An Interview with Native Writers James Bird and Traci Sorell

In observance of Native American Heritage Month, “Bookmarked” interviewed two acclaimed children’s book authors:

James Bird is a children’s book author as well as a screenwriter and director for the independent film company Zombot Pictures. His films include “We Are Boats” and “Honeyglue.” Bird’s previous middle grade novels are “The Brave” and “The Second Chance of Benjamin Waterfalls.” Originally from California, Bird is of Ojibwe descent, and now lives in Massachusetts with his wife, the author and actor Adriana Mather, and their son. Check out James’ recent appearance at the 2024 National Book Festival!

Best-selling author and Cherokee Nation citizen Traci Sorell writes inclusive, award-winning fiction and nonfiction in a variety of formats for young people. Traci is a two-time Sibert Medal and Orbis Pictus honoree for her nonfiction work. Eight of her books have received awards from the American Indian Library Association. In 2024, she shared two fiction picture books: “Being Home,” illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade, and “Clack, Clack! Smack! A Cherokee Stickball Story,” illustrated by Joseph Erb, along with two board books. Check out her recent appearance at the Library of Congress with National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Meg Medina!

What lead you to start writing books for young people? How urgently did you feel this calling?

TS: I began thinking about writing for young people while trying to find nonfiction and fiction books about contemporary Cherokee people to read to my then preschool-aged son in 2013. Unfortunately, there weren’t any. My mother also says, “Don’t tell me about a problem unless you are willing to work toward a solution.” That advice spurred me to get serious about figuring out how to write, which I began to do with a concentrated focus in the late summer of 2015. I sold my debut book, “We Are Grateful Otsaliheliga,” the next spring.

JB: As a kid, I never had access to books so they weren’t ever a part of my life; in fact, reading wasn’t a part of my life, but I did fall in love with words. It fascinated me that every single book, song, story, poem or conversation contained nothing more than the 26 letters of the alphabet. You can go from “White Fang” to “The Hunger Games” just by rearranging letters. I wanted to be a part of that game. So I started writing and rearranging the letters as many times as I could. So far, I have written four books, all with the same 26 letters.

As for my calling, I never knew I was going to be an author but I always knew I was going to spend the rest of my life telling stories and playing with words.

Other than a great story, what do you hope young readers take away from your books?

TS: I certainly hope they see Native Nations, their citizens and Indigenous people in their full humanity along with our continued presence in this land for well over 30,000 years. An understanding of our sovereignty, contributions to the world and the different worldviews present among Native Nations would also be included in that.

JB: What I hope young readers take away from my book are three things. 1. I hope I gave them a chance to escape reality for a few days. Getting lost in a book is one of the greatest things someone can do. 2. I hope it inspires other Native Americans to listen to the voice inside their head that is telling them to tell stories. Because that is what we do. It’s who we are. It’s in our blood, and I hope my book gives them a boost of confidence that tells them they too can do it if they pursue it. 3. I hope my books make reading fun for a young reader. My goal is to tell a story that changes their perspective on things. I want my books to offer another way at looking at people, choices, situations.

How do you think non-Native adults benefit from reading your books?

TS: I believe it helps fill in gaps that were missing in the fiction and nonfiction available for them to read as young people. Children and teens today have a much richer selection of board books to young adult works to inform, enlighten and entertain them from Native authors and illustrators. I believe non-Native adults as well as Native adults should take advantage of reading these same books themselves.

Often depictions of Cherokee people deal in stereotypes or fictions like “Cherokee princesses” when no royalty exists. What I hope they learn is how we continue to speak and reclaim our language, maintain our traditional teachings while adapting to the world around us, and continue to make invaluable contributions.

JB:I think non-natives benefit greatly from reading Native stories because it gives them a glimpse into a culture that not many people know about. And each Native story I write is rooted in some kind of life lesson that all people benefit from. Everything I learn in life, I want to pass on to my readers. And it is very important for non-native adults to realize that Natives are still here and we are still contributing to art and books and music and movies. Many non-natives see Native culture as the past, and I am here to show them that we are also the future 🙂

What are you working on right now?

TS: I’m working on two nonfiction books that should be out in 2026 and co-producing the “Clack, Clack! Smack! A Cherokee Stickball Story” audiobook that will be out in 2025.

JB: My next book is called “Wolf Club” and it comes out fall 2025. I think it’s my best book yet. And I have 2 more books coming right after that one, in 2026 and 2027.

Wado, Traci, and meegwech, James!