Indigenous Peoples’ Day is October 12, Native American Heritage Month is November, Thanksgiving is November 26, and Winter Solstice is December 21! Celebrate, read, and learn about these holidays and the culture of those who first lived on American soil.
PICTURE BOOKS
By Dawn Quigley & Nanibah Chacon
Heartdrum, 2026, hardcover, $19.99
Aaniin (ah-NEEN) is an Ojibwe greeting for hello and can translate to “I see your light.” This book shows each child that they all have inner goodness and light.
By Rochelle Strauss & Madelyn Goodnight
Kids Can Press, 2026, hardcover, $21.99
The author asks readers to observe the water all around them. Then she explains that it is all the water our planet will ever have, so we must be good stewards of the Earth and protect it.
By Andrea M. Page & Alfreda Beartrack Algeo
Charlesbridge, 2026, hardcover, $17.99
A Lakota boy’s uncle puts him in charge of the winter count while his parents are away, which is an important cultural tradition he can share with his parents when they return.
By Cynthia Leitich Smith & Aphelandra
Heartdrum, 2026, hardcover, $19.99
The aunties are friends, neighbors, helpers, and more! Most importantly, they are the women who keep the community running and step in during times of need for all their children.
By Traci Sorell & Natasha Donovan
Workman Kids, 2026, hardcover, $19.99
Letter by letter, Native peoples’ history, present and future, are explored and shared. This book is an alphabet book, a nonfiction book, and a book of cultural pride.
CHAPTER BOOK
Jo Jo Makoons: The Super-Scary Sleepover
By Dawn Quigley & Tara Audibert
Heartdrum, 2025, paperback, $6.99
First grader Jo Jo is sure she can handle her first sleepover. How scary can it be? Find out in this fifth book of the award-winning series.
MIDDLE GRADE
By Brian Lee Young
Heartdrum, 2024, paperback, $9.99
Edward’s soon-to-be step-brother Nathan prepares him to be the next guardian of Dew, a water monster. Together they must save the Fourth World from the coming Enemy.
By Malia Maunakea
Penquin Workshop, 2026, paperback, $9.99
Nohea is determined to win a surfing competition before his bloodthirsty half-human, half-shark heritage forces him to abandon his family.
Tales From Cabin 23: The Sinking House
By Darcie Little Badger
Clarion, 2026, hardcover, $15.99
This fourth book in the spooky Cabin 23 series is a tale based on Lipan Apache Folklore about three kids trapped in a sinking house. Will they all get out alive?
By Andrea M. Page & Stephen Marchesi
Penguin Workshop, 2025, paperback, $6.99
Learn about a political activist and the first woman principal chief of the Cherokee Nation in this volume of the Who HQ series.
YOUNG ADULT
By Kauakanilehua Mahoe Adams
Heartdrum, 2026, hardcover, $19.99
When Aouli meets a new guy from her Hawaiian hometown, she breaks her father’s rules to fly free, despite the consequences at home.
Edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Heartdrum, 2026, hardcover, $19.99
Seventeen Indigenous authors contribute a story to this collection, where they tie together via the café that offers each person what they need.
By Byron Graves
Heartdrum, 2026, hardcover, $19.99
When his mom is arrested, Bryce seeks out his grandmother, best friend, childhood crush, and skateboard to help cope with loss and abandonment.
By Manuia Heinrich
Simon & Schuster, 2026, hardcover, $21.99
For better or worse, Moe can hear the sea’s thoughts that seem to predict the future. When her brother is accused of murder, Moe turns to the water—and a frenemy—to help clear his name and solve an island mystery.
By Angeline Boulley
Henry Holt, 2025, hardcover, $19.99
Lucy’s five years in the foster system have left her with a scarred—and dangerous—past she’s trying to leave behind. Then a couple tells her they know her family, she must decide who to trust.
This article originally appeared in the Fall 2026 issue of (585) Kids.
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