Cynthia Leitich Smith's Blog, page 2

Upasna Kakroo discusses Peerbagh, a South-Asia-inspired Storytelling Organization

By Suma Subramaniam

Upasna and I met online a few years ago. I was drawn to her charismatic personality and dedication to amplify and promote South Asian voices in children’s literature. Later, she invited me to Varta, a South-Asia-inspired storytelling festival in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I’m pleased to welcome Upasna Kakroo to Cynsations to discuss her non-profit organization, Peerbagh, and her mission.

Peerbagh is a non-profit organization dedicated to organizing and promoting South-Asia-inspire...

Author-Illustrator Nidhi Chanani Shares Her Process for Creating Graphic Novels

By Mitu Malhotra

Today we are excited to welcome award winning author-illustrator Nidhi Chanani to Cynsations. I thoroughly enjoyed Nidhi’s debut Pashmina (First Second, 2017) for it was the first time that I encountered an Indian-American teen protagonist centered in a graphic novel for children.

Nidhi’s Super Boba Café #2 Home Sea Home (Abrams Kids, September 2025) is second in a series of magical middle-grade graphic novels. In this sequel, set in contemporary San Francisco, ...

Contributing Authors on Community, Connection, & Expanding Indigenous Narratives: Legendary Frybread Drive-In

By AJ Eversole

A Conversation with the Contributors of Legendary Frybread Drive-In (Part 2)

Continuing our conversation with the contributors of Legendary Frybread Drive-In, we explore how Sandy June’s builds community across tribal nations, showcases diverse Indigenous experiences, and imagines Indigenous futures through art, music, and storytelling.

What makes Sandy June’s a place of safety and belonging?

Jen Ferguson: Well, it exists outside of the reality of space and time and nonsense that...

Author Interview: Cynthia Levinson on Timely Topics & Finding Hope in Readers

By Gayleen Rabakukk

I’m excited to welcome Cynthia Levinson back to Cynsations. Last month, I attended an Austin book talk with Cynthia and her husband and co-author Sandy Levinson discussing the new edition of their book, Fault Lines in the Constitution (Peachtree, 2025).

At most children’s literature events, there are at least some young readers in the audience, but in this instance the crowd consisted entirely of adults. It reminded me that “middle grade books” appeal to all ages, and to thi...

Author Interview: Ha Dinh Discusses Her New Chapter Book Series, Ly-Lan

By Suma Subramaniam

Hà Dinh and I have been friends on instagram for a while, and I loved her picture books. Now she has come up with a new chapter book series, Ly-Lan and the New Class Mix-Up (Zonderkidz, 2025), illustrated by Tracy Nishimura Bishop.  I am excited to welcome Hà to Cynsations to share all about it.

Hi, Hà! Your story, Ly-Lan and the New Class Mix-Up, in the Ly-Lan chapter book series, is about a child finding her way into third grade and discovering that change can be a good th...

Author-Illustrator Mika Song Shares Her Graphic Novel Journey & Night Chef

By Mitu Malhotra

Today I am excited to welcome Mika Song to Cynsations to talk about her upcoming graphic novel Night Chef (Penguin Random House, 2025), which releases on Oct. 28, 2025. The star of this book is an orphan raccoon who is also a spunky self-taught chef.

I first saw Mika’s illustrations in A Friend for Henry by Jenn Bailey (Chronicle Books, 2019) and was enamored by her emotive hand-drawn artwork. Creating sequential art for a graphic novel entails months and often years o...

Contributing Authors Discuss the Creation of Sandy June’s With a Focus on Worldbuilding & Cultural Foundations

By AJ Eversole

Osiyo, everyone! Legendary Frybread Drive-In is finally here, and now we’re sharing conversations with the anthology’s contributors. This discussion explores how Sandy June’s, the famous drive-in that can be found across all reservations, came to life and the deep cultural significance woven throughout these interconnected stories.

Creation & Inspiration

What inspired the concept of Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In?

Cynthia Leitich Smith: A combination of memory and oppor...

Author Interview: Britney S. Lewis on Blood Moon: Channeling Rage to Spark a Paranormal Romance Revolution

By AJ Eversole

The resurgence of the YA paranormal novel has my whole heart. As a Cherokee teen who was Team Jacob all the way, seeing these concepts that meant so much to me rewired and examined for a BIPOC audience has been monumental. Blood Moon by Britney S. Lewis (Page Street, 2025) is an act of reclamation that deliberately centers a Black girl as the hero of her own werewolf tale and easily pulls the reader into a world that is both familiar, yet fresh.

What was the spark that led you to...

Cynsations Hiatus

Signed model release[s] on file with Shutterstock, Inc.By Gayleen Rabakukk

Thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm for Cynsations!

Effective immediately, the Cynsations digital magazine is on hiatus. Find links to posts from our latest issue below:

Wayback Wednesday: Author Nikki Grimes on The Power of Words & Advice for WritersAuthor Interview: Marcella Pixley on the Power of Verse Novels & Weaving In Folk TraditionsAuthor Interview: Anita Fitch Pazner Discusses Lyrical Storytellin...

Cynsational News

By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Suma Subramaniam, A.J. Eversole, Mitu Malhotra, and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations

Spotlight Image: Bright Lights and Summer Nights by Shauntay Grant, illustrated by Zach Manbeck (Tundra Books, 2025).

Author/Illustrator Insights

Author Interview: Katrina Moore from Only Picture Books. Peek: “My ‘mission’ as an author is to write books that children will hug for ages…I want to make books that children genuinely love…because they see themselves in the sto...