Lee & Low
In 1991, Lee & Low Books began with a simple mission: to publish beautiful books about everyone, for everyone. Today, they are the largest and most trusted multicultural children’s book publisher in the United States and a leader in the movement for greater representation in publishing. Their list includes leveled books for beginning readers, picture books, early chapter books, middle grade, and young adult books, and a wide selection of bilingual and Spanish language titles.
Indian No More
ISBN
9781620148396
Publisher & Publication Year
Authors
Charlene Willing Mcmanis (Umpqua tribal heritage and enrolled in the Confederated) & Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation)
Summary
When the federal government enacts a law that says Regina Petit’s tribe no longer exists, Regina becomes “Indian no more” overnight–even though she lives with her tribe and practices tribal customs, and even though her ancestors were Indian for countless generations. 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. For the first time in her life, Regina comes face to face with the viciousness of racism, personally and toward her new friends.
Notable Achievements
American Indian Youth Literature Award Winner; ALSC Notable Children's Books; Editors’ Choice Books for Youth – Booklist; Amelia Bloomer Book List – American Library Association (ALA); Best Books of the Year – American Indians in Children’s Literature; Notable Books for a Global Society – International Literacy Association (ILA); Global Read Aloud Choice; Best of the Best Books Chicago Public Library; Young Reader’s Choice Award Nominee – Pacific Northwest Library Association; MISelf in Books Recommended – Michigan Association of School Librarians; Maud Hart Lovelace Award Nominee – Minnesota Youth Reading Award; Oregon Reader’s Choice Award Nominee
Trade Reviews
School Library Journal: “Readers will be moved as they become invested in Regina’s predicament.”
Publishers Weekly: “Ten-year-old Regina Petit’s family moves to Los Angeles after their Umpqua tribe, along with all Oregon tribes, is terminated. […] A personalized look at a significant moment in U.S. history, the book closes with extensive back matter, including McManis’s author’s note and family photos.”
Kirkus: “McManis and Sorell produce a poignant family story of the impact termination had on the thousands of Native Americans who left reservations in order to survive.”
Booklist: “While Regina struggles to make sense of her Indianness in L.A. throughout the book, her grandmother, Chich, grounds her in Umpqua folklore and history, helping her to understand the strength and resilience of her people and that that strength cannot be dictated by land.”
The Horn Book: Subscription needed
Educator Guide
An extensive Teacher’s Guide provides historical facts, vocabulary, synopsis of the book, pre-reading questions, post-reading discussion starters, activities that are curated specifically for Indian No More.
Sky Dancers
ISBN
9781620141472
Publisher & Publication Year
Author
Connie Ann Kirk (Seneca)
Illustrator
Summary
Set in the early 1930s and based on the history of Mohawk steelworkers, Sky Dancers tells of John Cloud and his father who works on the construction of the Empire State Building. Gone during the weekdays, John tries to spend as much time with him on the weekends as possible. But one day, he and his mom visit his father in New York City and see him constructing and repairing some of the largest buildings in the world.
Notable Achievements
Best Children’s Books of the Year – Bank Street College of Education; CCBC Choices – Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC)
Trade Reviews
School Library Journal: “First-time picture book author Connie Ann Kirk extensively researched the Mohawk Indians’ role in building New York City’s skyscrapers and bridges, telling a story rich in history and tradition. . . Christy Hale’s paintings burst with vibrant autumn colors and soaring compositions that pay tribute to the steelworkers as true ‘sky dancers’.”
Kirkus: “Gouache illustrations draw on period influences such as the Depression-era city scenes of Edward Hopper and Art Deco angles and lines. Kirk’s research into Mohawk culture and the experience of Native steelworkers adds authenticity, making this a true-to-life portrait of family life and traditions.”
Booklist: “This will work nicely to extend children’s understanding of Native American traditions, and Kirk’s carefully phrased author’s note provides clear-eyed background on how members of this particular group came to be disproportionately represented in such a spine-tingling line of work.”
The Horn Book: Subscription needed
The People Shall Continue: 40th Anniversary Special Edition
ISBN
9780063160385
Publisher & Publication Year
Lee & Low, October 2017 (originally published 1977)
Author
Simon Ortiz (Acoma Pueblo)
Illustrator
Sharol Graves (Absentee Shawnee)
Summary
Told in the rhythms of traditional oral narrative, this telling of the history of the Native/Indigenous peoples of North America recounts their story from Creation to the invasion and usurpation of Native lands. Originally a poem, the story covers many races, indigenous, black, Latinx, white, and inspires a sense of collective responsibility to towards each other.
Notable Achievements
CCBC Choices – Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC)
Trade Reviews
Publishers Weekly: “Derives its power from direct, forceful statements and the repetition of phrases and rhythms that assume a quiet insistence. The accompanying illustrations are similarly unembroidered yet dignified; they contain simply drawn figures and shapes, strong, vivid colors and a minimum of pattern and detail.”
Kirkus: “Ortiz describes the coming of white people and their relentless pressure to force Indians into white customs and onto reservations. An effective presentation of the dignity of Native Americans and their history, this should make all children better aware of the legitimate pride Indians take in their heritage and ideals.”
Educator Guide
An extensive Teacher’s Guide provides historical facts, vocabulary, synopsis of the book, pre-reading questions, post-reading discussion starters, activities that are curated specifically for The People Shall Continue: 40th Anniversary Special Edition.
Rattlesnake Mesa: Stories from a Native American Childhood
ISBN
9781600608742
Publisher & Publication Year
Author
Ednah New Rider Weber (Skidi band of the Pawnee Nation)
Photographer
Richela Renkun
Summary
After her beloved Grandmother dies, EdNah, a seven-year-old Pawnee girl, goes to live with a father she hardly knows on a Navajo reservation miles away. Just as EdNah starts to feel at home in her new surroundings, she is sent away to a strict government-run Indian school. With her world turned upside down once again, EdNah must learn to rely on herself and her newfound community of friends.
Notable Achievements
Notable Books for a Global Society – International Literacy Association (ILA); Best Children’s Books of the Year – Bank Street College of Education; CCBC Choices – Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC); Southwest Books of the Year – Pima County Public Library
Trade Reviews
Booklist: “The black and white photographs are arresting images. . . readers will enjoy the intimate view of a Native American childhood of the time, and they will easily connect with Weber’s universal memories, especially those of her strong friendships, and the empowering, subversive humor […] at the expense of adults.”
The Horn Book: “In spite of obvious hardships, Weber describes her school experiences with warmth and affection; her clear memory of things that amuse or frighten eight-year-olds and her love for the Southwestern landscape make this an unusually compelling memoir. Striking full-page black-and-white photographs illustrate each chapter and add to the book’s appeal.”
