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children's-YA author, Heartdrum imprint curator, little free library steward, dog mom

Cynthia Leitich Smith (Native Books for Young Readers & More)

View the whole list: educate.bankstreet.edu/cgi/viewcont...

LOOKING FOR SMOKE by KA Cobell (Heartdrum) is a Virginia Readers’ Choice! @harperstacks.bsky.social @epicreads.bsky.social @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social #BookSky

Three Heartdrum books were named among Bank Street's Best Children's Books of the Year! #KidLit @laurelgoodluck.bsky.social @harperkids.bsky.social @epicreads.bsky.social @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social @bankstreet.edu @bankstreetlibrary.bsky.social

LEGENDARY FRYBREAD DRIVE-IN: INTERTRIBAL STORIES, edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith has won the Reading the West (YA) Book Award. Children’s winners: THREE BLUE HEARTS by Lynne Kelly & PAINTING WONDER: HOW PAULINE BAYNES ILLUSTRATED THE WORDS OF C.S. LEWIS AND J.R.R. TOLKIEN by Katie Wray Schon

“Staying connected to culture and community requires intentionality…distance can’t stop love.” —Christine Hartman Derr interviewed by @ajeversole.bsky.social, Cynsations cynthialeitichsmith.com/2026/05/auth... @gayleenwrites.bsky.social @harperkids.bsky.social @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social #KidLit

BCCB: “Rebellious daughters who found kinship in Julia in Sánchez’s I AM NOT YOUR PERFECT MEXICAN DAUGHTER may find another like-minded comrade in Aouli.” @kauawrites.bsky.social @epicreads.bsky.social @harperstacks.bsky.social @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social #BookSky

Publishers Weekly 2026 Summer Reads include MEDICINE WHEELS by @byrongraves.bsky.social (Heartdrum, 2026): best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-book... @epicreads.bsky.social @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social #BookSky #SummerReading

ALICE PIPER SPEAKS UP by Loralee Sepsey, Morgan Thompson & Sage Andrew Romero (Hey Day). When a 1923 school board refused to let Alice and six other Native students attend public school, she sued for her right to an equal education. #nativeamerican #CivilRightsHistory #nonfiction #middlegrade

A shoutout to fellow Bay Area Book Festival panelists Brook M. Thompson and @byrongraves.bsky.social! #BookSky

I’ve loved reading several #NativeAmerica #authors. This is my first by @cynleitichsmith.bsky.social I love #YA & #shortstories so this listen is pure perfection. Wonderful, even magical tales with terrific readers! I want to go to #SandyJune’s 🫶🏻 🎧📚 #booksky #booklover #audiobooks #books #escape

Cynthia Leitich Smith (Native Books for Young Readers & More)

educate.bankstreet.edu

📍Next: Northern🇫🇷