Cynthia Leitich Smith

Cynthia Leitich Smith (born 1967) is an American author of fiction for children and young adults. A citizen of the Muscogee Nation, her fiction centers on the lives of modern-day Native Americans.

She has also written picture books and gothic fantasies for readers aged 14 and older. Regarded by the press as an expert in children's-young adult (YA) literature, she also hosts a website for Children's Literature Resources.

Early and personal life

Smith was interested in writiing from a young age, and was editor of her high school newspaper. She began writing short stories in college. She is a graduate of the University of Kansas (B.A. in journalism, 1990) and The University of Michigan Law School.

She lives in Denton, Texas, having previously lived in Chicago and Austin, Texas. She is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation. Her grandfather attended a residential school in Oklahoma in the 1930s.

Career

Smith previously taught part-time at St. Edward's University 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

2021 NSK Neustadt Prize for Children’s Literature

2024 Southern Mississippi Medallion Winner

2026 Michael L. Printz Award for Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories

Selected texts

Jingle Dancer

Jingle Dancer, illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu, is a picture book 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, co-written by Greg Leitich Smith and illustrated by Steve Bjorkman, is a humorous holiday picture book, published in 2006 by Dutton, for ages 4 and older. 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 by Candlewick Press. 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 (YALSA) 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.

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.

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.

Works

Books

Feral Nights (2013)

Eternal: Zachary's Story (2013)

Feral Curse (2014)

Feral Pride (2015)

On a Wing and a Tear (2024)

Middle grade novels

Rain Is Not My Indian Name (2001)

Indian Shoes (2002)

Sisters of the Neversea (2021, Heartdrum)

Young adult novels

Tantalize (2007, Candlewick Press)

Eternal (2009, Candlewick Press)

Blessed (2011)

Diabolical (2012, Candlewick Press)

Hearts Unbroken (2018, Candlewick Press)

Harvest House (2023, Candlewick Press)

Graphic novels

Tantalize: Kieren's Story. Illustrated by Ming Doyle. Candlewick Press. 2011.

Leitich Smith, Cynthia; Magoon, Kekla (2024). Blue Stars: Mission One: The Vice Principal Problem. Illustrated by Molly Murakami. Candlewick Press).

Picture books

Jingle Dancer. Illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu. New York: Morrow Junior Books. 2000. ISBN 978-0-688-16241-2.

Smith, Cynthia Leitich; Smith, Greg Leitich (2006). Santa Knows. Illustrated by Steve Björkman (1st ed.). New York, N.Y: Dutton Children's Books. ISBN 978-0-525-47757-0.

Holler Loudly (2010)