Legendary Frybread Drive-In: "Braving the Storm," by Kaua Māhoe Adams

by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Sandy June's Legendary Frybread Drive-In is a magical place where Indigenous teens can find love, support, comfort, and community — no matter where in space or time they come from.

Here are links to our lists for the first nine selections in this collection:
Maybe It Starts, House of Stray Cats, Mvskoke Joy, Game Night, Look Away, Patent Red, Braving the Storm, You Had One Job, Heart Berry
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. gingivitis
    inflammation of the gums
    really steep hills
    caves
    caverns
    tunnels of any sort
    bridges
    heights
    whales
    cavities
    gingivitis
    every dentist I've ever gone to
  2. lanai
    a veranda or roofed patio with furniture
    come, Nohealani
    Papa said,
    leading me out to the lanai
  3. landscape
    an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
    I gripped harder
    tucking my face into the soft fabric of his T-shirt
    but he forced me to look out onto the landscape
  4. ironic
    displaying incongruity between what is expected and what is
    so it’s ironic
    that today of all days
    the day we laid Papa to rest
    a summer storm is rolling in
  5. freeway
    a broad highway designed for high-speed traffic
    Mom had to drag me into the DMV
    and make me promise I wouldn’t fail on purpose
    add freeways
    one-way streets
    bike lanes
    flat tires
    parallel parking
    all to the list of things I’m scared of
  6. categorically
    in an absolute, definite, or firm manner
    it isn’t a big town
    in fact, it’s categorically small
    small enough to fit in my open palm
  7. static
    crackling or hissing noise caused by electrical interference
    the radio goes static
  8. asphalt
    mixed substance used for paving and roofing
    when the rain lightens
    when it stops altogether
    when the road turns to dirt
    then to gravel
    and finally to asphalt
  9. exception
    an instance that does not conform to a rule
    SANDY JUNE'S LEGENDARY FRYBREAD DRIVE-IN
    lit up in neon lights
    green against black
    the only exception being the word legendary
    in bright yellow
  10. enticing
    highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire
    Someone opens the door
    to the restaurant
    letting out a rush of voices
    and a delicious
    smell that’s
    almost enticing enough
    to draw me inside
  11. intimidated
    made scared or fearful as by threats
    I was intimidated by the green color
    and the earthy fragrance they gave off
  12. unearthly
    suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
    Papa stands illuminated
    by the late-afternoon light
    looking like a guardian angel
    sent just for me
    but he is not some unearthly being
    he’s Papa
  13. simulation
    the act of imitating the behavior of some situation
    oh, jeez, did I die in that storm
    is this a simulation
    how did I get here
    what is this place
  14. riotous
    produced or growing in extreme abundance
    I lift my chin to look at him how are you brave all the time?
    he’s still for a moment before breaking into riotous laughter
    Papa!
  15. ultimately
    as the end result of a succession or process
    I am human just like you and that means I get to feel
    everything
    which can feel like a burden, yes
    but ultimately it’s a gift
Created on Mon Feb 23 08:51:21 EST 2026 (updated Tue Mar 24 15:47:51 EDT 2026)

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