Lynn: 17 Indigenous teens, struggling with a variety of problems: unrequited love, grief, yearning
for a future opposite a mother’s dreams, a young singer ready for his first gig, jealousy, stage fright, and more. The stories, each by a different indigenous author, are found in the new anthology, The Legendary Frybread Drive-in (HarperCollins/Heartdrum/2025), edited by Cynthia Leitich-Smith. The stories are tied together by one magical realism element. Manned by legendary elders, Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In appears when and where it is needed to Indigenous teens from reservations all over the country.
Made of plain concrete block with a faded neon sign, Sandy June’s doesn’t look like much, but the food is delicious! Descriptions of frybread, Indian tacos, Buffalo stew, and other dishes made my mouth water! The food is as healing as the tender, caring guidance of the elders who offer the teens a path to understanding their roots, their inner strengths, and their path – all based on generations of the love and experience of their ancestors.
I am a great fan of short story anthologies! Each new tale is like opening a surprise gift. I often have a chance to meet authors new to me and to discover something by a much-loved author. I especially enjoy anthologies with a theme and watching how the various authors play with that. Critics often deride them as “uneven” but to me, that is code for not liking some of the stories as much as others. That, it seems to me, is also a strength – there is something there for every taste. This charming book checked all the boxes for me. I especially loved the dual themes of the drive-in and the value and caring knowledge of the elders. As a doting grandmother, I highly appreciate this last one.
The stories are united in providing a hopeful ending to the searching teens, something that is important to teens of whatever culture, and especially to those of the indigenous nations. All are sweet without being cloying. They represent many tribes and many areas, and a glossary by chapter is provided for the various languages represented. Short biographies of the 17 authors are also added.
This is a definite purchase for all teen collections and a welcome addition everywhere. It is also just one great fun read! Bring on the frybread!
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