Native American Heritage Month, celebrated in November, celebrates the rich histories, cultures, achievements, and stories of Indigenous peoples across the United States. Share these four YA titles, all with Indigenous protagonists, with young readers in time for NAHM and anytime during the year.

DiDesidero, G.M. Undrowned. illus. by Jackson Davis. 296p. Microcosm/Leaning Pole. 2025. Tr $34.95. ISBN 9781952397257.
Gr 9 Up–In the ancient past, supernatural Patrons spared Terra when they drowned the rest of the world. Though they remain affiliated with the five Terran clans, most people consider the Patrons myths, including Jasper, son of a diplomat from the Fox clan. What changes the 15-year-old’s mind? It starts with his contrived murder conviction for freeing a shape-shifter in Tiger clan territory. Lies told by 16-year-old Harissa Delmar, an impoverished assassin-level fighter from the Tiger clan, clinched his death sentence. In exchange, Harissa was falsely promised medical care for her dementia-suffering mother. With help, Jasper and Harissa separately escape their situations, but the power-hungry Tiger clan leader is hot on their trails. DiDesidero (Chickasaw) has created a complex, sometimes confusing, world that shines brightest in the supernatural elements: the Patrons, some of which are connected to Native American stories, and the evocatively described Underworld. Full-color illustrations bring the world further to life. Main and secondary characters are memorable and thought-provoking, particularly the hotheaded Jasper and morally gray Harissa. However, the multitude of additional characters are harder to keep straight. With both Jasper’s and Harissa’s viewpoints, the story unfolds at a good clip, and the ending indicates sequels to come. There is significant violence and killing. Jasper has red hair and pale skin. Harissa has brown skin and black hair. VERDICT Hand this mythological-fantasy dystopia to readers who enjoy found families and moral ambiguity.–Rebecca Moore  

Farrell, Amy Lynn. The Moth Dreamer. 272p. HighWater. Apr. 2026. pap. $13.95. ISBN 9781774921616.
Gr 10 Up–Sixteen-year-old Aubrey loves spending summers with her family at their ancestral home. Yet, when she sees a vision of her cousin’s death while they are hiking, she is not sure what to do. When her vision comes true, Aubrey is wracked with guilt and confused at what is happening to her. The visions do not stop when she and her family return home. Instead, she starts to have visions about people close to her, and a mysterious Trickster visits her dreams with messages she doesn’t understand. As Aubrey starts her junior year in high school and meets the new boy, Jac, even her growing relationship with him can’t stop the guilt she feels about her visions. Aubrey harnesses her powers and tames the Trickster who is haunting her by talking with tribal elders, trusting her Kokum (a strong Anishinaabe medicine woman), and opening up to her friends. Farrell combines Anishinaabe traditions and language throughout, engaging readers with Indigenous culture and spiritual practices. However, the characters are not always well developed, and the narrative is rushed at times VERDICT An uneven read, purchase this for larger YA collections.–Rebekah Buchanan  

Smith, Cynthia Leitich, ed. Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories. 352p. HarperCollins/Heartdrum. 2025. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9780063314269.
Gr 8 Up–Each short story in this anthology follows an Indigenous teen who is in need of something—belonging, help with a task, safety. That something is always found at Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In, a place where people come together from all corners, all times, and all tribes. This amazing place connects the teens in each of the stories, all of which are written by Indigenous authors and have their own unique perspective and style. For example, Darcie Little Badger’s “Game Night” is written in text messages within a D & D gaming platform where the players are talking about the drive-In and how to find it. “Braving the Storm” by Kaua Mahoe Adams is written in beautiful verse and is about a girl who gets one last chance to visit with her papa. As readers take in the stories, they will be transported time and time again to Sandy June’s, where the protagonists get more than just frybread. Each teen gets exactly what they need—and readers do, too. VERDICT Hand this collection to readers looking for a place made for them; they will find it between these pages.–Heather Lassley  

Spencer, Kim. Here for a Good Time. 256p. Swift Water. Mar. 2026. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781774887806.
Gr 10 Up–It is 1990, and life, from an outsider’s point of view, is good for Morgan. She is an Indigenous teen who lives with her dad in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Although he is gone a lot for his fishing job, he is an amazing dad and she has a fantastic support system with her grandparents. But Morgan struggles with school, with her friends who are not making the best choices, and with the hole her mom left when she walked out. As Morgan is working with an alternative school to get her grades back on track, Nate enters the picture. Nate seems to have everything figured out and is a great influence on Morgan. When tragedy strikes close to home and her mom re-enters her life, Nate is the glue that holds Morgan together. Can she adapt to the new normal? Readers will understand Morgan’s highs and lows, sympathize when life is hard, and cheer her on when she makes lemonade out of lemons. Although the flow of the beginning chapters is disjointed, the quick pace of the story will engage reluctant readers. Though Morgan never has to go to one, the schools where Indigenous children were forced to attend are discussed, and they affected many people in Morgan’s life. This delicate aspect of the story is approached and handled very well. Secondary characters are also well-written, from her father and grandparents to her best friend Skye to Nate. VERDICT A great historical fiction addition for libraries needing more books for reluctant readers.–Heather Lassley