Indian No More

By Charlene Willing McManis, Traci Sorell

Ebook

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Listen to a sample of the Recorded Books audiobook below:

Winner of the American Indian Youth Literature Award for Best Middle Grade Book

A Global Read Aloud Choice

Regina Petit's family has always been Umpqua, and living on the Grand Ronde Tribe's reservation is all ten-year-old Regina has ever known. Her biggest worry is that Sasquatch may actually exist out in the forest. But when the federal government enacts a law that says Regina's tribe no longer exists, Regina becomes "Indian no more" overnight--even though she lives with her tribe and practices tribal customs, and even though her ancestors were Indian for countless generations.

Now that they've been forced from their homeland, Regina's father signs the family up for the federal Indian Relocation Program and moves them to Los Angeles. Regina finds a whole new world in her neighborhood on 58th Place. She's never met kids of other races, and they've never met a real Indian. For the first time in her life, Regina comes face to face with the viciousness of racism, personally and toward her new friends.

Meanwhile, her father believes that if he works hard, their family will be treated just like white Americans. But it's not that easy. It's 1957 during the Civil Rights era, and the family struggles without their tribal community and land. At least Regina has her grandmother, Chich, and her stories. At least they are all together.

In this moving middle-grade novel drawing upon Umpqua author Charlene Willing McManis's own tribal history, Regina must find out: Who is Regina Petit? Is she Indian, American, or both? And will she and her family ever be okay?

Download the Indian No More book résumé to advocate for keeping this essential book readily accessible to young people.

Read about the symbolism on the Indian No More cover.

Check out this great list of teaching ideas and resources from School Library Journal's "The Classroom Bookshelf" blog: "Shedding Light on 20th Century Termination and Relocation Efforts with Indian No More"

Listen to Traci Sorell talk about the book, her writing process, and author Charlene Willing McManis on The Children's Book Podcast.

Utilize Reading is Fundamental's educator lesson plan and activities.