Roy Peratrovich Jr Books

“No Natives or Dogs Allowed,” blared the storefront sign at Elizabeth Peratrovich, then a young Alaska Native Tlingit. The sting of those words would stay with her all her life. Years later, after becoming a seasoned fighter for equality, she would deliver her own powerful one that helped change Alaska and the nation forever.In 1945, Peratrovich stood before the Alaska Territorial Legislative Session and gave a powerful speech about her childhood and her experiences being treated as a second-class citizen. Her heartfelt testimony led to the passing of the landmark Alaska Anti-Discrimination Act, America’s first civil rights legislation. Today, Alaska celebrates Elizabeth Peratrovich Day every February 16, and she will be honored on the gold one-dollar coin in 2020.Annie Boochever worked with Elizabeth’s eldest son, Roy Peratrovich Jr., to bring Elizabeth’s story to life in the first book written for young teens on this remarkable Alaska Native woman.

The narrative follows Keet, a ten-year-old Tlingit Indian boy who stows away on his father's canoe and faces a perilous seastorm. After being swept far from home, he finds himself in the midst of a conflict between two Indian clans. The story highlights his resilience and bravery as he navigates these challenges. Based on a tale from the author's grandfather, the book is enriched with vivid illustrations that capture the essence of Alaska's landscapes and culture, immersing young readers in a historical adventure that tests a boy's courage.