begin to fall from is favorite tree, Fletcher is sure something must be wrong until winter comes with all of its splendor. Kids will learn about the seasons along with Fletcher in this wonderfully illustrated work. For ages 2-6
Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper – Every year, the three friends Cat, Squirrel, and Duck make pumpkin soup. Cat slices the pumpkin and puts it in the pan. Squirrel stirs in the water, and Duck adds the salt. This year, Duck wants to stir, and the three friends argue about who should do what. After Duck leaves in a huff, his friends become concerned when he doesn’t return. They go to look for him. How do friends settle their disagreements and still remain friends? For ages 2-6
The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry – All the birds are afraid of Scarecrow, but when a tiny young crow falls from the sky, Scarecrow comes to its aid. The pair become inseparable friends, but will the changing of the seasons end their lovely friendship? For ages 3-7
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving by Daphne Pendergast (adapted from the original Charlie Brown Thanksgiving by Charles Schultz) – When Peppermint Pattie invites herself and most of her friends to Charlie Brown’s house for a Thanksgiving feast, Charlie Brown can’t refuse even though he can barely make toast. How will Charie Brown prepare a feast for his friends? Maybe he’ll receive help from unexpected places. For ages 4 and up
Porcupine’s Pie by Laura Renauld – Porcupine can’t wait to share the harvest feast with her friends. When she learns that her friends can’t make their sepia dishes because they are missing key ingredients, Porcupine generously opens her pantry to help out. When Porcupine is also missing an ingredient for her special pie, will her friends come to the rescue? For ages 4-8
Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith – Muscogee teen Lou dumps her boyfriend for making disparaging remarks about Native Americans. When a group of parents from Parents Against Revisionist Theater protest the racially diverse casting decisions for the school’s production of The Wizard of Oz, Lou and her friend Joey cover the story for the school newspaper. The assignment will have far reaching consequences. Cynthia Leitich Smith is a New York Times best-selling author of fiction for children and young adults centered on the lives of modern-day Native Americans. She is a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation. For ages 12 and above
Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger – Elatsoe is a Lipan Apache teen with the power to raise the ghosts of dead animals. When her cousin is murdered, Elatsoe seeks answers. During her quest, she is threatened by a vampire and must defend herself by invoking ancient powers connected with the lands of her people. Darcie Little Badger is a Lipan Apache. She is a part of the Indigenous Futurisms movement among Native artists and writers to write science fiction from their historical and cultural perspectives. For ages 12 and up
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline is a work in the fantasy genre. In a futuristic world ravaged by global warming, everyone has lost their ability to dream - everyone except North America’s Indigenous people. When scientists discover the marrow of Indigenous people’s bones holds the cure, the practice of residential schools begins again with the intention of forcibly extracting the marrow from Indigenous children. Frenchie a young member of a Métis community in Ontario flees to avoid his fate and struggles to survive on his own. Cherie Dimaline is a Métis writer from the Georgian Bay Métis Nation in Ontario. For ages 13 and above
Crazy Horse’s Girlfriend by Erika T. Wurth – Wurth’s debut novel shines a light on the modern plight of many poverty-stricken Indigenous families. Margaritte is a sixteen-year-old drug dealer in a run-down Colorado. Margaritte does what she needs to survive while clashing with her abusive alcoholic father and his hopeless wife. To an outsider, it may seem cliché, but the realities of extreme poverty and its effects on the people trapped by it are very real. Erika T. Wurth is an urban Native of Apache/Chickasaw/Cherokee descent. For ages 14 and up
Blood Sisters by Vanessa Lillie – When Cherokee archaeologist Syd Walker’s ID badge from a college internship is found inside a skull found on land in Oklahoma managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, her employer, memories of a past tragedy flood to the surface. Syd’s friend Luna and her family were murdered by two men in devil masks. Haunted by the tragedy, Syd hasn’t been back to Oklahoma. When Syd’s sister Emma Lou disappears along with several other indigenous women, Syd must confront her fears and return home to investigate. Vanessa Lillie is an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma. For ages 14 and up