An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People
This history of the place, people, and politics of this land from an Indigenous perspective rather than through a lens of American exceptionalism will offer a provocative shift for the majority of young readers. It emphasizes Indigenous agency, resistance, and resilience to colonialism across centuries of racist, rationalized violence against Native peoples, whose cultures and identities are numerous and complex. This adaption by Mendoza and Reese of Dunbar-Ortiz’s adult book strikes a tone remarkable for its invitation to consider rather than desire to lecture, even as it definitively challenges the way middle and high schoolers are typically taught to understand the conquest of this land. A final chapter looks at the 21st-century Standing Rock resistance to the Dakota Access Pipeline, which underscores that this history is still playing out today. End matter includes a recommended reading list of Native-authored books for children and teens. Source notes and index are included in this exceptional challenge to the dominant narrative of U. S. history. ©2020 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
CCBC Age Recommendation: Age 12 and older
Age Range:
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Grades 9-12 (Age 14 and older)
Format:
Substantial Narrative Non-Fiction
Subjects:
17th Century
18th Century
19th Century
20th Century
21st Century
Colonialism
First/Native Nations
Genocide
History (Nonfiction)
Oppression
Racism
Resiliency
U.S. History
Diversity subject:
Indigenous
Publisher:
Beacon
Publish Year: 2019
Pages: 270
ISBN: 9780807049396
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 970 Dunbar-Ortiz