“Too often, Native American history is treated as a finished chapter instead of relevant and ongoing. This companion book to the award-winning We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga offers readers everything they never learned in school about Native American people’s past, present, and future. Precise, lyrical writing presents topics including: forced assimilation (such as boarding schools), land allotment and Native tribal reorganization, termination (the US government not recognizing tribes as nations), Native urban relocation (from reservations), self-determination (tribal self-empowerment), Native civil rights, the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), religious freedom, economic development (including casino development), Native language revival efforts, cultural persistence, and nationhood.” — publisher […]
Illustrators: Lessac, Frané
We are grateful: Otsaliheliga
“The word otsaliheliga (oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah) means “we are grateful” in the Cherokee language. Beginning in the fall with the new year and ending in summer, follow a full Cherokee year of celebrations and experiences. Written by a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, this look at one group of Native Americans is appended with a glossary and the complete Cherokee syllabary, originally created by Sequoyah.” […]
Pattan’s Pumpkin
"Pattan has an amazing pumpkin. It grows bigger than the goats, bigger than the elephants… so BIG that it is as TALL as the mountains. Then one day, the storm clouds burst and the waters rise. Pattan, his family, and all the animals are in danger from the momentous flood. Can Pattan and his giant pumpkin save the day? Based on a traditional tale told by the Irula people of southern India"–Dust jacket […]
The fire children: A west African folk tale
A retelling of the West African folk tale about the creation of the world and all its different peoples. […]
The Mayflower
Narrates the historic journey of the one hundred and two passengers aboard the Mayflower and their settlement at Plymouth Harbor. ~Publisher […]
Drummer boy of John John
"A story inspired by events in the boyhood of Winston "Spree" Simon, a pioneer in the development of the steel drum, in which he discovers he can create tunes by banging on discarded cans. Includes author’s note, glossary, and sources"–Provided by publisher […]
The Wonderful Towers of Watts
“The incredible artwork of an Italian immigrant who followed his dream of monumental proportions in the impoverished Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles is revealed in this fascinating and engaging true story.
Simon (Sam) Rodia had no formal engineering or architectural training. Yet, over the course of three decades, he constructed an artistic masterpiece in his own backyard – the Watts Towers. Using all kinds of things other people had thrown away, such as broken bottles and tiles, pieces of mirror and glass, seashells, and bits of pottery, he adorned the collection of 17 interconnected sculptural towers. His imaginative salvaging and perseverance can be seen today, as people from all over the world still come to marvel at Sam’s dream.” — publisher […]
