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,
Continue Reading Author-Illustrator Mika Song Shares Her Graphic Novel Journey & Night Chef »
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?
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,
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:
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,
Congratulations to our own Cynthia Leitich Smith on the publication of Firefly Season, illustrated by Kate Gardiner (Heartdrum, May 13, 2025)! From the publisher’s website:
Written by the award-winning, bestselling author of Jingle Dancer, Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee), and filled with tender illustrations by Kate Gardiner (Nipmuck),
Continue Reading Throwback Thursday: Cynthia Leitich Smith Reflects on Craft, Career & Creativity »
I’m very excited to welcome two Austin authors who have both written middle grade books with a series second releasing this year. Meredith Davis is the author of The Minor Rescue (Waterbrook, May 2025), and Mari Mancusi wrote Dawn of the Dragons (Little Brown,
Continue Reading Authors Interview: Meredith Davis & Mari Mancusi on Book Series & Promotion »
Today, I am excited to welcome Miriam Chernick to share her writing journey with Cynsations. Her debut The Zuzu Secret (Charlesbridge, 2025) is a heartwarming story about spunky Josie, her older brother Abe, and a bearded dragon. Two real life icons: James Herriot the British veterinary surgeon and author,
Spotlight image: Authors A.S. King, Mitu Malhotra, Jane Houng and Heather Demetrios at the 2024 Highlights Retreat.
In the spring of 2024, I attended a Highlights Foundation In-Community Retreat organized by the Rebecca Dykes Writers. This transformative retreat, designed for authors crafting books for children and teens,
Rhonda DeChambeau is a Massachusetts children’s author and poet, and also an experienced speaker and presenter. Her debut YA novel in verse, Top Heavy (Holiday House, 2025), is a beautifully written book about Esme, a fifteen-year-old talented dancer who is thrilled to make the Elite dance team.
Continue Reading New Voice: Rhonda DeChambeau on Writing a YA Verse Novel About Body Issues »