Native American Stories (Myths and Legends)

Writer, storyteller and musician Joseph Bruchac grew up in the Adirondack Mountains of New York state. He recalls his childhood, life with his grandparents, and the way his Abenaki background came to be known. His sometimes painful memoir is sprinkled with photographs and contextualizes this time in history.

Throughout World War II, in the conflict fought against Japan, Navajo (Diné) code talkers were a crucial part of the U.S. effort, sending messages back and forth in an unbreakable code that used their native language. They braved some of the heaviest fighting of the war, and with their code, they saved countless American lives. Yet their story remained classified for more than twenty years. But now Joseph Bruchac brings their stories to life for young adults through the riveting fictional tale of Ned Begay, a sixteen-year-old boy who becomes a code talker. The story of his grueling journey honors this important piece of history. Winner of the ALA Best Book for Young Adults.

Eighth-grader Malian is befriended and protected by a rez dog she calls Malsum when her short visit with her grandparents on the Penacook reservation is indefinitely extended by the pandemic.

Molly is left on her own when her parents vanish — that is, until a previously unknown “uncle” comes for her. What did he have to do with her parents’ disappearance? Could he be the Skeleton Man of the Mohawk legend that Molly’s father had enjoyed telling so much?