Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories

by Cynthia Leitich Smith, Kate Hart, Eric Gansworth

Featuring the voices of both new and acclaimed Indigenous writers and edited by bestselling Muscogee author Cynthia Leitich Smith, this collection of interconnected stories serves up laughter, love, Native pride, and the world’s best frybread.

The road to Sandy June's Legendary Frybread Drive-In slips through every rez and alongside every urban Native hangout. The menu offers a rotating feast, including traditional eats and tasty snacks. But Sandy June's serves up more than it hosts live music, movie nights, unexpected family reunions, love long lost, and love found again.

That big green-and-gold neon sign beckons to teens of every tribal Nation, often when they need it most.

Featuring stories and poems Kaua Mahoe Adams, Marcella Bell, Angeline Boulley, K. A. Cobell, A. J. Eversole, Jen Ferguson, Eric Gansworth, Byron Graves, Kate Hart, Christine Hartman Derr, Karina Iceberg, Cheryl Isaacs, Darcie Little Badger, David A. Robertson, Andrea L. Rogers, Cynthia Leitich Smith, and Brian Young.

In partnership with We Need Diverse Books.

Genres: Short Stories, Young Adult, Indigenous, Anthologies, Fiction, Contemporary, Fantasy

352 pages, Hardcover

First published August 26, 2025

About the author

Cynthia Leitich Smith is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author and anthologist of more than 20 books for young readers. She was named a 2025 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award Candidate, the NSK Neustadt Laureate, Texas Literary Hall of Fame inductee, and winner of the Southern Miss Medallion for Outstanding Contributions in Children’s Literature. Cynthia has also been named to deliver the 2026 ALSC Children’s Literature Lecture. She is the author-curator of Heartdrum, a Native-focused imprint at HarperCollins Children’s Books, and served as the Katherine Paterson Inaugural Chair for the children’s-YA writing MFA program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Cynthia is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation and lives in Texas.

Reviews

[jenny reads a lot · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️| TikTok | IG |

Definitely the best anthology I have ever read. I cried like a baby at so many of these stories!

I had planned to write a little about each short story as I read them, but last night I started reading and couldn’t stop. The stories in this anthology are so well blended and strategically placed, I’m not sure talking about them separately would do them justice.

This anthology has varying narrative styles, themes, all beautifully woven together and centered around the Legendary Frybread Drive-In - which appears whenever it’s needed.

These stories are written for YA but feel easy to relate to as an adult as well. These stories are empowering, centering growth, acceptance, culture, friendship and family. They feel cozy and warm.

My favorite stories were “Maybe It Starts” and “Braving the Storm”

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins (Heartdrum) for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Mikey ಠ◡ಠ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I confess something to you? And do you promise not to tell anyone my secret? 🫣 Okay, I feel like you wouldn’t lie to me so I’ll tell you 👀

I actually hate anthologies, I try so hard but I’ve never met an anthology I liked. UNTIL NOW. I genuinely loved this, I laughed, I cried, I learned. I will be honest that I started out feeling frustrated and overwhelmed but once I started to imagine Sandy June’s as the main character, everything clicked and flowed for me after. I’m purposefully not discussing the stories because they really are just something you need to read and experience for yourself but what I will say is Game Night by Darcie Little Badger was my hands down favorite. Now I need a full novel about Indigenous friends playing DnD.

Thanks to NetGalley, the authors, and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an anthology featuring modern intertribal stories. The genre is Native YA literature.

This is an interconnected YA collection of short stories and poems featuring magical realism.

I don’t read a lot of anthologies. However the idea of Native/Indigenous author rep in YA lit is so important. I’ve never been exposed to stories like this.

The magical Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In ties together all of the stories. As well certain characters reappear.

I was fascinated by the Frybread Drive-In. It’s a place that magically appears to native people when they need to find it. The main characters in these stories are young adults. However I didn’t feel like these stories felt too YA.

All of the stories were good. However I think that my favorite is Patent Red by Cynthia Leitich Smirh.

This anthology is both moving and meaningful. The idea behind it is both creative and educational. It is amazing to have so many stories featuring Indigenous characters in one place. I would definitely recommend checking this out.






Thanks to netgalley and HarperCollins Canada for allowing me to read this book.

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new YA anthology featuring Native voices in interconnected stories.
🚗
In this story collection we follow several teens as they navigate new love, nerd out over RPGs, grieve for lost loved ones and find a place they all feel welcomed and at home. Davy June’s Legendary Fry Bread Drive In appears whenever someone needs it to. You can’t find it on a map or give directions, but it knows when you need someone to talk to, good Native and traditional food when you crave it, as well as a feeling of belonging you can’t get anywhere else. Look for the sign, smell the air for good cooking and Davy June’s will reveal itself.
🎥
Usually story collections can be hit or miss for me, but this one hit all the right notes on every story. I loved the authenticity, the characters, learning about tribal customs, food and traditions, as well as enjoying all the various writing styles on display. This title releases summer 2025–you will want to get your hands on it ASAP! Also—I need fry bread in my life!

Contributors include:
@katehartbooks
Eric Gansworth
@sailormarcella
@dr.littlebadger
@karinaiceberg
Kaua Mahoe Adams
@andrealrogers
@cherisaacs
Christine Hartman Derr
@byoungwrites
@ka_cobell
Jen Ferguson
@ajeversole
@makwa_giniw
@angelineboulley
@davidrobertsonwriter
@cynthialeitichsmith (editor also)

CW: death, grief/loss

[Denise Ruttan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love the idea of an anthology of stories by different authors who collaborate based on a shared world, and this collection was a beautiful, understated appeal to Native joy with a focus on a YA audience.

I enjoyed how the drive-in was like Doctor Who meets Native history, complicated family dynamics and culture around the shared experience of food. I could smell the delicious scents of frybread, Indian tacos and bison stew lovingly prepared by the grizzled hands of legendary grandparents. The drive-in is a place that exists nowhere but appears whenever you have need of it, like a quantum ambassador of Native traditions.

I liked how the protagonists in each story became side characters in the next and the continuity between details was maintained throughout the stories, so you could just see these authors all excitedly sharing info on a group Discord chat. Different forms and points of view were used to tell these lovely stories. I also loved how all different tribes were represented, including Hawaiians and Black Natives, showcasing the diversity in Native culture as well as the diversity of viewpoints. Native culture is not a monolith even if certain things like frybread are constants. These weren't big, bold, traumatic stories; they were subtle stories of everyday events that stitch together our lives.

Some of my favorite stories:

GAME NIGHT - I loved how this showed that Natives can be geeks too. A series of chats among a gaming group who realizes one of their members is in trouble and they might be real friends, too.

LOOK AWAY - Throwing out the rulebook on first dates and learning to embrace what you want.

BRAVING THE STORM - A beautiful story about a girl afraid of everything who loses her beloved grandfather who taught her to be brave.

HEART BERRY - A lovely story about female friendship.

HEARTS AFLUTTER - I fell in love with this heartwarming slow-burn story about two best friends pining for each other.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[KMart Vet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology is a celebration in every sense of the word. With stories that range from funny to heartfelt to deeply moving, it captures the joy, community, and resilience woven into Native life. And I felt so honored to have been invited in to the table as an observer. This variety of stories touched on love, family, friendship, heritage, grief; but always with an undercurrent of joy.

And honestly, I needed that reminder right now.

Every author brought something unique to the table, but the one that hit me hardest was Darcie Little Badger’s piece about an online D&D group connecting. The way that virtual community carried weight and love, and the hint of them getting to meet off-page, actually brought a tear to my eye.

And the food! Oh my gosh, the food. The descriptions had me so hungry. It wasn’t just about the taste, though; it was about what sharing a meal means in terms of culture and community. This was so lovely. From the wisdom of Elders to messy family bonds to the spark of first love, Legendary Frybread Drive-In is brimming with warmth and connection It’s the kind of book that leaves you just a little lighter and I can only imagine how much that means to the native peoples within its pages.

Highly, highly recommend grabbing every scrap of joy this collection has to offer.

Thank you so much to Epic Reads and Storygram Tours for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[SueK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classified as YA, I still enjoyed this collection of short stories about a mythical drive in, focused on Native American culture. The legendary drive in appears where it’s needed, and ties together indigenous people. I loved the way numerous and varied writers referenced the same people and, of course, the drive in.
Pleasant read with some good reminders and eye openers.

Thanks to Net Galley for the digital ARC. Opinions are my own.

[maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Legendary Frybread Drive-In was such a tender and loving YA anthology of Indigenous voices and slightly interconnected stories ranging from grief to first loves that left me mesmerized and hungering for more.

From trying to reconnect with one’s identity as a Native person in ‘Maybe It Starts’ by Kate Hart, to grappling with first crushes in ‘Look Away’ by Karina Iceberg, all the way to grieving a family member in ‘I Love You, Grandson’ by Brian Young, the range of stories are woven together by the magical and liminal space of Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In.

I really adored so many of these stories and enjoyed the experimental narrative forms as well (one story is told entirely through an online chat DnD game!) and so glad to have been able to read works from so many great Indigenous authors that I will now be checking out as well.

Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for this e-arc. All opinions are my own.

[Misty Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't typically gravitate toward short stories, I feel like I never have enough information and am left wanting more from the authors. After reading the synopsis for Legendary Frybread Drive-in and seeing the authors who contributed, though, I was excited to dive into the interconnected stories. I loved the authors' ability to share certain details about the drive-in and certain characters, it shows the reader the amount of thought and collaboration that went into the completion of this book. I particularly enjoyed "Game Night" (which I was hesitant about initially because of the format), "Look Away", and "The Rest Will Come" but I devoured the whole anthology within 24 hours so I think it's safe to say I enjoyed most of the stories! I also very much appreciated the glossary at the end of the book, with the multiple different tribal languages used throughout the book, there were quite a few words I had never heard and didn't know the meaning of.

Thanks to Harper Collins, NetGalley, and the authors of this anthology for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Also, thanks to @Weneeddiversebooks for highlighting Legendary Frybread Drive-in as an upcoming release, which led me to read the synopsis and request the ARC.

[Elizabeth Hull-Morales · Rating 5 out of 5]

This legendary anthology was such a charming and poignant read - written for the youth, but can be enjoyed by everyone.

The stories are all interconnected by a mystical, legendary drive-in that always appears when you need guidance, or just know where to look. I’m already familiar with most of the authors included in this project, so I was excited to dive in, and I wasn’t disappointed.

The stories are written by indigenous authors to tell tales and lessons of love, life, loss, and personal growth, all taking place at the magical drive-in. The stories are well written and full of heart, I really enjoyed each one.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.

[Rhys · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for an ARC from NetGalley*

This was everything I had hoped it would be. This is a book filled with interconnected stories made for Indigenous teenagers.

This is one of the best anthologies, probably my favourite anthology, I’ve ever read. I truly feel so grateful that I got to read this beautiful book.

The authors themselves come from many different places, and I loved reading new words. I especially enjoyed the glossary at the end of the book to know how to pronounce the words, and what they mean.

Most of the stories here are regular prose, but there was one story that was written in verse (Braving the Storm) which was absolutely beautiful. I loved all the writing styles in this anthology, but Braving the Storm is my favourite story overall, especially because it was written in verse.

The themes of community, friendship, love, grief, hope, and good food were amazingly done. I have nothing bad to say about this absolutely wonderful anthology. I hope people read it and see the beauty this book has to offer!

[akacya ❦ · Rating 5 out of 5]

2025 reads: 227/300

i received a complimentary finished copy from the publisher as part of a book tour. this did not affect my rating.

this anthology follows indigenous teens across turtle island who, for various reasons, find themselves at sandy june’s legendary frybread drive-in, where they find healing, love, and, of course, food.

i never thought it was possible to so badly crave a food you’ve never had before, but this book made me really hungry for frybread!! i loved how much importance this anthology placed on food, especially as this was related to the characters’ heritage. more important than the food, though, was the people making it. sandy june’s was filled with elders, many of whom had already passed away. it was so special seeing them able to continue passing down their wisdom and helping the younger characters navigate their problems, whether the problems related to identity, relationships, or anything else. the drive-in was such a magical place, and i thoroughly enjoyed my time there.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story collection featuring a variety of Indigenous characters written by different authors across a number of genres. The characters live all over Turtle Island, from Tennessee to Hawaii, from Sitka to Tuscarora. But the one thing each has in common is somehow stumbling across Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In when they most need it.

Stories dive into topics like grief, belonging, generational histories, and second chances. The beauty of story and the comfort of food. The power of language, and over and over, the importance of connection.

I often enjoy a good short story collection, and this one felt almost like the vignette stories I love so much. While there were heavy emotions in many of the stories, there was also so much hope and connection and emotional growth. And given that each story was written by a different author, the fact that so many of them blended together seamlessly was hugely impressive!

While it’s YA at heart, many of the stories felt incredibly relatable. This is one I definitely recommend! Thanks so much to Harper Collins and Netgalley for sending me an advanced copy!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a miracle of a book. Incorporating short stories from sixteen different authors from tribes across Turtle Island (what is colonized as North America, including Hawaii), this beautiful, cozy collective is a place of refuge for readers.

Set against the backdrop of Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive In, a mysterious place where the indigenous comfort food is always hot and fresh served by Legendary Grandparents, where there’s always a table for voter registry, and where there’s usually a battle of the bands before the midnight movie, this mythical place appears when it’s needed for indigenous folks.

The stories are distinct, yet intertwined: characters frequently pop up across tales, making for delightful surprises.

I loved that I got to read stories by some of my favorite indigenous authors - Angeline Boulley and Darcie Little Badger - and learn even more authors whose work I’ll plan to seek out going forward.

In particular, Braving the Storm by Kaua Māhoe Adams, a story about a young native Hawaiian girl grappling with anxiety in the wake of the death of her grandfather, the only person who made her feel brave, moved me to tears.

I feel so lucky to have been chosen to read a NetGalley e-arc of this book. I’m so glad it originated from the #WeNeedDiverseBooks tag, and so hopeful that this cozy, gently educational hug of a book finds its way into the arms and hearts of many readers. Thank you so much to Heartdrum and Harper Collins Children’s Books for the e-arc!

[Audrey S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.5 stars
.
*I received an eARC from HarperCollins Canada, HarperCollins Children's Books | Heartdrum, & NetGalley. All opinions are my own.*
.
It’s always so hard to review an anthology, but this one has such a clear focus that is so celebratory and heartwarming and full of indigenous joy that I really want to do this one justice.
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In a mix of stories and poems, we are treated to seventeen indigenous authors from various backgrounds. All the stories are unique, but are all brought together by the time-and-space bending phenomenon of Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In. The Drive-In appears when it is most needed and gives indigenous youth a berth for centering themselves and returning home or taking a leap of faith, all while having some of the most delicious frybread, NDN tacos, bison burgers, and so many other homey goodness foods from across the indigenous experience.
.
My favourite stories were Maybe It Starts by Kate Hart, which follows a Chickasaw teen who is unsure of her place in reclaiming her indigenous identity, Braving the Storm by Kaua Māhoe Adams, a story told in verse about a young Hawaiian teen grieving the loss of their grandfather, and Game Night by Darcie Little Badger, a story told in Discord RPG format about a GM who roleplays their own disappearance to reconnect with their friends.
.
All of the stories are complex and sweet and I even found myself looking forward to seeing when the Drive-In would show up in each story. This is one I think would be best appreciated one story at a time. Pick it up, take your time, and enjoy this love letter of an anthology ♥️
.
.
Hisses & Kisses 🐍

[Shannon Miz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anthologies are so hard to rate, right? I mean- you're having to really find an average, I suppose, but fairly. The best part about this story is that they were all connected by the titular Frybread Drive-In, helping keep a level of continuity even when the tones and styles changed. A really great idea that ended up working out great, frankly!

The stories are all told by young folks from many different Nations who find themselves at the Frybread Drive-In. Some knew it existed, and some are surprised when they discover its existence. But they all need to visit, for one reason or another. They all are trying to work something out, and the wisdom of other Native folks is there to help guide them, which I loved. There are elders, who act like foster grandparents, which warmed my heart to no end. In a lot of cases, the characters meet peers too who are able to help guide them. Honestly, the whole thing is just incredibly beautiful and hopeful and heartfelt, and I must say that every story brought something good to the table. Now that is a win! 

Bottom Line: Stories full of love, hope, and tradition make this anthology an absolute must-read. 

You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight

[Darya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must concede that I am not a usual reader of short story collections, and when given a choice between a collection and a longer work by the same author, I will most often opt for something at least novella-length. But there's something special about this anthology that makes it feel much more like a whole work despite being written by multiple authors.

These 18 stories – including those poetic in form – work together to imagine the shared space of Sandy June's Legendary Frybread Drive-in, which becomes a place where teens of varying Native American identities find community, romance, and connection to their specific or symbolic ancestors. For some of them, it's a given that this place exists for them; for others, the main quest in the story is to find it and experience the respite from their daily routines that it provides. And it's not just the setting that the stories share – or the idea that there are "legendary grandparents" in the drive-in and that it is run by SJ, who might or might not be the Sandy June. Protagonists who were central to one story might reappear in another as secondary characters, thus creating the impression of us peeking into a larger world.

The story that appealed most to me is probably "Game Night" by Darcy Little Badger – it stands out in form, clearly (written as a log of DND-style game), but also has just the right amount of allowing the possibility of the fantastical into the realistic.

For those of us less familiar with YA texts by contemporary Indigenous authors of North America, this anthology might also be a good entry point. I'm definitely planning to look up additional reads by some of the authors featured here. (I had only read or heard of a few of them before.)

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an eARC through NetGalley. The opinion above is entirely my own.

[Sacha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

This anthology addresses two important issues in YA literature: limited access to works by indigenous authors and limited access to YA anthologies. Fortunately, this is a successful example of both.

I really enjoyed the interconnected nature of these works, and while a frequent drawback of the anthology model can be focusing in on the works that are not as compelling as their companions, I really did not experience that here. In part because of the connections, even those entries I may have found less engaging on their own still played a role in my enthusiasm for the overall collection.

Like all good YA, this is not just fun and games. There are some dark moments and challenging motifs. Readers who are sensitive to particular subjects should review the content warnings, but folks should also know that there are a lot of hopeful and humorous moments, and this is by no means gritty or dark as a whole.

I came in with an appreciation for several of these authors, and I'm leaving thrilled to have been exposed to some authors who are new to me and to an enjoyable set of connections overall.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Heartdrum for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

I don't know. These authors did a wonderful job of making the drive-in come alive. It's a really magical setting in the best possible way. But as for the stories, well... I have no doubt these authors can write (because what goes well in these stories goes really, really well). I'm just not sure there's a real master of the short story among them. Short story and novel are different artforms, and this is one book where that really shows.

Will I be looking for the longer writing of every author in this collection? Absolutely. Did it work well in this collection? Not entirely. But it didn't not work, either. There's a lot to dig into there, but that's all for my full review, publishing at Gateway Reviews on July 4, 2025. Stop by if you get the chance!

Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.

[Carling Tanno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Come for the frybread, stay for the teachings!

This YA anthology is just so delightful! It felt like a warm hug wrapped in wisdom. The thread that weaves through each story is Sandy June's Legendary Frybread Drive-In. The drive-in appears like a shining, neon beacon in the night to adolescents, often when they have something to learn. The MCs are transported to the drive-in and not only dished out tradish food but lessons from elders. The topics cover love, identity, bravery, forgiveness, interpersonal relationships, language, and more! Special shoutout to K.A. Cobell's story which gave me literal chills!

I also thought the editing on this anthology was really well done. The flow of the stories felt strategic and well planned!

Overall: Recommend this to YA and adult readers alike!

Rating: 4/5

Thank you to Harper Collins Children's Books, Heartdrum, and Netgallery for an ARC of this anthology in exchange for my honest review.

[Royal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Legendary Fry Bread Drive-In is a magical place that shows up wherever whenever an indigenous person needs it, a place that nourishes the soul and tummy.

There’s absolutely something harmonious, empowering, and special about this collection of stories, and the idea of using the frybread restaurant as a magical link between all the stories is brilliant and makes the narrative flow smoothly. Most of the stories center around indigenous teens finding their place in the world and community. What a group effort and an amazing collaboration of indigenous stories, bridging communities and reminding us the importance of storytelling and culture.

Special thanks to HarperCollins, Heartdrum, and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest, independent review.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful collection of short stories from a group of celebrated Indigenous authors that all highlight the diversity of Indigenous identities. I loved how relatable these stories were! Aimed at younger audiences, the stories feature characters dealing with big emotions like grief, loss, anxiety, fears and more. It was fun that so many of the stories were linked in some way to the Legendary Frybread Drive-in too. Great on audio and highly recommended! You know when you're sad that a story ends too soon that you're in for a good read! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Jasmine Shouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a magical read about a magical place! I loved all of these stories! They're healing and gentle and cozy in such beautiful ways. I originally picked this up because of Darcie Little Badger and Angeline Boulley but definitely plan on reading several of the others now! I appreciated the diversity of Indigenous voices too. As someone who grew up near a reservation and later lived in Hawaii, I thoroughly enjoyed this and am now dying for some frybread!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review!

[BooksAsDreams (Tiffany) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! Each short story adds a different perspective with the Legendary drive-in as the backdrop. Authors are must-read! One of the best collections I have ever read! Thank you Net Galley for the ARC!

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever gone to a gathering, a potluck, a hangout, on a road trip, a backyard cookout, a picnic and it just felt so right? Filled with all the best people- whether you actually knew them or not. A level of comfort that shone through and allowed you to just be yourself in the most genuine natural way? That’s this book. Such an enticing and powerful collection of stories of community and love and food and strength and support. All the best things.

I’d be honored to ever come across Sandy June’s and listen to the wisdom (and antics) of the Elders. And eat some frybread!

[Clay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this short story collection edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith. "Featuring the voices of both new and acclaimed Indigenous writers* and edited by bestselling Muscogee author Smith, this collection of interconnected stories serves up laughter, love, Native pride, and the world’s best frybread. But don't deny yourself if you're not Indigenous, there's great comfort, wisdom and kindness and great food for everyone here. Feeling stressed? Troubled? Lost? Lonely? Need comfort and caretaking? Who doesn't?--especially these days. May Sandy June's Legendary Frybread Drive-In appear before you and serve you up whatever you need most. Highly recommended even though I'm just halfway and in no hurry for it to end. Netgalley. Much looking forward to the audiobook in August.

*Intertribal Stories by Cynthia Leitich Smith; Kate Hart; Eric Gansworth; Marcella Bell; Darcie Little Badger; Karina Iceberg; Kaua Mahoe Adams; Andrea L. Rogers; Cheryl Isaacs; Christine Hartman Derr; Brian Young; K. A. Cobell; Jen Ferguson; A. J. Eversole; Byron Graves; Angeline Boulley; David A. Robertson

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 out of 5 stars

This might actually be the best short story collection I've ever read! While I didn't love all of the stories to the exact same degree, I genuinely enjoyed every single entry -- a first for me when it comes to anthologies. My personal favorites are "Mvskoke Joy," "Game Night," "Patent Red," "Heart Berry," "The Rest Will Come," and "Jilly Bean and Jessa Jean."

I wasn't expecting magical realism, but I found it unexpectedly delightful! That's not a genre I usually gravitate to and this may have given me the push I needed to choose it more actively. Several of these authors are already familiar to me (I am the world's number-one "Harvest House" by Cynthia Leitich Smith stan), while others have books that have been on my to-read list for months or years. I'm so, so excited to explore more of these writers' work!

For the sake of convenience, specific content warnings and types of representation are listed by story. Each one also features older people -- the titular Legendary Grandparents -- of various Indigenous identities.

"Maybe It Starts"
Rep: Biracial white-Chickasaw MCs
CW: Severe weather, generational trauma, internalized racism

"House of Stray Cats"
Rep: Tuscarora MC and SCs
CW: Mentions of separation

"Mvskoke Joy"
Rep: Mvskoke MC, biracial Black-Mvskoke SCs
CW: Colorism, discussions about slavery

"Game Night"
Rep: Apache MC, Yaqui MC, Tongva MC, Mescalero MC
CW: Bike accident and minor injuries, reference to cancer-related death of a parent

"Look Away"
Rep: Inuit MC and SC

"Patent Red"
Rep: Muscogee-Caddo MC, Menominee-Apache SC, Creek MC
CW: Racism

"Braving the Storm"
Rep: Native Hawaiian MC
CW: Death of a grandparent, grief, anxiety

"You Had One Job"
Rep: Cherokee MC and SCs, Osage SC
CW: Brief mentions of the death of a parent

"Heart Berry"
Rep: Mohawk MC and SCs
CW: Allusion to residential schools

"Momentum"
Rep: Cherokee MC and SCs, biracial Black-Mvskoke minor character
CW: Menstruation

"I Love You, Grandson"
Rep: Diné MC and SCs
CW: Death of a grandparent, grief

"The Rest Will Come"
Rep: Blackfeet MC and SCs
CW: Sibling abandonment, off-page hospitalization/injuries, brief mention of stealing from family

"Language Lesson"
Rep: Métis MC with depression, Métis SCs, unspecified Indigenous SC, biracial Black-Indigenous SC
CW: Depression

"Hearts Aflutter"
Rep: Cherokee MC and SCs, Chickasaw SC, biracial Black-Indigenous minor character
CW: Brief reference to colorism

"Love Buzz"
Rep: Ojibwe MC and SCs, unspecified Indigenous minor character, biracial Black-Indigenous minor character

"Jilly Bean and Jessa Jean"
Rep: Ojibwe MC and SCs
CW: References to sex and pregnancy, classism

"Kathy’s Poem"
Rep: Cree MC with depression/anxiety, Cree SC
CW: Depression and anxiety

**HUGE thank you to Heartdrum for granting me an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!**

[The Bourbon-Sipping Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a confession. Don't tell anyone, promise? I usually hate anthologies. Like, really hate them. I've tried, I swear, but I just never connect with them. But then… then I read Legendary Frybread Drive-In, and everything changed. Seriously, this book blew me away. I laughed, I cried (a little, don't judge!), and I learned so much.

At first, I'll admit, I was a little overwhelmed. There are a lot of stories and characters, and I wasn't sure how it was all going to come together. But then I started thinking of Sandy June’s Frybread Drive-In as the main character, like it was the thread connecting everything, and suddenly it all clicked. It was like magic. From that point on, I was hooked.

I don't want to give away too much about the individual stories because they're honestly something you need to experience for yourself. Each one is so unique and powerful in its own way. But I have to mention "Game Night" by Darcie Little Badger. Oh. My. Goodness. It was my absolute favorite! Now I'm desperately hoping someone will write a full novel about Indigenous friends playing D&D. Seriously, I need that in my life.

The whole concept of the drive-in is just so brilliant. It’s not a place you can find on a map; it just appears when someone needs it. Need a good meal? Need someone to talk to? Need a place where you feel like you truly belong? Look for the sign, smell the frybread, and Sandy June's will be there. It's this magical, comforting space that brings all these different characters together.

What I really loved was the authenticity of the stories. You could feel the heart and soul in every word. I learned so much about different tribal customs, traditions, and, of course, the amazing food. I mean, after reading this book, I need frybread. Like, yesterday. And the writing styles were all so diverse and engaging. It was just a fantastic reading experience from start to finish.

This book is coming out in Summer 2025, and trust me, you're going to want to get your hands on it. It’s perfect for anyone, really, but especially for teens. It deals with some heavy topics, like death and grief, so be aware of that going in. But overall, it's a story about hope, connection, and finding your place in the world.

Huge thanks to NetGalley, the authors (there are so many amazing Indigenous authors!), and the publisher for giving me the chance to read this early. It’s honestly one of the best anthologies I’ve ever read, and it completely changed my mind about the genre. I can’t recommend it enough.

[Jeanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ VIA:
E-arc compliments of Harper Collins’ children 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.

[K.C. Norton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was sweet. I will say that it wasn't necessarily my preference (many of the stories are a bit too slice-of-life for my taste) but I got what the anthology was trying to do, and I'm not the target audience---it's appropriate for a late middle grade/lower-YA age group. I think for young people who are feeling a little lost, especially Native readers, this book will be healing and reassuring on a profound level. I'd also recommend it for classrooms in this age range.

While this is never stated outright in these interconnected stories, I would guess that part of the goal here was for each story to convey something that they (and/or a young person they care about) needed to hear when they were young. The messages range from personal affirmations of support from the Legendary grandparents to more specific commentary on colorism in Native communities, healing journeys through rough spots with their families, and opportunities to reclaim time with loves ones who have moved on. The authors and their characters come from a wide range of tribes and communities, and encounter each other in this shared place of love, healing, and tasty food.

Some of the stories deal with heavy topics, but overall the vibe is joyful and hopeful. Later stories call back and interweave with the earlier entries, which makes this a different kind of anthology than I'm used to. I felt that many of the stories wouldn't stand on their own, given the limitations of the length and the eventual setting, but they worked well together and reinforced the message of intertribal community. Overall, this was delightful, and I hope it finds its audience.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.