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Best Native American Books

December 2024

There There

In this raw and powerful debut, Tommy Orange weaves together the stories of twelve Urban Indians in Oakland, California. Their lives intersect in unexpected ways as they journey to the Big Oakland Powwow. Orange’s unflinching prose exposes the harsh realities of Native American life, while also celebrating resilience and identity. I was deeply moved by the characters’ struggles and triumphs. This novel left me pondering the complexities of heritage and belonging long after I turned the final page.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian

Junior, a budding cartoonist, leaves his troubled school on the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white high school. This heartbreaking yet hilarious chronicle of his attempts to straddle two worlds captures the pain and confusion of adolescence. With wit and raw honesty, Alexie’s semi-autobiographical tale tackles poverty, bullying, and the complexities of modern Native American life. It’s a story that’ll make you laugh, cry, and ponder long after the last page.

The Last of the Mohicans

James Fenimore Cooper’s “The Last of the Mohicans” takes you on a gripping adventure set during the French and Indian War. The story unfolds in the untamed wilderness of 1757 New York, where the heroic scout Hawkeye and his Mohican companions, Chingachgook and Uncas, navigate peril, loyalty, and love. This classic novel, rich in historical detail and vivid descriptions, will sweep you away into a world where courage and friendship are tested against a backdrop of conflict and survival.