This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. Love Medicine

   

   "Love Medicine" is a novel that explores the lives of several generations of a Native American family living on a reservation in North Dakota. The narrative is presented through a series of interconnected stories, each told from the perspective of different family members, and spans over 60 years, from 1934 to 1999. The book explores themes of love, family, identity, and the struggle between tradition and modernity. It provides a deep and poignant look into the complexities of Native American life and culture, and the challenges faced by the community.

   The 1316th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

2. 2. The Round House

   

   A teenage boy navigates the complexities of life after his mother is brutally attacked on their reservation in North Dakota. As the legal system fails to bring justice due to jurisdictional issues, the boy takes matters into his own hands. The novel explores themes of tribal law, justice, and the transition into adulthood, all set against the backdrop of Native American culture and history.

   The 2064th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

3. 3. The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse

   

   The novel presents the story of Father Damien Modeste, a beloved figure who has served the Ojibwe Native American community at Little No Horse for over a century. As death approaches, Father Damien pens a letter to the Pope revealing his true identity; he is a woman named Agnes DeWitt who adopted the disguise of a priest after the real Father Damien died. The narrative explores themes of faith, identity, and the often complex relationship between Native American communities and the Catholic Church.

   The 4630th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

4. 4. The Night Watchman

   

   This novel is a powerful exploration of the life of a Native American community in the 1950s, focusing on a determined night watchman who fights against a Congressional effort to dispossess his people of their land. Inspired by the author's own grandfather, the story weaves together the lives of several characters, each navigating personal and collective struggles amidst the backdrop of historical injustices. Through a narrative that blends the spiritual with the political, the book not only portrays the resilience and complexity of its characters but also offers a poignant critique of the policies that sought to undermine Native American identity and sovereignty.

   The 6322nd Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
5. 5. The Mighty Red

   

   In the small town of Argus, North Dakota, lives intertwine around a tense wedding. Gary Geist, a young man on the brink of inheriting two farms, is eager to marry Kismet Poe, a free-spirited woman with a mysterious aura. Meanwhile, Hugo, a gentle giant with a fiery mane, harbors feelings for Kismet and plans to win her over. Kismet's mother, Crystal, works tirelessly hauling sugar beets and finds solace in late-night radio and visions of guardian angels, all while worrying about the future. Set against the backdrop of the Red River Valley, the story explores the passage of time, the impact of climate change, and the economic challenges of the late 2000s. The characters grapple with everyday questions about life, love, and survival in a rapidly changing world. Through humor and heartache, they navigate their dreams, secrets, and the harsh realities of their prairie community. **The Mighty Red** is a tale of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances, highlighting the enduring connection between humanity and the earth.

   The 10540th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

6. 6. Tracks

   

   The novel is a gripping tale set in the early 20th century that follows the lives of several characters from an Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) community in North Dakota, focusing on the struggles of Fleur Pillager, a young woman with a mysterious connection to spiritual and natural forces. As the community grapples with the encroachment of white culture, land dispossession, and the ravages of illness, the narrative unfolds through the perspectives of Nanapush, an elder striving to preserve tribal traditions, and Pauline, a woman of mixed heritage drawn toward Christian fanaticism. The book weaves themes of survival, cultural identity, and the complex interplay between human beings and the environment, revealing the enduring resilience of a people in the face of assimilation and adversity.

   The 10711th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

7. 7. LaRose

   

   In this emotionally charged novel, a man accidentally kills his neighbor's son while hunting and, in an act of ancient tribal tradition, offers his own son, LaRose, as compensation. The narrative explores the complexities of grief, justice, and cultural identity, as both families grapple with the loss of their sons and the impact of this decision. The story is set against the backdrop of the Ojibwe reservation in North Dakota, and the intertwining of the two families leads to unexpected relationships and the healing power of shared sorrow.

   The 14165th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Amazon

8. 8. The Antelope Wife

   

   The novel weaves a complex tapestry of Native American life, blending contemporary realism with mystical elements. It explores themes of love, family, and cultural identity through the interwoven stories of multiple generations affected by a legacy of trauma and healing. The narrative centers around two Ojibwe families in Minneapolis and the titular Antelope Wife, a mysterious woman with a profound connection to the spiritual and natural worlds. The book delves into the characters' struggles with their pasts, the power of storytelling, and the intricate bonds that tie them together, revealing the resilience and transformations that occur within their community.

   The 14901st Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Amazon

9. 9. The Birchbark House

   

   Set in the mid-19th century, this poignant tale follows the life of a young Ojibwe girl named Omakayas as she navigates the challenges and joys of her daily life on an island in Lake Superior. Through the changing seasons, Omakayas learns about her heritage, the natural world, and the complexities of human relationships. The story beautifully captures the intersection of tradition and change, as the Ojibwe community faces the encroaching influence of European settlers. With vivid descriptions and heartfelt moments, the narrative explores themes of family, resilience, and the deep connection to one's cultural roots.

   The 17010th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Amazon
10. 10. The Painted Drum

    

    Set around a Native American reservation, the novel interweaves the lives of several characters across generations—artists, storytellers, veterans, and grieving family members—whose fates become linked by a mysterious painted drum that carries memory, grief, and a capacity for both harm and healing; moving between daily reality and mythic impulse, the narrative examines how history, love, violence, and spiritual tradition shape identity and the possibility of redemption.

    The 17010th Greatest Book of All Time

    Purchase from Bookshop.org