Brief Summary of School Reading List Books - Ievgen Sykalo 2026

Indian No More by Charlene Willing McManis

Ten-year-old Regina Petit's life gets uprooted when her family is forced to leave their Umpqua tribe's reservation in Oregon. With limited job opportunities, Regina's father signs them up for the Indian Relocation program, moving them to a whole new world in Los Angeles.

Life on 58th Place in LA is a stark contrast to the familiar reservation. Regina has never met kids of other races, and they've never encountered a real Native American. Here, Regina grapples with racism for the first time, both towards herself and her new friends.

While Regina struggles to fit in, she finds solace in her grandmother, Chich, who keeps their Umpqua traditions alive through storytelling. These stories are a lifeline to Regina's heritage as she tries to understand her identity in this strange new place.

The book explores Regina's journey of self-discovery. She grapples with questions like: Who is she? Is she Umpqua, American, or both? Can she be one without negating the other?

Here are some additional details that flesh out the story:

• The novel is based on the author Charlene Willing McManis's own tribal history, lending authenticity to the struggles of relocation.

• The story takes place in 1957, a time when the federal government implemented termination policies aimed at dissolving Native American tribes.

• Regina's family misses their tribal community and the connection to their land.

• Through Chich's stories, Regina learns about Umpqua traditions, keeping a part of her heritage alive.

• As Regina navigates friendships and prejudice, she has to decide how much of her identity she's willing to reveal.

"Indian No More" is a moving story about resilience, cultural identity, and the challenges of belonging in a new environment.