15 Incredible Books By Native American Authors
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Do you know of any Native American authors? No really, stop and think for a second. How many books have you read that have been written by Native Americans? Heck, how many books have Native main characters? What about any Native character?
Is Twilight the only one you can think of?
America’s (the now country) history with the Indigenous people of America (the land) is horrifically dark, to say the least. Native and Indigenous voices have been hushed under the rug since the United States was founded, covered up with a Thanksgiving celebration and the notion that the First Peoples moved “to make room for their new white settler friends 🙂 “
Hopefully, you know that is the farthest from the truth.
If you don’t, well then there is no time like the present to unlearn that!
I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite books by Native American authors. These are novels by Native Americans authors FOR NATIVE AMERICANS. These novels are so unapologetically true to their voice and story, and they do not pause A BEAT to explain the intricate details to non-Native Americans of why an Indigenous person would distrust the healthcare and social services system, or the identity associated with living on a reservation. Or, what it’s like to be Native American in America. They just ARE what they are.
I am so grateful to have the privilege of having a peek inside someone else’s perspective to learn more about another culture. It is important to remember that. YOU ARE A GUEST in these books. Check a few of them out the next time you are enjoying the beautiful landscape and scenery in the United States.
Recognize whose land you are on. LISTEN. Be an ally and actively educate yourself to decolonize history, speak out against discrimination, pass the mic to Indigenous voices, and help dismantle systemic and institutional racism against Indigenous people.
Note, this list does not include First Nation authors or Indigenous folk outside of US-occupied land. All Indigenous people of Turtle Island are valid, but I narrowed it down just for space purposes. Additional lists will be up soon!
Sister Raven by Kare Rae Levine
Sister Raven was the first book I read that was SOLEY told in a traditional Native American storytelling method. It was literally like reading an oral story, it was fantastic. Not only was the story absolutely amazing, but the magical realism elements transports you to a familiar -but fantasy- alternate universe. It’s super short and you can wiz through it in an afternoon, but I highly recommend it! Also a great jumping off point if you’re just now jumping into reading works by Native American authors.
Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead
I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. Okay, first – the main character is a young Two-Spirit Indigenous Queer who leaves the reservation and goes into the city…well, for a week. And that’s all the time this book needs to create magic. It’s a mature book, yanno with sex and cigarettes and MTV and big city stuff, but not in a way that is crude or unnecessarily grimy. Everything in this book is easy, yet full of conflict. Effortless, yet thought-provoking. I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s a beautiful coming-of-age novel and a must-read.
FireKeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
Wowow this was a good one! It falls under the category of YA suspense, which we definitely need more of – especially from Native American authors – but the storytelling and themes throughout this book are so mature and well-executed that I felt compelled page after page. Lots of Ojibwe culture examined (but not flat-out explained – which I love!), and we follow the main character as she unraveled a deadly operation teeming at the seams of her community. I will definitely be keeping out for Boulley’s future works.
Buckskin Cocaine by Erika T. Wurth
This book was A JOURNEYYY! In short, it offers a behind-the-scenes perspective of the Native American entertainment industry and being Native artist or actor in showbiz. It reads almost as separate short stories from the different characters, in that their chapters make sense as stand-alones, though they do all connect with each other. I also read Wurth’s novel Crazy Horse’s Girlfriend (I read that one after), which I liked more but it moved a bit slower.
Mapping the Interior by Stephen Graham Jones
YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO – if you’ve read my own novel, TW: Flatline, you KNOW how much I love an unreliable narrator. They’re such dramatic liars about everything. I LOVE THEM. It’s like a puzzle trying to read the book, and you have to go back and read it a second time to understand all the “loopholes” you missed the first time. The basic plot of the story is told from the narrative of a young boy who hallucinates about seeing his dead father. Or…IS HE HALLUCINATING?!?
I can confidently say that Stephen Graham Jones is one of my favorite Native American authors (favorite authors PERIOD), and one of his more recent releases, The Only Good Indians, absolutely BLEW MY MIND. I cannot recommend it enough. Yanno, if you enjoy unreliable narrators haha. I am a lifelong buyer of his novels now.
Her Land, Her Love by Evangeline Parsons Yazzie
OKAY CAN I JUST START OFF WITH FANGIRLING OVER THE FACT THAT I HAVE A SIGNNNNEDDDD COPY ?!?!?!? *whew* Lemme calm down. This story is a the fictional retelling of a VERY REAL EVENT in history – The Navajo Long Walk. Or also known as The Long Walk to Bosque Redondo (Hwéeldi in Navajo). So I had never heard of this event, but between 1864 and the end of 1866, the United States government forced the Navajo people to march from their land in what is now Arizona to the East side of New Mexico. Similar to the Trail of Tears, it was a genocidal attempt of ethnic cleansing.
It was so beautifully written, and follows the story of one family during this period. I loved how much of the language was embedded into the story. I personally can’t read Diné, but there were plenty of context clues and usually a translation after a long passage! If you love historical fiction, this one does a fantastic job of weaving romantic storytelling while also presenting the TRUTH about this painful history.
Killer of Enemies by Joseph Bruchac
I LOVE A YA DYSTOPIANNNN!!! Literally, Lozen is the heroine Katniss Everdine and Tris WISH they were. Like every great revolution, it starts with a severe class separation, or in this book, “the haves and the have nots.” After a catastrophic event places everyone on the same playing field, so to speak, Lozen uses her talents as an Apache hunter to leverage for her family’s survival. As a young adult novel, the writing isn’t extremely complex, so you can sit down and really blaze through this book (you’ll want to).
The Jailing of Cecelia Capture by Janet Campbell Hale
I’m not gonna lie, I was hesitant to read this book because I’m always nervous about reading popular books. Seriously, it’s on EVERY list of Native American authors. I was scared it would let me down and I would be disappointed. BUT HALE CAME THRUUUUU WITH THIS ONE. It’s an absolute work of artistic genius. The story is about Cecelia, a young law student, came to be stuck in jail. It’s kind of like the book Angels & Demons, where only like 3 days pass by in the book, but it manages to gracefully capture the main character’s whole life and personality. Genius.
The Removed by Brandon Hobson
Okay, I know it may seem like there’s some clear favorites in this list of Native American authors…AND IM SORRY I CAN’T HELP BUT FANGIRL OVER SOME OF THEM. Including Brandon Hobson.
One of my new favorite authors in general – so it’s no surprise his work The Removed would put him on my favorite Native American authors list. I read this novel while I was in Oklahoma, so it hit that much deeper. The story follows a family in the aftermath of police brutality, and the never-ending heartache that comes with it. I am so so appreciative that the story’s main focus was not the police brutality, but rather the shockwaves that shake the family afterwards.
Cannot speak more highly of this one.
Rain is Not My Indian Name by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Oiiii this book hit pretty hard for me, for different reasons. The story deep dives into the inner community of the main character, as she attends a Native American summer program. The story offers an inside view of the conflict against the acceptance of Black people (and Blackness) in the Native community, and also the struggle and battle of disowning someone’s own Native heritage.
I didn’t particularlyyyy like the main character (totes normal for me, I’m picky), but it didn’t make the book less readable. I didn’t particularlyyyy like the main character (totes normal for me, I’m picky), but it didn’t make the book less readable. And objectively I can tell it is a great book and Smith definitely earned her spotlight in this list of Native American authors. Also, I appreciate that the novel explored the complexities of being mixed in the Native community.
Objectively I can tell Smith is a powerful writer and definitely earned her spotlight in this list of Native American authors.
Last Standing Woman by Winona LaDuke
This novel is definitely more on the powerful and raw side, as it follows seven generations of an Anishinaabe (Ojibwe/Chippewa) family. Y’all know I love a good generations story (Homegoing, Pachinko, etc). LaDuke is one of the best Native American authors, and you can TELL. This novel is so personal that it hurts, and that’s when you get hooked. The story focuses on life on a Native American reservation, and the challenges and battles faced on a daily basis. The characters are phenomenal. Although the writing was more on the classical side, it didn’t move toooo slow for me.
The American Café by Sara Sue Hoklotubbe
I’m very new to the mystery genre, but this was a great read! The book exploded right off the back with the plot device, and every chapter after was plot twist upon plot twist. The book literally made me gasp out loud. Plus, the characters were extremely likable (a rarity in mystery novels it feels like), and also super diverse! It DIDDDD talk me out of wanting to take over a cafe in a small town, BUUUT aside from that, this book had me at the edge of my seat the whole time! I would love to read more mysteries written by Native American authors!
There, There by Tommy Orange
Every year, I read a story that really shakes my life and I can’t stop talking about it to everyone I meet for the next six months. Last year, it was Pachinko. This year, it’s There, There. It was a little confusing at first (because I didn’t know there were different narrators lol), but basically the book is a collective story of Native Americans in Oakland, California, and the events leading up to the big Oakland Pow Wow that brings them all together. It is powerful. Though-provoking. SO FREAKING WITTY. UGH, just read it. I promise you. With this novel alone, Tommy Orange is on my list of favorite Native American authors.
I’m already on the edge of my seat waiting for his next releases.
Lightfinder by Aaron Paquette
A FANTASY NOVEL?? Say Lessssss!! Yo, real talk, I’ve been looking for some quality fantasy novels written by people of color, and Lightfinder was that and soooo much more. The characters are literally the most endearing things I have ever fallen in love with, ESPECIALLY the main character’s Kokum (grandmother).
It is a fantasy novel, but it isn’t a whole new world that takes chapters to setup and get into – you just dive right in. And there’s so much Cree culture interlaced in the storytelling that I got the sense of more magical realism than like, Avatar fantasy, which is nice because I aint got time for world building tbh. Also, I loved the pictures for each chapter. It’s a good book for older kids to (5/6th-ish grade?), well, adults like me, haha. Icing on the cake.
If I Ever Get Out of Here by Eric Gansworth
THIS WAS SUCH A CUTE BOOK! It’s another “quick” read, in that the writing isn’t complex, but it is a great story. It’s from the perspective of a young kid who don’t has many friends and is bullied. After deciding to shave off his signature braid over the school break, he makes a friend with a new kid in school and they quickly become best friends.
You know I love a good coming of age story, especially from Native American authors. I like that the novel explores exploring a new culture as the friends learn more about each other, and also boundaries people (in general) set when they are hesitant to let someone into their life, but especially what it is like bringing someone into life “on the rez.”
Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse
Honestly, I just feel so freakin snubbed that this ISNT ALREADY A MOVIE. In fact, GIVE IT THE SAME NUMBER OF SEASONS AS SUPERNATURAL BECAUSE I NEEEEED THISSSSS. Trail of Lightning is a YA Dystopian novel, which I have a soft spot for already, but combined with magical realism and a young adult main character that…I like?!? WHAT? The premise is that the world essentially ended after “The Big Water,” but Navajo Nation is the only place intact because of a wall they built around the Nation beforehand.
The main character is a straight-up monster-killing machineeee, and her adventure is to hunt down the cause of the recent surge in monster attacks. And, like any great YA novel, there’s a love triangle. Love to see it.
Short List of Native American Authors
For multiple reasons, these books by Native American authors didn’t make my top list. BUT! I still think they’re worth checking out because you might like them!
My Name is Not Easy by Debby Dahl Edwardson : This book is downright amazing. One of my favorite from the bunch, in fact, and one of the few that I found touching on the Native Americans, Inuit, and Esmiko experience in boarding schools. PLUS, it’s beautifully written. So why is it down here? Welll, the writer herself is not Native American. Her husband is, however, and through this fiction novel she retells of HIS very real experience of having to attend a Catholic boarding school as a child.
Summer Light by Elyse Guttenberg: Another book about Indigenous people in Alaska, but this one is fantasy and is set in ancient Alaska. I actually got a signed copy when I visited Fairbanks! Buuut I’m not done yet. The plot is slow-moving and a bit of work to get into, which is why it is down here, but it’s showing promise!
Sacred Smokes by Theodore C. Van Alst Jr : The plot is good. And the topics are very raw and hard hitting, buuut….I COULD NOT with the writing formatting. I know, it’s petty, but I couldn’t get past it.
Power by Linda Hogan: I knowww I knowww, unpopular opinion, but Hogan’s writing is a bit hit or miss with me. I really loved the beginning, but there were long periods that would lose me. And some of Hogan’s other works, like People of the Whale, I couldn’t get into at all 🙁 but I know it’s just a personal thing. The writing IS good, but if you enjoy more classical works like Jane Austen (I don’t), then you would probably like it more than I did.
Feral Nights by Cynthia Leitich Smith: It’s a fantasy novel and it isn’t BAAAD, but it’s taking me so long to get through it I read 4 other books instead and I’m still not done. It’s just a bit too slow-paced for me personally.
Conclusion: Favorite Native American Authors
There are a TON of Native American authors, poets, and writers, these are just a few that I have personally enjoyed. I know that it can be extremely difficult to find representation in fiction novels, especially in demographics that are LITERALLY targeted for erasure. But please don’t make the mistake of saying that there are NO Native American authors or characters, because that is overlooking all of the amazing works and writers I’ve included here, as well as countless others.
They’re there (no pun intended).
Speaking of, if you know of any Native American authors that write romance, DROP EM IN THE COMMENTS. I refuse to read romances about Indigenous characters NOT written by Native American authors. They’re…eh…fetish-y, for lack of better words.
Also P.S. – we all know Katara and Katniss were probably actually supposed to be indigenous, right? Tsk – such missed opportunities by Hollywood, once again. DO BETTER.
Any Other Native American Authors that you like?
Again, this is only a suuuuper small selection of books that I have read. Do you have any fiction books by Native American authors that you really enjoyed? List them in the comments below!
I’m currently working through my stack of First Nation authors, so stay tuned for that post in the future!
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