October 14, 2026 · Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous Peoples Books Your Kids Will Actually Finish

Indigenous Peoples Books Your Kids Will Actually Finish

Looking for books about Indigenous Peoples that fit your reader's Accelerated Reader level? Here is a list built around real reading situations, not just a roundup of famous titles. We have grouped books by reader, added approximate levels and points, and included a few tips for matching books to kids who are picky, struggling, or voracious.

For early readers (K-2, AR ~1-3)

  • We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela Goade (AR ~2-3, low points). A lyrical picture book about an Ojibwe girl standing up to protect water. Great for read-alouds and short quizzes.
  • Fry Bread by Kevin Noble Maillard (AR ~2-3, low points). A warm, layered look at fry bread and what it means to Native families. The back matter is rich even if the main text is simple.
  • Bowwow Powwow by Brenda J. Child (AR ~3-4, low points). A Ojibwe girl learns about the powwow from her dog's dream. Fun and accessible.

For elementary readers (grades 3-5, AR ~3-5)

  • The used-to-be-best-friend problem, solved: Indian No More by Charlene Willing McManis with Traci Sorell (AR ~4-5, mid points). A Umpqua girl's family is relocated to Los Angeles in the 1950s. Honest, historical, and readable.
  • I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day (AR ~4-5, mid points). A Coast Salish girl uncovers her family's adoption story. Great for readers who like a little mystery with their realism.
  • In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse by Joseph Marshall III (AR ~5-6, mid points). A Lakota grandfather takes his grandson on a road trip through history. Alternates narrative and history, which keeps reluctant readers engaged.

For middle school (AR ~5-7)

  • The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (AR ~4-5, mid points). A Spokane teen leaves his reservation school for a white school off-reservation. Funny and raw. Note: frequently challenged, so check your school or district policy before assigning.
  • Two Roads by Joseph Bruchac (AR ~5-6, mid points). A twelve-year-old boy rides the rails during the Depression and ends up at a CCC camp for Native veterans. Historical fiction that reads fast.
  • Rez Ball by Byron Graves (AR ~5-6, higher points). A Ojibwe teen chases a state basketball title while grieving his brother. For sports readers who claim they hate reading.

For high school (AR ~6+)

  • There There by Tommy Orange (AR ~6-7, higher points). Twelve characters converge on the Big Oakland Powwow. Best for strong readers who can juggle multiple perspectives.
  • The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline (AR ~5-6, higher points). A dystopian future where Indigenous people are hunted for their ability to dream. Popular with teens who usually pick graphic novels.

How to match the book to the reader

Level and points are a starting point, not the whole story. A few things we have learned from teachers and parents:

  • Check the quiz, not just the book. A book can be level 4 with a quiz that trips up a 4th grader. Preview the quiz questions if your school allows it.
  • Points tell you about commitment. A 2-point book is a weekend. A 10-point book is a two-week relationship. Match points to the reader's current attention span, not their grade.
  • Ownvoices matters. Books written by Indigenous authors tend to have more authentic detail, which also means richer comprehension questions. Look for author bios before you buy.
  • Pair fiction with nonfiction. If a reader loves Two Roads, follow it with a short nonfiction book about the CCC or the Depression to build background knowledge.

A quick note on accuracy

AR levels shift slightly by edition and quiz version. Treat the numbers above as approximate ranges and verify with your school's AR book finder before setting goals. If you are unsure whether a specific quiz exists for a title, ask your school librarian first.

Want to build your own list? Our FAQ explains how levels and points work, and you can search by topic, level, and points in one place.

Next steps: Ready to find more books like these? Search BookSoap for Indigenous Peoples books by level and points and filter to your reader's range in seconds.

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