Bader (author of Stella’s Brave Voice) transforms a very real—and often hard to discuss—issue for younger readers into a problem that can be faced and handled in this polished book. Just about anyone can relate to Petunia: she’s desperate to do well and outperform herself in every way possible, but sometimes even the most careful attention to detail doesn’t pan out in the end. When she gets distracted during a music lesson and plays the wrong note, she’s devastated—but her wise teacher quickly turns that mistake into an opportunity, praising Petunia for “create[ing] a brand-new sound” and reminding her that “when we try too hard to be perfect, it’s like our strings are pulled too tight. But if we loosen our strings, Petunia, we can make beautiful music!” That beautiful imagery will resonate with readers of any age.
Ellie Beykzadeh skillfully captures Petunia’s nuanced facial expressions throughout the story, portraying her inner emotions with expressive eyes and subtle hints of movement, and the book’s textured backgrounds give it a warm, tender feeling—the ideal vehicle to teach kids that “nobody expects you to be PERFECT.” By the story’s end, Petunia is savoring the freedom that comes with being “perfectly imperfect” and learning the important lesson of self-love, flaws and all. This is a delight.
Takeaway: Delightful story on why it’s okay to be imperfect.
Comparable Titles: Anna Kang’s It Is (Not) Perfect, Brenda Li’s The Girl Who Makes a Million Mistakes.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
Gorman asserts there are valuable lessons to be learned from studying the finances of these larger-than-life men who “started out as ordinary” and modeled some of the best, as well as some of the most questionable, monetary decisions. Many, like Thomas Jefferson, the Roosevelts, and John F. Kennedy, were born into wealth; others rose from poverty. Gorman relays their journeys in detail, sharing Barack Obama’s last student loan payment just eight years before he ran for president alongside Thomas Jefferson’s careless spending and lavish parties that culminated in shocking debt in his later years.
Gorman’s true rags-to-riches president—and one that she names as incredibly successful with his personal finances—was Abraham Lincoln. Unable to afford a college education, he was an enigma in many ways: a voracious reader, with a dislike of alcohol and gambling, who transformed himself into one of the most respected American presidents of all time—all while carefully growing his personal wealth. Examples like those form the basis of Gorman’s financial pointers sprinkled throughout, from her assertion that Jimmy Carter’s consistency with his money makes him an inspiration to the flawed financial decision-making that placed several presidents at risk. She closes with a briefing on the five presidents “to emulate in your personal finances”—and a warning that the American dream may not be as achievable as we think.
Takeaway: Fascinating briefing on the financial habits of America’s Commanders in Chief.
Comparable Titles: Cyrus A. Ansary’s George Washington Dealmaker-in-Chief, Charles Renwick’s All the Presidents’ Taxes.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
Bridge’s writing is eloquent and impassioned, powered by deep empathy for the victimized children and parents he represents and welcome clarity and precision about the legal complexities. He never shies away from sharing his own life story as a catalyst for his work defending children’s rights, and this conviction serves as a gripping narrative throughline. Poring over files, striving to speak with uncooperative staff members, and suffering through false motions for protective orders filed against him by the state, Bridge details his efforts to stop Eufaula’s “abuse being inflicted on children.” His account of the devastating effects of institutionalization is shocking—and will ring alarm bells for readers.
Through comprehensive details on the history of injustice and legal battles against mental facilities—specifically in Alabama—Bridge constructs a moving story of corruption, abuse, and a hard-hitting call for reform: “The deliberate destruction of childhood would not be blotted out by time,” he writes, “All of it would be condemned. What Alabama had done would be written into history.” Bridge’s most inspiring task is his determination to give silenced children a voice, an opportunity for freedom, and hope for justice. Equally heart-warming and heart-breaking, this is a full circle story of triumph that readers won't soon forget.
Takeaway: Powerful story of justice, for children trapped in a failing mental healthcare system
Comparable Titles: Dorothy Roberts's Torn Apart, Alisa Roth's Insane.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
This is a resource that writers will consistently reference and return to, whether it’s to conquer writer’s block, gain new perspectives on character and plot development, or learn the value of rest when completing a novel. “Method, momentum, and motivation are what I believe you need whether you’re starting from scratch, hopelessly stuck, or deciding to get back to it” Adams writes, and each of her workshop days is structured for noticeable results: the guidance starts with a warm up exercise before moving on to core activities, and Adams closes each lesson with a writing cool down (referring to them as “stretches”).
The possibilities Adams presents will intrigue as much as they excite; one stretch exercise involves curating synonym lists for overused words, while Adams employs more involved methods when it comes to core assignments, like her 500/500 challenge to generate 500 new words a day, or the creative idea of a mini storyboard to better conceptualize the beginning, middle, and end of a novel. Adam's upbeat, positive tone removes pressure while inspiring creativity, and aspiring writers will take away fresh ideas sure to help them put pen to paper and move one step closer to completing their manuscript.
Takeaway: Fun, interactive writing resource to spark creativity and conquer writer’s block.
Comparable Titles: Matthew Salesses’s Craft in the Real World, Mur Lafferty's I Should Be Writing.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
The novel's strength lies in its intricate, real-life characters and their interwoven stories, offering a fresh perspective on World War I’s lesser-known figures and events. Montagu Walker's sabotage of British efforts in the Middle East positions him as a rival to Faisal ibn Al-Hussein, who seeks British support for Arab independence; in Jerusalem, Anna Spafford shelters fugitives while Guido von List, a cunning envoy of Kaiser Wilhelm, hunts secrets within the American Colony. Clive’s search for Evan leads him to cross paths with the legendary Lawrence of Arabia, while Evan journeys from Lyme Regis to Rosslyn Castle, where his cousin Harry unveils the rich history of the Sinclair family.
Cooper’s meticulous research breathes life into pivotal historical moments, though the weight of detail occasionally overshadows the personal narratives at the story's core. Yet, it is this interplay of grand events and intimate character arcs that makes Crossroads of Empire compelling. The story culminates in a spiritual reckoning, as Evan regains his memories with help from his ancestor, Sir William Wallace, connecting his personal journey to the enduring legacy of fighting for freedom. Crossroads of Empire offers a richly layered narrative that sheds light on the human toll of conflict and celebrates an indomitable spirit of resilience amid overwhelming adversity.
Takeaway: Rich historical tapestry of self-discovery during the First World War.
Comparable Titles: Richard Aldington’s Death of a Hero, Willa Cather’s One of Ours.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
It is in his experience-driven, boots-on-the-ground lessons where Pokorny most excels. When it comes to company culture, he notes it’s “a key factor in defining a company’s destiny,” but also acknowledges the difficulties in nailing down such a broad term in the everyday workplace. The answer, he asserts, is paying more attention to human behavior because businesses revolve around it. To emphasize the driving forces behind that human behavior, Pokorny dives deep into Charles Darwin’s theories, maintaining that our “early evolutionary instincts” still apply today, in examples such as the recent international cooperation efforts to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pokorny’s path begins with the individual, but quickly builds to that individual’s role within a team setting, concluding with a blueprint for maintaining stability, identifying and rooting out problems, and, above all, always functioning from a position of “humility and gratefulness.” Businesses succeed, Pokorny declares, when they’re built on the idea that each individual contributes meaningfully to the larger group to realize their full potential. Common-sense advice like that makes this an ideal handbook for leaders and entry level professionals alike.
Takeaway: Common sense business guide based on evolutionary principles.
Comparable Titles: Damon Stafford’s Believe in Better, Herbert N. Casson’s How to Apply the Principles of Evolution to a Business.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: B
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B+
Marketing copy: A
Skidmore demonstrates an impressive degree of versatility in his main characters: a freelance artist struggling against eviction, a yuppie on an errand in the rough part of town, a boy who bullies and a boy who is bullied. Despite their circumstantial differences, Skidmore’s incisive narration unites them in their vulnerability to ruthlessly constrictive social norms and tragedies beyond their control. In “Saunter,” Jim, a quirky yoga practitioner on a spiritual quest, pays a steep price for living outside the conformity of what he calls “The Zone,” while in “Life and Death in the American Suburbs,” Geoff is forced to make a dark choice after his father is diagnosed with cancer and needs expensive medication.
Taken together, the stories offer a critical examination of American culture infused with understated, often dark humor that calls out the absurdities of social norms. Ray Ray, the child protagonist in “Space Food,” is made to dress in formal clothes in the stifling heat to visit an elderly veteran who lives in squalid conditions, and in “Hank’s Place,” Bill has learned to beat his corporate warrior boss at his own game by employing his “elliptical language patterns”: “I’m positive about the target date, but I have concerns.” A nuanced balance between critique and compassion, this collection offers readers an insightful, poignant look at American life.
Takeaway: Gritty, vivid stories exploring identity and the constrictions of social norms.
Comparable Titles: RS Deeren’s Enough to Lose, Jamel Brinkley’s Witness.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-
At the top of the mountain, the happy family reunion is cut short when one of Mildute’s brothers announces that she has arrived too soon—“The curse was meant to last twelve years, then we would be set free. But if we’re found before that time, we’re doomed eternally!” To spare them this fate, Mildute must take a vow of silence, a condition she readily accepts. Despite this, she manages to lead a productive life, at least until her cruel stepmother tries again to undermine her happiness. Mildute’s resolute response demonstrates the power of unconditional love and staying true to her word, which will show children that fighting is not the only way to be strong.
The richly colored, detailed illustrations will fully immerse readers in this story’s wildly imaginative world. Along her way, Mildute encounters wonderful beings such as white-robed women who ride on the wind and anthropomorphic clouds that help her search for her missing brothers. Everything in this fairytale land seems almost tangible yet glitters with the promise of mystery and magic. No matter how difficult her circumstances, Mildute’s face remains soft and serene, driving home the story’s message about the power of her sacrifice and silent stoicism.
Takeaway: A young girl saves her family by remaining silent and steadfast in this Lithuanian fairy tale.
Comparable Titles: Dawn Casey’s Winter Tales, Gennady Spirin’s The Tale of the Firebird.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-
This book’s appeal stems from the fact that Huff knows her audience. A retired early childhood educator, she has devoted her career to helping children and adults find the joy in learning through storytelling, music, and puppets. Kids will enjoy the onomatopoeia and rhyming, songlike cadence of the prose—particularly the chickens’ nonsensical refrain of “bakk baba bakk baba bakk bakk bakk”— which will help keep them engaged and wanting to return for another read. This is the type of story that can be elevated by the participation of an enthusiastic adult reader, especially one who is willing to get up and dance.
In keeping with the book’s lighthearted nature, Wendy Fedan’s expressive illustrations show the chickens wearing jewelry, playing instruments, and grinning enthusiastically with brightly colored plumes of feathers on their heads. In one scene, two chickens prank another by dangling a spider on a string, which kids will find amusing. The humorous pictures provide easily recognizable scenes that follow the rhymes, allowing even the smallest readers to enjoy a good laugh or two. Ultimately, this delightful story will create a fun bonding experience for adults and kids, who might even find themselves counting and singing along.
Takeaway: Fun-filled introduction to numbers, counting, and chicken chatter.
Comparable Titles: Cate Berry’s Chicken Break, Jo Ellen Bogart’s Count Your Chickens.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: B
Thorne hooks readers with a storm-ravaged opening depicting a family stitched with tension and hardly lets off the gas from there, keeping the pace swift and exciting while actualizing the Beard family’s struggles and Tab’s supernatural habitation in ways that feel relatable and tangible. Though the plot is taxed beyond its natural limits in favor of thematic pursuits—and the third act veers towards the comedic in ways that, for some, will scupper the story’s early promise—the book nevertheless anchors its increasingly outrageous proceedings with an endearingly human focus.
In a twist on the typical possession narrative, Thorne offers a uniquely bizarre vector via Tab’s eponymous third eye, the peculiar bump on his head that’s fueled by his anger and capable of making his most sinister thoughts spring to life. Though some readers will feel its plausibility overly stretched for narrative convenience, it remains a consistently intriguing element, especially when evolving from plot device to a prism through which the novel explores themes of regret, morality, and self-discovery. There’s a lot happening under the hood here—Tab’s burgeoning gender identity, the messy reality of families, living with a chronic illness or traumatic event—but horror fans seeking more than simple spills and chills will be satisfied.
Takeaway: Colorful possession narrative spin with a relatable human heart beating at its center.
Comparable Titles: Ayse Hafiza’s The Ghost in the Window, Nick Oliveri’s Monsters in My Mind.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A
Sarhn, a sensei herself, uses karate as a unifying thread in Olive’s disjointed new life—a life that mirrors her already shaky feelings of belonging, even in her own family: Olive was adopted as a baby, and she’s harbored a sense of being out of place for years. The move to Buxton exacerbates that feeling, until she stumbles onto the dojo, where she uncovers a haven, of sorts, alongside a group of people who quickly become her found family, particularly the kind, strong Sensei Matthew and his adopted son, Boyan.
Just as Olive finally starts to feel like she belongs, Sarhn throws in an unexpected twist in the form of a painful truth from Olive’s past, transforming Olive’s greatest fight not into a karate match against a formidable opponent, but into a metaphorical battle of self-discovery. Sarhn compels Olive to rely on the emotional strength and discipline she’s learned in karate to finally come to terms with who she is and who she can become, a sweet moment of victory that readers will relish being part of. Osu not only captures the struggles of adolescence—both silly and monumental—but also celebrates the victory of forging one's path.
Takeaway: Adopted teen finds karate a catalyst for self-discovery and belonging.
Comparable Titles: Cynthia Hand’s The How & the Why, Jay McInerney’s Ransom.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
A clear, engaging writer, Bishara keeps the focus throughout on what, for readers, is likely the bottom line: a practical, up-to-date survey of what everyday people should know about the biome in their GI tract. Every surprising gut fact (“the actual surface area of the gut, if completely unfolded” is “as big as a standard-size tennis court”!) is presented in the service of illustrating how the microbes that live there, both beneficial and not, affect health, moods, and more. In short, to-the-point chapters that end with bulleted takeaways, she both examines the problems that a lack of bacterial diversity can lead to or exacerbate: leaky gut syndrome; IBS; skin conditions; cancer development; even the cortisol production that convinces the body it must store fat.
Bishara’s guidance is presented with equal clarity and power. She calls for “a varied diet with an abundance of plant-based, fiber-rich foods that support the growth of beneficial gut strains.” Later, she walks readers through targeted diets and approaches to eating, like controlled fasting, that promotes weight loss, gut health, and other concerns. “Be patient and consistent,” she advises, and a list of Do’s and Don’ts (“Don’t jump off the bandwagon just because you have 1 or 2 bad days”) is smart and encouraging.
Takeaway: Illuminating guide to gut health, packed with practical advice and insights.
Comparable Titles: Kate Scarlata and Megan Riehl’s Mind Your Gut, Ada J. Peters’s My Gut.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A-
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
Years-long studies of Dharma and philosophy clearly shape Laakso’s writing, which takes the form of a gently meandering study on suffering, meaning, and passion. He firmly believes in the communal work humankind must do to achieve happiness, and draws from his home country, Finland, to sift the ideas behind social democracy, reminding readers that “what we collectively believe in has never been unanimous”—but the end goal must be peace, “without the need for violent displays of power.”
Laakso's musings and reflective thoughts will prompt readers to turn within and examine their own fears—of the unknown, the past, and “of ourselves”—while intentionally finding and expressing love. Though asides into his own developed equations for “individual sustainable happiness” distract from the book’s broader themes, his writing is passionate, touching on topics that range from justice to social responsibility, and he urges readers to seek wisdom, lavishly bestow forgiveness, and nurture compassion. The future will be unpredictable, he asserts, but hope, not fear, is the antidote—“together [we] must do all we can to alleviate and dispel [fear] with courage to create hope” he advises. These tranquil introspections on our shared experiences are a soothing reminder of “how rare and fortunate it is to have been born human.”
Takeaway: Philosophical contemplations on the keys to finding happiness.
Comparable Titles: Charles P. Nemeth's Finding Happiness in a Complex World, Shawn Achor's The Happiness Advantage.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B+
Marketing copy: A
Martin includes both tender and humorous moments that transform this memoir into a warm, intimate encounter, such as when he announces over the intercom in his new practice, “I’m about to take out someone’s IUD, and I have no clamps… how am I supposed to get this thing out, with my teeth?” Even among the barrage of devastating hospital politics that derail his work, Martin is careful to highlight the human side of his career, tackling the most delicate—but weighty—of topics, like his ever-present astonishment at “the miracle of life,” or the many cases of abuse and domestic violence he encountered throughout his years as an OB-GYN.
Martin’s Christian faith plays a foundational role in his work, and he notes the spiritual framework of not just his beliefs, but also his professional decisions, writing that he discovered “peace in the fact that God was in control… [that] being a servant to others was how I wanted to build my practice.” That compassionate perspective serves as his rudder in a challenging field, as he and his nurse-midwife colleagues go on to fight the battle for birth rights on a national level. This is a beautiful tribute to natural childbirth and patient-centered care.
Takeaway: Powerful tribute to natural childbirth and patient-centered care.
Comparable Titles: Ina May Gaskin’s Spiritual Midwifery, Peggy Vincent’s Baby Catcher.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-
A filmmaker himself, Shay excels at twisty plotting, characters who reveal themselves through action and biting dialogue, and scenes that build to hairpin turns, keeping readers on constant edge. The story gets wilder as it goes, especially after Lacey discovers her father was secretly wealthy—and a possible connection between his work for a tech company and reports of a “severe and transmissible atypical neuro-virus” sweeping Hong Kong and apparently pushing people into acts of self-harm. Lacey will team up with Hugo, the son of a cruel star of the Communist party, as they face a secret plot involving mind control.
Shay creates unexpected, button-pushing suspense scenes involving the loss of agency over one’s body, but Lacey’s dark adventure never is especially graphic. The novel’s pleasures come from its relentless invention, the way the conspiracy gets ever bigger, involving AI and the secret history of Hong Kong, with frequent revelations, jolts, and betrayals. The ending satisfies, though readers hooked by the of-the-moment TikTok detective hero should know Lacey isn’t posting much as the people she loves get targeted.
Takeaway: Swift thriller pitting a Tiktok detective against mind control in Hong Kong.
Comparable Titles: Olivia Blacke’s Killer Content, Chan Ho-Kei’s Second Sister.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
Ryan opens Downing's story at its end, with the narrator’s death at the hands of a Lakota fighter. The story that follows is deeply humane and sympathetic for both the rank-and-file soldier and the variety of oppressed peoples encounters. Downing’s narrative covers his birth in the village of Adare in 1856, the reasons behind his family’s emigration, the grueling journey to their new home in Georgia, and how Downing was raised to hate slavery, in part because of the Irish’s treatment by the English. Ryan examines tension and poverty in Savannah during the Civil War era, including a lynching, and young Downing witnesses a speech in which Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens confirms a truth too often obscured: that slavery was the chief reason for secession.
Downing ultimately lies about his age to join the army and is subsequently assigned, among other missions, to rein in Kentucky’s Ku Klux Klan. But when land and gold led the federal government to war against Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and other Native Americans who refused to leave ancestral lands, Downing faces serious doubt about the justice of the cause. This humanizes Downing, especially as readers will understand he will die in a conflict that was largely the fault of greed, poor intelligence, and stubborn leaders. An engrossing historical narrative.
Takeaway: Convincing, compelling narrative of real Irish at Little Big Horn.
Comparable Titles: Sebastian Barry's Days Without End, John Hough, Jr.’s Little Big Horn.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: B+