Cynthia Leitich Smith

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born

Kansas City, The United States

gender

female

website

http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/

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Cynthia's fiction is noted for its diversity, humor, lyricism, and mid-to-southwestern settings. Still early in her career, she has shown tremendous range and loves to experiment.

JINGLE DANCER, illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu, (Morrow / Harper-Collins, 2000)(ages 4-up) was a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award, runner-up for the Western Writers Association Storyteller Award, and Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies. It was also named to the Texas 2 x 2 List. School Library Journal said, “…a welcome addition to stories about traditions passed down by woman of a culture.” Book magazine named it among “Debuts that Deliver.”

RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME (HarperCollins, 2001)(Listening Library, 2001)(ag...more Cynthia's fiction is noted for its diversity, humor, lyricism, and mid-to-southwestern settings. Still early in her career, she has shown tremendous range and loves to experiment.

JINGLE DANCER, illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu, (Morrow / Harper-Collins, 2000)(ages 4-up) was a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award, runner-up for the Western Writers Association Storyteller Award, and Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies. It was also named to the Texas 2 x 2 List. School Library Journal said, “…a welcome addition to stories about traditions passed down by woman of a culture.” Book magazine named it among “Debuts that Deliver.”

RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME (HarperCollins, 2001)(Listening Library, 2001)(ages 10-up) also was an Oklahoma Book Award finalist and earned Cynthia the title of 2001 Writer of the Year from Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. Kirkus said it was “tender, funny and full of sharp wordplay.” School Library Journal called it, “a wonderful novel of a present-day teen and her patchwork tribe.” Audio File adds,"Rich with sorrow and the longing for resolution in a life diminished by loss, the story of Rain's journey toward her own identity is captivating and exceedingly hopeful." And Bob Langstaff at WAMV AM/Amhert, VA noted, "It's kind of like a combination of 'Northern Exposure' and 'Party of Five'." The audio production was aired as the November 2005 Book of the Month by Red Tales, Aboriginal Voices Radio, The Earth 106.5 (based in Canada).

Cynthia also is the author of INDIAN SHOES (HarperCollins, 2002)(ages 7-up). Kirkus declared: "A very pleasing first-chapter book from its funny and tender opening salvo to its heartwarming closer. An excellent choice for younger readers." School Library Journal hailed: "a good book for any elementary-aged reluctant reader and a necessity for indigenous children everywhere." INDIAN SHOES has been named a Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies, a finalist for the Texas Institute of Letters Award, to the 2003 Best Children's Books of the Year, Bank Street College of Education; and to Choices 2003, Cooperative Children's Book Center. It also was named to the NEA Native American Book List and the 2004-2005 Crown List. Most recently, INDIAN SHOES was chosen as the featured intermediate title for "Read On, Wisconsin!" (an online book club for students sponsored by the state's First Lady) in March, 2005.

Cynthia's latest picture book is SANTA KNOWS (Dutton, 2006), a holiday title, co-authored by her husband, Greg Leitich Smith, and illustrated by Steve Björkman. SANTA KNOWS is Cynthia and Greg's first book written together. The Horn Book Magazine named it among "Holiday High Notes." Kirkus Reviews called it "…a newly minted winner." Publishers Weekly cheered it as "fantastic," and The Miami Herald highlighted it among "Worthy Titles for the Holidays."

Cynthia's first upper YA novel is TANTALIZE (Candlewick, 2007))(Listening Library, 2008)(Walker U.K., 2008), a gothic fantasy aimed at ages 14-up. It’s one of the new books that signal an expansion of her writing from contemporary realistic fiction to also embrace fantasy. TANTALIZE also is her first title set in Austin, where she now makes her home. The Horn Book calls the novel an "intoxicating romantic thriller." BookPage says the book "will appeal to fans—both teens and adults—of Buffy the Vampire Slayer." TANTALIZE was named a Borders Original Voices Nominee in March 2007 and Chapters (Canadian bookstore chain) named it a Junior Advisory Board Pick. In addition, the novel was chosen for the 2007 Texas Book Festival and the 2007 National Book Festival. The Bloomsbury Review cheers, "Cynthia Leitich Smith is the Anne Rice for teen readers."

Cynthia’s latest YA Gothic fantasy is ETERNAL (Candlewick, 2009), a companion book to TANTALIZE.

Cynthia has published short stories, including "The Gentleman Cowboy" (less)

1372 posts
Cynthia Leitich Smith's Blog

Cynthia Leitich Smith isn't a Goodreads Author (yet), but she does have a blog, so here are some recent posts imported from her feed.

Guest Author Interview: Eric A. Kimmel on Marketing Manuscripts to Publishers

By Laini Bostian
for Cynthia Leitich Smith's Cynsations

Librarian Laini Bostian blogs at The Made Up Librarian. Today she talks to Eric A. Kimmel about authors marketing their manuscripts to publishers.

Learn more about Eric from Scholastic.

Eric: About writing and marketing, it’s never one or the other. Professional writers do look to the market. They have to. There are always compromises and adj... Read more of this blog post »

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Cynthia Leitich Smith's Books

Average rating: 3.55 · 25,767 ratings · 3,226 reviews · 21 distinct works · Similar authors

	Tantalize (Tantalize, #1) 3.23 of 5 stars 3.23 avg rating — 7,770 ratings — published 2007 — 12 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Eternal (Tantalize, #2) 3.48 of 5 stars 3.48 avg rating — 4,794 ratings — published 2009 — 9 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Blessed (Tantalize, #3) 3.92 of 5 stars 3.92 avg rating — 2,054 ratings — published 2011 — 8 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Diabolical (Tantalize, #4) 3.98 of 5 stars 3.98 avg rating — 501 ratings — published 2012 — 5 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Haunted Love 3.34 of 5 stars 3.34 avg rating — 320 ratings — published 2011 — 2 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Cat Calls 3.1 of 5 stars 3.10 avg rating — 334 ratings — published 2010 — 3 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Leitich Smith, Ying-Hwa Hu (Illustrator), Cornelius Van Wright (Illustrator) 3.89 of 5 stars 3.89 avg rating — 169 ratings — published 2000 — 2 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Rain Is Not My Indian Name by Cynthia Leitich Smith, Lori Earley (Illustrations) 3.41 of 5 stars 3.41 avg rating — 180 ratings — published 2001 — 6 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Tantalize: Kieren's Story by Cynthia Leitich Smith, Ming Doyle (Illustrator) 3.18 of 5 stars 3.18 avg rating — 165 ratings — published 2011 — 2 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Holler Loudly by Cynthia Leitich Smith, Barry Gott (Illustrations) 3.59 of 5 stars 3.59 avg rating — 104 ratings — published 2010	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Cynthia Leitich Smith…

Series by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Tantalize (4 books)
by Cynthia Leitich Smith
3.425951398441082 of 5 stars 3.43 avg rating — 15,267 ratings

Tantalize Graphic Novels (2 books)
by Cynthia Leitich Smith, Ming Doyle (Illustrator)
3.216666666666667 of 5 stars 3.22 avg rating — 180 ratings

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Quotes by Cynthia Leitich Smith

“It was funny, though, the things you didn't learn about people until after they died.”
― Cynthia Leitich Smith, Tantalize

42 people liked it

“But adulthood," continued the barely twentysomething, "doesn't give you power over what matters most. It doesn't protect you from pain, loss, fate. That's part of being human.”
― Cynthia Leitich Smith, Tantalize

29 people liked it

“WHAT WAS JANE AUSTEN'S LAST FINISHED NOVEL?"
"Vaginas and Virginity."
"WHO IS THE LAST PERSON IAGO KILLS IN OTHELLO?"
"His manservant Retardio, for forgetting to change the Brita filter!"
"WHAT HAPPENS TO THE LITTLE MERMAID AT THE END OF CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN'S THE LITTLE MERMAID?"
"She turns into a fish and marries Nemo!"
"Fuck you!”
― Cynthia Leitich Smith, Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd

23 people liked it

See all Cynthia Leitich Smith's quotes »

Polls

What randomly selected book would you like to read in June?

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

50 votes, 40.3%

StarCrossed by Elizabeth C. Bunce

15 votes, 12.1%

Wings by Aprilynne Pike

12 votes, 9.7%

Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

12 votes, 9.7%

Madapple by Christina Meldrum

10 votes, 8.1%

Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith Cynthia Leitich Smith

8 votes, 6.5%

Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

8 votes, 6.5%

The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley

4 votes, 3.2%

No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman

3 votes, 2.4%

Fire from the Rock by Sharon M. Draper

2 votes, 1.6%

124 total votes

2 comments

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The Seasonal Read...: 25.10 - Belinda's Task - Let's Play The Name Game	51	162	May 31, 2010 10:18am
Romance Readers R...: 2009 A-Z Book Challenge	325	840	Jun 10, 2010 09:03am
Paranormal Addict...: July mini challenge - Pick from six	170	262	Aug 01, 2010 09:11am
Romance Readers R...: July - Pick It For Me! Challenge	449	345	Aug 02, 2010 01:36pm
All the pages you...: Gus's Pages Read	3	18	Aug 03, 2010 10:57am

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Cynthia Leitich Smith

Author profile

1372 posts
Cynthia Leitich Smith's Blog

combine editions
Cynthia Leitich Smith's Books

Series by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Upcoming Events

Quotes by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Polls

Topics Mentioning This Author

Add NewVideos

Cynthia's Fans (658)

Cynthia Leitich Smith

Author profile

1372 postsCynthia Leitich Smith's Blog

combine editionsCynthia Leitich Smith's Books

Series by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Upcoming Events

Quotes by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Polls

Topics Mentioning This Author

Add New
Videos

1372 posts
Cynthia Leitich Smith's Blog

combine editions
Cynthia Leitich Smith's Books