In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse by Joseph Marshall III 165 pages

"Jimmy McClean is a Lakota boy—though you wouldn’t guess it by his name: his father is part white and part Lakota, and his mother is Lakota. When he embarks on a journey with his grandfather...he learns more and more about his Lakota heritage—in particular, the story of Crazy Horse, one of the most important figures in Lakota and American history. Drawing references and inspiration from the oral stories of the Lakota tradition,...and the contemporary story of Jimmy with an insider’s perspective on the life of Tasunke Witko, better known as Crazy Horse (c. 1840–1877). The book follows the heroic deeds of the Lakota leader who took up arms against the US federal government to fight against encroachments on the territories and way of life of the Lakota people, including leading a war party to victory at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Along with Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse was the last of the Lakota to surrender his people to the US army. Through his grandfather’s tales about the famous warrior, Jimmy learns more about his Lakota heritage and, ultimately, himself."

**one of the BEST novels for young adults I've read in a while.  The themes cover: bullying, honor, humility, bravery and more.  This book also has a glossary in the back for vocabulary.  A great suspenseful book for boys along with any history lover (or one who wants to know more about Crazy Horse).

Barnes and Noble

Dreaming in Indian: Contemporary Native American Voices by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale 125 pages

"A wide-ranging and emotionally potent collection of poems, photography, interviews, and artwork featuring dozens of [contemporary] indigenous artists and writers from across North America. The graphics-intensive format gives the project the feel of a magazine or yearbook as the contributors tackle stereotypes (three girls offer perspectives growing up with Disney’s Pocahontas); discuss their careers in the arts, activism, and other areas; and reflect on their place in the culture at large, despite ongoing discrimination and other challenges."

**for more mature, older students as some pieces contain more mature content.

Barnes and Noble

Red Bird Sings: The Story of Zitkala-Sa, Native American Author, Musician, and Activist Hardcover –by Q. L. Pearce 32 pages

""I remember the day I lost my spirit." So begins the story of Gertrude Simmons, also known as Zitkala-Sa, which means Red Bird. Born in 1876 on the Yankton Sioux reservation in South Dakota, Zitkala-Sa willingly left her home at age eight to go to a boarding school in Indiana. But she soon found herself caught between two worlds--white and Native American.

At school she missed her mother and her traditional life, but Zitkala-Sa found joy in music classes. "My wounded spirit soared like a bird as I practiced the piano and violin," she wrote. Her talent grew, and when she graduated, she became a music teacher, composer, and performer.

Zitkala-Sa found she could also "sing" to help her people by writing stories and giving speeches. As an adult, she worked as an activist for Native American rights, seeking to build a bridge between cultures.

The coauthors have told about Zitkala-Sa's life by weaving together pieces from her own stories. The artist's acrylic illustrations and collages of photos and primary source documents round out the vivid portrait of Zitkala-Sa, a frightened child whose spirit "would rise again, stronger and wiser for the wounds it had suffered.""

Amazon

Powwow Summer: A Family Celebrates the Circle of Life by Marcie R. Rendon 48 pages

"Sharyl and Windy Downwind and their children travel from their home on the Red Lake Reservation in Minnesota to powwows all around the region. For the past year, their oldest daughter, Shian, has been honored as junior princess for Bug-o-nay-ge-shig School. At the Leech Lake Memorial Day gathering, Shian will hand over her crown to the next princess. Later that summer, the family attends the Red Lake Fourth of July powwow seeking healing and comfort. Windy is mourning his mother, who recently passed away, and also honoring her by dancing at the powwow. At ceremonies and in daily life, Windy and Sharyl celebrate Anishinaabe culture by teaching their children traditional skills, dance steps, and lifeways, all part of the circle of community and the seasons and life."

Amazon

Bears Make Rock Soup: And Other Stories by Lise Erdrich 32 pages

"In Bears Make Rock Soup, writer Lise Erdrich and painter Lisa Fifield honor their Native American ancestral traditions. As winter falls, women fill the bellies of hungry bears with sweet stories so they will sleep till spring. Crows warn of enemies in pursuit so that a tribe may escape to safety. Children care for an abandoned moose they find crying for its mother. And animals of all stripes and feathers gather to pay respects to a beloved chief who has fallen while defending his people."

Amazon

Chi-mewinzha Ojibwe Stories from Leech Lake • Author: Dorothy Dora Whipple 125 pages

"Stories of an Ojibwe elder in the original Ojibwe, with English translation
In the first ninety-five years of her life, Dorothy Dora Whipple has seen a lot of history, and in this book that history sees new life. A bilingual record of Dorothy’s stories, ranging from personal history to cultural teachings, Chi-mewinzha presents this venerable elder’s words in the original Ojibwe and in English translation to create an invaluable resource for learning this cherished language"

University of MN Press

Ojibwe Sky Star Map - Constellation Guide by Annette S. Lee, William Wilson, Jeffrey Tibbetts, Carl Gawboy 45 pages

"An Introduction to Ojibwe Star Knowledge.
A constellation guidebook focusing on Ojibwe Star Knowledge. Greek constellations and astronomical objects of interest are included along with the Ojibwe constellations organized by the four seasons and north circumpolar stars. Written by four native authors."

Birchbark Books