Super Short Summary

The Heart of a Chief by Joseph Bruchac follows Chris Nicola, an eleven-year-old Native American boy from the Penacook Reservation, who faces the challenges of starting junior high in a predominantly non-Native school. As Chris navigates cultural misunderstandings and stereotypes, he undertakes a school project that addresses the harmful depictions of Native Americans, ultimately catalyzing change in his school and raising awareness about issues affecting his community. The book contains themes of addiction and loss.