Native American Literature Book Review

 Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story

1. Bibliography

Maillard, K.N. 2019. FRY BREAD: A NATIVE AMERICAN FAMILY STORY. Ill by Juana Martinez-Neal. New York, NY. Roaring Brook Press. ISBN 97816267727465 

2. Plot Summary

A group of children are helping the Nana in the story make fry bread. Fry bread is the central part of their family’s activities and togetherness. Fry bread is part of the characters’ Native American culture. 

3. Critical Analysis (Including Cultural Markers)

 FRY BREAD: A NATIVE AMERICAN FAMILY STORY is a fictional picture book that celebrates food, family and culture. The book does have some of the literary elements of fiction. For example, it includes characters, settings and events. The characters are the children and adults in the story. The settings can include the kitchen, patio and imaginary map of the U.S.A. The main event in the story is the making of fry bread, which includes the children's participation. 

FRY BREAD: A NATIVE AMERICAN FAMILY STORY includes many Native
American cultural markers. The first Native American culture marker that needs to be mentioned in the text, is the printed names of several Native American groups in the inside front and back cover. The author wanted the readers to know that there are several Native American groups still present. Another Native American cultural marker is the mention of fry bread, which as the author notes is a Native American bread, known to have roots in many Native American groups. Another text Native American cultural marker is the mention of Native American activities or celebrations. For example, the use of “Powwows” as a celebration. Also the mention in the text about the stolen land, “Fry Bread Is History, The long walk, the stolen land. Strangers in our own world”. The author refers to the first Europeans stealing their land and moving several Native American groups to other parts of the country. The mention in “Fry Bread Is Nation”, about other Native American groups is another indication that the author uses it to connect with Native American culture. The Abenaki, Apache, Arapahoe, Ojibwe, Onondaga, Oglala Sioux, Narragansett, Navajo, Nipmuc, Seminole, Shoshone, Sac & Fox and many other tribes. The reader is able to conclude that the fry bread is not only for one tribe alone, but many other Native American groups have their own version of the bread. 

The illustrator for this picture book is Juana Martinez-Neal. Neal uses colorful drawn illustrations that have many Native American cultural markers. The first marker that needs to be addressed is the multicolored skin tones of the characters. Some children have light skin, while others have brown to dark skin tones. These skin tones all belong to the same family, which means that family is multiracial. The adult facial features, skin tone and hair texture represent Native American (Indigenous). Their hair is black, thick and coarse. With the exception of one of the adults, which has cornrows, an African American characteristic. The same goes with the children’s depiction in the story. Some children have brown, black, blonde and red hair (Ginger). 

Another Native American culture marker is the representation of patterns in some of the clothing. One of the female characters has a dress with different woven patterns, as well as the illustration of the dolls. The woven baskets that are depicted in the illustrations are also a Native American cultural marker (Seminole). The rug at the end of the story has Native American patterns that connect also to the Seminole. 

In “Fry Bread is History”, the illustrator depicts a scene of storytelling, which is a craft of Native Americans. This is one important way that the Native Americans would pass down their history and connection to nature. It is important to mention that the illustrations depict a modern multiracial Native American family. The majority of the clothing of the characters is an indication of modern clothing. The author also includes several historical facts at the end of the book, explaining each heading of the book. He also includes his own fry bread recipe and directions. 

Overall the picture book authentically captures a modern Native American family coming together to enjoy a traditional food (fry bread), while participating in traditional activities. 

4. Review Excerpts

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal 2020

American Indian Youth Literature Picture Honor 2020

Horn Book: In the extensive, informative back matter, Maillard (a member of the Seminole Nation, Mekusukey band) explains how fry bread became a part of many Native Americans’ diet after the people were forced from their land and given limited rations by the United States government. The book’s endpapers powerfully list the names of Indigenous communities and nations currently within the U.S., some federally recognized, others not. Regardless of “official” status—as the book declares—“We are still here.” Reference list and notes—plus a recipe—are appended.

November/December 2019 Horn Book Magazine.

5. Connections

Teachers and librarians are able to use this book to lead a food activity with the students. Have students bring a traditional food and discuss the connection with their culture.