Tag Archives: Native American

Buzzworthy Historical Books for Young Readers: Red River Rose, Where Only Storms Grow, and The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli

Here are three recent and much-talked about middle grade historical fiction titles. Red River Rose is just coming out this month (March 2026) and has gotten multiple starred reviews. The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli won a Newbery … Continue reading

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Cybils Middle Grade Fiction Finalists

I have slowly been working my way through the Cybils finalists by category (my favorite categories, besides the one where I’m a panelist.) I’ve finally finished the middle grade fiction finalists, and am including my brief thoughts here. The Cybils … Continue reading

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3 More 2022 Cybils MG Graphic Novel Finalists

Here are my short takes on three 2022 Cybils MG Graphic Novel finalists – Wingbearer by Marjorie Liu and Teny Issakhanian, Little Monarchs by Jonathan Case, and Woman in the Woods, edited by Kate Ashwin Continue reading

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Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

I had worked closely with Angeline Boulley on putting together the Decolonizing Libraries panel for the KidLitCon 2020 that never happened, so naturally between that and being a book set in my home state, I went out and bought my … Continue reading

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Interwoven Stories: The Raconteur’s Commonplace Book and Ancestor Approved

Here are two collections of interwoven stories – one historical fantasy, one contemporary and mostly realistic – that both delighted me. Continue reading

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Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger

Elatsoe is a ground-breaking contemporary teen fantasy that blends the new with Lipan Apache traditions. Continue reading

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Show Me a Sign and Indian No More

There are two very exciting things about these books – first, they are both fantastic, and from underrepresented voices.  Secondly (okay, maybe more exciting for me than for you, dear reader) is that I got both of these books in … Continue reading

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In the Dakotas: Apple in the Middle and Prairie Lotus

Here are two stories of girls growing up in the Dakotas – one modern and one in the past. Apple in the Middle by Dawn Quigley. NDSU, 2018. 9781946163073. Read from library copy. Dawn Quigley would have been one of … Continue reading

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Graphic Novels: This Place, Guts, Best Friends

Here’s my #CybilsReadDown Reckoning, plus reviews of three don’t-miss graphic novels (one YA, two middle grade) – This Place:150 Years Retold by Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm,  Sonny Assu, and Brandon Mitchell et al., Guts by Raina Telgemeier, and Best Friends by Shannon Hale. Continue reading

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Modern Life with Gods: Race to the Sun and Maya and the Rising Dark

Here are two books from my #CybilsReadDown pile, both exciting contemporary fantasy in which modern-day kids find that their culture’s traditional Gods are, let’s say, highly relevant to their present lives.  Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse. Read by … Continue reading

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