Families who loved Anpao: An American Indian Odyssey by Jamake Highwater often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is searching for a deeper understanding of their own heritage or is struggling with the messy, complex transition from childhood to maturity. It is an ideal choice for the adolescent who feels like an outsider and needs to see that the path to self-discovery is often a long, challenging journey requiring both courage and patience. Through the odyssey of Anpao, the story weaves together various North American Indian myths into a singular, lyrical narrative. It addresses deep emotional themes of identity, resilience, and the honoring of ancestral wisdom. While appropriate for ages 12 and up, parents will value it for its sophisticated approach to storytelling and its ability to transform abstract cultural values into a vivid, relatable quest for belonging.
