American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL): Lists of Best Books, 2010-2023
Resources for selected titles recognized by this list since its inception in 2010 -- recognizing the best books by or about American Indians, First Nations, Native Americans, and Indigenous People.
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- 4,382 Resources including
- 435 Videos
- 235 Book Readings
- 385 Lesson Plans
- List Analysis Report
Showing 1-48 of 308 book results


We Are Water Protectors
by Carole Lindstrom and Michaela Goade
(Picture Book Selection, 2020)
69 Resources19 Awards

Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre
by Carole Boston Weatherford and Floyd Cooper
(Picture Book Selection, 2021)
69 Resources23 Awards


Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story
by Kevin Noble Maillard and Juana Martinez-Neal
(Picture Book Selection, 2019)
57 Resources16 Awards

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga
by Traci Sorell and Frané Lessac
(Picture Book Selection, 2018)
49 Resources14 Awards


Flying Lessons & Other Stories
by Ellen Oh, Kelly J. Baptist, Soman Chainani, and Meg Medina
(Middle Grade Selection, 2017)
44 Resources7 Awards


An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People
by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, Jean Mendoza, and Debbie Reese
(High School Selection, 2019)
(Middle Grade Selection, 2019)
42 Resources10 Awards

Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer
by Traci Sorell and Natasha Donovan
(Picture Book Selection, 2021)
42 Resources9 Awards

When We Were Alone
by David Alexander Robertson and Julie Flett
(Board Book Selection, 2016)
40 Resources7 Awards

The Talk: Conversations about Race, Love & Truth
by Wade Hudson, Cheryl Willis Hudson, and Torrey Maldonado
(Middle Grade Selection, 2020)
37 Resources7 Awards

The 1619 Project: Born on the Water
by Nikole Hannah-Jones, Renée Watson, and Nikkolas Smith
(Picture Book Selection, 2021)
37 Resources12 Awards


Jingle Dancer
by Cynthia Leitich Smith, Ying-Hwa Hu, and Cornelius Van Wright
(Elementary Selection, 2010)
(Picture Book Selection, 2021)
35 Resources4 Awards





We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices
by Wade Hudson, Cheryl Willis Hudson, and Tony Medina
(Middle Grade Selection, 2018)
33 Resources7 Awards

Indian Shoes
by Cynthia Leitich Smith and Jim Madsen
(Early Chapter Book Selection, 2021)
(Middle Selection, 2010)
32 Resources4 Awards

On the Trapline
by David Alexander Robertson and Julie Flett
(Picture Book Selection, 2021)
32 Resources8 Awards

Fatty Legs: A True Story
by Christy Jordan-Fenton, Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, and Liz Amini-Holmes
(Elementary Selection, 2013)
(Middle Grade Selection, 2020)
31 Resources6 Awards


Sharice's Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman
by Sharice Davids, Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, and Nancy K. Mays
(Picture Book Selection, 2021)
31 Resources6 Awards



Powwow Day
by Traci Sorell and Madelyn Goodnight
(Picture Book Selection, 2023)
30 Resources10 Awards


My Heart Fills with Happiness
by Monique Gray Smith and Julie Flett
(Board Book Selection, 2016)
29 Resources5 Awards

This Place: 150 Years Retold
by Richard Van Camp, Katherena Vermette, David Alexander Robertson, and Jen Storm
(Comics and Graphic Novels Selection, 2019)
29 Resources4 Awards

At the Mountain's Base
by Traci Sorell and Weshoyot Alvitre
(Picture Book Selection, 2019)
29 Resources7 Awards

I Sang You Down from the Stars
by Tasha Spillett and Michaela Goade
(Picture Book Selection, 2021)
29 Resources8 Awards

I Am Not a Number
by Jenny Kay Dupuis, Kathy Kacer, and Gillian Newland
(Middle Grade Selection, 2016)
28 Resources7 Awards

The Hero Next Door
by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, Joseph Bruchac, Linda Sue Park, and Anna Dobbin
(Middle Grade Selection, 2019)
28 Resources1 Awards



Rain Is Not My Indian Name
(High School Selection, 2021)
(Middle Selection, 2010)
26 Resources2 Awards

Dreaming in Indian: Contemporary Native American Voices
by Lisa Charleyboy, Mary Beth Leatherdale, and Inti Ameratsu
(High School Selection, 2014)
26 Resources7 Awards

In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse
by Joseph Marshall, III and Jim Yellowhawk
(Middle Grade Selection, 2015)
26 Resources7 Awards


Indian No More
by Charlene Willing McManis and Traci Sorell
(Middle Grade Selection, 2019)
26 Resources6 Awards



The Used-To-Be Best Friend
by Dawn Quigley and Tara Audibert
(Early Chapter Book Selection, 2021)
25 Resources7 Awards

Mii Maanda Ezhi-Gkendmaanh / This Is How I Know: Niibing, Dgwaagig, Bboong, Mnookmig Dbaadjigaade Maanpii Mzin'igning / A Book about the Seasons
by Brittany Luby and Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley
(Picture Book Selection, 2021)
25 Resources10 Awards
