Legendary Frybread Drive-In

 

Rating: 4 stars for time, space, community travel as well as accessible frybread made by elders

My Thoughts:

This book consists of short stories written by Native YA authors like Darcie Little Badger, Angeline Boulley and Cynthia Leitich Smith, who is also the editor. What makes this so interesting is that all of the short stories are connected by this mythical "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" that pops up in different areas, different times, different ways. Sandy June's is almost like the room of requirement. It just sort of is there, wherever Natives hangout and wherever it is needed. Run by elders, this is the place to gather for a game of DnD, a place to learn something you didn't know you needed to know, as well as a place to get some granny TLC.  I tried to figure out which one I liked, but the stories are so different. What keeps them together is the heartbreak of the Native experience, as well as the resilience that they find as they gather at the driv-in. With some of the stories, I was wondering if the authors shared their pieces as they were writing since it seems like some of the characters of one story are in the background of other stories. 

In the classroom, these stories can be used separately as model texts for different elements, like DMS as a vehicle to tell a story, or use the stories together to talk about the drive in as its own character or element that weaves throughout multiple stories. 

I need to read it multiple times, but I think this has the potential to be used in the secondary classroom. In addition, it ensures that teachers are able to bring in diverse voices to the English language arts classroom. Before  educators balk at the DEI, critical race pressures in schools to white wash our curriculum, know that the stance from the Department of Education in DC is that Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians are a protected community and that the government has a different relationship with these groups and do not plan to step in to dictate native Education.  This is our opportunity as educators to bring in more diversity through Indigenous writings.

There is a native Hawaiian poet in these short stories. It threw me off, but the Legendary Frybread Drive Inn shows up in Waimea with the Friday laulau plate special, so there is powerful magic in this book and I will write about that poem separately. 

From the Publisher:

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.

Publication Information:

Editor: Cynthia Leitich Smith

Publisher: Heartdrum, an imprint of Harper Collin's Childrens Books (Aug 26, 2025)