Cynthia Leitich Smith is an acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author of more than 20 books, a 2025 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award Candidate, a 2024 Texas Literary Hall of Fame inductee, winner of the 2024 Southern Miss Medallion for Outstanding Contributions in Children’s Literature, and the 2021 NSK Neustadt Laureate. Reading Rockets named her to its list of 100 Children’s Authors and Illustrators Everyone Should Know.

Her debut picture book, JINGLE DANCER, is widely considered a modern classic, and her chapter book INDIAN SHOES was among the first children’s titles to represent urban Native life. Her debut tween novel, RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME, was named one of the 30 Most Influential Children’s Books of All Time by Book Riot, which also listed her among 10 Must-Read Native American Authors.

Recent titles include HEARTS UNBROKEN, winner of an American Indian Youth Literature Award; the anthology ANCESTOR APPROVED: INTERTRIBAL STORIES FOR KIDS, which was an ALA Notable Book and winner of the Reading of the West Book Award; an Indigenous PETER PAN retelling titled SISTERS OF THE NEVERSEA, which received six starred reviews; and the YA ghost mystery HARVEST HOUSE, a Bram Stoker Award® Nominee for Superior Achievement in a Young Adult Novel.

Her latest titles include ON A WING AND A TEAR, named to Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year; the BLUE STARS graphic novel series, a Junior Library Guild Selection; FIREFLY SEASON, marking a return to her picture book roots; and LEGENDARY FRYBREAD DRIVE-IN: INTERTRIBAL STORIES, a YA anthology.

Cynthia joined Authors Against Book Bans when it was established in 2024. She is also the author-curator of Heartdrum, a Native-focused imprint of HarperCollins, and served as the inaugural Katherine Paterson Chair at the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA program. A citizen of the Muscogee Nation, Cynthia resides in Texas.

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Cynthia actively supports equity and inclusivity in the world of books and beyond, and she enjoys participating in events created using the same approach. She is not available for any events that discriminate against marginalized or underrepresented people, either on the page or off. This includes any non-Native/non-tribal schools with “Indian mascots.” For context, please read the WNDB definition of diversity.

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