Native Ways: California Indian Stories and Memories

My boys are both half Native American and they didn't get that from me. Their dad isn't around so I wanted something to help them learn about their culture and more specifically their tribe or tribes that are in the same general area. They really like this book and read it everyday. They have to read for a certain amount of time everyday for school and they have numerous books but go for this book all the time. The illustrations are great too. My boys are 9 and 7 years old.

This wonderful book has been a treasured resource in my classroom. It has some outstanding historical and modern photos of Native Californians in authentic settings, with their crafts, etc. The text is great, too. For instance, I wrote up an info page on Miwok government, then I had the kids read in Native Ways about Captain John. A friend of his was describing how he was a respected leader and his qualities that made him so... it exactly matched the info article. It has some good legends, one of which I'm using for a retelling practice, but what I appreciate most are the first person accounts and interviews of Native people explaining themselves and their way of life. They are short and a good length for 3rd and 4th grade readers. Enjoy, everyone.