AICL's Best Books of 2014

Lists! People love lists. I do, too. For those of you looking for a list of Best Books published in 2014, by American Indians/First Nations writers, and by writers who aren't Native but got-it-right, here's AICL's incomplete list. A few reviews are still in-process. Links to those reviews will be added as reviews are completed and posted. If you think I've missed something, please let me know!

Age levels are always slippery. I'm using rough categories, with the understanding that older readers can get a lot out of picture books, and because what you/I deem appropriate for any given reader depends on the reader, younger kids can read books intended for middle or high school students.

BOOKS BY NATIVE WRITERS

Comics:

• We Speak in Secret written and illustrated by Roy Boney, published by INC Comics
• Annumpa Luma--Code Talkers  written and illustrated by Arigon Starr, published by INC Comics

Picture Books

• We All Count: A Book of Cree Numbers written and illustrated by Julie Flett, published by Native Northwest
• Sweetest Kulu by Celina Kalluk, illustrated by Alexandria Neonakis, published by Inhabit Media
• Hungry Johnny by Cheryl Minnema, illustrated by Wesley Ballinger, published by Minnesota Historical Society Press
• Tasunka: A Lakota Horse Legend written and illustrated by Donald F. Montileaux, published by the South Dakota State Historical Society
• Rock & Roll Highway: The Robbie Robertson Story by Sebastian Robertson, illustrated by Adam Gustavson, published by Henry Holt
• Chukfi Rabbit's Big Bad Bellyache: A Trickster Tale by Greg Rodgers, illustrated by Leslie Stall Widener, published by Cinco Puntos Press

For Middle Grade

• Son Who Returns by Gary Robinson, published by 7th Generation
• No Name by Tim Tingle, published by 7th Generation

For High School

• Dreaming in Indian edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Leatherdale, published by Annick Press
• Feral Curse by Cynthia Leitich Smith, published by Candlewick Press
• House of Purple Cedar by Tim Tingle, published by Cinco Puntos Press
• Crazy Horse's Girlfriend by Erika Wurth, published by Curbside Splendor Publishing (Note from Debbie: Due to questions during 2021 regarding this author's claims to being Native, I am no longer recommending this book.)

FICTION BY NON-NATIVE WRITERS 

During 2014 I read a few books that have a fleeting reference to Native culture, or, a more in-depth one, that I want to include on this post about Best Books. They are:

• The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson
• On the Move by K.V. Flynn

NONFICTION BY NON-NATIVE WRITERS 

• A Children's Guide to Arctic Birds written by Mia Pelletier, illustrated by Danny Christopher (added Dec 14, 2014)

Yes, just three. I'm sure there are others out there. If you know of one, let me know!

And if you want to add more than just 2014 titles, see the lists in Best Books.