Legendary Frybread Drive-In: "Kathy’s Poem," by David A. Robertson, and "Open Mic at the Drive-In," by Cynthia Leitich Smith

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 last nine selections in this collection:
Momentum; I Love You, Grandson; The Rest Will Come; Language Lesson; Hearts Aflutter; Love Buzz; Jilly Bean and Jessa Jean; Kathy's Poem and Open Mic at the Drive-In
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. remedy
    a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieves pain
    She didn’t think that sleeping it off was a magic remedy, and it turned out that she was right.
  2. anticipation
    expecting with confidence of fulfillment
    Everybody was leaning forward in anticipation, waiting for Kathy to start.
  3. mediocre
    moderate to inferior in quality
    He’d written a mediocre poem but had performed like a trained actor, which made his mediocre poem sound excellent.
  4. sullenly
    in a manner showing a brooding ill humor
    “Come in,” Kathy said sullenly, ensuring that her voice matched her mood so everybody in the house knew she was still a massive ball of gloom and shame.
  5. sage
    having wisdom that comes with experience
    “And your sage guidance?” she asked.
  6. sedan
    a closed 2- or 4-door car seating at least 4 people
    The ride smoothed out when they drove back onto the grass before coming to a stop under a large awning where there were other parked cars to the side, all mainly of the rez variety, which meant old boxy sedans and trucks, and wooden picnic tables with peeling green paint lined up down the middle.
  7. indecisive
    characterized by lack of firmness in purpose or belief
    She felt terrible being indecisive.
  8. patron
    a regular customer
    She turned back to the other staff in the kitchen, busily putting plates together for patrons waiting for their orders.
  9. unfazed
    not worried, disturbed, or dismayed by circumstances
    Moshom seemed unfazed, but Kathy just sat there with the plate in front of her, wondering what was happening.
  10. articulate
    express or state clearly
    “I don’t know,” Kathy said, and searched her feelings to articulate the issue.
  11. size up
    look at closely in order to form an opinion about
    SJ sized up Kathy for a minute, then pointed at the frybread with her lips.
  12. thunderbird
    a mythological creature said to create loud sounds during storms
    She cleared her throat, and it sounded like a thunderbird.
  13. floodgate
    something that restrains an outpouring
    This opened the floodgates, and soon, every classmate of hers was clapping.
  14. croon
    sing softly
    Wind croons of brothers from the red-dirt plains.
  15. reclaim
    reassert one's right or title to
    Teach family recipes,
    reclaim tradish ways, and surf into tomorrow.
Created on Tue Feb 24 06:10:39 EST 2026 (updated Tue Mar 24 21:05:16 EDT 2026)

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