Thanks to NetGalley & Heartdrum for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

A very sweet and entertaining anthology. My favorite was definitely the D&D one as well as the one lady who had to make a ton of fry bread in a couple of hours. I love the concept of a relaxing, welcoming place that appears whenever a teen needs help!

Thank you NetGalley and Heartdrum for the ARC.

Like a warm hug from every loved one you ever knew and never got the chance to meet. In a place between time and space, Sandy Junes is an unassuming utopia for native people. Some visitors are regulars, some are discovering it for the first time, but all are treated like family. This book is a collection of short stories revolving around people interacting with their identity, their community, and their culture, with Sandy Junes as a safe harbor for such exploration.

Each character struggles with something, whether it's circumstantial, systemic, mental, or all of the above. But through Sandy Junes, they get exactly what they need to come out stronger, confident, and supported.

Showing the humanity of the Native teen experience; joy, insecurity, courage, compassion. All without solely focusing on the generational trauma.

I loved this book. I’ve felt more healed by this book than any therapy session.

I have found that anthologies can be difficult for me to rate sometimes but I found myself loving every single story! I want to own a physical copy once this book is released this year. In this anthology, full of wisdom and magic, teenagers come across Sandy June’s when they most need it. Some looking to repair relationships, integrate grief, find community, love, or connection. Sandy June’s will be there when you most need it, with honorary grandparents to fill you with love and traditional Native foods from all tribes. I actually think my favorites were I Love You, Grandson and Game Night. I love the little hints and overlap between a few of the author’s characters too. I was also left with a warm image in my mind of what I imagined Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In to look like. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

The Legendary Fry Bread Drive-In is a magical place that shows up wherever whenever an indigenous person needs it, a place that nourishes the soul and tummy.

There’s absolutely something harmonious, empowering, and special about this collection of stories, and the idea of using the frybread restaurant as a magical link between all the stories is brilliant and makes the narrative flow smoothly. Most of the stories center around indigenous teens finding their place in the world and community. What a group effort and an amazing collaboration of indigenous stories, bridging communities and reminding us the importance of indigenous storytelling and culture.

Special thanks to HarperCollins, Heartdrum, and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest, independent review.

I really enjoyed this anthology of indigenous authors (a first of its kind!) Each story explores a different set of characters spanning many tribes and native communities, which all orbit around the mystical Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In. The drive-in acts as a grounding space, available to whomever needs counsel from community and elders, and defies the laws of space and time. I found it very informative and inspiring to read these interconnected stories, all geared towards a young adult audience, with themes of belonging, community, loss and acceptance. I hope to read more from many of these authors in the future, and would love to see more adult stories from indigenous and native authors as well.

Thank you Heartdrum for a digital copy to review!

Featuring the voices of both new and acclaimed Indigenous writers and edited by bestselling Muscogee author Cynthia Leitich Smith, this collection of interconnected stories serves up laughter, love, Native pride, and the world’s best frybread.

^from the publisher!

I adored this story collection so much. My favorite was the DnD story but I truly enjoyed them all! Some of my favorite Indigenous writers are featured and I couldn’t be happier to support this project. Also - reallllyyyy loved that Jen’s story was a nod to her previous work!! I recommend this for sure. The poetry is stunning and the short stories are lovely.

Cynthia Leitich’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In is a delightful and heartwarming story that blends humor, community, and the magic of storytelling. Set at a beloved drive-in theater, the novel captures the spirit of resilience and connection through its charming characters and vibrant setting. Leitich masterfully weaves themes of tradition, family, and dreams into a narrative that’s as comforting as a plate of frybread. A must-read for those who love stories rooted in culture and heart

Loved it! There is heart in every story. A great glimpse into the modern Native teen. There's representation from a variety of tribes across the country, which is very helpful in pointing out how different they all are.

I loved this book. Every story made me smile. Some made me cry. I will definitely be recommending this book to all ages.

Warm, inviting, nostalgic, and sweet, this short story collection features the comfy appearance the Legendary Frybread Drive-In in each but offers a different experience whether it's first dates or family, an oasis of calm in a painful experience, or plain ol' Native sustenance.

It's easy to describe what happens in each story individually but the power is in thinking about the book collectively-- a beacon of culture and welcoming. Each author knew their mission and then represented their own Indigenous culture from various areas in contemporary ways that reflected on the past. Food brings people together. It can be a hangout. It can be another person's livelihood.

My favorite stories being Marcella Bell's "Mvskoke Joy", Mahoe Adams' "Braving the Storm", AJ Eversole's "Hearts Aflutter", and Byron Graves' "Love Buzz".

This was a fun little compilation of Native/Indigenous short stories, centered around Sandy June's Legendary Frybread Drive-In -- a "mystical" location that appears all over the world whenever Natives (specifically for this story -- Native teens) need it most.

It's definitely written with a YA audience in mind. But even so, it's a well-written collection of stories that showcases Native language, traditions, culture, and more.

I can't say that your average adult would enjoy it unless (like me) they're just interested in reading more works by Native/First Nations authors. In that case, they, also like me, will likely appreciate it.

But I would HIGHLY recommend it to teens of all races/ethnicities.

This book made me cry so much. In a good way. I loved the sense of community that was present in every story. Loved that writing styles varied and how various characters would reappear in other stories. I definitely think it’s fits the target audience of teenagers and young adults.

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC!!

I loved this! There were so many heart felt stories and amazing quotes.

A powerful anthology of indigenous voices and stories, highlighting different tribes. I fell in love with the character's lives and stories, and how they all intersected at Sandy June's Legendary Frybread Drive-In. There was so much hope and love in each of these stories, and I love how food is used as a centerpiece for love, longing, family, etc. The creativity of the prose in each of the stories was a pleasant surprise! My favorite stories were:
Game Night
Braving the Storm
Hearts Aflutter
Open Mic at the Drive-In

Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Collins Children's Books, and the editor for this incredible read in exchange for an honest review!

When asked to recommend a book or author, I usually suggest an anthology or book of short stories that has multiple authors. Usually these books all revolve around one theme, this one an Indigenous drive thru that moves to wherever it needs to be at the time. The drive in is the same in each story, same building, parking lot, picnic tables, menus and many times the same core group of Grandparents. This is the center of the story with plots, time lines and main characters different in each telling. The length of the story varies as does the medium used to tell the story. Poems are just as likely to show up as the characters play out their problems and question the answers.
These stories are targeted at helping young adults solve their problems as they learn from a varied group of elders. The themes set out to teach each character that heavy loads are easier when shared. The questions rise from the interactions of tribal members within a background shared by generations. Many of the stories are set in Oklahoma, not far from my home. Others may find the young adults trying to fit into life outside their heritage only to learn their heritage is who they are. LEGENDARY FRYBREAD DRIVE-IN was an excellent read, even if I'm closer to the Grandparent age than the young adult.

I have a confession. Don't tell anyone, promise? I usually hate anthologies. Like, really hate them. I've tried, I swear, but I just never connect with them. But then… then I read Legendary Frybread Drive-In, and everything changed. Seriously, this book blew me away. I laughed, I cried (a little, don't judge!), and I learned so much.

At first, I'll admit, I was a little overwhelmed. There are a lot of stories and characters, and I wasn't sure how it was all going to come together. But then I started thinking of Sandy June’s Frybread Drive-In as the main character, like it was the thread connecting everything, and suddenly it all clicked. It was like magic. From that point on, I was hooked.

I don't want to give away too much about the individual stories because they're honestly something you need to experience for yourself. Each one is so unique and powerful in its own way. But I have to mention "Game Night" by Darcie Little Badger. Oh. My. Goodness. It was my absolute favorite! Now I'm desperately hoping someone will write a full novel about Indigenous friends playing D&D. Seriously, I need that in my life.

The whole concept of the drive-in is just so brilliant. It’s not a place you can find on a map; it just appears when someone needs it. Need a good meal? Need someone to talk to? Need a place where you feel like you truly belong? Look for the sign, smell the frybread, and Sandy June's will be there. It's this magical, comforting space that brings all these different characters together.

What I really loved was the authenticity of the stories. You could feel the heart and soul in every word. I learned so much about different tribal customs, traditions, and, of course, the amazing food. I mean, after reading this book, I need frybread. Like, yesterday. And the writing styles were all so diverse and engaging. It was just a fantastic reading experience from start to finish.

This book is coming out in Summer 2025, and trust me, you're going to want to get your hands on it. It’s perfect for anyone, really, but especially for teens. It deals with some heavy topics, like death and grief, so be aware of that going in. But overall, it's a story about hope, connection, and finding your place in the world.

Huge thanks to NetGalley, the authors (there are so many amazing Indigenous authors!), and the publisher for giving me the chance to read this early. It’s honestly one of the best anthologies I’ve ever read, and it completely changed my mind about the genre. I can’t recommend it enough.

An anthology of stories from various author's perspectives of a mysterious restaurant that appears on Native American reservations as a mirage of sorts. I really enjoyed the first half, especially Darcie Little Badger's tale of a D&D game inspired by the Legendary Frybread Drive-in. The book serves to spread Indigenous People joy, which I love, and it teaches a lot about the various languages, races, and backgrounds of people with Native American heritage. I love the concept of a magical restaurant that appears right when a person needs it, and that it is interpreted differently yet similarly by each author.

I did get a bit tired of the short-story set up, and wanted to just read one narrative. I also tired of reading about fry bread (though I enjoyed learning more about it and its place as a cultural food staple). I think this book would be great to pick up and read a short story at random, but when reading straight through, it did start to drag.

THIS IS WHAT MIDDLE GRADE FICTION SHOULD ALWAYS BE!!!! I'm obsessed!! This book was so good!
I will read anything by Darcie Little Badger

Wow! What an incredible collection of short stories! It is a rare feat when you get to read a ton of stories from various authors and almost every single one is amazing! Will 100% be revisiting again!

4.25 stars!

I think this is an excellent addition to any high school library! I love that we have such an incredible collection of short stories from Indigenous authors. As a librarian, I adored finding a really good book of short stories. Each story is relatable, and the addition of mysticism really makes it special. I really loved the idea of finding what you need when you need it most.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review.