Charles Portis wrote “True Grit,” a story about a 14-year-old girl named Mattie Ross, who sets out to find the man who killed her father. She hires Rooster Cogburn, a tough and not-so-lawful U.S. Marshal, to help her.
Together, they travel through Indian Territory in Oklahoma, facing danger and challenging each other along the way. Mattie’s determination and sharp wit shine throughout the journey.
The book “Where the Red Fern Grows” by Wilson Rawls tells the story of a young boy named Billy growing up in the Ozark Mountains of Oklahoma. He works hard to save money to buy two coonhound puppies and trains them to become excellent hunting dogs.
Along the way, the bond between Billy and his dogs deepens, and their adventures are filled with both triumphs and heartbreak. The story explores themes of determination, loyalty, and the deep connection between a boy and his beloved animals.
The novel “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton tells the story of Ponyboy Curtis and his struggles growing up in a world divided by class. The Greasers, a group of working-class boys, are constantly at odds with the wealthier Socs.
Through fights, loyalty, and tragedy, Ponyboy begins to question the labels society places on people and what truly defines them. The novel captures the intensity of youth and the search for identity.
“Where the Heart Is” by Billie Letts tells the story of Novalee Nation, a pregnant teenager who is left stranded at a Walmart in a small Oklahoma town by her boyfriend. She decides to stay in the town, building a new life with the help of people she meets along the way.
The book is about finding unexpected connections, creating a sense of home, and overcoming challenges.
Harold Keith wrote “Rifles for Watie,” a historical novel set during the Civil War. The story follows young Jeff Bussey, a Union soldier from Kansas, as he experiences the harsh realities of war.
As Jeff travels through Kansas, Missouri, and Indian Territory, including what is now Oklahoma, he encounters the Cherokee Confederate forces and begins to see both sides of the conflict.
The book brings the frontier setting to life, showing the struggles and perspectives of those caught in the turmoil of war.
S.E. Hinton wrote “That Was Then, This Is Now,” a story about two teenagers, Bryon and Mark, who have been as close as brothers for years. As they grow up, their lives begin to move in different directions, creating tension between them.
The book explores how their choices and changing perspectives affect their friendship. The backdrop of the 1960s and the world of street fights and close-knit neighborhoods adds to the sense of a shifting, uncertain time.
“House of Night” by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast follows Zoey Redbird, a teenager who discovers she has been marked to become a vampyre. She enters the House of Night school in Tulsa, where students learn to embrace their new lives.
Along the way, Zoey uncovers mysterious elements of her powers and navigates friendships, rivalries, and the dangers lurking in her world. This series mixes the supernatural with the everyday struggles of growing up.
The book “Summer of the Monkeys” by Wilson Rawls tells the story of Jay Berry Lee, a fourteen-year-old boy who discovers a group of escaped circus monkeys in the Oklahoma countryside.
Set in the late 1800s, the story follows Jay Berry as he tries to catch the monkeys to claim a reward, hoping to use the money to improve his family’s life. Along the way, he faces challenges that teach him about determination, family, and the value of dreams.
Karen Hesse wrote “Out of the Dust,” a novel set during the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma. It follows Billie Jo, a young girl facing loss, hardship, and survival in a time of environmental and personal turmoil.
The story unfolds through powerful free-verse poetry that gives a raw glimpse into Billie Jo’s struggles and resilience as she navigates the harsh realities of her world.
“Sundown” by John Joseph Mathews follows the life of Chal, a young man from the Osage Nation, as he navigates cultural identity and personal struggles in early 20th-century Oklahoma.
Chal returns home after attending college, grappling with his place between the traditions of his Osage heritage and the influences of white society.
The story paints a vivid picture of the oil boom’s impact on the Osage people, capturing the tensions and changes it brings to their lives.
“Dragon’s Oath” by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast tells the story of Dragon Lankford, a fencing instructor at the House of Night. It dives into his past, exploring how a rebellious young man became the honorable professor he is now.
Set partly in early 19th-century England and partly in Oklahoma, it reveals his fateful choices, his love for a girl named Anastasia, and the vows that shaped his life.
The novel adds depth to the House of Night series by uncovering more about Dragon’s struggles and his ties to the school.
P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast bring readers back to the world of the House of Night in “Awakened.” Zoey Redbird is struggling to recover after a loss, while her friends face growing threats in Tulsa.
The story ties the supernatural with real-world struggles as Zoey must confront forces threatening both her and the people she loves. Set in Oklahoma, the setting enhances the atmosphere, grounding the magical elements in a very real sense of place.
Joyce Carol Thomas wrote “Marked by Fire,” a story about a young girl named Abyssinia Jackson who grows up in a small Oklahoma town. Abyssinia faces challenges that test her strength and spirit, including family struggles and devastating events that shake her community.
The novel explores themes of identity, resilience, and the power of faith, all set against the backdrop of a rural town filled with vivid characters.
The novel “Pushing the Bear” by Diane Glancy tells the story of a Cherokee family during the Trail of Tears. It captures their struggle as they are forced from their land, facing harsh conditions and the loss of their home.
Through the voices of different characters, the book explores how this journey impacts their lives, beliefs, and relationships.
LeAnne Howe’s “Shell Shaker” connects two periods in Choctaw history, blending past and present through the struggles of a modern-day Choctaw family and their ancestors in the 18th century.
It begins with a murder accusation involving a tribal leader, leading the family to uncover deep connections to their heritage. The story weaves themes of loyalty, justice, and the enduring bonds within a culture shaped by colonization and resilience.