John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

A trio of friends leap into a mystical and dangerous adventure to better their troubled lives in The Scavenger by Aidan Lucid. A coming-of-age story with heavy allegorical elements, this YA novel highlights the power of friendship amidst struggle, and reveals the hidden consequences of chronic trauma, bullying, and abuse in young people. The story may have undertones of “be careful what you wish for,” but the themes Lucid explores are important and timely. Blending fantastical elements with relatable relationships, authentic dialogue, and common struggles too often left undiscussed, this book does what YA literature should always strive for – […]

A quick and important story about common anxieties that young children face, The Little Brown Spider in Which Way to Go? by Dennis Derobertis is a beautifully illustrated primer for kids before they start attending school. Michael is worried about not knowing which direction to turn after getting off the bus at school, but a new friend helps him find the way. While this worry is understandable for kids, the language and focus are somewhat repetitive, which is necessary and common in children’s books, but happens a bit too often here. However, the illustrations are exquisite, and the titular spider […]

A whirlwind of an adventure set in the eternally mysterious city of London, The Timepiece and the Girl Who Went Astray by O.R. Simmonds is a bold and meticulously penned thriller. William Wells only wanted a special gift for his girlfriend, but his thoughtfulness sends him spiraling into the midst of a horological battle stretching back generations. Boasting a sprawling vocabulary, visceral descriptions, and a discerning narrative voice that never reveals too much, this time-bending novel will appeal to physicists, anglophiles, treasure hunters, and sci-fi lovers alike. Simmonds echoes the declarative formality of certain English mystery writers, but also displays […]

Author Kaitie Howie delivers a visceral story of growing past pain and learning to love in Broken Like Me, a work of fiction that reads like a gripping memoir. A young mother with deep trust issues spirals into romance with a mysterious stranger who has heavy baggage of his own, leading to a tense, emotional minefield of a read. The flow of the story is smooth, but there are also some odd descriptive and narrative choices, including parenthetical asides and a frequent tendency to tell, rather than show. An experienced editorial pen could eliminate these inconsistencies, but overall this […]