Cynthia Leitich Smith facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Cynthia Leitich Smith

Born	1967 (age 57–58)
Nationality	American
Education	University of Kansas University of Michigan (JD)
Period	2000–present
Genre	Children's and young adult fiction, Native American literature, Gothic fantasy/horror, humor, realistic fiction

Cynthia Leitich Smith (born 1967) is a New York Times best-selling author of fiction for children and young adults.

A citizen of the Muscogee Creek Nation, she writes fiction for children and teens centered on the lives of modern-day Native Americans. These books are taught widely by teachers in elementary, middle school, high school, and college classrooms.

In addition, Smith writes fanciful, humorous picture books and gothic fantasies for ages 14-up. Regarded as an expert in children's-YA literature by the press, she also hosts a website for Children's Literature Resources.

Life

Smith, a graduate of the University of Kansas and The University of Michigan Law School, lives in Austin, Texas.

For over twenty years, Smith served on the faculty of the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults, where she held the inaugural Katherine Paterson Endowed Chair. Smith is also the author-curator of Heartdrum, a Native-focused imprint of HarperCollins. She is published by Heartdrum and by Candlewick Press.

Awards

Smith was the winner of the 2021 NSK Neustadt Prize for Children’s Literature. She is also the 2024 Southern Mississippi Medallion Winner.

Selected texts

Jingle Dancer

Jingle Dancer, illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu, is a picture book for ages 4 and up. Published in 2000 by Morrow/HarperCollins, the book was a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award, a runner-up for the Western Writers of America Storyteller Award, and is listed as a Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies, on the 2002 Texas 2x2 list, and on the 2002 Michigan Reader's Choice Award List.

Rain Is Not My Indian Name

Rain Is Not My Indian Name is a realistic novel for ages 10 and up. Upon its publication by HarperCollins, Smith was recognized as 2001 Writer of the Year by Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. Like Jingle Dancer, it was a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award. An audio book version of this title is available from Listening Library/Random House.

Indian Shoes

Indian Shoes is a chapter book for ages 7 and up. Published in 2002 by HarperCollins, it was selected for inclusion on the NEA Native American Book List. It is also listed as a Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies, the 2003 Best Children's Books of the Year by Bank Street College of Education, and Choices 2003 by the Cooperative Children's Book Center.

Santa Knows

Santa Knows, also by Greg Leitich Smith and illustrated by Steve Bjorkman, is a humorous holiday picture book, published in 2006 by Dutton, for ages 4 and up. In 2006, it was included among "Holiday High Notes" by the Horn Book, "Worthy Stories for the Holidays" by the Miami Herald, and cheered as a "newly minted winner" by Kirkus Reviews.

Tantalize

Tantalize is a young adult gothic fantasy novel, published in 2007 and 2008 by Candlewick Press, for ages 14 and up. Fantasy elements include vampires and shapeshifters. The novel is a genre bender, employing elements of mystery, suspense, comedy, romance, and gothic fantasy. It was also published in 2008 by Listening Library/Random House, Walker Books U.K., Walker Books Australia and New Zealand, and Editions Intervista in France. Tantalize was named to the 2011 list of Popular Paperbacks by the Young Adult Library Services Association and featured at the 2007 National Book Festival in Washington, D.C.

Eternal

Eternal is a young adult gothic fantasy novel, published in 2009 and 2010 by Candlewick Press, for ages 14 and up. Fantasy elements include angels, vampires and shapeshifters. The novel is a genre bender, employing elements of mystery, suspense, comedy, romance, and Gothic fantasy. It also was published by Listening Library/Random House, Walker Books U.K., Walker Books Australia and New Zealand, and Amber in Poland. The U.S. paperback edition debuted at #5 on the New York Times best-seller list (children's paperbacks) and #13 on the Publishers Weekly best-seller list.

Holler Loudly

Holler Loudly, illustrated by Barry Gott, is a humorous tall tale picture book, published in 2010 by Dutton, for ages 4 and up. Holler Loudly was featured at the 2010 Texas Book Festival and was a Dolly Parton's Imagination Library selection.

Blessed

Blessed is a young adult gothic fantasy novel, published in 2011 by Candlewick Press, for ages 14 and up. Fantasy elements include angels, vampires, and shapeshifters. The novel is a genre bender, employing elements of mystery, suspense, comedy, romance, and gothic fantasy. It also was published by Walker Books Australia and New Zealand and Walker U.K. Blessed was a YALSA Teens Top 10 nominee.

Tantalize: Kieren's Story

Tantalize: Kieren's Story, illustrated by Ming Doyle, is a fully illustrated young adult gothic fantasy graphic novel, published in 2011 by Candlewick Press, for ages 14 and up. Fantasy elements include vampires and shapeshifters. The novel is a genre bender, employing elements of mystery, suspense, comedy, romance, and gothic fantasy. It also was published by Walker Books Australia and New Zealand and Walker U.K.

Diabolical

Diabolical is a young adult gothic fantasy novel, published in 2011 by Candlewick Press, for ages 14 and up. Fantasy elements include angels, ghosts, demons, hell hounds, vampires, and shapeshifters. The novel is a genre bender, employing elements of mystery, suspense, comedy, romance, and gothic fantasy. It also was published by Walker Books Australia and New Zealand and Walker U.K.

Hearts Unbroken

Hearts Unbroken is a realistic young adult novel, published in 2018 by Candlewick Press, for ages 14 and up. It also was published by Walker Books Australia and New Zealand. Hearts Unbroken was named a Silver Medal Winner for Young Adult Fiction by Foreword Reviews. In addition, it was named winner of the American Indian Youth Literature Award (Best Young Adult Book) by the American Indian Library Association.

Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids

Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids is a collection of 18 intersecting short stories and poems set at a powwow, published in 2021 by Heartdrum in partnership with We Need Diverse Books. Cynthia Leitich Smith edited the collection, and also authored the story, Between the Lines, which features characters from her earlier book, Indian Shoes. Featured contributors include: Joseph Bruchac, Art Coulson, Christine Day, Eric Gansworth, Dawn Quigley, Carole Lindstrom, Rebecca Roanhorse, David A. Robertson, Andrea L. Rogers, Kim Rogers, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Monique Gray Smith, Traci Sorell, Tim Tingle, and Brian Young.

Sisters of the Neversea

Sisters of the Neversea is a middle grade novel, a modern-day re-imagining of Peter Pan, published in 2021 by Heartdrum in partnership with We Need Diverse Books for readers 8 and up. It was also published by HarperCollins Canada and paperback edition published by Harper360 (June 2022), an imprint of HarperCollins UK. Sisters of the Neversea received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Shelf Awareness and Booklist.

Harvest House

Harvest House is a young adult novel at the literary crossroads of contemporary realism and haunting mystery, published in 2023 by Candlewick Press, for ages 12 and up. It revisits the world of American Indian Youth Literature Award winner Hearts Unbroken. It was also published by Thorndike Press (large-print edition) and Listening Library (audiobook). It received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, School Library Connection and Shelf Awareness.

Blue Stars: Mission One: The Vice Principal Problem

Blue Stars: Mission One: The Vice Principal Problem, co-written with Kekla Magoon and illustrated by Molly Murakami is a middle grade graphic novel featuring cousins who team up to save the world - starting with their school. It will be published in 2024 by Candlewick Press. The book is a Junior Library Guild selection and received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Shelf Awareness, and Publishers Weekly.

Works

Books

Jingle Dancer (2000)
Rain is Not My Indian Name (2001)
Indian Shoes (2002)
Santa Knows (2006)
Tantalize (2007)
Eternal (2009)
Holler Loudly (2010)
Blessed (2011)
Tantalize: Kieren's Story (2011)
Diabolical (2012)
Feral Nights (2013)
Eternal: Zachary's Story (2013)
Feral Curse (2014)
Feral Pride (2015)
Hearts Unbroken (2018)
Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids (2021)
Sisters of the Neversea (2021)
Harvest House (2023)
Blue Stars: Mission One: The Vice Principal Problem (2024)
On a Wing and a Tear (2024)
Firefly Season (2025)
Legendary Frybread Drive-in (2025)

Short stories, essays and poetry

"The Gentleman Cowboy" in Period Pieces: Stories for Girls, published by HarperCollins in 2003 for ages 8 and up.
"The Naked Truth" in In My Grandmother's House: Award-Winning Authors tell Stories about their Grandmothers, published by HarperCollins in 2003 for ages 8 and up.
"A Real-Live Blonde Cherokee and His Equally Annoyed Soul Mate" in Moccasin Thunder, published by HarperCollins in 2005 for ages 12 and up.
"Riding With Rosa" in Cicada literary magazine (Vol. 7, No. 4, March/April 2005) for ages 12 and up.
"Haunted Love" in Immortal: Love Stories with Bite, published by BenBella in 2008 for ages 12 and up.
"Cat Calls" in Sideshow: Ten Original Tales of Freaks, Illusionists, and Other Matters Odd and Magical, published by Candlewick Press in 2009 for ages 12 and up.
"The Wrath of Dawn," co-authored by Greg Leitich Smith in Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd, published by Little, Brown in 2009 for ages 12 and up.
"Isolation" in Dear Bully: Seventy Authors Tell Their Stories, published by HarperCollins in 2011 for ages 13 and up.
"Friends in Dark Places" in Dear Teen Me, published by Zest in 2012 for ages 12 and up.
"Cupid's Beaux" in Things I'll Never Say: Stories About Our Secret Selves, published by Candlewick in 2015 for ages 12 and up.
"All's Well" in Violent Ends, published by Simon Pulse in 2015 for ages 12 and up.
"Dreams to Write" in Our Story Begins: Your Favorite Authors and Illustrators Share Fun, Inspiring, and Occasionally Ridiculous Things They Wrote and Drew as Kids, published by Atheneum in 2017 for ages 7 and up.
"Girl's Best Friend" in The Hero Next Door, published by Random House in 2019 for ages 8 and up.
"Stories for Dinner" in Thanku: Poems of Gratitude, published by Millbrook in 2019 for ages 4 and up.
"Amazing Auntie Ann" in I Remember: Poems and Pictures of Heritage, published by Lee & Low in 2019 for ages 4 and up.
"Superhero" in Hop to It: Poems to Get You Moving, published by Pomelo Books in 2020 for ages 4 and up.