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The
following books are written by Native Americans and/or are recommended
by Native Americans.
1. HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED:
Through Indian
Eyes: The Native Experience in Books for Children
ed. by Beverly Slapin and Doris Seale
American Indian Studies Center, University of California, 4th ed. 1998
from the Library Journal review:
The Native American (NA) experience as presented in children's books is
reviewed through essays, poetry, book reviews, guidelines for evaluating
books, a resource list of organizations, a bibliography of books by and
about NAs, American Indian authors for young readers, and illustrations.
2. Also Highly
Recommended:
Lessons
from Turtle Island : Native Curriculum in Early Childhood Classrooms
by Guy W. Jones and Sally Moomaw, Redleaf Press, 2002
from the School Library Journal review:
"...the authors examine the depiction of Native American peoples in
early childhood and primary programs and books... concentrate on
providing suggestions for appropriate literature, materials, and
strategies for including contemporary Native cultures in the curriculum.
Suggestions underscore the differences and similarities in people... The
book also encourages adults to learn more about cultures so that they
can understand the significance of traditions and artifacts before
incorporating them into art projects. (It is very easy to introduce
activities that mock the very traditions that well-meaning individuals
attempt to honor.) ...
There is a short
section on "problem" books... Team this valuable, informative
resource with Beverly Slapin and Doris Seale's extensive... Through
Indian Eyes: The Native Experience in Books for Children (Univ. of
California, 1998) ..."
Note: This book
includes Hawaiians and Japanese Americans.
"[A] marvelous tool that should be in every American
school."—Joseph Bruchac, author of Heart of a Chief and The
Winter People
3. Recommended
The New Press
Guide to Multicultural Resources for Young Readers:
A
Comprehensive Guide to Multicultural Children's Literature Featuring
over 1,000 Critical Book Reviews,
ed. by Daphne Muse; The New Press, 1997, 690 pgs.
from the
School Library Journal review:
"This large, thoughtful collection of reviews and essays is indeed
a "comprehensive guide to multicultural children's
literature," with many lessons on what the term
"multicultural" can mean. The book consists of thematic
chapters, subdivided into age levels from kindergarten to eighth grade.
Unlike similar titles, the entries offer critical reviews, not simply
annotations. In addition, the 250- to 500-word entries include
bibliographic information (though not ISBN numbers), the ethnicity
featured, plot summaries, and, in some cases, related books. A strength
of this book is the breadth of material presented..."
4. Recommended
A Time of
Resistance: California Indians During the Mission Period, 1769-1848
by Sarah Supahan
produced by the Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School District's Indian
Education Program, 1997, 62 pgs. $15
This book may be one of the rarer K-8 material that does not claim
the Native Americans were happy to go to the missions! It contains a
short history ("Background"), a detailed time line (each year
has a paragraph of information), an excerpt from the account given by
one man telling how the missionaries got his people to go to Mission San
Diego, a biography of Toypurina (sister to the leader of her village,
she lead a revolt against the missionaries), activities, a short
bibliography, glossary, and even a list of tribal organizations and
their contact info.
This book is
available at humboldt.k12.ca.us/kt_usd/K-T/indianeducation/index.htm.
This material was created by the KT Indian Education Program. They also
create and sell many other great Native American cultural curriculum
materials.
5. Recommended
Our
Stories Remember: American Indian History, Culture, and Values Through
Storytelling
by Joseph Bruchac, Fulcrum Pub., 2003
from the School Library Journal review:
"Part cultural lesson, part history, and part autobiography, the
book contains a wealth of information. Each chapter begins with an
epigraph from a Native source; some chapters end with an annotated list
of recommended reading. Each chapter also contains stories..."
6. Have not found
recommendations or rejections by Native American authorities for this
book
Native
Americans Today : Resources and Activities for Educators, Grades 4-8
by Arlene
Hirschfelder, Yvonne Beamer Teacher Ideas Press, 2000
from the
Booklist review:
"...a comprehensive guide ...terminology..., stereotypes, and some
things to avoid...clear guidance about topics of study and activities.
...each chapter including objectives, activities, enrichment ideas, and
short, easily understood readings on related subjects. Well-organized,
straightforward, and filled with a rich variety of resources...
Also, a good read
for anyone Gr. 5 through Adult
The
Warriors
by Joseph Bruchac, Darby Creek Publishing; 2003
Jake has been raised with his extended family on an Iroquois
reservation. Then, Jake's mother, who has been away at law school and
building a career, takes Jake off of the reservation to live with her
and to attend a prestigious private boy's school in a city. Jake learns
that, unknown to his mother, he has been accepted into the school
because he is Native American and the school's most important sport is
Lacrosse. Jake learns that the predominantly white student body has
little or no knowledge of other ethnic groups or cultures. He also
discovers that his coach teaches Lacrosse as a blood sport, with
inaccurate, biased, racist stories of the supposed origins of the game
and of native life. Information about Iroquois history, Lacrosse and
different cultures are woven into the story. The way Jake deals with his
problems and the introduction to the sport create a good read that will
attract many readers who might not otherwise be interested in cultural
subject matter.
Hope this list is
of interest,
Alanna
If you know of a book (or music) that you would like to share with other
educators, please send a summary and any other relevant
information via
E-MAIL
or mail to Children of the Earth United - P.O. Box
258035 ~ Madison, WI 53725.
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