Begina’s debut offers a lifeline to the financially hopeless. Tackling the importance of financial education from the lively and personable opening lines, she recounts a formative financially traumatic experience, at the hands of her hardworking but irresponsible parents. This sharply told tale of “sudden financial independence” functions as something like a superhero’s origin, as Begina, who went on to earn a certificate in financial therapy, had to come to understand the importance of an attitude change. Under the “Poverty of prosperity” banner, she persuasively argues that America’s love affair with wealth puts many otherwise good, sensible people on the road to financial ruin. These disasters occur because of a lack of basic financial education, an aversion towards long-range planning, and an inability to resist temptation, i.e., buying a boat with their children’s college fund.

Noting that most of us are taught to go out and build wealth but that very few are taught how to manage it, Begina demonstrates how poor decisions frequently have ramifications that go far beyond the financial, causing many to become anxious, insecure, and distrustful. To that end, Begina outlines “six transformational concepts” to help readers “be as good with money as they are in the rest of their lives.” Begina’s guide has a lot going for it. The style is honest and refreshing, and Begina demonstrates throughout the ability to communicate seemingly complex concepts with inviting clarity.

Begina demonstrates key financial topics through storytelling and basic psychology—like self-sabotage, which, the author notes, arises from an “imbalance” between two “universal human needs: belonging and autonomy.” Be Good with Money is a starting point rather than a roadmap to money management, i.e., tax or retirement planning, insurance, budgeting. The rousing attitude adjustment introduced in those first pages is likely to inspire new starts among readers, and the book that follows introduces the basics with wit, clarity, and a welcome sense of fun.

Takeaway: Inviting guide to changing one’s attitude about money and financial well-being.

Comparable Titles: Jake Cousineau’s How to Adult, Jean Chatzky’s How to Money.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Be Good With Money

Bursting with revelations, striking detail, and in-depth examinations of how a city evolves over decades, this guide to notable buildings of central Portland, Oregon, persuasively presents the history-rich mile-wide radius around Pioneer Courthouse Square as an “architectural microcosm” boasting a bounty of “beautiful” representations of “almost all American styles of the last 170 years.” Graf’s photos and compact, informative, and at times amusingly opinionated writeups (“It has become quite fashionable (and conformist) to decree the Portland Building ugly,” he notes) bear out that assertion, offering a brisk, well-organized tour, complete with map, of the city’s center and its architecture, which he argues is expressive of Portland’s “individualistic pride and of its aspiration to conform.”

Graf laces such insights and occasional provocations throughout, but the book is powered by love for Portland, for architecture, and a deep interest in the uses of buildings and public space over time. Each tightly written entry in his building parade notes (in the words of the first, dedicated to the Pioneer Courthouse and “the ghost of the Portland Hotel) the “lessons of blunder and triumph” of urban development, introducing each subject’s intended original usage, its actual usage, and whatever it has been renovated into today. Thorough but never belaboring a point, Graf notes the original architects, those responsible for retrofits and major renovations, and public perceptions of movie palaces, commercial buildings, hotels, a former carriage house, and more.

The result is a walking tour, a spirited local history, and a quick crash course in American architecture, urban renewal, and the changing textures of city life. Spotlights and gallery sections with ample inset photographs of architectural detail celebrate terra cotta features, cast-iron buildings, with renaissance/baroque Italianate front, and more. A puzzling disclaimer urging readers not to cite information collected here as factual without first independently verifying undercuts the book’s authority, but locals will cheer or jeer Graf’s opinions on the city’s most interesting, architecturally speaking, street corner and choices of just-outside-the-city-center building to highlight.

Takeaway: Lively, illuminating tour of the architecture of Portland, Oregon.

Comparable Titles: Bart King’s An Architectural Guidebook to Portland, David Banis’s Portlandness: A Cultural Atlas.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Building Portland

Ernst conjures an invitingly macabre milieu in this middle grade debut, the first in his Graveyard Elementary series. Ten-year-old Franklin Stein, son of the infamous FrankenStein, is a monster with a problem. Unlike his illustrious father, Franklin is far from frightening; in fact, he lost this year’s “most fearsome friend” contest to the snake haired Medula Pitts, much to his chagrin, a failure that carries some weight: his dad won the award when he was young. Franklin’s problem is his height—he’s too short to be scary. Couple that insecurity with a pestering little witch sister named Lily and a werewolf best friend, and, before he knows it, Franklin’s caught in the crosshairs of a dare that has disastrous consequences.

Middle grade readers will fall in love with Ernst’s cheeky humor and colorful characters. Lily—who keeps a six-foot-long spider named Ziggy as a pet—also has a zombie named Abby for a best friend, who, despite her reputation as an airhead, shows some serious smarts when it counts the most, and a gargoyle with a penchant for turning into stone at the smallest scare steals several the scenes. Throughout all the fun, Franklin learns to count on his friends to get out of a jam—and discovers some wishes may not be worth the effort. He insists on opening an eerie, pyramid shaped box that houses a powerful relic, in hopes that it will help him finally win that most scary contest, but inadvertently risks his sister’s life in the process.

Ernst keeps the fright factor age appropriate and the adventure unrelenting as Franklin and his cohort of misfits fight to survive, pitting them against some known enemies (like Voodoo and Chopper, who gravitate towards trouble and find it in spades) and some unexpected ones along the way. The teamwork is spot-on, and the chills, rather than scaring, will make even the most poker-faced reader chuckle.

Takeaway: Lighthearted chills and cheeky fun unite in this comical series starter.

Comparable Titles: Allan Woodrow’s Class Dismissed, David Walliams’s Gangsta Granny.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Graveyard Elementary

In scandal-plagued 1990s Washington D.C., a city of sex and secrets, private eye Bronze Goldberg tracks down cheating spouses and delivers proof of infidelity to their humiliated partners. But when Roger Haake hires Bronze to follow his gorgeous wife, Carolyn, there’s more to the job than meets the eye, and Haake harbors some dark secrets of his own. Soon, Carolyn’s side fling—Congressman Billy Kopes—is found dead, and Haake is murdered shortly after. As Bronze tries to connect the dots, and make sense of just how he factors into the assassin’s plans, he realizes he may be the next target.

Krainin crafts the perfectly flawed hero in Bronze: haunted by his past and burdened by the predicaments of his present, this classic P.I. repeatedly entangles himself in attractions to dangerous women, namely his dalliance with his romance writer landlady, Iris, who keeps close tabs on Bronze herself, and the controversial bombshell Carolyn, newly widowed and with plenty of secrets of her own. Krainin pushes this gritty debut thriller to the max, pumping the stylized, hyper-masculine Bronze and showstopping femme fatales for all they’re worth—with villainous, well-to-do politicians with dark agendas in the mix, too.

Amid all the classic noir fun, Krainin’s hard-boiled hijinks don’t preclude complexity of character. Bronze is a contrast of macho-laced vulnerability, observing Carolyn’s “glamour of falseness” while he revels in his past Olympic judo skills, and his fascination with Carolyn borders on the obsessive, as “the sight of her engulf[s] him in an unbidden longing that pour[s] into the cracks of his heart.” Readers at times won’t know what to think of the lead, but the action satisfies, bolstered by last-minute escapes and shadowy assassins, with Bronze desperately trying to dodge the next bullet while floundering in his own flashbacks—and Iris muses that “it would be criminal not to squeeze at least part of a novel out of Bronze’s adventures.”

Takeaway: Hard-boiled PI dodges bullets—and his past—in this gritty D.C. thriller.

Comparable Titles: Paul Cain’s Fast One, Robert Dugoni’s A Killing on the Hill.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Blood and Mascara

Breece (Kala’s Choice) chronicles the gripping true story of Yutka Lipka's daring escape from Poland during the rise of European Nazism in the 1930s and 1940s. Yutka's harrowing journey to British Mandate Palestine on the SS Parita is riveting, and her family’s tragic demise at the hands of the Nazis heartbreaking, all set against Israel’s newly emerging independence in the background. The Parita voyage is fraught with danger, from encounters with forged documents to desperate struggles against British blockades, as Breece depicts displaced families and friends enduring horrific circumstances en route to the Tel Aviv port.

Breece’s meticulous attention to depicting Jewish culture distinguishes the novel. From Yutka’s reminiscences of Rosh Hashanah to the renditions of traditional songs like Siman Tov U’Mazel Tov to the adoption of the Hebrew language by immigrant children, Breece paints a breathtaking portrait of cultural continuity amidst adversity. The narrative skillfully navigates geographical landscapes as well, from the Parita's voyage across the Black Sea to its arrival in the Mediterranean, where Tel Aviv's iconic white Bauhaus buildings and fig trees symbolize the refugees’ newfound freedom. That framework breathes life into Yutka’s story, as do Breece’s inclusion of family photographs and mementos, giving the novel deep historical context alongside powerful imagery of the everyday experiences of Jewish refugees during the war.

While offering a poignant glimpse into the history of the Holocaust and the resilience of its survivors, Breece also delicately navigates the enduring trauma and challenges faced by Jewish communities, shedding light on the profound significance of migration to Israel as a beacon of hope amidst persecution. The Zionist movement is portrayed as deeply complex and intensely personal, with even Yutka’s own family members being divided as to its potential ramifications, but Yutka’s resolve and determination in the face of devastating circumstances is steadfast, as Breece expertly captures her desperation to save her family—and her people—at any cost.

Takeaway: Harrowing true story of a Jewish woman’s escape from Nazi Germany.

Comparable Titles: Martin Fletcher’s Promised Land, Michael Reit’s Beyond the Tracks.

Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about YUTKA And the Voyage of the Parita

Set against the turbulent political backdrop of 12th-century England, McColgan’s debut blends fantasy and history as it charts the surprising journey of William Steele, a trusted aide to King Henry II. William is assigned a critical mission to the mysterious and magically concealed land of Cabalia—“the Magic Island,” long hidden by a mist enchanted by “curious arts”—to secure a powerful artifact that could prove crucial in thwarting King Stephen’s claim to the throne. Through intricate world-building, McColgan brings the mystical land and all its beasts and secrets to life while anchoring the story in WIlliam’s own ambitions and the greater struggle for the English crown.

What seems like a strange but straightforward mission takes a sharp turn into chaos when a man spontaneously combusts, in broad daylight, with William the prime suspect behind what’s called a case of manslaughter, and soon hunted by the frustrated inquisitor, Telnis Raiko. William forges alliances with the mischievous Zala Zikennig, a mercenary mage with prowess in fire magic and Brinwin Zikennig, an alchemist linked with the fugitive group Azkalah, whom Telnis has been pursuing for a decade. As McColgan evokes rich politics and culture, The Secrets of Shadowcrest offers much classic adventure-fantasy storytelling, as the trio relies on their skills and the technology developed by the Essari people. Guided by William's keen memory, Brinwin's meticulous maps, and Zala's mystical abilities, they face formidable challenges, including the forces of House Shadowcrest and the mysterious Shadowed One.

In his quest for the artifact, William discovers a profound truth, built with conviction via McColgans emotive storytelling: amidst serving others, he must also remember to serve himself. McColgan deftly employs the characters' travels to delve into their backstories and to unveil the mystical land of Cabalia. Throughout, McColgan employs the narrative form itself to deliver unexpected twists that take readers by surprise.This series starter distinguishes itself with its exploration of themes ranging from politics and espionage to elements of historical fiction and romance.

Takeaway: Stellar fantasy debut, blending English history with magic.

Comparable Titles: James Wilde’s Time of the Wolf, Christopher Buehlman’s Between Two Fires.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about The Secrets of Shadowcrest

This brisk, bold coda to Moskovitz’s Brink of Life trilogy presents an intuitive examination of what it means to be human from the point of view of Photina, an AI student and mentee of Corinne Takana, an advocate for AI rights. In Washington, D.C., at the end of the century, in a world of domed cities and anti-aging treatments, AI beings are called SPUDs—Sentient Processing Units and Devices. Photina recognizes that Corinne has just died but is incapable of mourning her. At the funeral, she attempts to push Corinne’s daughter, Natasha, into the open grave, and afterwards Photina identifies a fault in her database from a few lines of new code, mysteriously downloaded into her. Soon Photina is on the run, on a quest to prove she is not dangerous that will find her teamed up with the unhoused AI Drew, experiencing visions in which she’s living someone else’s life, and pursued by the violent Tribe of 23, a conspiracy-spewing carbon supremacist hate group of humans determined to wipe out all AI.

While the plotting is inventive, Photina’s present-tense narration moves quickly, relentlessly so, with events passing so fast—and characters arriving at conclusions in such a flash—that at times key scenes lack impact, despite the strength of the ideas behind them. Still, the story has killer twists, especially those involving an upgraded Photina doppelganger named Gemini. Through betrayal and an unlikely alliance, Photina chases Gemini through Washington and New York to clear her name, all while employing a cool suite of powers and feeling overwhelmed by the temptation of human emotion.

Moskovitz explains how he used ChatGPT to help develop the story’s “decision points,” a shrewd device for a rumination on the progress of AI development. Through Photina’s observations of human feelings and interactions, Moskovitz comments on human foibles and triumphs, hubris and the capacity to love and sacrifice, which—along with insights into tech and psychology—will keep readers’ interest piqued.

Takeaway: An AI “SPUD” faces conspiracy and human emotions in this fast-moving adventure.

Comparable Titles: Annalee Newitz’s Autonomous, Martha Wells’s Network Effect.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about The Pinocchio Chip

Novelist Adams (Don’t Be Afraid of Heaven) debuts in the spiritual self-help realm by drawing on lessons he has carried into retirement, many drawn from the aftermath of a life-changing episode: at age 34 he confirmed memories of ritual abuse in infancy. Celebrating aging as a “privilege,” Adams lays out steps toward facing retirement with purpose, drawing teaching moments from his experiences to help new retirees implement a blueprint for fulfillment in their twilight years, while also reflecting on trauma, its impact on his development, and what he’s learned facing it. By combining personal recollections, anecdotes, advisories, a dose of Boomer and Generation X pop cultural references, and journaling exercises, Adams gives readers a chance to examine, appreciate, and share their own life lessons and harness the insights they’ve acquired along the way.

In clear and inviting prose, Adams makes the case that life’s obstacles are actually lessons in disguise—lessons that are specific to each individual and that, even when difficult, give life purpose as we learn them. For Adams, lessons reveal urgent truths: those who are overly selfish may “discover that those around them will stop giving,” while someone who is greedy may face “an unhealthy emptiness, always wanting more and yet feeling more and more empty” until embracing an attitude of gratitude. Adams's guidance also draws from age-old wisdom and truisms such as refusing to place one’s value on outside validation; doing one’s best and letting go of impossible expectations; recognizing gossip as unhealthy; acknowledging that the past repeats if one doesn’t learn from it; and recognizing that anyone who enters one’s life “is the gravy, not the main ingredient.”

Readers facing retirement and who have endured abuse or addiction will welcome Adams’s personal stories of enlightenment, recovery, and empowerment intended to transform uncertain futures into opportunities to see themselves as more than their accomplishments.

Takeaway: Hard-won, uplifting advice and lessons for retirement from a survivor of abuse.

Comparable Titles: Charles Garfield’s Our Wisdom Years, Louise Nayer’s Poised for Retirement.

Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-

Click here for more about Live & Learn

Jeffries’s thrilling third in his Ages of Malice series (after A Measure of Rhyme) finds Cain—the first murderer known to mankind, doomed to immortal life for his sins—emerging as the Antichrist and unleashing a coup for world domination. As his personal biographer, Emery Merrick watches from the wings, covertly seeking Cain’s weaknesses in order to end his potential reign of terror. Emery’s allies are unusual: Rhyme Carter, Cain’s wife, fights for her life (and freedom) a world away on American soil, as she flees the FBI and her husband’s henchmen, and Pappy, a Franciscan priest, sees Emery as a key player in the apocalypse, warning him that “end times have found us.”

This dark and horrifying narrative of biblical mythos puts well-known characters to good use, pulling from Bible text to evoke apocalyptic terror, as when Pappy observes that “Cain’s power grows. Soon he’ll be unstoppable. When that happens, woe to us all.” Jeffries successfully renders a harrowing thriller, embellishing Christian beliefs and incorporating enchanted weaponry and immortality to lend the plot a fantastical element—and transform the villainous Cain into an unstoppable monster. Yet, those who fight against Cain make their own heroic attempts, infusing the story with unsettling tension while racing against time, surviving fierce tactical strikes and catastrophic battles as Cain makes a nightmarish grasp for world dominion.

Though the storyline is easy to follow, readers will want to start with the first in the series; Jeffries’s characters—and their backstories—are deeply complex. The worldbuilding staggers, as Emery navigates the treachery behind Cain’s easy smiles, demons with “twisted lips [that] stretch around an overstuffed mouth,” and Rhyme’s dangerous, reckless love, all while his world shatters around him. The conclusion is as shocking as Jeffries’s sizzling treatment of the storied day of judgment. Fans of biblical retellings won’t want to miss this.

Takeaway: Scorching thriller of international terror and the Antichrist.

Comparable Titles: David McAfee's 33 A.D., Mark E. Fisher’s Days of the Apocalypse series.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Embers of Shadow

In this spirited self-help debut, Bookey uses his passion for ping pong to draw life tips from the sport. “There are many lessons to be learned in this uniquely universal game” he writes, sharing 18 “Pong Principles” to cultivate success personally and professionally. Each chapter takes a fundamental truth from the game—ranging from defining a coach’s role to prepping for a match—and correlates it with business skills, followed by an in-depth portrait of accomplished leaders from a mix of industries and reflective prompts to help readers apply the covered skills.

Bookey’s advice is every bit as sharp and precise as table tennis itself, and he includes a variety of helpful pointers, such as how to establish a solid starting position, why a one-size-fits-all approach to business can fall short of the mark, and the importance of keeping things simple: “sometimes… a surprisingly mundane and easy move will yield the best results” he counsels. Observing that “leadership is easy to learn but hard to master,” Bookey offers several enterprising examples, covering business tycoons and sports all-stars alike, including GoDaddy’s Aman Bhutani, American mountain climber Alison Levine, and world-famous poker player Annie Duke.

Decrying those “laundry list[s] of tactics” that often fall flat in the real world, Bookey vows instead to wow readers with his carefully constructed principles, offering a good measure of fun to make the guidance stick, as in his “quick hit” sections that detail entertaining snippets of sports and business-related history lessons to drive the points home. Though not required, a love of the game will come in handy here as Bookey builds on the basic concepts that make table tennis so popular. He includes resources for further study, closing with a rundown of “key table tennis rules,” and urges readers to recognize that, “whatever table you’re playing at,” success is just a point or two away.

Takeaway: Lively guide to leadership skills through the surprising perspective of ping pong.

Comparable Titles: Nancy Lieberman's Playbook for Success, Tom Young's The Making of a Leader.

Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Ping Pong Leadership

This rousing entry in Pillay’s Inspirational Careers for Kids series (which includes titles like When I’m a Surgeon and When I’m an Entrepreneur) sets its sights on the biggest job of all as readers are introduced to a young girl whose ambition is to become the President of the United States. As she envisions a future of signing bills at the Resolute Desk, taking the time to listen to constituents, and giving uplifting speeches at graduations, her resounding message is one of love, hope, and growth for the people and the nation as a whole, this likable aspirant goes against the grain of contemporary cynicism to present politics as a career for impassioned change-makers, dreaming of making "the world a better place.”

Pillay introduces young readers to such leadership as a calling with a story that nurtures idealism, a dedication to hard work, and the conviction that any dream is possible, such as a woman becoming President and achieving a positive global impact. Bold and vibrant illustrations by Remesh Ram bring this dreamer’s vision to life with characters and scenes that pop off the page, such as the narrator’s future self standing at the Lincoln Memorial, vowing always to be honest. Pillay highlights setting goals, dreaming big, and planning for the future, all while demonstrating the power of affirmative statements and visualizing achievement.

While the focus of this series is on dreaming big about individual career goals, the message throughout these pages is expansive, as here the narrator’s dream is to build community and be the change she wants to see in the world. Celebrating the diversity in America, this book powerfully links politics to people and the way America and its leaders affect the world. Young readers will be captivated by the images, smartly simple prose that has the cadences of a powerful speech, and the promise of a young girl in a position of power.

Takeaway: Empowering picture book of dreaming big, politics, and making positive change.

Comparable Titles: Parker Curry's Parker Looks Up, Catherine Stier's If I Were President.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about When I'm the President

Sam can’t seem to escape the winter blues—those “dark days… [when] both the ground and the sky are the same bland gray color”—in Granger’s pensive picture book debut. Suffering from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), Sam fights depression when the sun is in hiding, finding it hard to get out of bed in the morning, exhausting to complete his daily tasks, and even tiring to hang out with his friends on the playground during recess—all a stark contrast to his bubbly, “chatterbox” ways during sunnier seasons.

Granger transports readers into Sam’s first-person narrative, offering important insight on SAD and how to treat it, along with a healthy dose of hope for those who may be struggling with the same issues. Sam’s struggles are heartbreaking to watch, but even so, his youthful explanation of how SAD impacts everyday life gifts readers with an inside view of a grueling disorder: “The worst part about SAD is that it can be lonely, so most of the time I keep it a secret. Depression is not something you can easily talk about with your friends or family.” Readers will find plenty of hands-on advice in Sam’s story too, as Granger deals with treatments ranging from light therapy to herbal remedies, all of which Sam uses to cope with feeling isolated, left out, and “down in the dumps.”

Granger’s material is heavy, and adult readers should be ready to explain the more complex topics to younger audiences, like the interplay between serotonin, dopamine, and melatonin that sometimes contribute to SAD, but Sam’s language is easy to follow and Granger’s multi-colored graphics break up the sobering text. Kids will connect with Sam’s need to “recharge” during winter—and wish to have superpowers to escape to a place of endless summer—while drawing inspiration from his willingness to open up about a disorder that too many are reluctant to share.

Takeaway: Easy-to-follow introduction to Seasonal Affective Disorder, from a kid’s perspective.

Comparable Titles: Andi Green’s Don’t Feed the WorryBug, Michael Rosen’s Sad Book.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: B
Illustrations: B
Editing: B-
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Why is Sam So SAD?

“We are taught that miracles do not exist,” Los Angeles native and self-help author Price writes, but rather than accept life as miracle-less, Price urges readers to “pretend that they do and see what happens.” This playful morsel of wisdom is one of many in Price’s debut that seeks to demystify human happiness and offer readers an admittedly haphazard, yet practical, set of ideas, goals, methods, and experiments that the author believes can help readers “create every feeling that we feel.” Happiness is not a consequence of luck, according to Price, but a conscious choice that people can make regardless of their circumstances.

Price claims the key to making that choice is to “stop blaming others [...] for our place in life,” and instead take responsibility for emotions and feelings, even though people are socialized to shift blame from the self to others. Unlearning blame-shifting behavior is difficult, Price acknowledges, and she offers myriad suggestions throughout her debut to help people make a fresh start, like engaging with nature, meditation, mindfulness, art, volunteering, and more. Following each chapter, the author includes journaling prompts, questionnaires, and thought experiments, along with a brief poem, to engage readers with her subject matter via multiple mediums.

Self-help readers may find Price’s ideas to be familiar, but the author’s ultimate goal with her book is to remind people that “you are a beautiful human full of the capability to love and be loved,” which is a noble quest. In its current state, Price’s self-help guide isn’t easily readable given that it is unproofed, but for those looking for an interactive, quick read full of actionable ideas for an improved quality of life, The Quest for Happiness delivers just that with compassionate encouragement.

Takeaway: Inviting self-help guide offering ideas on choosing happiness.

Comparable Titles: Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, Russ Harris’s The Happiness Trap.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B+
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about The Quest for Happiness

Kramer delivers a lavish, fast-paced magical quest in this prequel to his Heroes of Time series (after Murdoch’s Choice), exploring the origins of popular character Fulgar Geth, who grows up with his downtrodden working-class parents and a healthy disdain for the oppressive labor system. Fulgar, who possesses healing powers and an inner use of magnetism enabling him to exert control over physical objects, is desperate to improve his family’s life. When his best friend, Binny, receives a talisman rumored to lead its owner to magical powers, the boys vow to channel its gift, reasoning that “it’s not that we want to rule anyone. We just don’t want anyone above us, ruling our destinies.”

Kramer has a talent for writing spirited adventure, fisticuffs, magical encounters, and battle scenes that incorporate a wide cast of diverse characters, all spotlighted in the quest that Fulgar, Binny, and their new friend, Jinx, a young amnesiac shipwreck victim they rescue from slavery, must undertake. As they search for clues to the shrine—black sparkling metal they dub blarkle, a scroll from the underground caverns of a church, the reclusive Order of Aether Diamond cult—they also must dodge the violent bounty hunter Volk Vorovka and a whip-wielding sorcerer, in the process discovering what it really means to work together (and uncovering a spark of romance for Fulgar and Jinx).

The quest puts the entire group at risk, and, as the adventure wears on, Fulgar and Jinx work to jog her memory in hopes of learning who she really is—while Fulgar finds the inner strength to face some of his worst fears. Kramer deftly hits all the right fantasy notes, boosted with copious amounts of verve, betrayal, twists, and bravery against dark foes. Readers will embrace the impressive world building, imaginative magical skills, witticism, and suspense, all combining to make this well-crafted offering a hit for fans of adventure fantasy.

Takeaway: Adventure fantasy finds three opportunists on a quest for magical powers.

Comparable Titles: Elise Kova’s The Golden Guard Trilogy, Michael G. Manning’s Wizard in Exile.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Heroes of Time Legends: The Healer

Featuring clones of historical figures working together to stop a world-ending event, Clark’s witty and sharp debut entertains with its intricate plot and endearing characters. Twenty-one years ago, crotchety American James Bricker and optimistic Liberian Emmanuel Kebe were geneticists on a defunct United Nations Security Council cloning project called the Phoenix Elite Initiative, until Bricker shot Kebe and stole DNA samples. Kebe survived to continue the project in secret, raising and training seven young people scattered around the world. Today, the seven are brought together for the first time to learn their true identities: anxiety ridden Adam Eberhardt is Albert Einstein, unkempt American tech nerd Brandon Freeman is Benjamin Franklin, arrogant South African scion Nigel Dillon is Nelson Mandela, and so on. Other cloned personages include Che Guevara, Joan of Arc, Genghis Khan, and the Egyptian queen Hatshepsut.

Clark's audacious, compelling story ratchets up the tension when the clones learn that Bricker has founded the terrorist group Allied Rebel Koalition (ARK) to destroy mankind with a nuclear holocaust and replace it with genetically engineered super humans. With jibes, humor, and hard-earned trust, the clones begin physical training, learning to work together and acquiring cool equipment like bulletproof under armor, iGlass contact lenses, and a plasma bazooka. But when ARK infiltrates the facility in a show of deadly force, the clones are on their own, facing a desperate mission to Rome. Adam hopes that he will cross paths with his unrequited love, the nuclear genius Margot Czarnecki, who was among the nuclear energy scientists Bricker has been kidnapping.

Briskly told, with crisp action, ever-escalating stakes, and memorable dialogue (“Hey, Einstein, you know how to drive stick, right?”) from a diverse and surprising cast, the globe-hopping adventure, espionage, science, and twists keep readers’ attention as this diverse group of some of the greatest minds in history join the fight for humanity’s future.

Takeaway: Clones of history’s greatest thinkers race to save the world from nuclear devastation.

Comparable Titles: Steven L. Kent’s Rogue Clone, Michael Marshall Smith’s Spares.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

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Known for its rugged landscapes, abundant forests, and pristine beaches, Maine has been rightly celebrated as “Vacationland” for generations. In Hamilton-Guarino’s adventurous picture book for children, a young cat named Blueberry is eager to check out all his home state has to offer. He sets out on a road trip with his best friend, a mouse named Jam, to hit some of the top tourist spots, notably Acadia National Park and various lakes, lighthouses, and mountains. Their itinerary includes exciting outdoor activities such as fly fishing, hiking, and swimming, with both friends eager to try new things while munching on as many wild blueberries as they can gather.

This inviting story serves primarily as a celebration of what makes the Pine Tree State so special, but it is also a testament to the power and importance of novel experiences and strong friendships. Throughout their wanderings, Blueberry and Jam never leave each other’s side, clearly taking as much delight in being together as they do from the breathtaking scenery. They also meet new individuals who take them on excursions and expand their horizons, such as a hiker on Mount Katahdin who has traveled 2,160 miles from Georgia. This will inspire kids to explore and be open to new encounters.

Irina Prisacaru’s picturesque illustrations show Blueberry and Jam grinning amidst idyllic scenery, mostly wearing shirts and hats that say things like “best friends” or “I love Maine.” Charming and vibrant, the pictures show the two friends enjoying familiar activities like roasting marshmallows around a campfire, bouncing a beach ball, or thoughtfully writing in their journals. The coastal scenery is also faithfully reproduced, with one of the most exciting stops being the Thunder Hole, where water sprays into the air from between jagged rocks. Following these two pals on their trip will inspire kids to plan an adventure of their own.

Takeaway: Blueberry the cat and Jam the mouse go on a road trip together around Maine.

Comparable Titles: Karel Heyes’s The Summer Visitors, Katie Clark’s Grandma Drove the Lobsterboat.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: A-
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: B+

Click here for more about Blueberry and Jam - Adventures in Maine