Rain is Not My Indian Name by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Fourteen-year-old Cassidy Rain Berghoff has never been kissed. She also has a best friend, who is a boy named Galen with whom she wants to share her first kiss. She decides to do so on her birthday, New Year's Day. When she and Galen sneak out to celebrate her birthday at midnight, he gives her a beautiful necklace. Once she had admired months before. They kiss. They say good night. Life is perfect until the nextmorning when Rain learns that Galen was killed while running home.
Fast-forward six months. Galen's Fourth of July birthday is coming. Rain has been a recluse. She couldn't even bring herself to attend Galen's funeral. When funding for her aunt's summer camp program for Native Americans is threatened, Rain accepts an assignment from the local newspaper to take pictures to accompany a news feature on the camp.
This multi-layered novel is complex in structure and contains many characters to follow. It may prove difficult for many young readers. Those who persevere will find an engrossing story of loss, friendship, finding family and accepting one's heritage.
Fast-forward six months. Galen's Fourth of July birthday is coming. Rain has been a recluse. She couldn't even bring herself to attend Galen's funeral. When funding for her aunt's summer camp program for Native Americans is threatened, Rain accepts an assignment from the local newspaper to take pictures to accompany a news feature on the camp.
This multi-layered novel is complex in structure and contains many characters to follow. It may prove difficult for many young readers. Those who persevere will find an engrossing story of loss, friendship, finding family and accepting one's heritage.