The Way to Rainy Mountain and The Absolutely True Diary of Part-time Indian

The Way to Rainy Mountain by N. Scott Momaday (Illustrated by Al Momaday)


This book is far more than it might first appear. At fewer than ninety pages, it's a memoir, retelling of folklore, and history. The writing is lyrical and powerful, and the accompanying illustrations complement the text well. I definitely need more Momaday.


The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie (Illustrated by Ellen Forney)


Okay, so roughly half of the 50books_poc community has read this book. But that's because it's really, really good. This book is heartbreakingly real. Alexie's characters are complex, sad, beautiful, and always human. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian is both tragic and triumphant, sometimes at the same time. Alexie doesn't hold back about the realities of reservation life, but he works to break all the stereotypes that get broadcast to white society. This book is absolutely not to be missed.