Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story

 

Bibliography
Maillard, Kevin Noble, 2019. FRY BREAD: A NATIVE AMERICAN FAMILY STORY. Ill. by Juana Martinez-Leal. New York, NY: Roaring Book Press. ISBN 9781626727465.

Plot Summary
A Native American family shares their sweet tradition of cooking fry bread. This unique food has the power to bring this family together to keep their Native traditions alive, learn more about their culture, retell the history of their tribe, and spend time together. 

Critical Analysis 
Maillard writes a sweet family story centered around Fry Bread, a food staple believed to have been created by the Navajo over 150 years ago. In efforts to weaken tribal governments and take over ancient lands, fry bread is the result of the resilience and perseverance the Indigenous communities hold when left without their familiar lands and crops. In order to uphold sacred traditions while navigating food that was rationed by the government, the tradition of fry bread was able to live on with the ingredients of flour, salt, water, and yeast. Its shape looks similar to a Mexican sopapilla, but the taste and cultural tradition behind this dish is incomparable. The Author's Note is very informative and explains away any questions that may have risen while reading through the short story. He not only includes his family recipe of Fry Bread, but provides a background of how Fry Bread came to be and specific descriptions of how this food dish is everything such as time, shape, history, art, nation, etc. In the story, there is a kid friendly explanation of how Fry Bread is compared to these components. Overall, children will be drawn to the sweet story of Fry Bread and will be able to learn more cultural facts about a food staple for the Indigenous communities and become aware of the current status of the Native American tribes. 

Martinez-Leal's illustrations add a softness and timeless component to the story of Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story. Each character and background is sketched out with pencil, colored with muted tones, giving a soft, peaceful effect. It is noted that the characters of this modern Native American family have varying skin tones and hair colors/textures. The closeness and love between this family is also captured in these illustrations, from the children to the elders, as they gather around to eat Fry Bread. The family partakes in traditional activities, listening and learning from the grandparents storytelling of their Native background and how the tribes have persevered through hard times and remain present to this day. 

Review Excerpt(s)
- Robert F, Sibert Medal, 2020
- American Indian Youth Literature Picture Book Honor Winner, 2020
- ALA Notable Children's Book, 2020
- Charlotte Huck Recommended Book, 2020
Starred review in THE HORN BOOK: "This affectionate picture book depicts a intergenerational group of Native American family members and friends as they make fry bread together." 
Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "This warm and charming book shows and affirms Native lives."

Connections
- Young readers will enjoy this sweet story about this family's cultural tradition of cooking fry bread. 
- A great addition to add to any school or home library collection; a unique story to read when learning about Native American foods and culture.
- The Fry Bread recipe can be used to represent a Native food for a Cultures around the World project.
- Similar book recommendations:
Mora, Oge, 2018. THANK YOU, OMU! ISBN 9780316431248.
Martinez-Neal, Juana, 2018. ALMA AND HOW SHE GOT HER NAME. ISBN 9780763693558.

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