Cynsations: Celebrating Children’s & Young Adult Literature
Join us in celebrating the fifth anniversary of Heartdrum, an acclaimed imprint featuring stories for children and teens by Indigenous authors and illustrators. Heartfelt, groundbreaking, and unexpected, these beloved books emphasize the present and future of Native peoples and the strength of young Indigenous heroes. Heartdrum has published nearly fifty books for young readers with many more to come. Deepest gratitude to all who support our ongoing journey!
Congratulations, Deb Haalund, Sharice Davids, and Peggy Flanagan!
“Native American” is an umbrella term. “Osage” is tribally specific. Whenever it makes sense, err on the side of tribal specificity.
Native military family representation in my fiction reflects reality.
Celebrate Native Heritage Month with 2026 picture books recommended at IndigenousReadsRising.com.
Nov. 8
Celebrate gratitude with books for young readers!
FEATURED BOOKS
KEEPUNUMUK: WEEÂCHUMUN’S THANKSGIVING STORY by
THANKU: POEMS OF GRATITUDE by Miranda Paul and Marlena Myles (Lerner, 2019);
WE ARE GRATEFUL: OTSALIHELIGA by Traci Sorell and Frane Lessac (Charlesbridge, 2018).
I’m a children’s-YA book devotee, but I do occasionally read books published for grownups. For this Native Heritage Month, I’ll highlight:
WHISKEY TENDER: A MEMOIR by Deborah Jackson Taffa (HarperCollins)
SEARCHING FOR SAVANNA: THE MURDER OF ONE NATIVE AMERICAN WOMAN AND THE VIOLENCE AGAINST MANY by Mona Gable (Atria Books)
THE WILDEST RIDE by Marcella Bell (HQN)
THE BONE THIEF by Vanessa Lillie (Berkley)
BODICE RIPPER by Dancia Nava (Berkley)
BUFFALO HUNTER HUNTER by Stephen Graham Jones (S&S/Saga Press)
WINTER COUNTS by
Nov. 9
“Children’s Book Week, established in 1919, is a celebration of books and the connection they bring. This beloved program continues to grow and adapt each year with new resources and ideas for joining in. As part of the longest-running national celebration of books for young people and the joy of reading, schools, libraries, and bookstores will celebrate Children’s Book Week on May 4-10 and November 9-15, from coast to coast across all 50 states.” CBW
The 2026 poster by Grace Lin, features the spine of my middle grade novel, SISTERS OF THE NEVERSEA. Can you find it SISTERS OF THE NEVERSEA, cover by Floyd Cooper (Heartdrum) received five starred reviews, plus one for the audio edition.
Celebrate Nonfiction November and Native Heritage Month with books by Eric Gansworth, Brad Wagnon, Julie Flett, SD Nelson, Traci Sorell, Leona Price, Carla Joseph, Twila M. Barnes, Stacy Wells, Natasha Donovan, Arigon Starr, Laurel Goodluck, Lisa Charleyboy, Mary Beth Leatherdale, Anton Treuer, Kevin Noble Maillard, Juana Martinez-Neal, Kim Rogers, Bobby Von Martin, Brenda J. Child, Deidre Havrelock, Christine Day, Will Chavez, Andrea M. Page, Patricia Morris Buckley, E.B. Lewis, France Lessac, Carole Lindstrom, Michaela Goade, Donna Janell Bowman, Billy Mills, and many more!
Nov. 10
Rock Your Mocs is a global movement each November where Indigenous people honor culture, identity, and connection by wearing or displaying our moccasins. Wear moccasins or a turquoise ribbon. Take a photo or video. Share it on social media with #RockYourMocs and tag @RockYourMocs.
ROCK YOUR MOCS, written by Laurie Goodluck (Mandan-Hidatsa-Tsimshian), illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw)(Heartdrum, 2023). Ages 4-up.
We’re stepping out and kicking it up.
Wearing beauty on their feet—as art, as tradition, with style, with pride—kids from different Native Nations know every day is a day to rock your mocs. In this happy, vibrant nod to Rock Your Mocs Day, author Laurel Goodluck and artist Madelyn Goodnight celebrate the joy and power of wearing moccasins all year round—and the Native pride that comes with them.
- American Indians in Children’s Literature (AICL) Best Books
- American Indian Youth Literature Honor Award
- CCBC Choices
- Featured Title, “Entwined Memory: A Special Book Installation,” curated by Eleanor Owl Stolzoff, August 8, 2025 – August 2, 2026, Reading Library, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Nov. 11 Veteran’s Day
According to the U.S. Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs, Veterans Day on Nov. 11 is “[a] celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.”
ABOUT
I AM OSAGE: HOW CLARENCE TINKER BECAME THE FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN MAJOR GENERAL, written by Kim Rogers (Wichita), illustrated by Bobby Von Martin (Choctaw)(Heartdrum, 2024). Ages 4-up.
This informative and inspiring picture book by acclaimed author Kim Rogers (Wichita), with striking artwork by debut illustrator Bobby Von Martin (Choctaw), celebrates the achievements of Clarence Tinker, a member of the Osage Nation who became the first Native American major general.
Clarence Tinker always knew that he wanted to do something extraordinary. Something adventurous. Something that made a difference in the world. But as a member of the Osage Nation at the turn of the twentieth century, there were a lot of obstacles that he had to face to achieve his dreams. When he was a child, Clarence was taken away from his family and community. He was forced to attend a prison-like boarding school, like many other Native children of his generation. There, he wasn’t able to speak his language or practice his Osage customs.
Still, Clarence kept his dream close to his heart and joined the US Army with the goal of becoming an officer. Though he was treading an unfamiliar path, he worked hard and never forgot his Osage values and traditions that, ultimately, paved his way to success.
I AM OSAGE, the first nonfiction project from the Heartdrum imprint, combines gorgeous, vibrant artwork with a stirring text that celebrates an unsung hero while also shedding light on significant American history.
★ School Library Journal (starred): “Tinker’s life unfolds and is not separate from the struggles of Indigenous people in North America, as colonial entities unlawfully or immorally controlled and restricted their freedom to pursue dreams. Von Martin’s illustration glow with the radiance of oil paintings, drawing the eye to key moments in Tinker’s life and highlighting aspects of Osage culture. VERDICT An excellent addition to nonfiction collections for young readers.”
Celebrate Native Heritage Month with 2026 young adult books recommended at IndigenousReadsRising.com.
Nov. 12
When I first began talking to young readers about Native characters, their exclusive use the past tense was chilling. You would’ve thought we’d gone extinct shortly after 1492. The “vanishing Indian” is a myth. Our populations are recovering. My tribe, the Mvskoke Nation, is more than 100,000 citizens strong. Native languages and traditions are alive, our governments are functioning, and our peoples are making fresh contributions to their communities and society every day.
Does that mean we shouldn’t read or teach historical narratives? Of course not. It means that we should emphasize that Native peoples have a past, present, and future. Dr. Debbie Reese has suggested introducing books with information about the specific featured tribes today, perhaps showing their government’s official website, and highlighting biographies of the authors and illustrators.
Featured Books:
WE ARE STILL HERE! NATIVE AMERICAN TRUTHS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW by Traci Sorell and Frane Lessac (Charlesbridge)
WE STILL BELONG by Christine Day, cover by Madelyn Goodnight (Heartdrum)
WHEN WE GATHER (OSTADAHLISIHA): A CHEROKEE TRIBAL FEAST by Andrea L. Rogers and Madelyn Goodnight (Heartdrum)
WE ARE WATER PROTECTORS by Carole Lindstrom and Michaela Goade (Roaring Brook)
Nov. 13
Celebrate Native Heritage Month with 2026 chapter books and middle grade books recommended at IndigenousReadsRising.com.
Celebrate diversity within Indigenous Country! There are more than 1,200 unique tribes within the borders of the U.S. and Canada, and you’ll find intersectional diversity within all of the them. Consider these examples:
THE SUMMER OF BITTER AND SWEET by Jen Ferguson, cover art by Reyna Hernandez, beading by Kim Stewart (Heartdrum, 2022). In this complex and emotionally resonant novel, debut author Jen Ferguson serves up a powerful story about rage, secrets, and all the spectrums that make up a person—and the sweetness that can still live alongside the bitterest truth.
THE RIBBON SKIRT by Cameron Mukwa (Graphix, 2024). A joyful coming-of-age middle-grade graphic novel by debut Indigenous creator Cameron Mukwa about the journey of a two-spirit kid who wants to create a ribbon skirt for the upcoming powwow.
TWO TRIBES by Emily Bowen Cohen (Heartdrum, 2023). From the publisher: “A Jewish Muscogee girl, navigating sensitive family dynamics, “learns to embrace the complexity, meaning, and deep love that comes from being part of two vibrant tribes.”
STRONGER THAN, written by Nikki Grimes and Stacy Wells, illustrated by E.B. Lewis (Heartdrum, 2026). ★ Booklist (starred): “A powerful picture book about a Black Choctaw child discovering who he is.”
CIRCLE OF LOVE, written by Monique Gray Smith, illustrated by Nicole Niedhardt (Heartdrum, 2024). Kirkus Reviews: “Queer and gender-nonconforming relatives figure prominently in Neidhardt’s vibrant images; Molly’s community is lovingly portrayed as one that includes people with many gender expressions, skin tones, and styles of dress, and the words ‘love is love’ appear throughout the book’s colorful spreads. This is a beautiful and moving glimpse into the rich intersections of Indigenous cultures and the Native queer and trans people who co-create them.”
BETWEEN THE PIPES, written by
BRAIDED ROOTS, written by
Nov. 14
The history of Native people didn’t begin in 1492, and it didn’t end in 1900. Read stories set across the eras, keeping in mind that each tribal Nation has a specific cultural and historical experience although certain parallel experiences (like relocation) have occurred and intertribal alliances have developed over time.
FEATURED BOOKS
BUFFALO DREAMER by Violet Duncan (Nancy Paulsen, 2024);
MARY AND THE TRAIL OF TEARS: A CHEROKEE REMOVAL STORY by Andrea L. Rogers (Capstone/Stone Arch, 2020);
THE STAR THAT ALWAYS STAYS by Anna Rose Johnson (Holiday House, 2023);
INDIAN NO MORE by Charlene Willing McManis and Traci Sorell (Lee & Low, 2019).
Nov. 15
Indigenous Reads Rising is a celebration of Indigenous children’s literature of Native Nations, centering those within the United States and Canada. You’ll find bibliographies of children’s-YA books for young readers, resources for teachers, librarians, readers, and more! Visit indigenousreadsrising.com.
Nov. 16
Highlighting Native middle grade reads by Brandon Hobson, David A. Robertson, Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson, Anna Rose Johnson, Traci Sorell, Charles Waters, Tim Tingle,
Nov. 17
Honor Native knowledge and innovation. A shout out to educators who’re here to learn. If you’re not already, it’s time to integrate Native knowledge, innovation, and contributions throughout the curriculum.
Consider, for example, these four books with regard to STEAM:
TO WALK THE SKY: HOW IROQUOIS STEELWORKERS HELPED BUILD TOWERING CITIES, written by Patricia Morris Buckley, illustrated by E.B. Lewis (Heartdrum. 2025).
RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME by Cynthia Leitich Smith, cover art by Natasha Donovan (Heartdrum, 2021)(paperback edition). Story features photography, journaling, visual art, web coding, and building a weight-bearing pasta bridge.
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Nov. 19
Embrace critical thinking when it comes to Native peoples, tribal Nations, and history. Each of these books takes on some aspect of the dominant societal culture and reframes it with a Native sensibility, one which lends itself to readers weighing competing perspectives.
THE BIRCHBARK HOUSE by Louise Erdrich (HarperCollins); consider this authentic Ojibwe middle grade as a corrective text for LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE by Laura Ingalls Wilder, cover by Garth Williams, which includes numerous historical and cultural misrepresentations.
SISTERS OF THE NEVERSEA by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Heartdrum); consider this reimagination of J.M. Barrie’s classic PETER PAN, which centers the girls and tribally specific Native characters in a modern times in a story that respectfully welcomes all young readers.
MASCOT by Charles Waters and Traci Sorell (Charlesbridge). ★ Publishers Weekly (starred): “Told via seven alternating narratives, this ripped-from-the-headlines collaboration in verse by Waters and Cherokee Nation member Sorrel follows a fictional town’s division over a racist sports mascot.”
HEARTS UNBROKEN by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Candlewick Press). ★School Library Journal (starred): “Absorbing….Blending teen romance with complex questions of identity, equality, and censorship, this is an excellent choice…” Examines the relationship between an artist and their art in light of pro-genocide newspaper editorials by L. Frank Baum, author of THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ.
Nov. 20
Highlighting Indigenous board books for our littlest readers by Richard Van Camp, Julie Flett, Monique Gray Smith, Debby Slier, Traci Sorell, Madelyn Goodnight, Celina Kalluk, Alexandria Neonakis, and more.
Nov. 21
Highlighting picture books by Indigenous authors and illustrators, including Kate Gardiner, Joy Harjo, Julie Flett, Michaela Goade,
Nov. 22
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Nov. 23
Let’s talk about the Native Fund at We Need Diverse Books!
Less than two percent of children’s books published in the U.S. depict characters from American Indian and First Nation populations, according to statistics compiled by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center. When Native readers open a book, what do they find? More often than not, it isn’t themselves.
To address this issue, WNDB created the Native Fund. This fund not only provides free Native books to students, it also helps Native creators get their books published. For too long, Native voices have been ignored, which has led to stereotypical and harmful depictions of Native characters. The goal? To support Native writers and illustrators in telling and publishing their stories.
Visit: https://www.diversebooks.org/partner/nativefund
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Nov. 30
We celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Native Heritage Month. That’s terrific! It really is, but we are Native every day.
Recognition days and months are helpful prompts. Shine a light! Then keep shining all year long.
Seasonal Native children’s books abound, and these four should get you started.
THE SEA IN WINTER by Christine Day (Heartdrum); ★ Publishers Weekly (starred): “A contemplative and emotional story of resilience and reinvention whose dedication sums it up well: ‘To anyone who needs a reminder that pain is temporary.’”
SPRINGTIME IN KITKATLA by Kim Spencer and Karlene Harvey (Orca Book Publishers); School Library Journal: “While the book’s narration hews closely to the theme of feelings about a beloved place, the additional layer of Wałaas’s culture creates opportunities for further exploration for children who aren’t already familiar with the Northwest First Nations.”
FIREFLY SEASON by Cynthia Leitich Smith and Kate Gardiner (Heartdrum); ★ Publishers Weekly (starred): “…longing, love, and the blessing of found sisterhood.”
A GOOD HIDE by Karina Iceberg and Natasha Donovan (Heartdrum); ★ Kirkus Reviews (starred): “Simple yet utterly joyous—a testament to Indigenous identity that exudes gratitude.”