Cynthia Leitich Smith Bücher

The affirming story of how a contemporary Native American girl turns to her family and community to help her dance find a voice. Jenna loves the tradition of jingle dancing that has been shared by generations of women in her family, and she hopes to dance at the next powwow. But she has a problem--how will her dress sing if it has no jingles? The cone-shaped jingles sewn to Grandma Wolfe's dress sing tink, tink, tink, tink. Jenna's heart beats to the brum, brum, brum, brum of the powwow drum as she daydreams about the clinking song of her grandma's jingle dancing. The warm, evocative watercolors of Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu complement author Cynthia Leitich Smith's lyrical text in this picture book. Perfect for classroom and library sharing.

Edited by award-winning and bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith, this collection of intersecting stories by both new and veteran Native writers bursts with hope, joy, resilience, the strength of community, and Native pride

A boy who intends to take them away from home for good, to an island of wild animals, Merfolk, Fairies, and kidnapped children, to a sea of merfolk, pirates, and a giant crocodile.A boy who calls himself Peter Pan. In partnership with We Need Diverse Books

Cousins Riley and Maya navigate their new life in Urbanopolis with contrasting personalities: outgoing Riley longs for her Muscogee family, while introverted Maya seeks solitude, missing her parents overseas. As they settle into school—Riley with gymnasts and Maya in Robotics Club—they begin to find their footing. However, their growing sense of belonging is challenged by a hidden adversary threatening their school's culture, forcing the cousins to confront their differences and unite against a common threat.

This collection of interrelated stories is heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny. Cynthia Leitich Smith, acclaimed author of Rain Is Not My Indian Name, writes with wit and candor about what it's like to grow up as a Seminole-Cherokee boy who is just as happy pounding the pavement in windy Chicago as rowing on a take in rural Oklahoma. This chapter book [or this series] is perfect for growing readers in first or second grade. What do Indian shoes look like, anyway? Like beautiful beaded moccasins...or hightops with bright orange shoelaces? Ray Halfmoon prefers hightops, but he gladly trades them for a nice pair of moccasins for his Grampa. After all, it's Grampa Halfmoon who's always there to help Ray get in and out of scrapes--like the time they are forced to get creative after a homemade haircut makes Ray's head look like a lawn-mowing accident. Shoes is a good book for any elementary-aged reluctant reader, and a necessity for indigenous children everywhere."--School Library Journal

Recognized with an American Indian Youth Literature Award, this book celebrates Indigenous culture and narratives. It features rich storytelling that highlights the experiences and perspectives of Native youth, blending traditional elements with contemporary themes. Through its engaging characters and vibrant illustrations, the book aims to educate and inspire readers about the importance of cultural heritage and identity. It serves as both a literary work and a valuable resource for understanding Indigenous voices in literature.

NSK Neustadt Laureate and New York Times best-selling author Cynthia Leitich Smith delivers a thrilling cross-genre follow-up to the acclaimed Hearts Unbroken.Deftly leading readers to the literary crossroads of contemporary realism and haunting mystery, Cynthia Leitich Smith revisits the world of her American Indian Youth Literature Award winner Hearts Unbroken. Halloween is near, and Hughie Wolfe is volunteering at a new rural attraction: Harvest House. He’s excited to take part in the fun, spooky show—until he learns that an actor playing the vengeful spirit of an “Indian maiden,” a ghost inspired by local legend, will headline. Folklore aside, unusual things have been happening at night at the crossroads near Harvest House. A creepy man is stalking teenage girls and young women, particularly Indigenous women; dogs are fretful and on edge; and wild animals are behaving strangely. While Hughie weighs how and when to speak up about the bigoted legend, he and his friends begin to investigate the crossroads and whether it might be haunted after all. As Moon rises on All Hallow’s Eve, will they be able to protect themselves and their community? Gripping and evocative, Harvest House showcases a versatile storyteller at her spooky, unsettling best.

Launch title in a spin-off companion series set in the same dark-fantasy universe as Cynthia Leitich Smith's best-selling Tantalize quartet.When sexy, free-spirited werecat Yoshi tracks his sister, Ruby, to Austin, he discovers that she is not only MIA, but also the key suspect in a murder investigation. Meanwhile, werepossum Clyde and human Aimee have set out to do a little detective work of their own, sworn to avenge the brutal killing of pal Travis. When all three seekers are snared in an underground kidnapping ring, they end up on a remote island inhabited by an unusual (even by shifter standards) species and its cult of worshippers. Their hosts harbour a grim secret: staging high-profile safaris for wealthy patrons with evil pedigrees, which means that at least one newcomer to the island is about to be hunted, as both wereprey and werepredator fight to stay alive...

In a voice that resonates with insight and humor, New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith tells the story of a teenage girl who must face down her grief and reclaim her place in the world with the help of her intertribal community. It's been six months since Cassidy Rain Berghoff's best friend, Galen, died, and up until now she has succeeded in shutting herself off from the world. But when controversy arises around Aunt Georgia's Indian Camp in their mostly white midwestern community, Rain decides to face the outside world again, with a new job photographing the campers for her town's newspaper. Soon, Rain has to decide how involved she wants to become in Indian Camp. Does she want to keep a professional distance from her fellow Native teens? And, though she is still grieving, will she be able to embrace new friends and new beginnings? In partnership with We Need Diverse Books --School Library Journal

Motivational devotions in this collection aim to uplift and inspire readers, guiding them through challenging times. Each piece is crafted to provide encouragement and support, helping individuals overcome feelings of defeat and find hope. The focus is on fostering resilience and a positive mindset, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking spiritual and emotional strength.

Exploring themes of self-reflection and personal growth, this book encourages readers to confront their regrets and misalignments with their true selves and spiritual beliefs. It addresses the challenges of saying yes when one truly wants to say no, managing relationships, and breaking free from negative habits and addictions. Additionally, it offers guidance on overcoming unforgiveness and transforming thought patterns to align more closely with God's will, promoting a journey towards peace and fulfillment.

In a one-of-a-kind collaboration, seventeen of the most recognizable YA writers—including Shaun David Hutchinson, Neal and Brendan Shusterman, and Beth Revis—come together to share the viewpoints of a group of students affected by a school shooting. It took only twenty-two minutes for Kirby Matheson to exit his car, march onto the school grounds, enter the gymnasium, and open fire, killing six and injuring five others. But this isn’t a story about the shooting itself. This isn’t about recounting that one unforgettable day. This is about one boy—who had friends, enjoyed reading, playing saxophone in the band, and had never been in trouble before—became a monster capable of entering his school with a loaded gun and firing bullets at his classmates. Each chapter is told from a different victim’s viewpoint, giving insight into who Kirby was and who he’d become. Some are sweet, some are dark; some are seemingly unrelated, about fights or first kisses or late-night parties. This is a book told from multiple perspectives—with one character and one event drawing them all together—by some of YA’s most recognizable names.