Indigenous America (True History)

by Liam McDonald (Author)

Reading Level: 6th − 7th Grade
Series: True History

A comprehensive and accessible history of the Indigenous peoples of North America. - STARRED REVIEW, School Library Journal

Introducing a new nonfiction series that uncovers hidden histories of the United States. The true story of the United States' Indigenous beginnings. American schoolchildren have long been taught that their country was "discovered" by Christopher Columbus in 1492. But the history of Native Americans in the United States goes back tens of thousands of years prior to Columbus's and other colonizers' arrivals. So, what's the true history? Complete with an 8-page color photo insert, Indigenous America introduces and amplifies the oral and written histories that have long been left out of American history books.

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School Library Journal

Starred Review

Gr 4-8—A comprehensive and accessible history of the Indigenous peoples of North America. McDonald takes young readers through a tour of Native American history, debunking myths and misinformation while highlighting influential individuals who have made a lasting impact on Indigenous and North American history. Focusing on the events from before Columbus to the present day, this thorough volume pokes holes in long held beliefs, such as how the first tool-using humans migrated from Siberia 13,000 years ago; evidence has been found that Indigenous peoples have been around at least 130,000 years. From the signing of the Declaration of Independence to each conflict the U.S. has fought in, Native Americans have been a part of every aspect of American history. The work also details the horrible and methodical institutional racism, genocide, ethnocide, and erasure that they have endured at the hands of colonizers. Painful to read at times, this book illuminates not only the suffering Indigenous people experienced at the hands of the U.S. government, but also sheds light on their resilience and the impact they have made and continue to make on American culture. The narrative sometimes jumps chronologically, focusing more on themes than a specific time line. Sidebars are scattered throughout, offering definitions, context, and more to engage readers and add interest. There are also discussion questions at the end of each chapter, making this a good tool for classroom use. Images and a selected bibliography are included in the back matter. The author takes on an informal tone, speaking directly to readers, recalling the oral traditions that he emphasizes at the start. VERDICT A strong choice for middle grade collections, especially where readers are not yet ready for Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz's An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People.—Shelley M. Diaz

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Liam McDonald
Liam McDonald, also known by his stage name OPLIAM, is an internationally touring and critically acclaimed rock n' roll musician of Kanien'kehá ka (Mohawk) Descent. He is an Indigenous rights activist and founder of the Indigenous Peoples' Day Concert, a free annual concert that showcases Native American musicians and advocates to officially change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day in Chicago. Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, he now lives in Chicago, Illinois where he owns and operates Sky People Entertainment, a concert production company focused on building opportunities for Native American and Indigenous musicians.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9780593386088
Lexile Measure
1250
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Penguin Workshop
Publication date
August 30, 2022
Series
True History
BISAC categories
JNF053140 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Social Topics | Prejudice & Racism
JNF018040 - Juvenile Nonfiction | People & Places | United States - Native American
JNF025190 - Juvenile Nonfiction | History | United States/Colonial & Revolutionary
Library of Congress categories
History
Indians of North America

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