About the Author

Cynthia Leitich Smith is the bestselling, acclaimed author of books for all ages, including Rain Is Not My Indian Name, Indian Shoes, Jingle Dancer, and Hearts Unbroken, which won the American Indian Youth Literature Award; she is also the anthologist of Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids. Most recently, she was named the 2021 NSK Neustadt Laureate. Cynthia is the author-curator of Heartdrum, a Native-focused imprint at HarperCollins Children's Books, and serves as the Katherine Paterson Inaugural Endowed Chair on the faculty of the MFA program in writing for children and young adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation and lives in Austin, Texas. You can visit Cynthia online at cynthialeitichsmith.com.

Reviews

"The stories' strength lies in their powerful, poignant evocation of a cross-generational bond and in the description of the simple pleasures two charming characters enjoy." -- ALA Booklist"A very pleasing first-chapter book from its funny and tender opening salvo to its heartwarming closer." -- Kirkus Reviews"Shoes is a good book for any elementary-aged reluctant reader, and a necessity for indigenous children everywhere." -- School Library Journal"This book ably springs Ray Halfmoon free from the paint-and-feathers representations of American Indians." -- Chicago Sunday Tribune"This is a book so permeated with affection that many readers will just bask in the warmth." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"Indian Shoes is about belonging to family and community, helping neighbors, and sometimes feeling different but most times knowing who you are in the world." -- Multicultural Review

"The stories' strength lies in their powerful, poignant evocation of a cross-generational bond and in the description of the simple pleasures two charming characters enjoy." -- ALA Booklist"A very pleasing first-chapter book from its funny and tender opening salvo to its heartwarming closer." -- Kirkus Reviews"Shoes is a good book for any elementary-aged reluctant reader, and a necessity for indigenous children everywhere." -- School Library Journal"This book ably springs Ray Halfmoon free from the paint-and-feathers representations of American Indians." -- Chicago Sunday Tribune"This is a book so permeated with affection that many readers will just bask in the warmth." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"Indian Shoes is about belonging to family and community, helping neighbors, and sometimes feeling different but most times knowing who you are in the world." -- Multicultural Review