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The US Review of Books connects authors with professional book reviewers and places their book reviews in front of subscribers to our free monthly newsletter of fiction and nonfiction book reviews. Learn why our publication is different than most others, or read author and publisher testimonials about the USR.

Recent Reviews Focus Review Featured Reviews Author Spotlight US Review Blog   Author Spotlight Barry Arthur Cotton My interests are very eclectic. I have lived in Japan, Iran, Turkey, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. My Y-male DNA is... (read more) Author Spotlight Peter Jacob Streitz My siste—who is a reluctant storyteller at—revealed to me a family history about a Christmas gathering when I was... (read more)

Recent Book Reviews

 

Focus Review

The Cage and the Mirror: How to Make Rigid Organizations Resilient Again by Jeremy McEntire Cage & Mirror Publishing "Every organization at scale has a Cage. The question is whether anything counterweights—whether some adaptation exists that preserves the variance excellence requires." Using the cage-and-mirror metaphor, McEntire meticulously takes readers beyond what is discernible, diving into the anatomy of an organization and the variables—conscious or subconscious— that either set it up for success or for imminent failure. Through a series of anecdotes, organizations from business to healthcare are dissected to reveal the catalyst that keeps each constrained. ... (read more)

• 50 Ways Home by Ryan Caidic
• ADHD in D Minor by Zoe Mahfouz - RECOMMENDED
• Animal Races by Jack Rotifer
• At the Zoo From A to Z by Emily Smith - RECOMMENDED
• Base, The by Owen Garratt - RECOMMENDED
• Battle Rages On..., The by Dr Gerald D Robison
• Be Selfish by Richard Gephardt
• Better Way to Say the Same, A by Yuriy Gurovich - RECOMMENDED
• Beyond the Whitecaps by Jane Moxley - RECOMMENDED
• Big Red Suitcase, The by Margot Stornelli
• Blueland by Robert Jaxx - RECOMMENDED
• Catholic Positive Energy by George Goodsaid - RECOMMENDED
• Cult Leader, The by Amara Knight - RECOMMENDED
• Debts Owed by Glenn Dyer
• Failed by the System by Pixie McCleod
• Feel Want, Taste Grief, Need Friends by Ivan Prashker - RECOMMENDED
• Gospel of Steven Sheets, The by Steven Sheets
• Grace Notes by John Cheyenne Wilbur - RECOMMENDED
• How God Breathed Life Into Me by Leah Beth - RECOMMENDED
• Legend of Tartuka Island and the Chosen Pearls, The by Logan Clarke and Miriam Arce - RECOMMENDED
• Letters to the Editors... by Linda B. Gefen
• Lili's Caregiver's Guide by Lili Udell Fiore - RECOMMENDED
• Limited Edition: A Poacher's Endgame by Prakash Dighe - RECOMMENDED
• Little Tractor Brown by Jolene Pisel
• Little Z and the Blue Storm Secret by Ann Marie Hannon - RECOMMENDED
• Love on the Perimeter by Lloyd Devereux Richards - RECOMMENDED
• Making of Marigold McGrath, The by Carrie Hayes - RECOMMENDED
• Memoirs of the Beloved by R.I. Willroth - RECOMMENDED
• Missing Meteorologist, The by Tamar Anolic
• Motion Without Direction by Yvon Milien
• My Aunt and I by Florence M. Coleman, M,Ed., M.Div.
• Paladin of God by Ruben D.A. Barco - RECOMMENDED
• Parade, The by J. R. Klein
• Phases by Alexander Exelmans
• Roller Coaster by Peter Searle - RECOMMENDED
• Sacred and the Damned, The by J.R. Klein - RECOMMENDED
• Sell, Sell, Sell! by David F. D'Orazi - RECOMMENDED
• Sins of the Father by David Maresh, M.D. - RECOMMENDED
• Squirrels of Speedwell Farms by Liza Martini
• Superseding the Periodic Table of the Elements by James Michael Matthew
• Time Makers, The by Paolo Mazzucato
• Word Gobblers, The by Catherine Matthias
• Wrongful Death Lawsuit, A by John Siko
• Yellowed Notebook, A by Beth SKMorris - RECOMMENDED
• Zen Pessimism by Dana Stamps II

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Featured Book Reviews

 

History Alive

Highlight Review The Call of The Bugle by John Amos Imagination Press book review by Priscilla Estes "The living and the dead charged that morning. And a smiling man on a black horse led them. But was he really smiling?" The infamous charge of the British Light Brigade on October 25, 1854, receives an imaginative take in this curious account, narrated by a fictitious war correspondent for the Times (London). The newspaper correspondent and his fellow reporters are on the ground in Balaclava, Russia, preparing to view this tragic charge in the Crimean War. Told in the first person, the chronicle never shares "the newsman's" name, but many hints suggest that he is a fictional version of Dublin-born reporter William Howard Russell, whose war reports inspired Alfred, Lord Tennyson's most famous poem, "The Charge of the Light Brigade." ... (read more)

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Getting Stronger

Setting forth a sound, substantial thesis, author Gitagia here explores the ways in which one can and should pursue one's Christian faith, avoiding the ever-present temptations to immerse oneself in earthbound limitations and ignore or withdraw from well-established biblical tenets. In a brief introductory segment, the author includes a compelling quotation from the Holy Bible that underscores her book's major theme: "Lazy hands make poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth" (Proverbs 12:24). The referenced wealth, Gitagia asserts, is spiritual identity, an essential ingredient that is diligently developed through an underpinning of unfailing faith. This will require one's continual connection to God and his son Jesus, and will allow believers to walk with God, avoid the evil schemes of Satan, and inherit the heavenly conclusion that the Bible so clearly promises. ... (read more)

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Great Comic Debut

Highlight Review Fine, I'm a Terrible Person: A Novel by Lisa F. Rosenberg Sibylline Press book review by Boze Herrington "Leyla is wedged into one of the tufted, brown-vinyl, high-back booths at Nate n' Al's drinking a Yoo-hoo, slurping the chocolatey-flavored water through a bent accordion blue-and-white striped paper straw." Leyla, a forty-something wife and mother, is unraveling. Her own mother, Aurora, insists on humiliating her before the other well-heeled grandparents during an assembly at the independent school her kids attend. The only decent night's sleep she's gotten in recent months involved a cocktail of valerian tea, GABA gummies, magnesium foot spray, and various other tonics. And she's begun to fear that her husband, Stephen, may be having an affair. ... (read more)

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Improving Justice

The United States is approaching its 250th anniversary, and the country's progress has come with more than its share of growing pains. The country has prospered from its eclectic population, yet for a lengthy duration of its existence, a variety of minority groups were marginalized and subject to inequalities, whether it be with respect to rights and/or livelihood. The courtroom often reflected the stark disparity between the privileged and the disenfranchised. The criminal justice system in the United States has evolved over time with the iconoclastic rulings of the Warren Court and the passage of civil rights legislation, but the preceding period was marked by numerous miscarriages of justice. ... (read more)

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Bigotry Unveiled

Highlight Review Perversion of Faith: The Psychology of Racist Propaganda in Film by John J. Hartman Ethics International Press book review by Kate Robinson "Propaganda can be understood to be the pornography of the politician." Hartman, an adjunct professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of South Florida, explores the role of three Nazi feature films and their influence as propaganda meant to make genocide acceptable to the German public during Hitler's Third Reich (1933-1945). Hartman writes in his introduction, "In this book I shall address five major questions related to the role of propaganda in the promotion of racist ideology and social violence..." His five primary goals (in a nutshell) are "understanding the emotional basis of the ideology of antisemitism;" exploring how these ideas are "translated into mass media like film, television, and the internet;" ascertaining the emotional appeal of the propaganda to both supporters and average citizens; exploring the role of propaganda to move people to "social action, including violence;" and finally, discussion of what the antidotes to racist propaganda might be. ... (read more)

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Uplifting

Through this book, young readers will be made familiar with the incredible story of Thea Bowman, a cheerful, caring, and devoted woman who defied the odds of segregated America to become a nun, a teacher, and an inspiration to generations of students. From a young age, Thea's dedication was apparent as she set her mind to goal after goal and pursued them without wavering. Moving away from home, finishing school even after contracting tuberculosis, joining the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, and beginning a teaching career at age twenty-one were all just inevitable steps in her journey of faith and service. Though there was initial pushback to an African American teacher in some of her early schools, even as a nun, she was able to change minds by demonstrating her passion for education and support of children. ... (read more)

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Natural Gifts

Highlight Review The Case of the Missing Pink Piggy by Linda Harkey Story Monsters Press book review by Barbara Bamberger Scott "It was the best of dog winters. It was the worst of dog winters." Author Harkey has created a children's book that is both enjoyable and educational, highlighting many fascinating features of animal life through the eyes of two enthusiastic German Shepherds—Nini and Lob—and a helpful, if sometimes sneaky, pack rat named Speedy. Brightly enhanced by artist Mike Minick, the two dogs trade reminiscences of the good times they have enjoyed. One shared enthusiasm was awakening their sleeping human caretakers with screeches made by pressing Nini's prized squeeze toy, Pink Piggy. But Nini tells her friend with deep anxiety and genuine misery that the beloved Piggy is now missing. ... (read more)

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Beyond Story

Madden's work sheds light on the mythologies of cultures and civilizations worldwide. More than that, though, it establishes how myths have always acted as the language of understanding, a means to articulate the way the world worked before any other mode of communication existed. From the origin stories of the natives to the myths that define the world's continents, Madden showcases his impeccable research, especially in identifying myth patterns across commonly observed cultures throughout history. ... (read more)

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Love Compliations

Highlight Review Inked by Annelie Janssen Butterdragons Publishing book review by Mihir Shah "I did it because I wanted it It was worth it, and I don't regret it for a second." In Janssen's latest poetry compilation, the darkness and pain from Ruined and Nightmares give way to a hopeful outlook. However, the same raw vulnerability infuses this work and brings each poem to life. Janssen's poetry embodies the saying "It's always darkest before dawn," as there is discernible healing from her previous works. While the prose is aesthetically pleasing, the poet's ability to evoke emotion through the unfolding narrative is unparalleled. Almost a personal introspection, Janssen probes deep into the depths of her spirit to deliver poetry that is highly relatable and reflects what it means to experience the highs and lows of being human. ... (read more)

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Hidden Ancestors

This masterpiece of historiography through genealogy traces many stories of multiple generations of the author's ancestors and current family members. Compiled as eight books, the chapters entwine significant portions of the history of Jewish culture, tradition, and transitions with historical explanations of families' and communities' actions. For example, younger sons were sometimes fostered out to relatives so they would not be impressed into service. Their older brothers remained at home, exempt from military service. The book shifts seamlessly from micro to macro examples (and back again) of Jewish life and migration. Book I introduces the author and his family. Subsequent pages tell stories that predate the Exodus out of Egypt to the author's piecing together his family's history through name and location changes, translations, naturalization records, photographs, and Milavetz's recollections of the stories that were told by some of his dynamic family members. ... (read more)

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Honoring Legacy

Author Carole captures the recollections and understandings of her youthful self as, beginning at age ten, she visits with her grandmother, whose skills at cooking delicious meals and managing daily chores are underpinned by deep qualities of generosity and mercy. She is fond of pronouncing simple yet significant "rules" for living—primary among them the admonition to her granddaughter not to be in such a hurry to grow up that she might "jump over the lilies and land in a cow pie." These wise and folksy exhortations give the girl rich food for contemplation. ... (read more)

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Deceit & Cunning

In a novel derived from his own career as a trial attorney, Shipman delivers a poignant fusion of murder mystery and courtroom thriller that adds an impeccable glimpse into the anatomy of a case. When Howard Graves enters the office of prominent attorney Garret Cole, he brings along a seemingly unsolvable conundrum: to investigate the coroner's ruling of suicide on his father's death certificate. On the surface, this appears to be an easily correctible error on the part of the coroner, but as Cole dives deeper into the case, two things become distinctly clear: nothing is as it seems, and there is a far greater conspiracy brewing. ... (read more)

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Slow-Burning Tension

Award-winning author Klein examines the emotional and personal toll associated with the rise of far-right ideology in this new adult political drama. The last thing Nick Schefield expects when he enrolls at a small but elite New England university is to brush elbows in his dorm with an unabashed adherent of fascism. Krause Lunz seems to lurk around every corner as if attempting to make friends with Nick in the worst way possible—by shocking his liberal sensibilities with the pipedreams of the National Peoples Party, a white supremacist, neo-Nazi group determined to conquer American politics. At first, Nick listens politely to Krause's shocking prattle and the galling reports of his writing progress on his fascist treatise.... (read more)

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Maladjustments Corrected

Author Searle shares candid recollections of his childhood and the visions, sometimes nightmares, arising during that period, as he slowly absorbs their meanings and revelations. When he was young, his mother took him to amusement parks in Denver, Colorado, where he experienced terrifying but very real trances evoked by rides and displays, memories of which persisted and influenced him throughout his life. An encounter with a psychic witch foretold the twists and turns of his future, while visits to a haunted house provided fascination amid its fears. A precarious roller-coaster ride revealed the beauty of the larger world while evoking visions of a giant tarantula. ... (read more)

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Fun Read

This cozy mystery follows the stories of Ellie Moore and Amelia Winstead. Ellie, age twenty-three, left the Army with a less-than-honorable discharge due to what she believes was no fault of her own. Living with her two-year-old son, Carter, in their trailer, and with help from her mother, Harper, Ellie tries to make ends meet by working at a gas station/convenience store in Paducah, Kentucky. She is fascinated by storm chasing and is a fan of meteorologist Amelia Winstead, who stops at the station when visiting Paducah to chase her own storms with her cameraman. ... (read more)

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Real Life

Young Kaleb is filled with worry. Mom and Dad are preoccupied with his new baby brother, and he struggles with friendships at school. Enter Grandma Annie to the rescue. Kaleb's friends want him to be a zombie for Halloween, but he is hesitant because such creatures are "scary and mean." In a story-within-a-story format, Grandma Annie shares the tale of a young Zombee whose friends, the Ghostees, ultimately accept the title character—not because he changes himself to please their expectations, but because Little Z is true to himself and grounded in kindness, caring, and sharing. Through a blue, dream-like storm of rain and icy wind, a "bright, pure" snowflake-creature kisses Little Z, sending him peace, positive thinking, and music. ... (read more)

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Calling All Animals

Jingle, Jaywok, and Joi Daisy are a cute trio of Yorkies who enjoy visiting their alpaca friends, June and Joise, at their Aunt K's ranch. They are fascinated by all the different animals who live there, but they also become fascinated by the idea of racing. Eventually, they help encourage their human mom and dad to go on an expedition to see different animal races in various locations. In this way, they watch horses race in the Kentucky Derby, dogs compete in the Masters Agility Race at Westminster, pigs speed around a small track at a state fair, and homing pigeons cross great distances to reach a specific destination. They even attend races in Virginia City, Nevada, for camels, zebras, and ostriches. After getting their fill of these competitions, Jingle dreams about what kind of event they will see next, with rodeos being at the top of the list. ... (read more)

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Family Pressure

On a hot Texas Fourth of July in 1985, a family reunites despite their political differences and the different directions life has taken them. The elders of the family—father Harold, mother Rose, and eldest son. Nick—all hold patriotism as a core value, the men having served in World War II and Vietnam, respectively. The two youngest, Raymond and Connie, dodged the draft and avoided the war, respectively, leading to an ideological difference in their family. While they try to enjoy the rare occasion that brings them together to reconnect, this fundamental difference casts a long shadow over the family and leads to inevitable arguments. This year, however, Nick is acting a bit strangely, still verbally holding to his beliefs while declining not to go to the military parade. If the family can find the space and opportunity to speak freely, the truth of Nick's heart and conscience may finally come to light. ... (read more)

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Myriad Topics

Death is one of life's ultimate realities. In this guide, Fiore delivers countless vital tools and resources to ensure that the same quality of life afforded by caring for a loved one is present in death. Through her own experiences and research, Fiore compiled this A-to-Z of caregiving to demystify what is already a heart-wrenching process. Though the work is incredibly comprehensive, the author urges readers not to view it as a beginning-to-end narrative, but rather as a source to align with individual needs. In other words, her work is ready to meet readers where they are, in whatever caregiving situation they find themselves. ... (read more)

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Super CeCe

For a young child, any contact with relatives who can only visit sometimes is special. Every day feels like an adventure, and they're sure to receive tons of extra attention and maybe even get spoiled. Three-year-old CeCe and her Aunt Z have such a relationship, living in Kentucky and Virginia, respectively. When Aunt Z comes to visit, CeCe is usually sick or in low spirits, but her favorite aunt's visit is medicine for her soul. Like any bold, strong-willed child, CeCe is always quick to show her aunt just how much she can do, and she won't let anyone rob her of a moment to shine. Aunt Z learns to tread lightly while making sure CeCe knows she's the star of the show, no matter where they go or what they do together. ... (read more)

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Heartbreaking & Wise

Despite his inability to function as a healthy, well-integrated person after a troubling childhood, author Maresh earned an entry-level degree in biology and English, followed by medical school and completion of a residency in psychiatry. His original motivation was that his dysfunctional mother had wanted to be a doctor, but women of her generation weren't admitted into medical school. But she did master Spanish and graduated from Rice Institute. Dyslexic in early childhood, Maresh had trouble learning to read, and he also took to heart his mother's rambling critiques that he should become a doctor, along with the abusive declarations that he was too deficient to amount to anything. As early as his last week of first grade after a promotion to a higher reading group, Maresh's thoughts turned to studying at Rice. He writes: "I saw Mother's excitement and the pride she felt for me and decided that maybe she would love me if I could transform myself into a good student. If I could become such a good student that I could get accepted into the Rice Institute, she would love me then." ... (read more)

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Courageous Experience

The author grew up with seven siblings in a very religious household. In 2023, Sheets had an experience on Microsoft Teams that changed his perspective, and he identified as the Prince of Darkness. With that backstory, the author details in his narrative the gospel as he has discovered it. For instance, his computer and phone screens said he had "unlocked" Heaven. On his computer, the year had flipped forward to 3000, or another year far into the future. He saw YouTube videos of himself saying, "Lucifer Sheets, formerly Steven Sheets." The title comes from one of these YouTube videos. ... (read more)

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Apostle Awakening

The depth of Scripture is full of hidden gems that one can learn from and implement in their own life. However, a direct introduction to Scripture for those only beginning their seeker journey into Christ can undoubtedly feel daunting. From the perspective of the Apostle John, this biographical piece both mitigates the challenging language of Scripture and synthesizes prominent biblical passages, such as accounts of Jesus' miracles and the aura of John the Baptist, so that a layman can gain real value from the reading experience. t ... (read more)

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Golden Rule

In this work, Gephardt brings Scripture to life by living the biblical Golden Rule, "do unto others as you would have done unto you." Rooted in the lessons and guidance of his parents, the author sheds light on a lifetime lived in accordance with the Golden Rule. Even when life threw him curveballs, he always responded with conviction in the Golden Rule. ... (read more)

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Deficits Overcome

Goodsaid explains how one might draw closer to God through Jesus and His biblical actions and statements. The author's dynamic treatise melds memoir with spiritual guidance, recalling his traumatic childhood, the torments of which plagued him until he searched on Facebook for "positive energy," which put him in contact with a writer who deepened that concept for him. He unfolds his discoveries based on Holy Scripture as he comes to understand that one's true family may consist of close, caring people chosen for us by God. ... (read more)

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Headstrong Protagonist

At first, no one knew what was happening to Jun Chan as he began cutting himself off from everything he once valued in his life. In a short span of time, he broke off his relationship with his girlfriend, backed away from his friends, and became estranged from his mother, Fang, and his sister Jade. They couldn't understand that he was eschewing the normal to attain enlightenment. He had discovered the teachings of spiritual leader Lev Nazarov and believed further reading and study were the path to joining the community Nazarov presided over. The day Jun chose to take his life left a lasting hurt upon Jade's heart that refused to abate. Jun's death was followed by Fang's suicide, which left Jade orphaned and unmoored in a cruel world at age ten. By the time she turned eighteen, Jade decided to confront her past and examine The Black Book her brother left so she could try to understand his actions. ... (read more)

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Haiti Perspective

Protests rise up in Haiti. Motion is there, since the country is clearly not standing still. However, Milien raises the issue of convergence, asking what shared horizon Haiti is moving toward. A cadence is missing, which in turn stops multiple movements or groups from going toward the same moral horizon. In this way, Milien's book argues that Haiti's impasse comes from a failure to converge, as well as a lack of power or will. This state of motion without direction continues to cancel out uncoordinated efforts. Eight parts of the book examine different social groups as moral actors, constrained by structure and shaped by history, but ultimately responsible for what they choose to do. For example, "Part IV: Love from a Distance" discusses whether Haiti can be rebuilt by those who no longer experience its daily risks. "Part VII: Divided Memory, Divided Future" travels back in time to ask if a nation can progress when its people remember the past differently. Milien aims to restore purpose where repetition has been understood as resistance. ... (read more)

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Root Causes

While the development of reading skills is often an individually paced and tailored journey for children, there are unfortunately also obstacles and setbacks that can make the process more painful for some, even literally. The focus of this book is on one such condition: Irlen Syndrome, which creates visual distortions and distractions that can make reading the traditional, high-contrast black text on white pages a challenge or even an impossibility. Through the use of screening and the assignment of personally tailored colored overlays, those who struggle and may not even know or have heard about Irlen Syndrome can become stronger, more confident readers in a relatively short amount of time. This book focuses on children and their families, helping parents and teachers determine whether a child's struggles with reading or reading development have a deeper cause. ... (read more)

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Dramatic Irony

"With great power comes great responsibility." Moxley's work is a delectable showcase of the chaos that ensues when this power is abused for personal gain. The Harrisons are nestled in the lap of wealth and opulence, punctuated by their sprawling Huntington estate. However, for at least several of the Harrison clan, it would not be an understatement to say that the almighty dollar resides where their heart should be. Beth Harrison, the matriarch, is on her deathbed when her reflections take her decades back to 1938, when a devastating tragedy becomes the catalyst for a string of grief and loss, stained with greed and desperation, spearheaded by a singularly minded John Harrison and his false sense of Harrison pride. ... (read more)

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Successful Heist

A recent falling-out with the prime minister has left wealthy poacher Tusker John eager for revenge. He plans a brazen robbery to embarrass the Kenyan prime minister, but the plan goes awry when one of Tusker's crew jettisons the loot after he believes the group is about to be arrested by law enforcement. Jay and his wife, Heidi, are driving home when they find themselves caught up in the middle of the bedlam. When Jay sees a bag lying in the middle of the road, he believes its contents are lucrative and will free him from debt. While the bag contains $200,000, it proves more trouble than it's worth as a rift develops between Heidi and Jay over his rash decision. Meanwhile, Tusker is just one party with a claim on the bag, and it is merely a matter of time before trouble comes looking for Jay and Heidi. ... (read more)

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Time Lens

This book opens with the mysterious disappearance of Liam Sullivan's father, Ward, in Ireland. Ward's wife, Colleen, and his son, Liam, struggle for years after Ward's disappearance to understand what really happened. Meanwhile, young Liam has taken a liking to solving mysteries. One day, an unexpected visit from the Irish Garda spins everything Colleen and Liam suspected about Ward's disappearance out of control. ... (read more)

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Fast-Paced

Emily Bright, a critical liaison between MI5 and MI6, knows how important the work is—even as it gets more serious than ever. Bright notes a Nazi sleeper agent, someone MI5 has missed, raising questions about information from Operation Torch. To this end, Bright emphasizes that Churchill must be told. It is bigger than one missed agent. Conor Thorn, an OSS agent, and Bright stayed out of the hands of the Nazis during their last mission to France. This time, the setting is Paris, a city dotted with Germans, and all the while Thorn is haunted by ghosts from a past trial. ... (read more)

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Love & War

In 1937, Marigold McGrath and her friend Trude discover punch cards bound for Nazi Germany. Marigold's father, Arnold, is a sympathizer of the Third Reich and has been entrusted with getting the cards sent overseas. Although Marigold is unprejudiced, Arnold's intolerance and affinity for authoritarianism are enough to drive a wedge between him and his daughter. The untimely death of Marigold's mother and Trude's relocation to England leave Marigold rudderless at home in New York. An ill-advised affair with a teacher at her school leads to disciplinary action and drives Marigold to set out for greener pastures with a trip to England. ... (read more)

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Time & Memory

This story collection spans a multitude of locations, subjects, and themes. Locations like the Upper West Side play an integral role in stories that examine one's identity. The meaning of place and the significance of those who occupy it are undeniable in these stories, making this collection a philosophical contemplation of how environments influence and transform a person. Other stories, like "Your Kansas Friend," dissect racism and how deep-seated notions and ideologies form and thrive, despite two friends' attempts to overcome them. Some stories even offer a fictionalized yet deeply personal account of World War II's aftermath. Each story is fascinating in its own right because each person feels real, leaving readers thinking about the people in their own lives and how their relationships with them formed. ... (read more)

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Many Topics

Shifting how entire industries consume the planet's natural resources doesn't happen overnight. One path is to choose to evolve—not by taking from nature, but by contributing to the planet and learning to grow the necessary raw materials. Making this intentional choice on a global, cross-industry scale has the potential for great impact, but it can start with a few small ideas. Chapters explore possible jumping-off points for those interested in making a difference, including artificial intelligence, the power of serendipity, research and development, product development, hometown and educational incubators, and more. Topics span the Blue Economy, reticular chemistry, and industrial biotechnology. ... (read more)

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Looking Back

In a collection reminiscent of Charles E. Bohlen's Witness to History: 1929-1969, Gefen has compiled nearly ten years of letters to the editor, chronicling cultural/political shifts during the Trump era in America. Beginning with Trump's first presidential campaign in 2016, the author's tone shifts from hope to disbelief. Fear, frustration, anger, dismay, desperation, and resignation follow before she confirms her oft-stated optimism with an ending pledge to continue speaking out. ... (read more)

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Fluid Plot

A good friendship can solve some of the problems in our lives, which is the main moral of this picture book. Pisel has created a children's book about a tractor named Brown who is unhappy with how he is being used on the farm. The problem is that he is just sitting there. He wants to be like the other tractors, but it isn't until Farmer Frank buys him at an auction that he gets his chance. He gets a new lease on life when Farmer Frank has him help feed the animals. ... (read more)

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Squirrels Afoot

This novel is a charming and imaginative nature story that invites young readers to see squirrels in a new light. Set in the lively community of Stonecrop Scurry, the book follows Chister, a curious squirrel whose peaceful world is disrupted when members of his town begin disappearing, leaving only peanuts behind. This gentle mystery creates an engaging entry point for children and aligns well with themes of animal centered storytelling and environmental awareness. As Chister searches for answers, he discovers that humans have set traps throughout the area. His cleverness in learning how to trigger the traps and steal the nuts gives him agency and makes him an appealing protagonist for young readers. ... (read more)

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Struggles & Bureaucracy

In 1983, in Scotland, the author and her husband decide to adopt two special-needs brothers: six-year-old Robert and two-year-old Paul. It is an act of love, and things begin smoothly. However, soon it becomes evident that Paul has medical issues that leave him debilitated for days, and Robert has emotional scars that result in unacceptable behavior. With the help of a wonderful social worker, the family begins to bond. As part of the adoption, the family is to receive assistance with the children's special problems, but with the closure of agencies, those resources become harder to access. Then the medical community fails the family by refusing to listen to McCleod's concerns over Paul's health. A psychiatrist fails them when refusing to look at Robert's history and rendering a false accusation, which causes harm to the entire family. The system fails these children and the family many times, yet through it all McCleod fights for her boys. ... (read more)

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Quirky Humor

Many different animals live in or visit the zoo. Each has a unique perspective on the world and their own relationship with Hugh, the zookeeper who cares for the inhabitants and their home. Some simply carry on as usual in their exhibits, such as Alfred the Alligator in his pond and Roland the Rhino in his open field. Human visitors are frequent and flock to the site even if, like Lola, they might have allergies to lions or other creatures there. However, sneakier visitors also come, including Frank the fox, who hunts for scraps, and Iris the insect, who goes after Hugh for a snack. Niles the Nutra even lives behind the zoo and cares for many children. Being in and around the zoo connects everyone, and they lead peaceful lives. ... (read more)

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Different Cultures

Thirteen-year-old Margaret Chatsworth and twelve-year-old Oda Tadakatsu are sent away by their fathers, a British admiral and a renowned Japanese samurai warrior, respectively, nearly seventy years apart. In 1939, Margaret discovers Oda's 1867 journal chronicling the final days of Japan's 700-year samurai legacy. When she pays a visit to the family of a Singapore bookstore owner near Thieves Market, a bustling open-air market, she rescues the journal from a treasure chest opened by a sailor. ... (read more)

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