Book Description
for Legendary Frybread Drive-In by Cynthia Leitich Smith, Kate Hart, Eric Gansworth, and Darcie Little Badger
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
The 17 stories in this anthology revolve around Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In, a lively, bustling place that exists outside the space-time continuum, appearing when and where it’s needed. At the drive-in, the diverse Native teen protagonists at the center of these stories, who live across the United States, find food, mentoring, advice, solace—whatever they need, even if they don’t know it. A few of the teens are familiar with the drive-in, working there or visiting regularly, an important part of the welcoming atmosphere established by the elders who run it. Other main characters stumble upon Sandy June’s when they are struggling with current events in their lives. The stories, which cover a range of subjects and styles, quickly ground readers in the lives of their characters. Across the collection, the tone is upbeat, even as the teens are navigating situations that they find challenging, from aspects of identity or family dynamics, to crushes or an impossible deadline that must be met. The sense of community and connection across the collection and at Sandy June’s is buoyed by intersecting characters across the stories.
CCBC Choices 2026. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin – Madison, 2026. Used with permission.

