Cynthia Leitich Smith (Native Books for Young Readers & More)
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Cynthia Leitich Smith (Native Books for Young Readers & More)
@cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
3.1K followers 500 following 510 posts
children's-YA author, Heartdrum imprint curator, dog mom
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cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
"Becky Pringle, [NEA president], said...'in 27 states, voters elected strong public-school candidates in thousands of school board races across the country, bringing new leaders committed to making sure every student has the support they need to succeed.'" www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
In November's School Board Elections, Voters Stood with Librarians
From New Hampshire to New Mexico, voters aligned with educators, librarians, and unions and ushered in candidates with liberal leanings to their local school boards. We looked at the outcomes in sever...
www.publishersweekly.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:16 PM
cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
!ndigo selects LEGENDARY FRYBREAD DRIVE-IN as one of its Best Teen and Tween Books of 2025; view the whole list: www.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/... @epicreads.bsky.social @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social #BookSky #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #BestBooks @kauawrites.bsky.social @ajeversole.bsky.social
!Indigo (blue) logo; subtitle: Books - Gifts - Kids. Headline: Best Teen & Tween Books. Cover art for LEGENDARY FRYBREAD DRIVE-IN. Native people gathered at an outdoor drive-in restaurant, eating and socializing.
November 20, 2025 at 11:05 PM
cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
ATTN Educators! Look for me at the @ncte.org conference and ALAN Workshop in Denver, Colorado.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2025 • Panel: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work, 9:30–10:45 AM MST, Room 105, CO Convention Center • Signing with Kekla Magoon, noon–1 PM MST, Mackin, Booth 203 • Signing — Legendary Frybread Drive-In & Firefly Season, 3–4: PM MST, HarperCollins, Booth 913 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2025 • Signing with Kekla Magoon, 11:30 AM–12:30 PM MST, Classroom Library Co., Booth 1016 • Panel: Dreaming in the Wild Outdoors, 2:45–4 PM MST, Room 203, CO Convention Center MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2025 • ALAN Workshop: Opening Keynote; 8:10–8:30 AM MST, Four Seasons 2 & 3 Ballroom, CO Convention Center
November 19, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Reposted by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Native Books for Young Readers & More)
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
🚨 U.S. high school seniors, don’t miss your chance to apply for a $10,000 scholarship through Penguin Random House’s annual Creative Writing Awards!

📝 bit.ly/CWA2026
Orange promotional graphic that says, “Don’t Forget to Hit Submit!” in bold, white, all-caps text. To the right of the text is an illustration of a bright gold computer mouse, hovering as if ready to click on a button. Beneath the title text is an illustration of a search bar containing the URL “bit.ly/CWA2026” which will redirect folks to the Penguin Random House landing page for the Creative Writing Awards, including details about the awards and a direct link to the application. At the bottom of the graphic is a white stripe containing the logos for Penguin Random House, the Creative Writing Awards, and We Need Diverse Books. Orange promotional graphic titled “About the CWAs”. There is the following description: “Penguin Random House is partnering with We Need Diverse Books for the 2026 Creative Writing Awards—featuring the newly-named Chinua Achebe Award for Freedom of Expression! Six first-place $10,000 prizes will be awarded in the categories of: the Chinua Achebe Freedom of Expression Award, the Amanda Gorman Award for Poetry, the Maya Angelou Award for Spoken Word, the Michelle Obama Award for Memoir, and the James Baldwin Award for Fiction. In recognition of the Creative Writing Awards previously being centered in New York City, the competition will award an additional first-place prize to the top entrant from the NYC area.” At the bottom of the graphic is an illustration of a search bar containing the URL “bit.ly/CWA2026”, which will redirect folks to the application page containing full details.
November 19, 2025 at 3:30 PM
cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
Books for young readers reflect the reality that Indigenous people live on reservations, in cities, and all the places in between. In fact, upwards of 80% of Native people live in suburbs, off-rez small towns, or cities, with many regularly returning to visit their tribal homelands. #KidLit
Book Covers in a collage In YÁADILÁ! (GOOD GRIEF!), written by Laurel Goodluck (Mandan-Hidatsa-Tsimshian), illustrated by Jonathan Nelson (Diné), a Navajo family moves their grandmother, Nali, from her sheep camp home to their house, experiences hilarious frustration, and shows loving support for her. In TO WALK THE SKY: HOW IROQUOIS STEELWORKERS HELPED BUILD TOWERING CITIES, written by Patricia Morris Buckley (Mohawk), illustrated by E.B. Lewis (Lenni-Lenape), we find out how generations of Native workers have built a legacy of landmarks all over the North American continent—and even today, there are Native Americans still climbing up among the clouds, brave enough to walk the sky. In FIREFLY SEASON by Cynthia Leitch Smith (Muscogee), illustrated by Kate Gardiner (Nipmuck), suburban Kansas Citians and found sisters travel to the Mvskoke rez in Oklahoma and across the seas to India, following paths to family, culture, and wonder.
November 19, 2025 at 6:54 PM
cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
Native American Heritage Month 2025: Q&As with Authors for Young Readers on Showcasing Indigenous Culture and Community by Iyana Jones from @publisherswkly.bsky.social: www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/... @epicreads.bsky.social @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth
Native American Heritage Month 2025: Q&As with Authors for Young Readers on Showcasing Indigenous Culture and Community
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, we asked Indigenous creators to discuss how their works reflect different aspects of their culture and history.
www.publishersweekly.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:20 PM
cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
Official Heartdrum teacher guides are created by Indigenous educators. Scroll to view: www.harpercollins.com/pages/childr... @harperstacks.bsky.social @epicreads.bsky.social @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social #KidLit #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth
November 18, 2025 at 7:49 PM
cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
"Wrap up these reads for kids from toddler age to teenage," from Publishers Weekly Holiday Gift Guide 2025 by Carolyn Juris. www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/... #GiftGuide
November 18, 2025 at 5:39 PM
cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
Join @keklamagoon.bsky.social & Cynthia Leitich Smith for a signing of MISSION ONE: THE VICE PRINCIPAL PROBLEM: THE BLUE STARS @candlewickpress.bsky.social, noon-1 PM, Fri., Nov. 21 at @Mackin Booth #203 & 11:30 AM-noon Sat., Nov. 22 at CLC Booth #1016 at the @ncte.org convention. #KidLit #NCTE25
November 16, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Reposted by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Native Books for Young Readers & More)
lindaweste.bsky.social
Heads up #VerseNovel enthusiasts! Read about #versenovel TOPHEAVY in this interview for Cynsations @cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
cynthialeitichsmith.com/2025/05/new-...
New Voice: Rhonda DeChambeau on Writing a YA Verse Novel About Body Issues - Cynthia Leitich Smith
By Gail Vannelli Rhonda DeChambeau is a Massachusetts children’s author and poet, and also an experienced speaker and presenter. Her debut YA novel in verse, Top Heavy (Holiday House, 2025), is a beau...
cynthialeitichsmith.com
November 16, 2025 at 9:08 AM
cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
★ “A rapturous reflection on community worth holding close to one’s heart.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred)

HERE COME THE AUNTIES! by Cynthia Leitich Smith & Aphelandra (Heartdrum, 2026). Ages 4-up. @harperkids.bsky.social @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social @aphelandraw.bsky.social #KidLit
Review quote from post with star. Cover art for HERE COME THE AUNTIES--young child with arms up in joy backed up by a range of aunties of various ages, skin tones and dress.
November 14, 2025 at 4:44 PM
cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
★ “…an empowering read that both honors children’s behavioral strengths and offers guidance on orienting around values.” — @publisherswkly.bsky.social, starred

AANIIN: I SEE YOUR LIGHT by Dawn Quigley & Nanibah Chacon (Heartdrum @harperstacks.bsky.social @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social). #KidLit
Quote from post above, cover art for AANIIN: I SEE YOUR LIGHT (child in yellow, long sleeve shirt with purple pants, golden eagle flying overhead) to left. Headshots of Dawn Quigely, Nani Chabon (Native women with long, dark hair) above logo for Heartdrum (young eagle feather on Alaska Native drum)
November 13, 2025 at 4:25 PM
cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
From The Hub at YALSA: A Book That Feels Like a Hug: Cynthia Leitich Smith on Her New Anthology and Writing for Teens: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_daq...

@harperstacks.bsky.social @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social @yalsa.bsky.social #YALit #YABooks #AuthorInterview
A Book That Feels Like a Hug: Cynthia Leitich Smith on Her New Anthology and Writing for Teens
YouTube video by The Hub from YALSA
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:51 PM
cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
Celebrate Rock Your Mocs Day Nov. 15 & Rock Your Mocs Week Nov. 9-15. Wear moccasins or a turquoise ribbon. Take a photo/video to share. Read ROCK YOUR MOCS by @laurelgoodluck.bsky.social and Madelyn Goodnight (Heartdrum). @harperkids.bsky.social #RockYourMocs #KidLit
Instructions in post, plus cover art for the picture book ROCK YOUR MOCS (AIYLA silver medal), kids walking in mocs with ancestors looking on from the sky above. Bylines above, title in purple below.
November 12, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Reposted by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Native Books for Young Readers & More)
harperstacks.bsky.social
This #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth, we're highlighting two fantastic anthologies for your middle grade and YA readers: ANCESTOR APPROVED & LEGENDARY FRYBREAD DRIVE-IN! 📚 Edited by @cynleitichsmith.bsky.social, these intertribal stories feature the voices of both new and acclaimed Indigenous writers.
November 12, 2025 at 3:39 PM
cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
Sending gratitude to Native veterans on Veterans Day.
One of my most popular characters is Grampa Halfmoon, a U.S. Army veteran from a Cherokee-Seminole family, who appears in INDIAN SHOES and ON A WING AND A TEAR (both from Heartdrum). #VeteransDay
My character Grampa Halfmoon is a U.S. Army veteran. Native veterans are honored on Veterans Day (Nov. 11th) in the U.S. and National Indigenous Veterans Day (Nov. 8th) in Canada. Book covers INDIAN SHOES (cover art: grandfather and grandson with Chicago in the background) and ON A WING AND A TEAR (cover art: grandfather driving two kids in the back seat down the highway in a blue truck).
November 11, 2025 at 3:16 PM
cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
Thank you, moderator Kevin Noble Maillard and legendary co-presenters Darcie Little Badger and Andrea L. Rogers for joining me on this weekend's panel "The Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Where Celebrated Indigenous Writers Share Their Stories" at the Texas Book Festival! @harperkids.bsky.social
Collage (l to r): Author Kevin Noble Maillard, holding a copy of LEGENDARY FRYBREAD DRIVE-IN, author panel at Texas Book Festival, audience photo at TBF, Darcie Little Badger dancing in the author green room, panelists Kevin, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Darcie, and Andrea L. Rogers posing behind the panel table, half-body photo of Andrea L. Rogers wearing a "Stay Wild" T-shirt, photo of three books by Cynthia on the sales table ON A WING AND A TEAR, SISTERS OF THE NEVERSEA, and FIREFLY SEASON, selfie of Cynthia with Nikki Loftin, two picture books by Andrea L. Rogers on the sales table CHOOCH HELPED and WHEN WE GATHER. Center: Texas Book Festival 30th Anniversary logo.
November 10, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Reposted by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Native Books for Young Readers & More)
curtisbrownltd.bsky.social
What a glowing 🌟 review on HERE COME THE AUNTIES! by
@cynleitichsmith.bsky.social and illustrated by Aphelandra! Kirkus calls it, "A rapturous reflection on community worth holding close to one’s heart."

www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
HERE COME THE AUNTIES! | Kirkus Reviews
Caring adults support a Muscogee child’s development.
www.kirkusreviews.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:28 PM
cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
The Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Where Celebrated Indigenous Writers Share Their Stories, Texas Book Festival: texasbookfestival.org/schedule/the...

11:00 AM - 11:45 AM, Sat., Nov. 8, YA HQ Tent

Signing: 12:00 PM, Main Book Signing Tent

@harperkids.bsky.social @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
Text from post, plus 30th Anniversary logo for Texas Book Festival, headshots of authors Cynthia Leitich Smith, Andrea L. Rogers, Darcie Little Badger, Kevin Noble Maillard. Cover art for LEGENDARY FRYBREAD DRIVE-IN -- Native people gathered at drive-in.
November 7, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Reposted by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Native Books for Young Readers & More)
harperstacks.bsky.social
These new YA books are great choices for celebrating Native American Heritage Month with your teen readers!

🍂 LEGENDARY FRYBREAD DRIVE-IN is a YA anthology, edited by @cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
🍂 THE OTHERS is the haunting sequel to Cheryl Isaacs' debut, THE UNFINISHED
November 7, 2025 at 3:55 PM
cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
Honoring Native American Heritage Month with Kids Books by Indigenous Authors and Illustrators: www.madisonreadingproject.com/single-post/... #KidLit
Honoring Native American Heritage Month with Kids Books by Indigenous Authors and Illustratorshttps://static.wixstatic.com/media/36acea_dff4567e075345e6880babb6a21e34ca~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_1000,h_1000,a...
Don't miss our blog post about Native storytelling by emi aguilar. For a sneak peak at some of our favorite picture books by Indigenous creators, keep reading! If you'd like to purchase or donate thes...
www.madisonreadingproject.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:37 PM
cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
40 Children’s & YA Books That Celebrate Native American Heritage by @olugbemisolabooks.bsky.social from Brightly. www.readbrightly.com/native-ameri... #BookSky @tracisorellauthor.bsky.social
15 Books to Share Stories of Native American History and Experience with Kids and Teens | Brightly
These stories offer young readers an opportunity to learn more about the rich and complex history of Indigenous peoples in North America.
www.readbrightly.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:21 PM
cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
“warmth and beauty” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books @poetnikki.bsky.social @stacyvwells.bsky.social @eblewis.bsky.social @harperkids.bsky.social @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social #BookSky
“…warmth and beauty…readers learn not only about the tragedy in Dante’s family history, but also the joyful cultural elements they revel in.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Recommended Cover art for STRONGER THAN by Nikki Grimes, Stacy Wells & EB Lewis (headshots of all three to the right, Heartdrum logo to the left)
November 2, 2025 at 6:11 PM
cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth www.cowboysindians.com/2025/10/the-... @epicreads.bsky.social
The Indigenous Books I Can’t Stop Talking About
Author Vanessa Lillie (Cherokee) shares the new and upcoming Native reads lighting up her nightstand—and her soul.
www.cowboysindians.com
November 1, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Reposted by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Native Books for Young Readers & More)
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
👻 Want to know what really scares us here at WNDB?

Every Halloween, cities and communities set up haunted houses, people dress up as monsters, and we watch spine-tingling movies that make even the bravest grown-ups jump.

But here’s what *really* scares us at We Need Diverse Books:
Light grey promotional graphic titled “Want to Know Something Really Scary?” The graphic has three illustrations of ghosts decorating the border of the post. Beneath the tile is a bright orange bubble containing a right-facing arrow, encouraging folks to swipe through.
October 31, 2025 at 2:30 PM