People are often surprised to learn that my Native American books all are set in the present. This comes from the fact that the mainstream media often portrays indigenous people as exclusively historic, or worse, extinct. But the truth is that Native Nations have a past and a present. Wonderful stories can be found all along the timeline.

For example, Muskrat Will Be Swimming by Cheryl Savageau (Abenaki-French Canadian), illustrated by Robert Hynes (Northland, 1996), features a Seneca traditional story retold by Joseph Bruchac (Abenaki) and is a present-day nod to the past. In this picture book, a young girl is called “Lake Rat” and turns to her grandfather for comfort.

Bruchac's poetic writing is again featured in a strictly historical work, Crazy Horse's Vision, illustrated by S.D. Nelson (Lakota) (Lee & Low, 2000). Here, Bruchac tells a story of young Curly, who would grow into the Lakota hero Crazy Horse. Nelson's powerful illustrations are influenced by the traditional ledger style of his ancestors.

Yet Bruchac and Savageau aren't the only poets writing. One of the best, certainly most concise introductions to Native history is The People Shall Continue by Simon Ortiz (Acoma) and illustrated by Sharol Graves (Children's Book Press, 1998). I'm also fond of a picture book by Muscogee (Creek) poet Joy Harjo: The Good Luck Cat, illustrated by Paul Lee (Harcourt, 2000). In this tale, Aunt Shelly says that Woogie is a good luck cat. As he survives one scrape after another, her analysis seems to be right on target. But one day when he doesn't come home, we wonder if this good luck cat's ninth life has run out.

For those who prefer non-fiction, I recommend Grandchildren of the Lakota by LaVera Rose (Rosebud Sioux) with photographs by Cheryl Walsh Bellville (Carolrhoda, 1998). It's an overview of Lakota diversity, history, economics, culture, government, families, children, education, lifestyles, and more.

Moving to books for older readers, one of the best is The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich (Ojibway) (Hyperion, 1999). Touching on the same era as the Little House Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, this book offers an especially appealing protagonist, Omakayas. For another solid historical read, look to Longwalker's Journey: A Novel of the Choctaw Trail of Tears by Beatrice O. Harrell (Choctaw) (Dial, 1999).

Among contemporary novels, I'd also like to mention The Heart of A Chief by Joseph Bruchac (Abenaki) (Dial, 1998). It's the story of Chris, an eleven-year-old Penacook (Abenaki) boy, living on a fictional reservation in New Hampshire. For a scarier read, follow up with Bruchac's Skeleton Man (HarperCollins, 2001).