Rain Is Not My Indian Name

by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Book Overview

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• ISBN: 1338158554
• Release Date: January 2017
• Publisher: scholastic
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Perfect Voice

Tender, moving, funny, touching...it's all there. Better still it's a teenage voice that actually sounds like a teenager.

Rain Resonates with this Reader

Cynthia Leitich Smith's Rain is Not My Indian Name is a refreshing, respectful examination of the issues that contemporary teens face. Smith gives such authentic voice to the heroine, Rain, that the character becomes real to this reader. The book courageously takes on real and complex issues that many teenagers face today, including death and single-parent households. Although there is enough action within it's pages to keep any teen interested, this is truly a book about individual characters. Smith captures the essence of her main character, Rain, by giving the reader a glimpse into her American Indian heritage. What is most impressive about Rain's character development is her proud heritage comes through, but does not solely define her. Smith has accomplished what few writers have. She develops her heroine's culture but not at the expense of her universal appeal to all teens, regardless of ethnicity. Rain illustrates the differences that make us special but also the similarities that unite us. I highly recommend this book for teens and parents alike for a thoughtful view of young middle-America. My only regret is that this type of book was not being written when I came of age.

Believable Rain

I read this book almost a year ago, but it still lingers with me. I think the main reason is Cassidy Rain Berghoff, the fourteen-year-old title character. After losing her best friend, Galen, in a tragic way, Cassidy shuts out the world. Months pass before she grows to realize that she has to get in touch with the world again, even if it's through a job. I was really impressed by Cassidy's bravery and strength. The author did a great job making this character REAL. By the end of the book, I felt like I knew Cassidy. The author made me care about her - about what would happen to her. The book doesn't make it easy for Cassidy to work things out. For example, while working as a photographer in an Indian camp run by her Aunt Georgia, Cassidy finds herself torn between getting involved in an emotional issue and staying professional and objective. Kids are faced with hard decisions all the time, so I found it very easy to relate to Cassidy and what she goes through.I recommend RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME to anyone who loves a good story and good characters. This book has both!

Rain made me believe in her.

I read this book almost a year ago, but it still lingers with me. I think the main reason is Cassidy Rain Berghoff, the fourteen-year-old title character. After losing her best friend, Galen, in a tragic way, Cassidy shuts out the world. Months pass before she grows to realize that she has to get in touch with the world again, even if it's through a job. I was really impressed by Cassidy's bravery and strength. The author did a great job making this character REAL. By the end of the book, I felt like I knew Cassidy. The author made me care about her - about what would happen to her. I recommend RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME to anyone who loves a good story and good characters. This book has both!

Spanning powwows to laptops

Rain may not be her Indian name, but the easy reality of powwow references (where the birthday necklace comes from), a soon-to-be-born niece Aiyana (named after Rain's Cherokee great-great-grandmother) and a special Indian summer camp places at least one foot of this wonderful novel firmly in contemporary Indian country. Not solely there, however. Another foot is just as firmly set in teenage country, from musings about the significance of a kiss to the whirring of laptops. Then of course there is the mostly white, midwestern town setting of Hannesburg, Rain's home with her brother and grandfather. It is into this home that she retreats after her best friend tragically dies in an accident, and from which she eventually garners enough strength to reemerge and engage with with her community and the world. It is refreshing to have issues acknowledged without being preachy or offering excuses. Alcohol, teenage pregnancy and ethnic identity are all part of the known fabric of life. These issues are not dwelt upon, but neither are they ignored. Curious to see how this all looks? Then explore a powerful integration of imagination and technology at the author's website created specifically to support and extend one's enjoyment of this book.