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One of the most terrifying creatures to be found in traditional Inuit stories is the nanurluk, a massive bear the size of an iceberg that lives under the sea ice. Its monstrous size and ice-covered fur make it an almost impenetrable foe. Jose Angutingunrik, a gifted storyteller and respected elder from Kugaaruk, Nunavut, brings to life a story of the great nanurluk that has been told in the Kugaaruk region for generations.

A retelling of a Tlingit tale the author first heard from her father. Its the story of how the Raven transformed himself to bring light to what had been an earth shrouded in darkness — and explains why “why ravens are now black as smoke instead of white as snow.” Part of the Abbeville “Tales of the People” series of books for young readers, published in partnership with the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. 

In a southwestern village, a resourceful young woman is intrigued by the appearance of a mysterious stranger — actually an antelope in human guise. The maiden marries him, but when they are shunned by her people, the couple chooses to return to his family and live out their lives as antelopes. Since then, the narrator explains, man has honored the antelope by never hunting or killing it. — Publishers Weekly

Regina Petit’s family has always been Umpqua, and living on the Grand Ronde Tribe’s reservation is all ten-year-old Regina has ever known. But when the federal government enacts a law that says Regina’s tribe no longer exists, Regina becomes “Indian no more” overnight. Now that they’ve been forced from their homeland, Regina’s father signs the family up for the federal Indian Relocation Program and moves them to Los Angeles. Regina finds a whole new world in her neighborhood on 58th Place. She’s never met kids of other races, and they’ve never met a real Indian, and Regina comes face to face with the viciousness of racism, personally and toward her new friends. In this moving middle-grade novel drawing upon Umpqua author Charlene Willing McManis’s own tribal history, Regina must find out: Who is Regina Petit? Is she Indian, American, or both? And will she and her family ever be okay?

Mary Golda Ross designed classified airplanes and spacecraft as Lockheed Aircraft Corporation’s first female engineer. Find out how her passion for math and the Cherokee values she was raised with shaped her life and work. Cherokee author Traci Sorell and Métis illustrator Natasha Donovan trace Ross’s journey from being the only girl in a high school math class to becoming a teacher to pursuing an engineering degree, joining the top-secret Skunk Works division of Lockheed, and being a mentor for Native Americans and young women interested in engineering. The narrative highlights Cherokee values including education, working cooperatively, remaining humble, and helping ensure equal opportunity and education for all.

In this uplifting, contemporary Native American story, River is recovering from illness and can’t dance at the powwow this year. Will she ever dance again? Follow River’s journey from feeling isolated after an illness to learning the healing power of community. Additional information explains the history and functions of powwows, which are commonplace across the United States and Canada and are open to both Native Americans and non-Native visitors. 

Holler Loudly has a voice as big as the southwestern sky, and everywhere he goes, people tell him to “Hush!” From math class to the movies and even the state fair, Holler’s LOUD voice just keeps getting him into trouble. But when a huge tornado comes twisting into town, Holler (with that voice of his!) saves the day. 

What do Indian shoes look like, anyway? Like beautiful beaded moccasins… or hightops with bright orange shoelaces? Ray Halfmoon, a young Cherokee-Seminole boy living in Chicago with his grandpa, prefers hightops, but he gladly trades them for a nice pair of moccasins for his grandpa. After all, it’s Grampa Halfmoon who’s always there to help Ray get in and out of scrapes and share a laugh. 

Short stories by well and lesser-known Indigenous writers present a range of tales about contemporary young people from different tribes and regions at a Michigan powwow. They range from humorous to serious, but each provides a glimpse at the power of community support. Created in partnership with We Need Diverse Books (opens in a new window).

Lily and Wendy have been best friends since they became stepsisters. But with their feuding parents planning to spend the summer apart, what will become of their family — and their friendship? Little do they know that a mysterious boy has been watching them from the oak tree outside their window. A boy who intends to take them away from home for good, to an island of wild animals, Merfolk, Fairies, and kidnapped children, to a sea of merfolk, pirates, and a giant crocodile. A boy who calls himself Peter Pan.

When Louise Wolfe’s first real boyfriend mocks and disrespects Native people in front of her, she breaks things off and dumps him over e-mail. It’s her senior year, anyway, and she’d rather spend her time with her family and friends and working on the school newspaper. The editors pair her up with Joey Kairouz, the ambitious new photojournalist, and in no time the paper’s staff find themselves with a major story to cover: the school musical director’s inclusive approach to casting The Wizard of Oz has been provoking backlash in their mostly white, middle-class Kansas town.

In this chapter book for beginning readers, Lily and her parents move from their suburban neighborhood to New York City. Lily is used to living in a house on a quiet street; she feels like a small ant on such a busy block and worries that she’ll never feel at home. As she and her parents explore their new, multicultural neighborhood, Lily discovers that sometimes change can be a good thing. Featuring a diverse cast of characters, this is the first in the Confetti Kids series (see also The Perfect Gift (opens in a new window) and Want to Play? (opens in a new window))

Growing up in Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus witnessed extreme poverty all around and was determined to eradicate it. Muhammad founded Grameen Bank where people could borrow small amounts of money to start a job, and then pay back the bank without exorbitant interest charges. Over the next few years, Muhammad’s compassion and determination changed the lives of millions of people by loaning the equivalent of more than 10 billion US dollars in micro-credit. His work has empowered the poor, especially women, who often have limited options. 

Cut-paper collage and poetry bring young readers inside a contemporary Native American community while offering a thoughtful look at powwows and their meanings to the Native participants.

Sunrise Elementary School’s new librarian is Miss Lotta Scales, a fire-breathing dragon who fiercely guards her new books. When a nearsighted child enters the unused facility and begins reading aloud, other children wander in, and Miss Scales realizes that kids don’t necessarily damage books. The text is filled with dragon-related puns.

This is the true story of a touching gift bestowed on the United States by a tribe of Maasai Warriors in the wake of the September 11th attacks. Accompanied by richly hued illustrations, this story of generosity and compassion crosses boundaries, nations, and cultures.

A sweet and witty retelling of the Cuban folktale. Martina the beautiful cockroach doesn’t know coffee beans about love and marriage. That’s where her Cuban family comes in. While some of the Cucarachas offer her gifts to make her more attractive, only Abuela, her grandmother, gives her something really useful: un consejo increíble, some shocking advice.

A recreation of the legend of King Christian X of Denmark, inspired by the bravery of the Danes and their king during World War II. An author’s note shares more information on King Christian X, the efforts of Danes to help Jews throughout the country, and discussion questions about the origins of legends.

La Paz is a happy, but noisy village. A little peace and quiet would make it just right. So the villagers elect the bossy Don Pepe as their mayor. Before long, singing of any kind is outlawed. But there is one noisy rooster who doesn’t give two mangos about this mayor’s silly rules. Instead, he does what roosters were born to do. This allegory celebrates the spirit of freedom, and the courage of those who are born to sing at any cost.

A friendly water droplet character guides children through topics ranging from melting and freezing to the ways in which water literally shapes the Earth. Tales by storytellers from around the world are sprinkled through the book, highlighting the variety of ways in which global cultures value water. The engaging format includes gatefolds and booklets with hands-on activity ideas for learning about and protecting water. 

Slightly irreverent and quite comical but informative, this lighthearted look at the human body and its systems provides accessible material sure to engage young readers. Based on a podcast, QR codes are included in extensive backmatter that provide additional resources, a glossary, and source notes.

This story is “that of honey bees, CLAN APIS.” Nyuki is the newest honeybee in the hive and full of questions. Readers will delight in the handsomely illustrated story as well as learn a great deal about clan apis, how they live and work. Any remaining questions are likely answered in the extensive backmatter. Interestingly, the author is a biology professor who is also a cartoonist.

Fifth grader, Wes, is the son of activist parents who is content to defend his “best dressed” reputation — that is until he sees how his own gentrifying neighborhood is changing. And not for the better. He decides he must stand out and stand up for what he believes in. Wes is not only plausible but likeable as are other characters who are placed in an increasingly familiar situation. 

When 12-year-old Aidan returns home after missing for 6 days, how will he explain that he’s been in a Narnia-like place called Avenieu? Confronted with relief followed by anger, Aidan’s journey is told by Lucas, Aidan’s 11-year-old brother. This fascinating exploration of what happens when one person’s reality conflicts with another is taut and convincingly told.