Native American – For the love of Libros

November is Native American Heritage Month

As many lot of us prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving next week, the sentiment behind the celebration remains a treasured and important one, but I think it’s important to research and learn about the real story behind the frequently told tale of the first Thanksgiving and acknowledge the wrong that was done to all the Native tribes through the colonization and since then.

Today I’m sharing some of the books by Native authors and native stories that we have read (or are currently reading) and have enjoyed in the last couple of years as we diversify our reading and learn more about the beautiful culture and communities.

Picture Books:

We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom
Fry Bread by Kevin Noble Maillard
Remember by Joy Harjo
Be a good ancestor by Leona and Gabrielle Prince
Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior by Carole Lindstrom

Middle Grade:

The Second chance of Benjamin Waterfalls by James Bird
Ancestor Approved edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith
We still belong by Christine Day
Two Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohen

YA:

Fire Keeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
Warrior girl unearthed by Angeline Boulley

Dark Fantasy Anthology:

Never whistle at night, Edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.

Non-fiction:

An Indegenous People’s History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

Many of these I’ve reviewed before, a few I have upcoming reviews on so stay tunned ☺️

Did you pick any books for Native American Heritage Month?
Have you read any books before you can recommend?

Our last #motherdaughterreviews is ending on a high note, not only is this my final review for the year, it’s also my favorite Middle grade book pick for this year.

Last month we picked The Second chance of Benjamin Waterfalls by James Bird, sadly November and December were very busy, but I’m finally sharing our thoughts.

Title: The Second chance of Benjamin Waterfalls
Author: James Bird
Publisher: Feieel Friends imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing group
Publish Date: April 19, 2022
Page Length: 288
Genre: Contemporary /Realistic Fiction
Recommended reading age: Upper Middle Grade / Young adult

Summary:

Benjamin Waterfalls comes from a broken home, and the quickest fix he’s found for his life is to fill that emptiness with stuff he steals and then sells. But he’s been caught one too many times, and when he appears before a tough judge, his mother proposes sending him to “boot camp” at the Ojibwe reservation where they used to live.

Soon he is on his way to Grand Portage, Minnesota, to live with his father – the man Benny hasn’t seen in years. Not only is “boot camp” not what he expects, but his rehabilitation seems to be in the hands of the tribal leader’s daughter, who wears a mask. Why? Finding the answer to this and so many other questions prove tougher than any military-style boot camp. Will answers be enough for Benny to turn his life around and embrace his second chance?

Her review:

This was a very interesting story. It’s a new perspective that I’ve never thought of before and it’s a different inna fun and relatable way. My favorite parts are qhen Benjamin and Niimi meet in the bookstore, when they interact for the first time, which js the start of their friendship; and towards the end, George opens up a but and is friendly towards Benny. Both parts are impacting and sweet, along with being a large step towards Bennys new future. This book is different and fun and truly shows the meaning of second chances.

My review:

This book deserves more hype. It is a wonderful coming of age story. A very troubled boy is learning that his actions have consequences. He is flawed and he does not immediately see that what her does is wrong. He frequently makes wrong choices. I like that he does not immediately change for the better, that it takes him time to finally see how his actions affect him.

There is entertaining banter, bad dad jokes and positive messaging for kids. I also loved how the story weaves in the teachings and customs of the Ojibwe tribe, and how the author included Anishinaabe words within the text. The love the author transmits throughout the book for his community is heartwarming. And we see Benny slowly coming to appreciate his heritage as the book progresses.