Reviews

Rain Is Not My Indian Name by Cynthia Leitich Smith

andeez's review

3.0

Rain doesn't want to go to Indian camp. Her best friend is dead. Nothing matters.

But Rain does agree to take photos for a news story at Indian camp. And she learns more about herself, her friends, and her family.

Recommend for grades 8 and up.

bsmorris's review

3.0

Short but powerful, this novel explores grief and coming of age in a small town. Despite the book being so short, the characters and storyline feel complex and real. I really enjoy Smith's style.

kikiwi's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective sad

nicolefrailedits's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Racism, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

Minor: Alcoholism

kelleemoye's review against another edition

4.0

I’m so glad that Heartdrum Press republished this book of Smith’s as I did not have it on my radar, and I truly loved it. It was such an emotional book, looking at grief and trauma, but also a heart-filling story, showing how to survive after a loss and how your passions can help with your healing.

miszjeanie's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

dukeml29's review

5.0

I wish I had read this as a kid. There were so many messages within it about family, friendship, love, and culture that I think everyone should hear.

tcdancer4u's review

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

clesuma's review

3.0

It was refreshing to read a contemporary YA novel with a Native American protagonist that avoids--and often pokes fun at--typical stereotypes of Natives as noble savages or mystical Others, a sentiment illustrated by the book's title. Cassidy Rain Berghoff is a very typical teen dealing with difficult issues--absentee parents (her mother is dead and her father serves overseas in the military), the death of her best friend, her brother's engagement to his pregnant fiancee, and the town's opposition to funding her aunt's summer Indian Camp for Native youth. While I enjoyed the book overall, it was a little slow in places, despite only being around 150 pages long. I'd recommend this for girls and anyone looking for insight into a more modern portrayal of Native Americans.

caittschida's review

hopeful lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I got 75% of the way through and couldn’t finish it.  While it’s short it was rather surface level and is definitely geared more towards Middle-grade than YA. I think this distinction in genre could really help the author find the target audience. While it was republished and “updated” it still feels pretty dated. Not to say that others shouldn’t read this, it just didn’t fit my expectations for a YA book.