Cynthia Leitich Smith is known for her engaging young adult fiction, focusing on Indigenous themes. Her popular works include Rain Is Not My Indian Name and Hearts Unbroken.
If you enjoy reading books by Cynthia Leitich Smith then you might also like the following authors:
Rebecca Roanhorse writes powerful fantasy grounded in Indigenous voices, stories, and worldviews. Her style blends vivid storytelling with action-packed adventure and a rich sense of culture and identity.
In her novel Trail of Lightning, Roanhorse creates an exciting story set in a post-apocalyptic world shaped by Navajo legends and characters readers easily relate to.
Angeline Boulley creates suspenseful stories centered around Indigenous teen experiences, exploring themes of identity, family, and community. Her novel Firekeeper's Daughter mixes mystery and thriller elements with a coming-of-age story.
Readers connect deeply with her nuanced characters and compelling portrayal of Ojibwe culture.
Cherie Dimaline crafts thoughtful and emotionally resonant narratives that address Indigenous identity, resilience, and hope. The Marrow Thieves is a dystopian story set in a dark future where Indigenous people are hunted for their bone marrow.
Dimaline's writing stands out for its sensitivity and depth, making her books memorable and moving.
Darcie Little Badger tells imaginative stories combining elements of mythology, speculative fiction, and mystery, highlighting Indigenous roots and modern settings.
Her captivating tale Elatsoe follows a Lipan Apache teen who solves mysteries and sees ghosts, blending historical and supernatural elements seamlessly.
Holly Black is known for fantasy that mixes the magical and the everyday in engaging ways, exploring complex relationships, family bonds, and hidden dangers.
Her popular novel The Cruel Prince brings readers into a fascinating and dangerous fairy kingdom, with characters who feel authentic and compelling.
If you enjoy the blend of urban fantasy and compelling characters found in Cynthia Leitich Smith's books, you'll likely connect with Cassandra Clare. Clare writes exciting stories set in richly imagined supernatural worlds, mixing adventure, romance, and magic.
One of her best-known books, City of Bones, introduces you to the Shadowhunters, young warriors who protect humanity from dark forces.
Maggie Stiefvater is great for readers who love thoughtful, magical stories that feel both grounded and enchanting, much like Cynthia Leitich Smith's style. Stiefvater's lyrical writing often explores themes of identity, friendship, and destiny.
Her book The Raven Boys follows a group of friends searching for a legendary Welsh king, revealing a hidden world filled with mysteries.
Melissa Marr's stories blend modern-day settings with otherworldly folklore and romance, appealing to fans of Cynthia Leitich Smith's novels. Marr creates vivid characters who face both supernatural and personal challenges.
In Wicked Lovely, she introduces readers to a hidden realm of faeries intertwined with the human world, exploring themes of choice, love, and destiny.
If Cynthia Leitich Smith's books interest you because of their cultural richness and storytelling drawn from Indigenous traditions, Joseph Bruchac will resonate strongly with you.
Bruchac celebrates Native American cultural heritage through engaging plots and relatable characters. His novel Code Talker brings readers into the experiences of Navajo soldiers who used their language as a secret code during World War II.
Rick Riordan writes compelling adventure stories with humor and mythology, making his books a good choice if you appreciate Cynthia Leitich Smith’s energetic storytelling and memorable young characters. Riordan skillfully blends contemporary life with ancient myths.
In his popular novel The Lightning Thief, readers meet Percy Jackson, a hero who discovers he's a demigod and must navigate an exciting yet dangerous mythical world.
Zoraida Córdova creates imaginative fantasy worlds filled with magical realism, folklore, and relatable young heroes. She explores themes of identity, family bonds, friendship, and self-discovery.
Her book Labyrinth Lost, the first in the Brooklyn Brujas series, follows Alex, who accidentally sends her family to an otherworldly realm and must embrace her own magic to save them.
Daniel José Older brings an inspiring blend of adventure, humor, and cultural depth to his fantasy adventures. He centers complex characters navigating magical worlds alongside realistic struggles, family connections, and community ties.
In his spirited book Shadowshaper, teenager Sierra Santiago discovers her family's legacy of magical artistry, and must protect her Brooklyn neighborhood from dark forces.
Eric Gansworth writes engaging and honest novels exploring Native American identity, cultural experiences, and the realities many Indigenous communities face today.
In his novel If I Ever Get Out of Here, Gansworth portrays Lewis Blake, a young Tuscarora boy dealing with friendship, prejudice, and his own dreams, offering a thoughtful look at adolescence and self-acceptance.
Tracey Baptiste skillfully introduces readers to adventure-filled tales infused with Caribbean folklore, vivid scenery, and strong-willed heroines.
Her novel The Jumbies blends suspense, magic, and heart, as Corinne La Mer bravely combats mythical creatures threatening her village while rediscovering her roots.
Anna-Marie McLemore's lyrical storytelling beautifully weaves fairy tale elements, magic realism, and themes of identity, family, and love. McLemore sensitively portrays LGBTQ+ experiences and diverse cultural narratives.
In When the Moon Was Ours, two friends struggling with secrets, sexuality, and community acceptance navigate their shared moments of wondrous magic and emotional truth.