Rain Is Not My Indian Name

Synopsis:

In a voice that resonates with insight and humor, New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith tells the story of a teenage girl who must face down her grief and reclaim her place in the world with the help of her intertribal community.

It's been six months since Cassidy Rain Berghoff’s best friend, Galen, died, and up until now she has succeeded in shutting herself off from the world. But when controversy arises around Aunt Georgia’s Indian Camp in their mostly white midwestern community, Rain decides to face the outside world again, with a new job photographing the campers for her town’s newspaper.

Soon, Rain has to decide how involved she wants to become in Indian Camp. Does she want to keep a professional distance from her fellow Native teens? And, though she is still grieving, will she be able to embrace new friends and new beginnings?

Reviews
"A wonderful novel of a present-day teen and her 'patch-work tribe." — School Library Journal

“Rain's observations are appealingly wry, and readers …will find food for thought in this exploration of cultural identity. ” — The Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 13+

Cover art by Métis artist Natasha Donovan.

Author Insights: “Probably every first novel is at least quasi-autobiographical, and that’s certainly true of this one. Like Rain, I grew up (in part) in Northeast Kansas and had ties to community journalism. I likewise enjoy Web design.

More globally, it’s often remarked that this book is stylistically drawn more from Native literary traditions than most children’s books about American Indian characters. I think that’s part of my responsibility as a Native author, to honor and preserve those techniques and sensibilities.” -Cynthia Leitich Smith

Additional Information
144 pages | 5.31" x 8.00"