A Community I Barely Knew
People sometimes interpret reading books from minority cultures as virtue signaling, but I see it as an essential way to genuinely learn about communities I wouldn't otherwise encounter. With only two personal interactions with Native Americans—both culturally involved and memorable—I turn to books like this, which centers on a Frybread Drive-In, as a way to connect with authentic voices through stories by prominent Native authors.
The selections are true YA as far as the characters are concerned, but a lot of deeper meaning hides here. The bonds formed at the Frybread Drive-In connect seemingly separate individuals across different tribes, revealing how their paths intersect. You will find various lengths of writing and even an intense dose of poetry by Kaua Mahoe Adams that will resonate with you if you have ever felt that your anxiety was too much.
As often happens with collections of multiple voices, the audiobook comes highly recommended. Among the selections, I particularly enjoyed Kaua Mahoe Adams’s verse and the heartfelt, simple emergency baking in Andrea L. Rogers’ “You Had One Job.” For those who have lost a loved one, “I Love You, Grandson” by Brian Young offers clear, poignant resonance.
Continuing with the standout stories, “Hearts Aflutter” by A.J. Eversole captures the nuances of young love and confusion, evoking the awkwardness of first dates between people not quite ready. In “Jilly Bean and Jessa Jean,” Angeline Boulley—author of “Firekeepers’ Daughter”—thoughtfully explores youth relationships, attuned to a generation’s challenges in forging connections.
Successfully creating a YA collection that allows readers to truly meet and understand a diverse community is rare. This book achieves that, making the whole greater than the sum of its parts and offering readers not just entertainment, but an introduction to voices they might otherwise miss.
(06/12/26)
