About Cynthia Leitich Smith

About Cynthia Leitich Smith

Kid-friendly Bio

Cynthia Leitich Smith grew up in the Kansas City area. She has been a poet and a journalist since elementary school. As a teenager, she was the editor of her school newspaper. She went on to become the first person in her immediate family to earn a four-year college degree when she graduated from The University of Kansas.

Continue Reading About Cynthia Leitich Smith »

Writing Life

Writing Life

(Or… Why’d You Go to Law School Anyway?)

It’s not a bad question.

I’ve wondered once or twice myself.

After all, the experience did result in a decent amount of stress, lost sleep, and about seventy thousand dollars in student debt (though I did meet some of my best friends and learned I could compete academically on a national level).

Continue Reading Writing Life »

Book Awards & Honors

Book Awards & Honors

for Cynthia Leitich Smith

  • 2021 Neustadt NSK Laureate (Winner of the NSK Prize for Children’s Literature)
  • Austin chapter of SCBWI instituted the Cynthia Leitich Smith Mentor Award (2014)
  • Spirit of Texas YA Author, chosen by the Texas Library Association (2012, 2013)
  • Illumine Award Author, chosen by the Friends of the Austin Public Library (2013)
  • 2001 Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers Writer of the Year

for JINGLE DANCER

  • Notable Children’s Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies and a Selector’s Choice for 2001
  • Named to the 2001 2 x 2 Reading List of twenty books recommended for children ages two through second grade by the Texas Library Association
  • Finalist,

Continue Reading Book Awards & Honors »

Teacher Guides for Cynthia Leitich Smith’s Books

Teacher Guides for Cynthia Leitich Smith’s Books

Reading Group Guide for Blessed

BLESSED (Candlewick, 2011).

About BLESSED

Reading Group Guide: Blessed by Cynthia Leitich Smith: features introduction; excerpt; discussion questions; author biography; author interview; and acclaim. Quick-print format.

Reading Group Guide for Eternal

ETERNAL (Candlewick, 2008, 2010).

About ETERNAL

Reading Group Guide: Eternal by Cynthia Leitich Smith: features introduction;

Continue Reading Teacher Guides for Cynthia Leitich Smith’s Books »