John Smelcer's Identity

In the update to my post on Sunday about John Smelcer, I said that readers had written to me, saying that Smelcer is not Native. I checked...

John Smelcer's THE TRAP

5:29 in the morning in Illinois. Still dark out. I made some coffee and started reading John Smelcer's The Trap . I'm on page 25, n...

Reviewing Children's Books for Major Journals

I am often asked why I don't review for the major children's lit review journals ( Horn Book , School Library Journal , etc.). Back ...

AILA's "American Indian Youth Literature Awards"

As noted last week, the American Indian Library Association (AILA) announced recipients of its American Indian Youth Literature Award. Clic...

Tim Tingle's WHEN TURTLE GREW FEATHERS

A new book from Tim Tingle...  But first, a few words about his Crossing Bok Chitto . Last week, Tim Tingle's excellent Crossing Bok Chi...

A child's experience with CADDIE WOODLAWN

Comment posted today, by Jeff, regarding his daughter, who has been asked to read Caddie Woodlawn... The comment is the third one posted to...

2008 American Indian Youth Literature Award

The American Library Association announced its awards today. Affiliated with the ALA is the American Indian Library Association . They, too...

Romantic Fiction, Historical Fiction, and American Indians

This may seem a bit off-topic because it isn't ABOUT children's or young adult books/media... I'm speaking about authors who use...

Alexie's 2nd YA Novel: RADIOACTIVE LOVE SONG

News to me, but very cool news! Alexie's 2nd YA Novel: Radioactive Love Song " So far it is only listed with Amazon Canada, with a ...

First Nations writers Larry Loyie and Nicola Campbell

Pointing you, today, to an interview at papertigers.org. In the interview (conducted by Aline Pereira) Cree writer Larry Loyie talks abou...

Observations: Natives in the News and the Role of Children's Books

Each morning I get a "google alert" email comprised of links to news stories published in the preceding 24 hours on the phrase ...

Tribal Protocols Regarding Research

There's been some conversation on YALSA regarding accuracy/authenticity in representation of American Indians. In a reply to the convers...

Video interview: Joseph Bruchac

Scholastic has a video interview of Joseph Bruchac. He's written some excellent books. Among those I hold in great regard is Hidden Root...