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July 29, 2025
  • Cynthia Leitich Smith
  • July 29, 2025

Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories

4.5
Kate Hart, K.A. Cobell, Jen Ferguson, A.J. Eversole, Eric Gansworth, Brian Young, Marcella Bell, Byron Graves, Angeline Boulley, Cheryl Isaacs, Darcie Little Badger, David A. Robertson, Andrea L. Rogers, Kaua Māhoe Adams, Karina Iceberg, Christine Hartman Derr
READ VIA: E-arc compliments of @harpercollinschin and Heartdrum ABOUT: A YA native anthology of poems and short stories all celebrating the wisdom of elders, the value of community, first loves, and managing heartbreak. MY THOUGHTS: This was a beautiful collection of Native voices representing many different tribes. Each chapter is a vignette with magical realism, comfort, food, and teenage emotions. Despite their short length, each story felt complete and added value to the collection. While I’m excited for young Native readers to see themselves represented in a book, I think this will also be indispensable for those seeking to learn more about Indigenous perspectives. I found myself taking the time to look up the innumerable authors, foods, tribes, and languages while I was reading. The interconnected thread through the stories was how the characters experience the magic of Sandy Jones’s legendary drive-in. Somehow each rez brought thejnto then same place. Here, they found wisdom, connected with their first love, performed with their band, began to mourn their lost grandparent, and learned traditional recipes. Seeing how each author took this thread and made it unique for their own story was fascinating. I have to admit, I am not sure I’ve ever read an anthology, but I felt this one flowed well between each story. The editing by Smith helps bring the magic of this drive-in to life. AUDIO: I sampled the audio on Spotify; it was an impressive full-cast performance. The book would be great either way! SIMILAR BOOKS: Nothing like this exists, which is part of what makes it so incredibly special. SHOULD YOU READ This is the perfect read for YA lovers and those seeking new (and old) Native voices. It would especially make an ideal addition to classroom libraries.
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ISBN: 9780063314283
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E-arc compliments of @harpercollinschin and Heartdrum

ABOUT:
A YA native anthology of poems and short stories all celebrating the wisdom of elders, the value of community, first loves, and managing heartbreak.

MY THOUGHTS:
This was a beautiful collection of Native voices representing many different tribes.

Each chapter is a vignette with magical realism, comfort, food, and teenage emotions. Despite their short length, each story felt complete and added value to the collection.

While I’m excited for young Native readers to see themselves represented in a book, I think this will also be indispensable for those seeking to learn more about Indigenous perspectives. I found myself taking the time to look up the innumerable authors, foods, tribes, and languages while I was reading.

The interconnected thread through the stories was how the characters experience the magic of Sandy Jones’s legendary drive-in. Somehow each rez brought thejnto then same place. Here, they found wisdom, connected with their first love, performed with their band, began to mourn their lost grandparent, and learned traditional recipes.

Seeing how each author took this thread and made it unique for their own story was fascinating. I have to admit, I am not sure I’ve ever read an anthology, but I felt this one flowed well between each story. The editing by Smith helps bring the magic of this drive-in to life.

AUDIO:
I sampled the audio on Spotify; it was an impressive full-cast performance. The book would be great either way!

SIMILAR BOOKS:
Nothing like this exists, which is part of what makes it so incredibly special.

SHOULD YOU READ
This is the perfect read for YA lovers and those seeking new (and old) Native voices. It would especially make an ideal addition to classroom libraries.

Buy it

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