Malone’s adventurous debut middle-grade historical fantasy takes readers back to the California gold rush, where a fantastical myth is real and in danger of being discovered. Twelve-year-old Ben Coolahan lived a comfortable life in Boston with his aunt, until his father died in an accident in the family mine in California. Ben was sent for by his step-grandmother who now ran the mine, at his father’s request, as the only remaining heir. Upon his arrival, Ben quickly learns he’s now in a much different, much dirtier, much more dangerous world. The medallion and encrypted letter left for him by his father lead to clues he never would’ve expected: the elf-like Tommyknockers aren’t just real, they’re in danger—and Ben is running out of time to save them.

Written for middle graders, Malone instead creates a great example of a book for all ages. Both adults and children will be immediately drawn into the well-researched history of the gold rush, never shying away from the hard truths of not only how the miners lived, but of what happened to the land being mined as well. Malone keeps readers drawn in with much mystery and adventure, all seen through the eyes of an engaging, easy-to-cheer-for young protagonist, as Ben learns who he can trust and works with them to solve the equations and codes to uncover the hidden messages from his father.

The fantasy element comes from a real myth told by Cornish miners. Tommyknockers were said to have made knocking sounds in the mines to warn miners of impending danger, but are never seen. In this story, Ben’s father discovers they’re real, and they live inside what’s called a “Mother Lode”—an enormous amount of gold. They must live under this great golden dome underground, and they will die without it. While Ben works to keep the miners away as they inch closer, he also learns the effects human contact has made on the Tommyknockers, which will leave readers reflecting on humanity itself, plus fear and greed.

Takeaway: Phenomenal combination of history and fantasy in the California Gold Rush.

Comparable Titles: Avi’s Gold Rush Girl, B.B. Alston’s Amari and the Night Brothers.

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

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An idyllic day in the life of “professional powerhouse and supermom” Rochette is shattered when a distracted driver nearly kills her in a suburban crosswalk, a nightmare experience that catalyzes this inspirational memoir debut. Her survival is miraculous but leaves her grappling with uncomfortable questions. Was she “saved for a reason?” Is it “selfish” to receive help when she’s “already so lucky?” Rochette explains her hyper-vigilance against being needy: “I was raised on self-sufficiency and independence, on the American dream of blood, sweat, and bootstrapping.” As she comes to grips with her serious physical injuries, PTSD, and Traumatic Brain Injury, Rochette sees a dark side to this extreme “mentality of self-sufficiency” for the first time, beginning with the devastating realization that, for her, “dying under a car would have been much easier…than surviving with grace.”

Rochette’s friends, family, and even hairstylist often model the grace she’s so eager to find. With an open, conversational style that pulls no punches, Rochette creates an intimate portrait of her recovery from trauma, and how she made peace between her faith in “bootstrapping” and the very real limitations she was left with after the accident. Though the insights in the book’s closing section (cheekily titled “My Sermon”), are familiar truisms, i.e. “be vulnerable,” “love big,” and “say sorry,” they are nevertheless hard-earned and inarguable wisdom from a survivor eager to “pay it forward.”

Following her therapist’s suggestion, “you can try to hide your cracks, or you can celebrate them for how they make you beautiful,” allows Rochette to reframe the accident as her “Unbreakable Day,” and to understand vulnerability not as a character flaw, but as “the other side of mental toughness.” Her story is rich with unforgettable details, her candor is remarkable, and her gentle humor eases tension in all but the darkest moments.

Takeaway: A survivor’s inspirational lessons in refusing perfectionism and redefining strength.

Comparable Titles: Allison Pataki’s Beauty in the Broken Places, Céline Santini’s Kintsugi: Finding Strength in Imperfection.

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

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Six year-old Marnie narrates this approachable and conversational introduction to the concept of inclusion in Miller’s big-hearted picture book. Covering differences such as ability, race, skin tone, and more in broad strokes, Marnie’s precociously wise narration draws readers in with questions addressed directly to readers (“What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?”) interspersed throughout the text, especially in the latter half of the book when she shares facts about herself and asks questions of the audience to engage them as well. Featuring vibrant, hyper-realistic digital illustrations, We’re the Same, We’re Different, and We All Belong is an interactive introduction to broad social emotional learning topics.

No artist is credited with the book’s illustrations, mostly of Marnie and other smiling young people of diverse backgrounds, presented in warmly lit settings with a glossy, digital sheen. At times inconsistent in style and characterization, these images sometimes look faintly familiar, especially a glimpse of a fairy and an abominable beast, though they do bring life and connection to the story and lesson.

Marnie is a memorable narrator—“I like playing with my dolls even if I’ve cut their hair off and fed them so much food they smell like egg sandwiches and tuna!”— though her age on occasion seems out of sync with the text, which builds to inspirational life lessons like “Mistakes help me learn!” Regardless, young readers are likely to appreciate opportunities to answer questions and reflect on their own lives and the ways in which they’re different or the same as their friends, classmates, neighbors, and more. While the discussion of differences is broad, We’re the Same, We’re Different, and We All Belong offers a conversational introduction to the basics of inclusion and in fact is likely best suited as a conversation starter with children.

Takeaway: Inviting introduction to inclusion as told by a six year-old narrator.

Comparable Titles: Cyana Riley’s Not So Different, Aisha Saeed’s The Together Tree.

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

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A retired military lifer and non-commissioned officer who served tours in Bosnia and Iraq, Pinion reflects on his experience with a book that’s partly a compendium of funny stories and leadership lessons, but also a sort of memorial and expression of grief for soldiers lost along the way. The book is funny, as the title suggests, but also resonant thanks to Pinion’s willingness to be vulnerable and expose issues regarding mental illness in the military. Still, it's obvious throughout that he loves the Army and believed in his missions. As a cavalry scout, specializing in frequently dangerous reconnaissance missions and house-to-house fighting—life-or-death situations for him and the soldiers under his command—he had to believe.

Each story is told in roughly chronological order over the course of his career as a soldier, and each chapter describes an experience that taught him a lesson. Early on, a “ballsy” platoon sergeant sent a company of soldiers back from a gunnery range to complete prerequisite training they hadn’t yet taken. Pinion sees the wisdom in this: you should never turn down the opportunity to train if a lack of it could prove fatal. Another story finds Pinion impersonating an officer to help his platoon sergeant get out of trouble, something he did willingly because the sergeant loved his men, while a wild incident in which a superior asked for help proving his wife’s infidelity taught Pinion to question illegal or immoral orders.

As a leader, Pinion emphasizes training and discipline so soldiers know their jobs—and strived to show his troops that he cares about them by being willing to get out in the field, unlike one commander in Iraq who never wanted to leave the base. Pinion is emotional in detailing the stories of one of his men who jumped on a grenade to save others and a beloved, enthusiastic soldier killed by a sniper. His unflinching discussion of PTSD, treatment that saved his life, and his deep concern for his soldiers all have real power.

Takeaway: Wit, lessons, and touching tributes from a career soldier.

Comparable Titles: J. Pepper Bryars’s American Warfighter, Tom Satterly and Steve Jackson’s All Secure.

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

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