John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

A young man tries to find peace while navigating the troubled waters of trauma and self-discovery in The Pebble Champion by A.D. Pritchard. Stories about life-changing events are often compelling and relatable, as trauma and loss are universal for readers, and this coming-of-age story is no different. Laced with vivid snatches of flashback and memory, this emotionally charged novel is raw and vulnerable, but also told with the confidence of a skilled storyteller. There are occasional sections of dialogue that feel overly wordy, or inauthentic to how young people speak, but this is a small criticism within a largely impressive […]

A young girl’s charming obsession for bears of all kinds takes center stage in One Night in Beartown by Nick Jones. Inspired by a real-life town of painted bears, Congleton, this is a beautiful children’s story of friendship and resilience, and being honest about what you love, without fear of being teased or judged. Packed with vivid illustrations, an engaging story, and strong thematic messages that should resonate for young children, this is a unique addition to any bookshelf, and one that can be returned to time and again. There are a few hiccups in the language that feel a […]

A vivid and heartfelt tale of family history, unexpected adventure, and abiding love, Just Where They Wanted to Be: The Story of My Amazing Parents (2nd Edition) by Ellen Sollinger Walker is a powerful and memorable recounting of her parents’ life. A beautiful blend of memoir and travelogue, the author not only takes readers around the world through her parents’ recollections, but is herself a part of this epic story. From Papua New Guinea and Yemen to the Bahamas and the Galapagos Islands, this globe-trotting read is a love story about the wild parts of the world, in addition to […]

As an adventurer, storyteller, and fearless student of the human spirit, Linda Durham delivers a deeply entertaining and inspiring memoir in Still Moving. As the title suggests, this is a story of perpetual dynamism, lifelong curiosity, and relentless introspection. The author navigates the globe, and an uncertain career shift, recounting tales that occasionally feel born for the big screen, but are told with humility and authenticity. Equally philosophical, personal, and playful, this is a detailed wander through the author’s past, and an intentional exploration of self. There are some redundancies in the prose, and the odd string of tangential […]