Indian No More by Charlene Willing McManis

This is a book that I have been waiting for. It tells the struggle of a Native American family from Oregon who relocates to Los Angeles after the United States government tells their tribe that they have been terminated and they no longer exist.   Regina who is a 5th grader, her third-grade sister Peewee, her parents, and her grandmother relocate to a little house in LA.  Regina's father is excited to go back to school and then get a good job to provide for his family. When they arrive they are surprised at how small their house and yard are and miss space and nature they enjoyed in Oregon.  Regina and Peewee meet lots of kids in their neighborhood and it is very diverse...Black, Cuban, and German.  They learn a lot about racism personally as they encounter lots of stereotypes about Native Americans. They also experience racism toward others in their neighborhood. 

This book reminds me a little bit of a Beverly Cleary book about kids in a neighborhood who enjoy being neighbors together.  It also goes deeper as it includes the parents and the grandmother's struggles in starting over in a new city away from their family and friends in Oregon and the rich traditions they do not want to forget.  McManis also does a good job of showing racial stereotypes from the lens of a Native American. 

This book is based on the childhood experiences of McManis.  She completed the writing of this book but became ill before the final edits.  Traci Sorell stepped in to take the book to the final publication. At the beginning of the book, the author gives a note, a map, and a glossary. I appreciated having some of this background information before I began to read the story.  At the end, the notes from the co-author and the editor really showed how carefully this book was vetted for correct content. They felt like this was their chance and responsibility to have the microphone and speak for the Native American community. 

Parents and teachers should read this book and then share it with their children and students. It is a very important book to add to our understanding of the history of racial issues in the United States. 

I rate this book a 5 out of 5.  The book could be read by 3rd - 6th-grade students.