An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People

by Debbie Reese (Adaptor), Jean Mendoza (Adaptor), Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

2020 American Indian Youth Literature Young Adult Honor Book2020 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People,selected by National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) and the Children’s Book Council 2019 Best-Of Best YA Nonfiction of 2019 (Kirkus Reviews) · Best Nonfiction of 2019 (School Library Journal) · Best Books for Teens (New York Public Library) · Best Informational Books for Older Readers (Chicago Public Library)Spanning more than 400 years, this classic bottom-up history examines the legacy of Indigenous peoples’ resistance, resilience, and steadfast fight against imperialism.Going beyond the story of America as a country “discovered” by a few brave men in the “New World,” Indigenous human rights advocate Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz reveals the roles that settler colonialism and policies of American Indian genocide played in forming our national identity.The original academic text is fully adapted by renowned curriculum experts Debbie Reese and Jean Mendoza, for middle-grade and young adult readers to include discussion topics, archival images, original maps, recommendations for further reading, and other materials to encourage students, teachers, and general readers to think critically about their own place in history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Indigenous, Historical, American History, Social Justice, Native American

280 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 23, 2019

Reviews

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent overview of the history of Indigenous people in the United States! Honestly, I'm surprised at how much new information I learned, and how lacking my formal education had been in this arena. For instance, I had no idea how advanced the culture, governance, and technology of indigenous people was when colonizers arrived. It's painted as this largely empty land, when in reality the roads cleared and used by indigenous people for movement and trade were a big part of what allowed Europeans to move from place to place. Did I learn any of that in school? Definitely not.

Adapted for a YA audience, this does read more like a textbook so it might feel a bit dry at times. But the information is really important and we get a thorough look at early history, modern history, and the history of tribes from all over what is now the US. The final chapters highlight the modern history of activism and deftly connect historical oppression with things still happening today. Well worth the read and something that could be great for teachers to use in the classroom.

[Aria · Rating 5 out of 5]

---- Disclosure: I received this book for free from Goodreads. ---- This is probably the most thorough, & honest history book I have ever come across, aside from the works of Mr. Howard Zinn. I recommend it for all students at an appropriate comprehension level. It's a necessary companion to balance out any more traditional/currently-taught/Euro-centric history studies. If one is in the States, then as far as I'm concerned this should be considered de rigueur. It will definitely provide food for both thought & discussion. It will also assist in providing a broader & more complete idea of the underpinnings of society, & how we all arrived at the current spot we are occupying in the history of the world. This is a history we need to hear. Well-written, & chock full of information, explanations, & well-placed question prompts for those all-important thoughts & discussions.

[MCZ Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I am not an educator, but I come from a family of teachers and I will be recommending this book to all of them. This book tackles a difficult, mammoth subject and makes it accessible to middle grade readers (there are references such as "when you were in elementary school," and some of the activities might be too juvenile for high school students, but I'll leave that to educators to decide).

My copy is an ARC, so there are some typos and text errors that should be fixed in published copies. But overall the authors did an excellent job breaking down the subjects into comprehensive chapters and providing historical context to give students a fuller vision of history. It provides necessary information to convey the brutality Indigenous people have faced without being melodramatic or overly gory. This book should be required reading.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book will not be an exhaustive history of Indigenous peoples in America, it is an excellent overview and springboard for learning that helps to put different aspects of history into a coherent narrative. And what is it that enables the authors to have a coherent narrative? It is the beliefs, values, and perspectives that arise out of manifest destiny, the doctrine of discovery and white supremacist world views. The authors articulate the origins and functions of these beliefs in a clear, direct, concise, and well-researched way with direct text evidence. They insightfully shed light on how these beliefs have shaped this country for nearly 400 years. While this book is an incredibly important read for young people, it’s just as powerful for adults in its ability to provide a fuller understanding of history, dispel myths and expose difficult aspects of history (and current events) that need to be grappled with. My suspicion is that the 1 and 2 star ratings with no reviews are from people who are not ready to do this work.

[Jean-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 12-year-old and I learned so much about Indigenous peoples' history in the U.S. from this book, and I would absolutely recommend it to all middle grade and YA readers. One thing the book recommends is for readers to turn "knowledge into action" by letting others know if the media misrepresents history. I had no idea that we would recognize the misrepresentation of history so soon after reading the book. The very next day, President Trump closed his State of the Union address with words that readers would recognize as the noble and heroic American Myth used to justify imperial colonialist power discussed in Chapter 7: Sea to Shining Sea:

"The American nation was carved out of the vast frontier by the toughest, strongest, fiercest and most determined men and women to walk on the face of the Earth. Our ancestors braved the unknown; settled the Wild West; lifted millions from poverty, disease and hunger; vanquished tyranny and fascism; ushered the world to new heights of science and medicine; laid down the railroads; dug out the canals; raised up the skyscrapers. And ladies and gentlemen, our ancestors built the most exceptional republic ever to exist in history."

American land was neither unknown nor uninhabited. In fact, our ancestors invaded and occupied Indigenous nations using the Doctrine of Discovery--the Catholic pope's missive that gave Christian European nations permission to claim foreign lands they "discovered"--to justify imperialism and genocide.

Add this book to your reading list ASAP and learn about the Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States! You can find a complementary Teacher' guide on the Beacon Press website here:
http://www.beacon.org/assets/clientpa...

[Joan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a DNF because I found it very aggravating. Some historical concepts are off. The tone of superiority is as wrong as the main thing this book is complaining about. Not all whites/colonialists were bad people. Yes the accepted “creation legend” of the United States is racist but doing the same thing back at all colonists as a single undifferentiated group is wrong too. I’m going to try the original title and see if it is better than this one meant for young people.

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m irritated by these “not history” history books for young readers (cough STAMPED cough) that claim to tell the story in an engaging voice but really, it’s still just a dry history book of facts. Is it an important story to tell? Yes. But this book alone is not going to get young readers (at least MY young readers) to care and engage with Indigenous history. I’d use the texts in snippets because they’re on “young reader” level but supplement like crazy with video, personal narrative, news, etc.

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

nonfiction/history (indigenous/native American perspectives)
As I expected, there was much I didn't know about American history (that really should be included in our textbooks). This was pretty comprehensive--sometimes a bit overwhelmingly so--and unfortunately, it frequently read like a dry textbook. I could only manage about a chapter a day, but it's still worthwhile--an important resource for information that we just don't get in very many places, though I don't think it's necessarily great for most kids' casual reading. I would recommend it to kids who like history, or kids with a special interest in Native Americans and First Nations.

I really liked the suggested reading list on the back, featuring Indigenous authors (as opposed to outsiders pretending to know about native customs and containing various errors and stereotypes/bias) and will need to add some of them to my to-read list. I am including the entire list below because I think this online community of readers should have easy access to it as well--note that I've only so far read a few of these, but I figure the authors' recommended list is much better than anything I could come up with on my own:

[Vicki Tillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read. Well written history of the US presented from the indigenous people's point of view.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and thorough.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this account of United States history because it's told from the perspective of peoples who often are erased from our national stories. It's also well-written and engaging, with sidebars that invite young readers to think critically and take action for social justice.

This book dismantles the notion that North America was an uninhabited wilderness when European colonizers arrived in what is now the United States. Descriptions of complex pre-Columbian civilizations are followed by accounts of organized campaigns to subjugate Indigenous populations in the interest of turning their lands over to white colonizers. It ends with an account of the Standing Rock protests in the 2010s, and draws parallels between this nation's previous treatment of Native Americans and its response to their demands to protect their land and water supplies from an oil pipeline.

[Kaytee Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what I recommend: first, every US resident needs to read this book. Either this version or the adult version. If you're a history wonk, pick up the detailed adult version. If you're a precocious 10 year old or older, grab the version for Young people and know that you'll get all the pertinent info along with photos and maps to bring the text to life.
Concurrently reading this and the adult version, so I can compare and discuss with my 10 year old.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a necessary read for all. I've learned so much and it's inspired me to learn more. Thought-provoking and belief-unraveling. Learning this history can help us all become informed, empathetic, and drivers of change. Great text for teachers, librarians, and anyone else who educates young people (the questions and sidebars here are built for discussion in the classroom). Highly recommended!

[Karna Converse · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+ The title says it all


. . . and if this is your first deep dive into reading history from an alternative viewpoint, be prepared to be challenged on everything you've learned about United States history. In other words, don't read this if you're not willing to walk in another person's shoes. And don't read this if you're unwilling to take time to meditate on words such as manifest destiny, colonization, imperialism, nation, settlers, and treaties. Do read this if you think history is complicated and worthy of exploring from a variety of angles.

Curriculum specialists Debbie Reese and Jean Mendoza had adapted human rights activist Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz's academic text for middle school and young adult readers. Their "bottom up" approach to history encourages a thoughtful examination into the lives of the millions who, before 1492, lived in what is now the United States of America and the millions who, today, are their descendants.

I have no doubt that many see this book as a threat to middle school and young adult readers, but this multi-award winning book* can--and should--be an important starting point for discussion. Of special note are the sidebars of maps, drawings, paintings, and definitions in inviting and easy-to-read formats. Additional sections in each chapter titled Consider This, Did You Know, and To Do make this more than a book of names and dates to be memorized; they encourage readers to think and to actively participate in the topic at hand.

I wish this book had been published a few years earlier so I could have read and discussed it with my children.


*2020 American Indian Youth Literature Young Adult Honor Book; 2020 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People selected by the National Council for the Social Studies and the Children’s Book Council, Best Nonfiction of 2019 selected by School Library Journal

[Adam Carman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Years ago, historian Daniel Richter coined the phrase "Facing East from Indian Country", a reimagination of American history from the PERSPECTIVE of the Indigenous People, instead of just trying to tie them in when you thought of them. This has made some progress in recent years, but understandably uncomfortable for those like me drawn from the white majority, it has been very uneven. I will be teaching a high school class on Native American History this Fall and this will be my textbook. Well written and engaging, the book also makes sure to show that the US genocide against the Indigenous did not end in the 1700s or 1800s but is ongoing. The book also includes project ideas and further research ideas for students to make sure the learning doesn't end with the text. This is a much-needed corrective to government-centered American history and the best way we can continue to resist the creeping forces of authoritarianism.

[Tamara York · Rating 5 out of 5]

I paused my presidential biography challenge after Washington to read this. I felt that I needed to back up and get an indigenous perspective of America's history before moving forward. This book was really well-done, not too detailed, readable, with text boxes to promote rabbit holes and questions. I will be using this alongside my kids' high school American history curriculum.

[Debra Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appreciated this version much more than the adult version. It was very factual and easy to understand. There were some visuals which made it a bit more enjoyable as it is tough to learn more about the unfairness inherent in our system and years of taking away people’s rights… and lives.

[Natalie Herr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used as a homeschool US history supplement text, read aloud. I would recommend for middle to high school - i had to stop and explain concepts to my younger ones often (especially toward the end of the book). The info this book gave was so helpful, though- I personally learned a ton and it helped us to understand our local area in New Mexico even more. It was really helpful to learn the native history from their own point of view, not from white historians.

[Kimberly Dougherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does a great job presenting American history in a more true and authentic way regarding the original, indigenous inhabitants of this land. Tough to read but important.

[Tee Minn · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me this was a hard book to read, to have new eyes to see even more intentional dishonest treatment of my fellow Native Americans.. Sometimes the truth hurts. And it just continues.

It was insightful, I learned maybe too much. Much to think about. How to help.…There are suggestions. I do and have stood with our indigenous people. I hope adults will read it, and some parts and concepts could move into textbooks for younger people. The book covers 400 years, but since it can be a teaching tool, there are enough segments to help you absorb the materials one step at a time, from how this land was when the English settlers arrived to the mobilization of the Indigenous to resist the ND Pipeline. And the latter to me is the light of the future- all peoples standing with our sisters and brothers on multiple fronts to call out injustice, include the marginalized and love our Earth.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whooooooole lotta history I never learned in school.

[Suzan Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A stunning, horrifying yet informative & necessary look at American history & its impact on the present. A must-read. I preferred this YA version which included maps, graphics, photos, plus additional info on modern issues. Read my full review plus listen to a sample of the audio book:

https://bookbybook.blogspot.com/2020/...

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read the Queer History for Young People by Beacon a while back and have multiple copies of this one in our library but hadn't gotten to it in part because it was frequently checked out. I was able to settle in and digest the book, which is a retelling of the adult version which I haven't read. I try to read both, but don't know when I'll get to that one, specifically because there was already so much to learn in this one.

My biggest takeaway was certainly the continual lack of transparency, communication, and understanding for Indigenous people FROM THE START and the continual misdeeds (to put it lightly) of the government when issues are still occurring- the last chapter is about Standing Rock. I am indebted to the continual use of the "did you know?" and other text boxes throughout the book to explore a topic whether it was definitions or breakout topics. This allowed me to freeze for a moment and really think.

It's focused and indexed with sections on each part of the United States, Mexico, and Canada to know where Indigenous people were BEFORE colonization while also including Indigenous of the Hawaiian islands and Alaska. It flowed nicely and as any good book for young people made frequent references to "we'll get to that" or "as you read in chapter 3" to help connect the dots. I'm indebted to those that live this history and write about it for others.

[Laurie Bridges · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have not read the adult version of this book. I am a white woman who is interested in indigenous history - I took several classes of indigenous history in college and I’ve read numerous books and articles over the years. My teen was assigned this book in 8th grade - actually just the first four chapters. I read them aloud because he has dyslexia. The first three chapters were interesting and well-told. Then, chapter four read like a very long list of bullet points… So many dates, places, names. I had difficulty keeping my teen’s interest and I often had to stop and explain to give more context. I had difficulty imaging other 8th graders reading this without further explanation. I don’t recommend this chapter without videos or other, more interesting methods (pictures, maps, anything!). I continued reading the book on my own. Some of the book does contain good descriptive storytelling. However, much of the book reads like a dry textbook with few pictures. I stopped reading at about 60%. I admit I prefer a well-told story that brings history to life, not a laundry list of facts. I would recommend the first three chapters and a few other sections. It could also be used as a good source for research (example: a student report on the Modoc).

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of the reviews claim that this reads like a textbook, and they are right, but what did they expect a history book to read like? Is it dry in some places? Absolutely, but that’s what it’s like to read for information instead of entertainment occasionally. This shouldn’t be an “enjoyable” book. This is a book that challenges the way we think about the recorded history of the United States, not because we are trying to “change history” but because we are finally ready to understand what actually happened as opposed to the one sided narrative we were taught as young people in the American public schools. This is not information to be afraid of but rather information to keep history from repeating itself over and over again.

[Julie Trapp · Rating 2 out of 5]

Author is just a bit biased against the white man. Some "facts" aren't true (William Calley story) and others are just plain showing her dislike of the white population. Too many "facts" to plough thru.
Somewhat boring. I was born and raised in North Dakota and worked on a reservation in Devils Lake many HS summers.

[Alyssa Poulin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't read a lot of non fiction history books, so maybe it is just a genre thing, but I found it very hard to get through. Just dry, even though it was the For Young People version. I learned a lot but it wasn't an "easy" read for me.

[Kireja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Riot Read Harder challenge 2020 task # 01: Read a YA nonfiction book.

In An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People, Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz formulates a cohesive argument that dismantles many of the founding myths of the United States. She clearly outlines the events that created the mindset of conquest and describes how the settler colonial government enacted laws and policies to destroy all aspects of Indigenous life. Yet, Dunbar-Ortiz warns readers against promoting terminal narratives- stories that describe Indigenous peoples as being "decimated" and even "wiped out"- because it doesn't take into account Indigenous survival and resistance. This was the first time that I came across the word "terminal narrative", and in retrospect I realize that a lot of the history that's taught in school supports these narratives, so I appreciate the reminder that the author gives readers about thinking critically about historical narratives. The key takeaway here is that North America was a network of Indigenous nations who effectively managed their lands and resources prior to contact, and although colonists attempted to destroy Indigenous communities, they've survived and resisted and continue to do so today.

Dunbar-Ortiz also emphasizes the importance of using accurate terms when referring to Indigenous peoples; the preferred term is to use is the specific name of the nation that you're talking about. Though the use of correct terminology is confusing and controversial, hopefully there's a shift towards using more appropriate terms in the near future. In the book, Dunbar-Ortiz also prefaces place names with the phrase "currently known as" to show that current geographic boundaries were not always in existence. I love the idea of honouring the Indigenous roots of places and hope that books like the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada is included as a resource in schools (hopefully the U.S has an equivalent as well).

Though An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People is informative and looks at history from a different lens, there was a lot of information, and for someone who's not familiar with U.S Indigenous history, I had a hard time keeping track of all of the facts and details. It was a little overwhelming at times. The text boxes that're included in the book are importance because they provide definitions, contextual information, and asked thought provoking questions, but it interrupted the flow of reading. The format was kind of weird because the book was meant to be read cover to cover but the addition of all those text boxes made this a paperback textbook, and nobody reads a textbook from cover to cover. Personally i'd have preferred it if the author had included all that information in the endnotes, but I think it was formatted this way so young people can digest the information more easily.

Overall, this book is a good resource for students and should be included in school curriculums and libraries. 2.5/5

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good! This specific version, the young people's history, was recommended if you didn't want to get bogged down with details but wanted a general overview. This was a fabulous spring board into Native American history, a topic that I wasn't very familiar with. This is also a great book for teenagers, and one that I want my kids to read when their education calls for it.

The history of this book begins when "settlers" or people from other countries first came to America in the 1500s. This book chronicles how these foreigners took over control of the land and the people from that point up to present day.

Sadly I wasn't aware of much of this history as it is the victor (Americans) who writes the history books. It gave me a much different perspective of these Native peoples than what was presented in American school curriculum. (Isn't it a shifted perspective that allows for more compassion and empathy in our society thus creating a more kind place to live?) For example, the native American peoples had well traveled and constructed roads, their own form of government (some of which our American government was fashioned after), their own farms and irrigation systems, their own "newspapers". These peoples were not the savage, uneducated bumpkins that they're painted to be. The information on these natives lives BEFORE settlers came from Europe was fascinating!

Every American should read this book. Period. Absolutely.

I loved that the author included other books to read to further one's education in this topic or adjacent topics. There were prompts throughout the book for the reader to "do". For example: go online and learn more about the Dakota Access Pipeline. Research indigenous people native langauages.

This was fascinating and essential for the American school child as well as adults.

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read Harder Challenge: Read a YA nonfiction book

Essential reading.

Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz wrote An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States in 2014 which went on to win the American Book Award in 2015. In 2019 her book was adapted for a younger audience by Debbie Reese and Jean Mendoza. Their adaptation was nominated for the American Indian Youth Literature Award Nominee in 2020.

I've only read this adapted version, but I did read Dubar-Ortiz’s author’s note on Amazon which I highly recommend. She briefly describes her childhood, education, activism experience, and her hopes for the book.

This adaptation for young people is perfect for middle school and high school readers. The authors provide sidebars throughout offering ideas to thinking about, things to consider, definitions, and more. Reese and Mendoza begin with Indigenous Peoples’ history before colonization focusing on land relationships, Nation governments, and the cultivation of a grain we call corn. From there the authors take us through time culminating up to the 2014-2017 protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Thought-provoking, concise, and impassioned.