Books About Ojibwa

The Best Ojibwa Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about ojibwa? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

#2 in Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Ojibwa

Sale price

$958

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 1999

The Legend of the Lady Slipper

By Lise Lunge-Larsen, Margi Preus, Andrea Arroyo (Illustrator)

A girl listens to nature's whispers to save her people from a deadly disease.

32 pages· 1,077 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud

4.2/5 Goodreads · 138 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In the northern woods, a young girl faces a deadly disease threatening her people. Guided by the whispers of snow and the dance of northern lights, her courage transforms loss into beauty, giving rise to the lady slipper flower. Can her bravery change fate and save her family?

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2008

The Porcupine Year

By Louise Erdrich · Book #3 in the Birchbark House series

A young girl embarks on a perilous journey, discovering resilience and wisdom from the land and spirits.

224 pages

4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,933 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Twelve-year-old Omakayas and her family face a perilous journey to find a new home. As they confront the harsh wilderness, Omakayas learns vital lessons from the land and spirits. Will her newfound resilience be enough to guide them through? Discover the strength and wisdom that emerge when survival is at stake in this captivating tale of an Ojibwe family's quest for a place to belong.

Sale price

$858

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1998

Grandmother's Dreamcatcher

By Becky Ray McCain, Stacey Schuett (Illustrator)

Kimmy battles nightmares with her grandmother's dreamcatcher magic.

32 pages· 1,030 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

4.3/5 Goodreads · 153 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Kimmy, staying with her Chippewa grandmother while her parents house-hunt, is haunted by persistent nightmares. Guided by her grandmother, she discovers the ancient art of crafting a dreamcatcher. Will this mystical creation bring her the peace she seeks, or will her dreams reveal something more? As Kimmy learns about her heritage, she must confront her fears and embrace the power of tradition. Dive into a tale where dreams and reality intertwine, and a young girl finds strength in unexpected places.

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2022

The Star That Always Stays

By Anna Rose Johnson

A girl must hide her heritage in a new city, risking her identity for acceptance.

274 pages

4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,905 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Norvia, a spirited young girl, moves from Beaver Island to the bustling city, where her mother insists she conceal her Ojibwe roots. As she navigates new family dynamics and city life in 1914, Norvia faces the challenge of staying true to herself while adapting to a world that demands she hide her identity. With the threat of world war looming, she and her siblings strive to make this year their best. Can Norvia balance her heritage with her new life, or will the pressure to conform overshadow her true self?

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 7–10 · 1998

The Legend of Sleeping Bear

By Gijsbert Van Frankenhuyzen (Illustrator) · Myths, Legends, Fairy and Folktales series

A mother bear's love guides her cubs across a vast lake to safety.

48 pages· 1,222 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud

4.3/5 Goodreads · 498 ratings

$17.95Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Amidst a raging forest fire, a mother bear leads her cubs into the waters of Lake Michigan, hoping to reach safety on the distant shore. Her unwavering love and guidance become the heart of a timeless legend. Will they survive the perilous journey? Discover the origins of the Sleeping Bear Dune in this tale of courage and maternal devotion, beautifully brought to life through vivid storytelling and art.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 5–9 · 2020

The Range Eternal

By Louise Erdrich, Steve Johnson (Illustrator), Lou Fancher (Illustrator)

A woodstove's glow reveals a girl's world of warmth and imagination.

32 pages

4.2/5 Goodreads · 222 ratings

$17.95Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In the Turtle Mountains, a woodstove is the heart of a young girl's home. It warms her family, wards off icy monsters, and sparks her imagination with visions of wild creatures. As she grows, the stove's glow becomes a portal to memories and dreams, capturing the essence of her childhood. What stories will the flames tell, and how will they shape her journey?

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 13–+ · 2023

Rez Ball

By Byron Graves

A young athlete must lead his team to victory to honor his brother's legacy.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2024)American Indian Youth Literature Award (2024)

368 pages· 79,624 words· Est. 7.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 3,048 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Tre Brun dreams of leading his high school basketball team to their first state championship, stepping into the shoes of his late brother, Jaxon. With the weight of his Ojibwe community's hopes and the pressure of not failing on or off the court, Tre faces a pivotal season. As he navigates friendships and budding feelings for Khiana, he must decide if he can fulfill Jaxon's dreams and keep their story alive. Will Tre rise to the challenge and become the hero his community needs, or will the pressure prove too much?

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2005

The Game of Silence

By Louise Erdrich · Book #2 in the The Birchbark House series

A young girl faces the threat of losing her home and way of life in 1850.

Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction (2006)

271 pages· 53,684 words· Est. 7.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,565 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In 1850, Omakayas, known as Little Frog, lives peacefully on an island in Lake Superior. Her world is shaken when mysterious visitors bring news that threatens her home and way of life. As the white settlers demand her people move west, Omakayas must confront the possibility of losing everything she holds dear. Will she find a way to protect her family and their traditions, or will they be forced to leave the only home they've ever known? Discover the poignant journey of one Ojibwe family in a changing America.

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 7–12 · 1999

The Birchbark House

By Louise Erdrich · Book #1 in the Birchbark House series

A young Ojibwa girl navigates life on Lake Superior in 1847.

National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist (1999)American Indian Youth Literature Award (2006)Jane Addams Children's Book Honor (2000)

244 pages· 43,946 words· Est. 6 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 13,408 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In 1847, young Omakayas lives on an island in Lake Superior, experiencing the world from an Ojibwa perspective. As she navigates daily life, her story offers a unique view of Native American life, challenging the typical narratives of the time. What challenges will she face, and how will her heritage shape her journey? Discover a tale of resilience and identity, set against the backdrop of a changing world.

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2024

The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry

By Anna Rose Johnson

An orphan seeks a legendary treasure on stormy Lake Superior, racing against time and rivals.

192 pages· 49,286 words· Est. 7 hour read

3.8/5 Goodreads · 1,087 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Lucy, a French-Ojibwe orphan, is sent to live with the Martins, a lighthouse-keeping family on Lake Superior. Haunted by her father's disappearance at sea, she dreams of finding a legendary ruby necklace from a nearby shipwreck. But she's not the only one searching. As the lighthouse company questions the Martins' ability to care for her, Lucy must find the treasure quickly or risk losing her new home. Will she overcome her fears and uncover the necklace, or will her dreams be dashed by those who seek it too?

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