Reviewed by Debbie Reese
Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature
Book Author: Daniel W. Vandever
Those who follow my work know that I’ve been frustrated many times with things Scholastic does. Sometimes, though, they do a good thing. Case in point? Behind Every Rug.
This little book is by Daniel W. Vandever. I highly recommended his previous books. Fall In Line, Holden! came out in 2017 from Salina Bookshelf and his self-published Herizon came out in 2021. Both won the picture book award from the American Indian Library Association. His newest book, Behind Every Rug, is for readers 6-8 years old.
On the first page of Behind Every Rug, we see a little girl, Nizhoni, as she has just gotten off the school bus. Her mom is waiting for her on the sidewalk. Nizhoni is shown in athletic shoes, jeans, a hoodie, and a backpack. Her mother is wearing moccasins, a Navajo-style skirt and woven belt. She’s got a set of car keys in her hand.
In other words? This is a story set in the present day. Continue reading on American Indians in Children’s Literature.
Find more recommended books about this topic on our American Indians booklist.

Behind Every Rug by Daniel W. Vandever
Published by Scholastic Genres: American Indians First Nations Metis Inuit
Reading Level: Grade K, Grades 1-2
Review Source: American Indians in Children's Literature
Also by this author: Fall in Line, Holden!
Leave a Reply