Skip To Main Content

Find It Fast

Staff Directory

Native Literacy Circles

Will launch a monthly Native Literacy Circles where students read books written by Native American authors.

  • Wed. Jan. 28, 2026: Orientation day
  • Wed. Feb. 11, 2026: Fry Bread
  • Wed. March 11, 2026: SkySisters
  • Wed. April 8, 2026: Contenders
  • Wed. April 22, 2026: Healer of the Water Monster
  • Wed. May 6, 2026: The Rez Detectives
  • Wed. May 13, 2026: Student Presentations

Contact: Amber.Esquivel@fresnounified.org

Why these books? In 2018, there was 1% of American Indian/Alaska Native books depicting characters from diverse backgrounds. In 2023, the percentage has increased to 3% written by and about Native Americans.

Diversity in Children's Book art work 2018

 

Native Literacy Circles flyer for 2026

 

Selected Books

Canva Slides and Videos

Native Literacy Circles helped me feel... safe, joy, and happiness.

Thank you to all the students who participated in the first series of the Native Literacy Circles. A special shout out to the parents who made the commitment to dedicate their time to contribute towards reading Native books and learning the Native culture with their children.

Some testimonials from the student's presentations.

  • "My favorite book presented was (Contenders) because... it shows that people are different and they can achieve their dreams no matter who says they can't."
  • "Native Literacy Circles helped me feel... more connected to my tribe and history."
  • "Because of the Native Literacy Circles, I learned... that being Native is good and that there are lots of other people that are also Native."
  • "Native Literacy Circles helped me feel... proud to be Native and to have a place where I can feel good."
  • "Before this program I thought... it would be fun. Now I think... it's veryyy fun."
  • "My favorite book presented was (The Rez Detectives) because... it has a lot of funny jokes and was a comic book and I like comic books."
  • "Before this program I thought... that every Native has the same traditions and rules. Now I know... that every tribe has it's own traditions and the game were different and they all have different languages."
  • "Native Literacy Circles matters to me because... it is talking about Native people and how they used to live and I think that everyone should know because it is important."
  • Before this program I thought... it was going to be boring but it turn out it was actually pretty fun. Now I think... that it is nice to be around people that are Native."

photo collage of native literacy circles

Knowledge is power. Continue reading on the Sora app. Explore more Native books on the Native Ways of Knowing Book List: https://bit.ly/NativeWaysofKnowingBooks

we are the water protectors illustrations of native people

Illustrator Michaela Goade (Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska) from We Are Water Protectors (2020).