Native voices in a shared interconnected YA anthology. I can’t get over this book. I loved every second of it. I would recommend to all of my friends and family. This should be a required reading in school.

I don't typically gravitate toward short stories, I feel like I never have enough information and am left wanting more from the authors. After reading the synopsis for Legendary Frybread Drive-in and seeing the authors who contributed, though, I was excited to dive into the interconnected stories. I loved the authors' ability to share certain details about the drive-in and certain characters, it shows the reader the amount of thought and collaboration that went into the completion of this book. I particularly enjoyed "Game Night" (which I was hesitant about initially because of the format), "Look Away", and "The Rest Will Come" but I devoured the whole anthology within 24 hours so I think it's safe to say I enjoyed most of the stories! I also very much appreciated the glossary at the end of the book, with the multiple different tribal languages used throughout the book, there were quite a few words I had never heard and didn't know the meaning of.

Thanks to Harper Collins, NetGalley, and the authors of this anthology for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Also, thanks to @Weneeddiversebooks for highlighting Legendary Frybread Drive-in as an upcoming release, which led me to read the synopsis and request the ARC.

A delicious cornerstone of community, togetherness, and belonging that serves as the focal point of this anthology. Stories by native authors offer distinct cultural perspectives while unifying under the banner of native pride and resilience. A wonderful option for young readers who enjoy magical realism, stories by diverse authors, and looking for some short stories to sink their teeth into.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

Legendary FryBread Drive-In is a bit different than what i am used to reading. In this book multiple indigenous writers have written a poem or story about Sandy June's Legendary Frybread Drive-In. These are put together to produce the book.

The collection of stories is beautiful. Great writing. Easy read. Geared towards a YA audience.
Definitely enjoyed it!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

WHat a lovely and heartwarming collection of stories there are in this book. I don't know what I was expecting exactly when I opened this book but what I got was certainly much more then I every dreamed of. The stories with in are do bright and open and honest. I loved the characters and culture and food. I found the focus and the morals or the ideas and the shared wisdom just so increadably magical. This colletion is one to cheraish and will be a wonderful addition to everyones bookshefl! I loved it!

The stories in this collection are so hopeful and uplifting. The way that the magical realm of The Legendary Frybread Drive-In brings the characters exactly what they need is a comfort we all need to read in these trying times.

I thoroughly enjoyed the 18 interconnected short stories in this YA anthology, each offering a fresh perspective on the central themes of identity, family, and connection.

“I Love You, Grandson” and “Braving the Storm” were my absolute favorites—two very different stories that explored similar themes and hit me right in the heart.

A beautifully crafted collection that leaves a lasting impression.

#LegendaryFrybreadDriveIn #NetGalley

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Okay, so I loved this. I mean, I love a good anthology to begin with, but the concept behind this was really unique. That all these authors came together collaboratively to conceptualize the drive-in and the little overlaps throughout felt like magic. I've never read an anthology that felt so cohesive but still kept the uniqueness of the stories and the authors' individual voices. The stories ranged from heart-wrenching to sweet and tender. I want more collaboration like this. Thank you HarperCollins for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

My first choice is never short stories but I saw who the authors were and it had me intrigued. Plus, a book with all native authors always has me excited. Every author had their own concept on what the "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" was but they all held the Drive-In deeply to their heart. The Drive-In for every story was a place of nostalgic, comfort, a place for answers. Every story brought a different emotion.

There were three stories that really stood out to me:

- Game Night by Darcie Little Badger
- Braving the Storm by Kaua Mahoe Adams
- Jilly Bean and Jessa Jean by Angeline Boulley

I felt like I could relate to one character in each story. I think the same would go for all when they pick up this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollin for this advanced readers copy for a honest review.

Firstly I would like to thank NetGalley and the Heartdrum Harper Collins Publishing for the advanced copy of this book. Truly a pleasure to read!

This book is a YA anthology that will reach out and engage many ages. Each story is connected via one consistent location , Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive In, and small interwoven details from other stories. The Legendary Frybread Drive In represents a unique utopia of sorts as it serves to create solutions for each character and their varied troubles. The mystical drive in is run by a group of tribal elders with plenty of wisdom and traditions to share . Isn’t that what we all desire most days? Connections to our heritage , wisdom from our ancestors, a shared safe space and the peace that comes with knowing your problems aren’t always as big as they feel.

This anthology was put together wonderfully. I was engaged throughout each story and often times didn’t want them to end. The various authors brought a pleasant variety of writing styles and issues forward while maintaining a strong cohesiveness to the other story lines. The pacing in each story individually and as a whole was perfect in my opinion. While I have read a couple of these authors before , I was thankful for the introduction to many new voices as well. I look forward to buying physical copies to share with some local libraries , schools & some friends/family . From middle grades to old age this is a feel good book everyone should enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Heartdrum for the advance reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I am a sucker for a good anthology. The reason being you get to read different authors in a quick and concise way. It is a great introduction to an authors writing style. This anthology was special because it centers around indigenous voices. I loved the concept of a central “dream” of this drive in known for their fry bread but also for bringing people together. Stunning, powerful, beautiful. A must read.

Imagine a place where you can find the exact thing that you need but did not realize it. Are you trying to cook a huge amount of a cultural delicacy for your friend whose town you moved from and you miss them desperately? Do you need to connect with your culture because you are feeling disconnected? Has someone you really think you’re going to idolize let you down and you need to process that? Do you have unconscious biases about who can share what identity and need an elder to gently but firmly correct you?

Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-in is the place for Native families, individuals, and communities to connect with the elders, each other, and themselves. In this set of interconnected stories, each teen comes across the food truck and surrounding liminal and makes itself known to you when you need it. Here, you can eat and watch a concert alongside elders long-passed, beloved grandparents, or friends who live hundreds of miles from you. You might be put to work – because everyone gives so that everyone can draw from the well of community that is very intentionally created.

I was drawn to this collection because I enjoyed Harvest House, Leitich Smith’s previous YA work (referred to me by the inimitable Missprint). I was a little wary, though, of the format, because short stories do not always work for me. The collections that do work for me tend to have an overlapping setting or cast of characters, which this book promised, but I was not sure about the multiple authorship. It was so pleasant to find myself completely drawn in by the concept of Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-in. I wanted this place, this state of being to exist. The way that visitors were put to work as part of the community that gives as well as takes out resonated. But in addition to the collective’s descriptions of the spiritual need, there were more earthly concerns. The food depictions throughout dangled delicious smells, flavors, and textures in front of me that made me want to seek out a place to try them. I am going to re-read it and write down everything and relish in the descriptions.

Some stories worked better than others; I particularly enjoyed the role-playing game of Darcie Little Badger’s Game Night, as the story unravels through the message board. Angelline Boulley’s Jilly Bean and Jessa Jean highlights the tensions between rural and urban cousins and explores the idea of who is Native enough. Similarly, Language Lesson by Jen Ferguson highlights the importance of language to a sense of belonging. Throughout, there are themes of how people explore their identity, how they inherit and embody it, and the different ways and degrees to which those can manifest. As someone outside the identities and cultures displayed here, I really appreciated the range of ways of being, stages of life, and expressions of self that the authors probed here.

I really love the idea of an anthology of stories by different authors who collaborate based on a shared world, and this collection was a beautiful, understated appeal to Native joy with a focus on a YA audience.

I enjoyed how the drive-in was like Doctor Who meets Native history, complicated family dynamics and culture around the shared experience of food. I could smell the delicious scents of frybread, Indian tacos and bison stew lovingly prepared by the grizzled hands of legendary grandparents. The drive-in is a place that exists nowhere but appears whenever you have need of it, like a quantum ambassador of Native traditions.

I liked how the protagonists in each story became side characters in the next and the continuity between details was maintained throughout the stories, so you could just see these authors all excitedly sharing info on a group Discord chat. Different forms and points of view were used to tell these lovely stories. I also loved how all different tribes were represented, including Hawaiians and Black Natives, showcasing the diversity in Native culture as well as the diversity of viewpoints. Native culture is not a monolith even if certain things like frybread are constants. These weren't big, bold, traumatic stories; they were subtle stories of everyday events that stitch together our lives.

Some of my favorite stories:

GAME NIGHT - I loved how this showed that Natives can be geeks too. A series of chats among a gaming group who realizes one of their members is in trouble and they might be real friends, too.

LOOK AWAY - Throwing out the rulebook on first dates and learning to embrace what you want.

BRAVING THE STORM - A beautiful story about a girl afraid of everything who loses her beloved grandfather who taught her to be brave.

HEART BERRY - A lovely story about female friendship.

HEARTS AFLUTTER - I fell in love with this heartwarming slow-burn story about two best friends pining for each other.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you, NetGalley and Heartdrum, for the ARC.

At first, I found it a bit difficult to follow the stories, but as I continued reading, the book began to feel like a dream journal—fluid and deeply emotional. Each story carried its own unique charm, but Game Night stood out to me the most. It brought me to tears by the end, completely wrecking me in the best way possible.

This book took me on a journey through a wide range of emotions—warmth, nostalgia, laughter, and even a few bittersweet moments. It made me smile, it made me reflect, and, most importantly, it made me feel. Reading this was truly a blissful experience, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity.

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.