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Rain Is Not My Indian Name
In a voice that resonates with insight and humor, New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith tells the story of a teenage girl who must face down her grief and reclaim her place in the world with the help of her intertribal community.
It's been six months since Cassidy Rain Berghoff’s best friend, Galen, died, and up until now she has succeeded in shutting herself off from the world. But when controversy arises around Aunt Georgia’s Indian Camp in their mostly white midwestern community, Rain decides to face the outside world again, with a new job photographing the campers for her town’s newspaper.
Soon, Rain has to decide how involved she wants to become in Indian Camp. Does she want to keep a professional distance from her fellow Native teens? And, though she is still grieving, will she be able to embrace new friends and new beginnings?
In partnership with We Need Diverse Books
It's been six months since Cassidy Rain Berghoff’s best friend, Galen, died, and up until now she has succeeded in shutting herself off from the world. But when controversy arises around Aunt Georgia’s Indian Camp in their mostly white midwestern community, Rain decides to face the outside world again, with a new job photographing the campers for her town’s newspaper.
Soon, Rain has to decide how involved she wants to become in Indian Camp. Does she want to keep a professional distance from her fellow Native teens? And, though she is still grieving, will she be able to embrace new friends and new beginnings?
In partnership with We Need Diverse Books
143 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2001
43 people are currently reading
2022 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Leitich Smith
39 books1,287 followersCynthia Leitich Smith is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author and anthologist of more than 20 books for young readers. She was named a 2025 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award Candidate, the NSK Neustadt Laureate, Texas Literary Hall of Fame inductee, and winner of the Southern Miss Medallion for Outstanding Contributions in Children’s Literature. Cynthia has also been named to deliver the 2026 ALSC Children’s Literature Lecture. She is the author-curator of Heartdrum, a Native-focused imprint at HarperCollins Children’s Books, and served as the Katherine Paterson Inaugural Chair for the children’s-YA writing MFA program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Cynthia is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation and lives in Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews
January 4, 2017
This is the story of a small-town girl who has to deal with the death of her best friend while trying to understand her Native American heritage and her brother's fiance pregnancy.
I really loved the writing style, it being simple and playfully Southern. It shows how much Rain loves her family and hometown even thought small town gossip and politics are annoying.
It was an uplifting tale, there was no never-ending brooding and no dramatic climax. Life moves on and so must she.
I really loved the writing style, it being simple and playfully Southern. It shows how much Rain loves her family and hometown even thought small town gossip and politics are annoying.
It was an uplifting tale, there was no never-ending brooding and no dramatic climax. Life moves on and so must she.
November 27, 2016
A quiet, contemplative novel about a 14-year old girl going through some tough stuff, most recently the death of her best friend and crush Galen but also her mother's death years before, trying to connect to her Indigenous heritage (Muscogee Creek and Ojibway), nasty sexist small town politics, her older brother's unplanned pregnancy, and a friend breakup. That sounds like a lot, but Smith tells Rain's story with confidence and heart and authenticity that never feels melodramatic. It just feels like a real girl's life, with no easy answers but a quiet strength. It reminded me of Jacqueline Wilson's THE HOUSE YOU PASS ON THE WAY, both in terms of style and approach to tough topics. Great representation for younger Native kids, especially mixed heritage, lighter skinned kids. Rain is a real, likable, smart girl. Rain tackles being removed from one side of her history and "not looking Indian" multiple times in the novel, while also realizing she doesn't know everything (she almost tells a Jewish guy the same thing she hates when people say it to her 'but you don't seem ...').
On the low end of YA and high end of middle grade.
On the low end of YA and high end of middle grade.
December 1, 2010
In a market full of wonderful Children's reads, I find a loss of wonderful contemporary Native American books, and really, Native American books for YA and Children as a whole. Cynthia Leitich Smith introduces us to a wonderful character, Cassidy, who's voice is one I think many adolescents will relate to on some level. She's real, dealing with all that life throws at her and trying to find her mark in the world and among her family and friends.
Cynthia tackles sensitive issues with grace and meaning, as Rain's story unfolds. Rain is dealing with the death of her best friend, the passing of her mother a few years before, her father being stationed over seas, a brother who she's drifted away from and living in a small town where everyone knows everything about each other, Native Americans are the minority. Through Rain's struggle to find her place in her American Indian Heritage, Cynthia gives us a real glimpse of what some Native American preteens and teens struggle with.
Through Rain's journey in learning to be proud of and embrace her beautiful heritage, Cynthia gives us her powerful message that we are all different and our uniqueness is what brings us, as a human race together. Rain Is Not My Indian Name is heartbreaking, real, thought provoking book, that will leave readers feeling empowered to embrace who they are.
Cynthia tackles sensitive issues with grace and meaning, as Rain's story unfolds. Rain is dealing with the death of her best friend, the passing of her mother a few years before, her father being stationed over seas, a brother who she's drifted away from and living in a small town where everyone knows everything about each other, Native Americans are the minority. Through Rain's struggle to find her place in her American Indian Heritage, Cynthia gives us a real glimpse of what some Native American preteens and teens struggle with.
Through Rain's journey in learning to be proud of and embrace her beautiful heritage, Cynthia gives us her powerful message that we are all different and our uniqueness is what brings us, as a human race together. Rain Is Not My Indian Name is heartbreaking, real, thought provoking book, that will leave readers feeling empowered to embrace who they are.
November 17, 2023
3.5 ⭐
A sweet, and short contemporary exploring grief after Rain's best friend tragically dies.
She tries to get accept her friends death while trying to learn more of her Native American heritage.
a very quick and easy read!
A sweet, and short contemporary exploring grief after Rain's best friend tragically dies.
She tries to get accept her friends death while trying to learn more of her Native American heritage.
a very quick and easy read!
July 4, 2021
A quiet, short YA story about 14 yo Rain and her healing process after the death of her best friend. The other main story line is Rain grappling with her Native heritage on her (deceased) mother’s side of her family and growing up as one of the only Native American kids in a small town. This book was originally published in 2001 and was re-released in 2021 by Heartdrum, an imprint dedicated to children’s literature by Indigenous authors. Should you decide to read it, please find the 2021 edition as the author did line edits to change some race, gender, and ability related language. The new cover is much better too.
March 12, 2021
I thought this was going to be a story about how Rain was dealing with her best friend's death, but it was really about Rain and all the things affecting her life. Her friend's and mother's deaths were definitely big topics for her, but so were the changes in her relationship with her brother, her emotions about her mixed heritage, and reconnecting with her former friend and father. For me, this was Rain trying to figure out who she was. Rain and her emotional experiences felt very authentic, and I appreciated taking this journey with her.
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January 8, 2023
I started this book sometime last year, and then put it down, and decided to start it over in December. Goodness does this book have depth and it's very heartfelt. Some parts were a bit confusing, and the characters weren't very developed. However, I love its focus on family and learning to cope with grief. This was the first book I ever annotated, and that was a lot of fun! There were so many correlations I found in my personal life or just funny things I connected lines to with things from other entertainment. I would read this book again (if I was more into re-reading haha) and recommend this to someone who loves works that are poetic and have meaning.
May 17, 2021
I really loved this book, and I personally connected with Rain since at 15 I had a best friend who was a guy that I also loved.
what I loved
-exploration of culture/friendship after grief
-family
What I didn't like
-how harsh Mrs. Owen and the rest of the community were after his death and the circumstances surrounding them
I would recommend this for whomever wants to read it.
Also thank you to Cynthia Leitich Smith for sending me the copy!
what I loved
-exploration of culture/friendship after grief
-family
What I didn't like
-how harsh Mrs. Owen and the rest of the community were after his death and the circumstances surrounding them
I would recommend this for whomever wants to read it.
Also thank you to Cynthia Leitich Smith for sending me the copy!
November 28, 2016
Cassidy Rain Berghoff and her best friend Galen Owen have promised each other to always celebrate their birthdays, both having been born on noteworthy days - Rain on New Year's Day and Galen on July 4th. Now that their friendship seems to be moving into the relationship realm, Rain had already decided that for her 14th birthday, it was time to kiss Galen, really kiss him, French kiss him. But it was a kiss destined never to happen. Galen was hit by a car and killed on New Year's Eve.
Rain is unable to bring herself to attend Galen's funeral, and in fact, holes up in the house for the next six months. By June, though, she is somewhat ready to emerge from hiding. Her older brother has let her know that he would like her to participate in their Aunt Georgia's Indian Camp, a camp for Native American teens to explore their culture while living in a very white community. Rain isn't really interested in it, but finds a way to be there without participating. When she was young, her grandfather taught her all about photography. Rain has become a very talented photographer and is hired to take photos of Indian Camp for a news article in the local newspaper. The paper is run by Fynn's girl friend, Natalie, who has also been living in their home for a while.
Rain is a little confused when she first arrives at camp to find her former best friend, Queenie, there. When Rain learned that Queenie and Galen were romantically involved, their friendship began to change, and completely dissolved when Queenie hurt Galen. To make matters worse, Queenie had gone to Galen's funeral, something Rain couldn't do, and had even read a poem she had written. Now, no one understands why an African American girl is participating in Indian Camp until they learn that Queenie has recently discovered that she is part Native American, her great grandfather was Seminole.
Rain's intention is to keep a neutral distance from the camp and just take photographs, but when she learns that Mrs. Owen, Galen's mother, is challenging the town council for giving the camp some public funding, her attitude about and involvement in it can't help but change. Having been subjected to all kinds of stereotyping, anti-Indian prejudice and demeaning sentiments in and out of school her whole life, Mrs. Owen's challenge just becomes too much for Rain to ignore.
Rain is a teenager who has a lot to deal with - coming to terms with Galen's death, her brother's pending marriage and the baby he and Natalie are expecting, the possibility of rekindling her friendship with Queenie, and exploring her feelings about her own Native American heritage. Rain's mother, who was killed by a freak lighting strike a few years earlier, was Muscogee, Creek-Cherokee, and Scots-Irish, and had always referred to her family as her "patchwork tribe." Her dad, stationed overseas at a military base, is Irish, German and Ojibwe. The family lives in Hannesberg, Kansas, a mostly white community, which is one of the reasons Aunt Georgia felt Indian Camp was so important for the few Native teens who live there.
Rain Is Not My Indian Name is Cynthia Leitich Smith's debut novel and she written a main character who is sensitive, funny and for the most part very in touch with her own feelings about herself. And even though it is narrated in the first person by Rain, the reader gets even more insight into her life through the short journal entries the begin each chapter.
Rain says she is basically OK with who she is: "Being a mixed blood girl is not big deal...Dealing with the rest of the world and its ideas, now that makes me a little crazy sometimes." And yet, she wants nothing to do with Indian Camp, and in school, around Thanksgiving when all the negative pop culture depictions of Indians come up "as bogeymen on the prairie, windblown cover boys selling paperback romances, or baby-faced refugees from the world of Precious Moments" (pg 13), she hides behind sci-fi fanzines rather than doing or saying anything, just as she hides behind her camera for Indian Camp or in the house for six months after Galen's death.
Rain Is Not My Indian Name is a coming of age novel about learning to (re)connect with the world in a new way and Indian Camp just may be the way for Rain to do that.
But it is also a much needed novel about what it feels like to live in a white community when you are culturally mixed, and part of that mix is Native American. And for readers who aren't Native American, like myself, reading this novel is an important eye-opening experience.
This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was borrowed from the NYPL
This review was originally posted at Randomly Reading
Rain is unable to bring herself to attend Galen's funeral, and in fact, holes up in the house for the next six months. By June, though, she is somewhat ready to emerge from hiding. Her older brother has let her know that he would like her to participate in their Aunt Georgia's Indian Camp, a camp for Native American teens to explore their culture while living in a very white community. Rain isn't really interested in it, but finds a way to be there without participating. When she was young, her grandfather taught her all about photography. Rain has become a very talented photographer and is hired to take photos of Indian Camp for a news article in the local newspaper. The paper is run by Fynn's girl friend, Natalie, who has also been living in their home for a while.
Rain is a little confused when she first arrives at camp to find her former best friend, Queenie, there. When Rain learned that Queenie and Galen were romantically involved, their friendship began to change, and completely dissolved when Queenie hurt Galen. To make matters worse, Queenie had gone to Galen's funeral, something Rain couldn't do, and had even read a poem she had written. Now, no one understands why an African American girl is participating in Indian Camp until they learn that Queenie has recently discovered that she is part Native American, her great grandfather was Seminole.
Rain's intention is to keep a neutral distance from the camp and just take photographs, but when she learns that Mrs. Owen, Galen's mother, is challenging the town council for giving the camp some public funding, her attitude about and involvement in it can't help but change. Having been subjected to all kinds of stereotyping, anti-Indian prejudice and demeaning sentiments in and out of school her whole life, Mrs. Owen's challenge just becomes too much for Rain to ignore.
Rain is a teenager who has a lot to deal with - coming to terms with Galen's death, her brother's pending marriage and the baby he and Natalie are expecting, the possibility of rekindling her friendship with Queenie, and exploring her feelings about her own Native American heritage. Rain's mother, who was killed by a freak lighting strike a few years earlier, was Muscogee, Creek-Cherokee, and Scots-Irish, and had always referred to her family as her "patchwork tribe." Her dad, stationed overseas at a military base, is Irish, German and Ojibwe. The family lives in Hannesberg, Kansas, a mostly white community, which is one of the reasons Aunt Georgia felt Indian Camp was so important for the few Native teens who live there.
Rain Is Not My Indian Name is Cynthia Leitich Smith's debut novel and she written a main character who is sensitive, funny and for the most part very in touch with her own feelings about herself. And even though it is narrated in the first person by Rain, the reader gets even more insight into her life through the short journal entries the begin each chapter.
Rain says she is basically OK with who she is: "Being a mixed blood girl is not big deal...Dealing with the rest of the world and its ideas, now that makes me a little crazy sometimes." And yet, she wants nothing to do with Indian Camp, and in school, around Thanksgiving when all the negative pop culture depictions of Indians come up "as bogeymen on the prairie, windblown cover boys selling paperback romances, or baby-faced refugees from the world of Precious Moments" (pg 13), she hides behind sci-fi fanzines rather than doing or saying anything, just as she hides behind her camera for Indian Camp or in the house for six months after Galen's death.
Rain Is Not My Indian Name is a coming of age novel about learning to (re)connect with the world in a new way and Indian Camp just may be the way for Rain to do that.
But it is also a much needed novel about what it feels like to live in a white community when you are culturally mixed, and part of that mix is Native American. And for readers who aren't Native American, like myself, reading this novel is an important eye-opening experience.
This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was borrowed from the NYPL
This review was originally posted at Randomly Reading
February 21, 2015
Good characters wrought by tragedy - Rain falls in love with her best friend Galen, only to learn the next day he was killed in an accident on the way home. I am always on the lookout for realistic contemporary fiction with Native American characters, due to the often overlooked tendency on the part of students who do not live near Indian reservations to believe that Indians no longer exist! For example, I was looking through a World Book publication on Native American activities with one of my middle school students and remarked that I thought I could have found some real Indians to photograph for the book instead of all these little blond kids. "I thought there weren't anymore Indians," she said.
So yes, I pay attention to Joseph Bruchac and anyone else willing to show us that Indians exist today, not just in American history books.
Although I wanted to really like this book, it never engaged me as I'd hoped. The conflict between Rain and Galen's mother wasn't resolved, which is okay - not all pieces need to be neatly tied up, but something more needed to happen there.
So yes, I pay attention to Joseph Bruchac and anyone else willing to show us that Indians exist today, not just in American history books.
Although I wanted to really like this book, it never engaged me as I'd hoped. The conflict between Rain and Galen's mother wasn't resolved, which is okay - not all pieces need to be neatly tied up, but something more needed to happen there.
Read
January 31, 2021It was neat to go back and read this book and see how some of the themes in Leitich Smith's earlier works come through in her more recent work. The biggies are finding your voice and standing up for what you believe in.
A short read about grief, identity, and figuring out who you are and what's important to you. Rain is a memorable character, and the metaphor of her photography -- being on the outside looking in, rather than central to the story -- is brilliant in how she interacts with her own grief and understanding of her Native heritage.
A short read about grief, identity, and figuring out who you are and what's important to you. Rain is a memorable character, and the metaphor of her photography -- being on the outside looking in, rather than central to the story -- is brilliant in how she interacts with her own grief and understanding of her Native heritage.
December 3, 2020
National American Indian Heritage Month 2020 Read #4 🍂
3.5 stars
This is a simple story about a young Native American girl dealing with loss and identity. Coming from a young-adult reader perspective, I simultaneously enjoyed that this book was short and sweet, while also wishing that it was a bit longer and more in-depth. I definitely recommend this as a middle-grade contemporary read; it's easy to get through and it touches relatable themes in its short page count.
3.5 stars
This is a simple story about a young Native American girl dealing with loss and identity. Coming from a young-adult reader perspective, I simultaneously enjoyed that this book was short and sweet, while also wishing that it was a bit longer and more in-depth. I definitely recommend this as a middle-grade contemporary read; it's easy to get through and it touches relatable themes in its short page count.
September 5, 2024
This is a lovely, quiet YA novel about grief, identity, and family for 14-year-old Rain, who has recently lost her best friend and first crush, Galen. Rain's Aunt Georgia is in charge of an Indian Camp in their small Kansas town, but Rain doesn't want to go. Instead, she begins photographing the camp for the town newspaper, which her brother's fiance runs.
The audiobook is well narrated, and I really enjoyed this.
The audiobook is well narrated, and I really enjoyed this.
May 10, 2021
At first i liked it then was confused and liked it again this book is great and its really a puzzle and it all makes since in the end. SPOILER i could not believe it when rain thought that Galen might not have went to the dance/broke up with Queenie because of her race.That kinda upset me but there is so many mysteries even after the book is over.Great book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2018
This review was originally posted at The Young Girl Who Loved Books.
I have been trying to read more Own Voices story. I was so excited about this book. In a world where there are a million different children and middle-grade novels, it is amazing to me that we have almost no contemporary Native American books. It is very rare that a Native American novel isn't problematic so I went into this both excited as well as very weary. This book blew me away. Cynthia Leitich Smith is a wonderful storyteller and created one of the best middle-grade novels I have read in a long time.
The book follows the cute character of Cassidy Rain Berghoff. She is a very relatable girl and I feel like most kids will be able to relate to her on some level. She just seemed real, she had real emotions. She was just dealing with life and trying to figure out what her purpose was here. She had hard times but she got through them. She showed real growth throughout this small book.
This book tackles some pretty serious issues. It does this flawlessly and with so much grace. As the story unfolds we learn that Rain (Cassidy) is dealing with some pretty serious grief. She has lost both her mother and her best friend Galen's death. Her friend Galen has just past away and it brings up that pain she experienced when her mother died a few years earlier. To make matters worse her father is stationed overseas and she misses him. Only being able to exchange letters and audio recordings. She feels as if she is drifting away from her family.
In the town that she lives everyone knows everything, and the women are catty and nosy. She is the minority here, and they don't seem to ever let her forget it. She is also trying to figure out where her heritage is going to take her. All this makes the book a beautiful coming of age story.
This is a great story about what it feels like to be culturally mixed in a white community. I think for readers that aren't native American reading this novel will expose you to various microaggressions, cultural biases, and blatant racism, and will be an eye-opening experience. Don't get me wrong though, this book is so much more than just a book about racism. This book is really about a girls journey to healing. It is about grief and acceptance. It's about going through life after the death of a close, maybe even best friend.
The only complaint I have about this book is that is pretty short, which makes things seem rushed at the end of the book. When a book is this short ( took me only three hours to read while watching a little one) you need to pack a bunch of detail and action into a few pages. This book just was boring in a few points which a book this short couldn't afford.
Overall this was such an amazing book.
I have been trying to read more Own Voices story. I was so excited about this book. In a world where there are a million different children and middle-grade novels, it is amazing to me that we have almost no contemporary Native American books. It is very rare that a Native American novel isn't problematic so I went into this both excited as well as very weary. This book blew me away. Cynthia Leitich Smith is a wonderful storyteller and created one of the best middle-grade novels I have read in a long time.
The book follows the cute character of Cassidy Rain Berghoff. She is a very relatable girl and I feel like most kids will be able to relate to her on some level. She just seemed real, she had real emotions. She was just dealing with life and trying to figure out what her purpose was here. She had hard times but she got through them. She showed real growth throughout this small book.
This book tackles some pretty serious issues. It does this flawlessly and with so much grace. As the story unfolds we learn that Rain (Cassidy) is dealing with some pretty serious grief. She has lost both her mother and her best friend Galen's death. Her friend Galen has just past away and it brings up that pain she experienced when her mother died a few years earlier. To make matters worse her father is stationed overseas and she misses him. Only being able to exchange letters and audio recordings. She feels as if she is drifting away from her family.
In the town that she lives everyone knows everything, and the women are catty and nosy. She is the minority here, and they don't seem to ever let her forget it. She is also trying to figure out where her heritage is going to take her. All this makes the book a beautiful coming of age story.
This is a great story about what it feels like to be culturally mixed in a white community. I think for readers that aren't native American reading this novel will expose you to various microaggressions, cultural biases, and blatant racism, and will be an eye-opening experience. Don't get me wrong though, this book is so much more than just a book about racism. This book is really about a girls journey to healing. It is about grief and acceptance. It's about going through life after the death of a close, maybe even best friend.
The only complaint I have about this book is that is pretty short, which makes things seem rushed at the end of the book. When a book is this short ( took me only three hours to read while watching a little one) you need to pack a bunch of detail and action into a few pages. This book just was boring in a few points which a book this short couldn't afford.
Overall this was such an amazing book.
March 14, 2017
This book was short, but I really enjoyed it. Not since Bridge to Terabithia have I read a book with such a realistic and raw look at the grieving process. Though I appreciated this book for the inclusion of Native American culture and the experiences of a mixed-race teen, I saw it as being much more about one girl's journey towards healing and acceptance after the death of a close friend.
I honestly wanted to give Rain a hug throughout this entire book. I couldn't imagine losing both my mom and best friend in only the span of a few years, and I really sympathized with her inability to cope with the loss. The novel deals with a number of heavy themes, including teenage pregnancy, but it was the themes of loss and grieving that struck a chord with me.
After her friend's death at the beginning of the novel, everything seems to unravel for Rain. No longer interested in her old hobbies, Rain locks herself up inside, unable to even attend her best friend's funeral. As the novel progresses, however, Rain slowly begins to wake up, taking an interest in photography and her aunt Georgia's Indian Camp. In the end, Rain is able to connect with her roots while facing the death of her friend for the first time, showing a surprisingly subtle shift for such a short book.
My only complaint about this book is that I wish it was longer. There were so many plotlines and characters (Mrs. Owen, Queenie, Rain's grandfather, Natalie and Fynn, etc.), and it would've been nice to learn more about them. From what we do get to see, each character has a strong personality and background, and it was a shame not being able to see more of them. I would gladly read a sequel to find out what happens to everyone, and to see how Rain is further able to heal with time.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It had wonderful, thoughtful characters and a plot rich with emotion. The author interjects just enough cultural elements to make the reader curious to know more, without resulting to stereotypes or pandering. If you like quick and highly emotional reads (especially those that emphasize the importance of family and the healing process after grief), then I would definitely give this book a try. I'd love to read more of this author's work someday!
I honestly wanted to give Rain a hug throughout this entire book. I couldn't imagine losing both my mom and best friend in only the span of a few years, and I really sympathized with her inability to cope with the loss. The novel deals with a number of heavy themes, including teenage pregnancy, but it was the themes of loss and grieving that struck a chord with me.
After her friend's death at the beginning of the novel, everything seems to unravel for Rain. No longer interested in her old hobbies, Rain locks herself up inside, unable to even attend her best friend's funeral. As the novel progresses, however, Rain slowly begins to wake up, taking an interest in photography and her aunt Georgia's Indian Camp. In the end, Rain is able to connect with her roots while facing the death of her friend for the first time, showing a surprisingly subtle shift for such a short book.
My only complaint about this book is that I wish it was longer. There were so many plotlines and characters (Mrs. Owen, Queenie, Rain's grandfather, Natalie and Fynn, etc.), and it would've been nice to learn more about them. From what we do get to see, each character has a strong personality and background, and it was a shame not being able to see more of them. I would gladly read a sequel to find out what happens to everyone, and to see how Rain is further able to heal with time.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It had wonderful, thoughtful characters and a plot rich with emotion. The author interjects just enough cultural elements to make the reader curious to know more, without resulting to stereotypes or pandering. If you like quick and highly emotional reads (especially those that emphasize the importance of family and the healing process after grief), then I would definitely give this book a try. I'd love to read more of this author's work someday!
March 9, 2011
Rain is not my Indian name written by Cynthia Leitich Smith is a great novel I would recommend for readers between 7th and 9th grade. The novel has a contemporary feel which would allow students to easily identify themes present in the novel; death, family, loyalty, community, and love. Rain is a Native American girl living in a small town. Her boy friend dies suddenly in an accident leaving Rain with many unresolved feelings. Her decisions or lack thereof in the beginning demonstrates how taking no action can be perceived as action. Throughout the novel the reader will find an abundance of allusions and imagery which allow the reader greater access to Rain as a character. She describes many setting like the newsroom so well I could draw them (if I had any artistic ability).
Her characterization of others within the novel logically follows an 8th or 7th grader point of view. Rain does not know everything and manages to miss many clues only the innocence of youth could excuse. Rumors, adults, and ‘boys’ are a complete mystery to her. I remember a writer saying once that they did not tell the story, they listened to the story their characters tell them. As I read this novel I really felt as if Rain was a very real young lady that the author decided to listen to.
The novel gives the reader more insight than cultural exposure. Rain’s thoughts about dual identity, community, and family provide the reader with an excellent opportunity to understand some of the complexities that come with cultural identities. In a classroom I could see this novel being used to help student explore their own cultural identities. We all deal societal expectations in different ways and it would be beneficial to explore or trade strategies with one another in order to maintain high levels of self esteem.
Lastly, I would recommend the audio version of this book as well. The woman chosen to read the book does an excellent job of capturing the youth and personality of Rain. She switched tone and pitch in a effortless manner which made it seem as if she was mocking the adults at times, only increasing her ‘childhood’ credibility.
Her characterization of others within the novel logically follows an 8th or 7th grader point of view. Rain does not know everything and manages to miss many clues only the innocence of youth could excuse. Rumors, adults, and ‘boys’ are a complete mystery to her. I remember a writer saying once that they did not tell the story, they listened to the story their characters tell them. As I read this novel I really felt as if Rain was a very real young lady that the author decided to listen to.
The novel gives the reader more insight than cultural exposure. Rain’s thoughts about dual identity, community, and family provide the reader with an excellent opportunity to understand some of the complexities that come with cultural identities. In a classroom I could see this novel being used to help student explore their own cultural identities. We all deal societal expectations in different ways and it would be beneficial to explore or trade strategies with one another in order to maintain high levels of self esteem.
Lastly, I would recommend the audio version of this book as well. The woman chosen to read the book does an excellent job of capturing the youth and personality of Rain. She switched tone and pitch in a effortless manner which made it seem as if she was mocking the adults at times, only increasing her ‘childhood’ credibility.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2011
Cassidy's best friend Galen dies and a few years before her mother died. For six months she completely shuts herself off from the world. She doesn't go out, she doesn't talk to people and doesn't take pictures.
Then summer comes and her brother wants her to go to the Indian camp that her aunt is doing, but Cassidy doesn't really want to go. Instead, she gets a job taking pictures for the local paper's article about Indian camp.
Cassidy deals with learning to cope with Galen's death and learning about her Native heritage.
This book deals with the issue of death and learning to cope with it, and embracing ones own heritage and culture. I think Cassidy is a really relatable character. Cassidy feels like more than just a character from a book, she feels like someone real, someone you might even know. And What she goes through in the book is are things I believe many could relate to, whether it is the death of a parent, a friend or the longing to know more about your family.
I really love this book; I love the way the words flowed together and the overall feeling I had while reading this book. But while I do love this book, I felt it was too short. There was so much left unanswered and some things left unresolved. I would like to get another view into Rain's life and see how things are going for her. I doubt there will be a sequel, but I can hope.
Overall, I love this book and it makes me excited to read other books by this author.
Then summer comes and her brother wants her to go to the Indian camp that her aunt is doing, but Cassidy doesn't really want to go. Instead, she gets a job taking pictures for the local paper's article about Indian camp.
Cassidy deals with learning to cope with Galen's death and learning about her Native heritage.
This book deals with the issue of death and learning to cope with it, and embracing ones own heritage and culture. I think Cassidy is a really relatable character. Cassidy feels like more than just a character from a book, she feels like someone real, someone you might even know. And What she goes through in the book is are things I believe many could relate to, whether it is the death of a parent, a friend or the longing to know more about your family.
I really love this book; I love the way the words flowed together and the overall feeling I had while reading this book. But while I do love this book, I felt it was too short. There was so much left unanswered and some things left unresolved. I would like to get another view into Rain's life and see how things are going for her. I doubt there will be a sequel, but I can hope.
Overall, I love this book and it makes me excited to read other books by this author.
October 26, 2010
In a market full of wonderful Children's reads, I find a loss of wonderful contemporary Native American books, and really, Native American books for YA and Children as a whole. Cynthia Leitich Smith introduces us to a wonderful character, Cassidy, who's voice is one I think many adolescents will relate to on some level. She's real, dealing with all that life throws at her and trying to find her mark in the world and among her family and friends.
Cynthia tackles sensitive issues with grace and meaning, as Rain's story unfolds. Rain is dealing with the death of her best friend, the passing of her mother a few years before, her father being stationed over seas, a brother who she's drifted away from and living in a small town where everyone knows everything about each other, Native Americans are the minority. Through Rain's struggle to find her place in her American Indian Heritage, Cynthia gives us a real glimpse of what some Native American preteens and teens struggle with.
Through Rain's journey in learning to be proud of and embrace her beautiful heritage, Cynthia gives us her powerful message that we are all different and our uniqueness is what brings us, as a human race together. Rain Is Not My Indian Name is heartbreaking, real, thought provoking book, that will leave readers feeling empowered to embrace who they are.
Cynthia tackles sensitive issues with grace and meaning, as Rain's story unfolds. Rain is dealing with the death of her best friend, the passing of her mother a few years before, her father being stationed over seas, a brother who she's drifted away from and living in a small town where everyone knows everything about each other, Native Americans are the minority. Through Rain's struggle to find her place in her American Indian Heritage, Cynthia gives us a real glimpse of what some Native American preteens and teens struggle with.
Through Rain's journey in learning to be proud of and embrace her beautiful heritage, Cynthia gives us her powerful message that we are all different and our uniqueness is what brings us, as a human race together. Rain Is Not My Indian Name is heartbreaking, real, thought provoking book, that will leave readers feeling empowered to embrace who they are.
August 5, 2016
Rain Is Not My Indian Name seems deceptively light at first glance. It is a slim book, not much to it. And the cover features a pretty adolescent girl with a camera, a similar enough motif to countless other cute YA novels. However, upon reading, you are quickly dis-alluded of the notion that this book falls into the category of cute YA. In the first chapter Rain's best friend dies. He is thirteen. She just turned fourteen. The story resumes six months later as she struggles with who she is and who she wants to be. Classic identity questions that define countless YA novels. Rain does not focus too heavily on one particular issue or quandary, rather her life, her problems, and her searching revolve around a realistic number of different things, good or bad and neither or both.
I enjoyed Rain. Cassidy is a compelling, believable character. She is realistically imperfect, but still means well enough for you to care about her. She is not the sort of main character to annoy the reader, even when her actions aren't the most mature ones possible. Ultimately, she's trying. And she's doing the best she can.
I would give Rain to a adolescent reader to read on their own. Its pace and size don't lend themselves to read-alouds. That being said, there's a lot to talk about in Rain. I could see benefit being had from reading it separately, but coming together to discuss.
I enjoyed Rain. Cassidy is a compelling, believable character. She is realistically imperfect, but still means well enough for you to care about her. She is not the sort of main character to annoy the reader, even when her actions aren't the most mature ones possible. Ultimately, she's trying. And she's doing the best she can.
I would give Rain to a adolescent reader to read on their own. Its pace and size don't lend themselves to read-alouds. That being said, there's a lot to talk about in Rain. I could see benefit being had from reading it separately, but coming together to discuss.
September 6, 2018
This book was recced to me by someone and so I bought a hard copy when I couldn't find a copy anywhere else. I finished this in one sitting, though I think it could have been a book that would have benefitted from being read slightly more slowly.
Rain's story starts off after the death of her best friend and potential boyfriend when they were both fourteen. Rain holes herself up in her house for six months and only ventures out to do a piece for the town newspaper on her Aunt's Indian camp. Rain herself is Native American, though it is complicated considering her family history.
I really liked Rain as she struggles to deal with grief, herself being mixed race in a predominantly white town and finding a place in the world she lives in. She was a great character to root for and I found her relationships interesting, especially the ones with her brother and his girlfriend. I think my favourite parts of the novel were Rain with her brother's girlfriend.
However, this was a very short book and there was a lot going on. Despite this, the book got a little slow in places and I found my attention wandering.
3.5 stars!
Rain's story starts off after the death of her best friend and potential boyfriend when they were both fourteen. Rain holes herself up in her house for six months and only ventures out to do a piece for the town newspaper on her Aunt's Indian camp. Rain herself is Native American, though it is complicated considering her family history.
I really liked Rain as she struggles to deal with grief, herself being mixed race in a predominantly white town and finding a place in the world she lives in. She was a great character to root for and I found her relationships interesting, especially the ones with her brother and his girlfriend. I think my favourite parts of the novel were Rain with her brother's girlfriend.
However, this was a very short book and there was a lot going on. Despite this, the book got a little slow in places and I found my attention wandering.
3.5 stars!
October 29, 2017
After Rain's best friend Galen dies, she shuts herself off from the world for six months, until she unwillingly gets involved in the Indian Camp her aunt's running that summer. For such a short book (it's not even 150 pages long) this is about a whole lot of things, though probably the two main themes are small town life and what it means to be Indian.[return][return]I picked this up pretty much based on the title alone, which just sounded really awesome. As I started reading, my first thought was oh, this is too teenagery for me, but I quickly changed my mind. It's definitely a young adult book, but I really enjoyed it a lot.[return][return]One thing I particularly liked, which was just a little characterisation detail, not any part of the plot itself, was that she's a fan and reads fanfic. I think this is the first book I've ever read with a protagonist who reads fic! And it's obvious the author knows what she's talking about, too.
December 17, 2012
I surprise myself by giving this 4 stars and recommending it to others. This book was very well written in an authentic voice. Generally teenage angst is not a subject I would rate highly, but Cynthia Leitich Smith has created a compelling glimpse into her character's life. The main character and her world may not be in the realm of many readers' experience, but the writing draws you in, and makes you believe in this girl, sympathize with her, want to know where her journey ends. Thought-provoking and fresh, Rain is Not My Indian Name is high on my list of choices for reluctant readers from middle grade up. One should note there are topics discussed in this book which may be mature for younger readers, but they are handles thoughtfully and with appropriate language.
April 13, 2009
Recommended for gr. 7-up. A bit deep for 6th graders, but nothing objectionable. The narrator is a 14-year-old girl who has Native American ancestry, but doesn't have stereotypical Native American looks. Her best friend (male) is killed in an accident at the beginning of the book, and she spends much of the book denying that she is in denial. She finally returns to her hobby of photography and through circumstances related to photography, she discovers things about herself and her community and comes to accept her friend's death.
August 5, 2011
Cassidy Rain Berghoff was Muscogee Creek-Cherokee and Scots-Irish on her Mom’s side and Irish-German-Ojibway on her Dad’s. Living in a small town meant she was labeled but when she withdrew after her black boyfriend’s death she had no idea what the people of the town were saying about her. As she comes to terms with her grief and re-enters small town society she learns that friends are not always friends, enemies are not always enemies, but some people you can count on forever.
June 29, 2014
Modern-day Native American teenagers are seriously missing on many library shelves. Cynthia Leitich Smith writes with an "insider" voice to help fill this gap.
Want to read
October 10, 2016genre: realistic fiction
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December 19, 2016
An amazing book, I would recommend to anyone who has lost someone they love.
February 13, 2022
"Being a Native girl is no big deal. Really. It seems weird to have to say this, but after a lifetime of experience, I'm used to being me. Dealing with the rest of the world and its ideas, now that frustrates me sometimes."
QOTD: What's your first read of this month?
Rain is Not My Indian Name by Cynthia Leitich Smith was my first read this month and I breezed right through it. It is a short, light hearted read about Cassidy Rain dealing with the death of her best friend and her process of grief. I loved that the story was told with a mix of storytelling and journal entries. The characters really set the tone in this one and the protagonist's growth is the star of the novel. I wish the story was longer because I totally fell in love with Rain and wanted to know more about Indian Camp and the kids. I also loved that she was allowed the space to work out her grief on her own terms and by reconnecting with her passion for photography. It allowed her to see the world through a new lens and change her perspective about certain things.
When it ended I felt like it was a great beginning to bigger journey. I recommend this one if you want to start some conversations with youth about grief and feeling different.
The key themes in this one are:
📷 grief and first love
📷 the ways that society "others" Native children, especially girls
📷 how feeling different affects your ability to be vulnerable and ask for help
📷 the importance of allowing youth space to grieve and work through the process in their own way with support
📷 the importance of reconnecting with ancestral ways and culture
📷 the importance of specific cultural programs
📷 the sexualization of teen girls, especially Native ones
📷 family support is vital
📷 the importance of allowing youth to pursue passions
📷 teaching culture in collaborative ways
📷 assimilation and surviving looks different among members of the same family
📷 positive sibling relationships
📷 xenophobia of small towns
📷 ascribed identities and beliefs
QOTD: What's your first read of this month?
Rain is Not My Indian Name by Cynthia Leitich Smith was my first read this month and I breezed right through it. It is a short, light hearted read about Cassidy Rain dealing with the death of her best friend and her process of grief. I loved that the story was told with a mix of storytelling and journal entries. The characters really set the tone in this one and the protagonist's growth is the star of the novel. I wish the story was longer because I totally fell in love with Rain and wanted to know more about Indian Camp and the kids. I also loved that she was allowed the space to work out her grief on her own terms and by reconnecting with her passion for photography. It allowed her to see the world through a new lens and change her perspective about certain things.
When it ended I felt like it was a great beginning to bigger journey. I recommend this one if you want to start some conversations with youth about grief and feeling different.
The key themes in this one are:
📷 grief and first love
📷 the ways that society "others" Native children, especially girls
📷 how feeling different affects your ability to be vulnerable and ask for help
📷 the importance of allowing youth space to grieve and work through the process in their own way with support
📷 the importance of reconnecting with ancestral ways and culture
📷 the importance of specific cultural programs
📷 the sexualization of teen girls, especially Native ones
📷 family support is vital
📷 the importance of allowing youth to pursue passions
📷 teaching culture in collaborative ways
📷 assimilation and surviving looks different among members of the same family
📷 positive sibling relationships
📷 xenophobia of small towns
📷 ascribed identities and beliefs
December 16, 2024
I might or might not have read or skimmed the book blurb back when I first came across this novel. Don't remember.
But, because I started it without any knowledge (or remembrance) about the plot, I was able to step in and just take the story as it came.
Granted, it required a little patience on my part. I admittedly started the novel with work deadlines and other stuff looming in front of my psyche. And this isn't a loud read to grab your brain and pull you through the pages at breakneck speed.
Still, as I let this thoughtfully delivered, ultimately poignant story of grief and healing come to me, it became something rather beautiful.
Note:
• no profanity
• no graphic violence
• no explicit sexual content
But, because I started it without any knowledge (or remembrance) about the plot, I was able to step in and just take the story as it came.
Granted, it required a little patience on my part. I admittedly started the novel with work deadlines and other stuff looming in front of my psyche. And this isn't a loud read to grab your brain and pull you through the pages at breakneck speed.
Still, as I let this thoughtfully delivered, ultimately poignant story of grief and healing come to me, it became something rather beautiful.
Note:
• no profanity
• no graphic violence
• no explicit sexual content
Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews