Editorial Reviews

Providing a behind-the-scenes look at the technology that has revolutionized life as we know it, The Other Computer History: Amazing, amusing and expierenced stories about the Computer science from 1959-2004 by Hans Bodmer is an eye-opening and hands-on glimpse into the past. From card-punchers and encryption devices as big as filing cabinets to the earliest prototypes of the phones we now can’t live without, this memoir recounts rare anecdotes at the heart of computer science, with the personal touch of a high-spirited storyteller. Unfortunately, the prose feels choppy, disjointed, and poorly paced, largely because of the frequent grammatical errors, as […]

A young girl torn between two worlds must carve out a new home in Ghana after disaster strikes in Slaves of Men and Gods by Jacqueline Smith, a dramatic and original YA thriller. Digging into issues of adolescent development, gender dynamics, relatable questions of morality, traditional Ghanaian practices, and more, the target audience may be teenagers, but the themes are complex and mature, while never talking down to readers. With vivid characters and vulnerably emotional writing, this authentic tale about cultivating new roots is an engrossing and wholly unique read.

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An intensely rich and beautiful book written with the poetic touch of a writer whose heart unmistakably beats with Andalusian blood, Inheriting Our Names: An Imagined True Memoir of Spain’s Pact of Forgetting by C. Vargas McPherson is the devastating story based on true events of a family torn asunder by Franco’s Civil War in 1930s Spain. Tragedy mingles with religion and tradition as hunger and death approach the family’s barrio in the city of Seville. Now, their granddaughter, the author, travels to Spain to imagine their story, and uncover the truth that stays silent under Spain’s so-called Pact of […]

A whimsical fling into the fantastic realm of imagination, Magic in Windowland by Rupamanjari, with illustrations by Aliaksandra Kopach, is a fun adventure about freedom and friendship. When a fog-window doodle named Pip is brought to life with the help of a generous pixie, little does he know what challenging adventures and lessons lie ahead. The illustrations are crisp and vivid, and the chosen font is engaging, while also allowing for emotional formatting of the text. The messaging is powerful but subtle, making this delightful children’s book an optimistic pleasure to read.

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A volatile drama touching on hidden trauma and the pain that binds us to those we love, That Which Remains: Reunion by M. Tess Ossenelli is an intense, emotionally intelligent work of romantic fiction. A doctor’s dark history resurfaces, triggered by a new family crisis and accompanied by long-buried guilt, but he is simultaneously offered an unexpected chance at redemption. With life-or-death stakes and vulnerable characters that readers will find easy to support, this novel spills over with internal struggle. Capturing emotional turmoil in a believable way is a challenge, but Ossenelli hits the mark time and again. Some of […]

With a tongue-in-cheek attitude and razor-sharp wit, The Pop Tart Insurrection by Marcus Herzberg is an over-the-top drama about the struggles of teenage life, and the drastic measures one may take to change things for the better. A manic stream of consciousness from a minor league megalomaniac, this fast-paced, tangent-tossing ride somehow turns the tables on its own protagonist, revealing flaws in his thinking, behavior, and reactions to all the disappointments and harsh realities of growing up. Being at the center of one’s own universe can be a lonely place, and in this sardonic yet incisive novel, that curse of […]

A heartwarming tale for late elementary school readers, The Mysterious Pool by Charlene McIver, with illustrations by Zoe Saunders, is a magical work of middle grade fiction. With plenty of mysteries and puzzles for the young protagonists to solve, as well as talking mice, kindly grandmothers, secret codes, and fairyland treasures, this whimsical ride is an imaginative treat. The writing is simple enough for a variety of readers, but the pace occasionally slows, and there are occasional grammatical errors in the text. However, the illustrations are stellar, and the underlying messaging about friendship and resilience is strongly conveyed. All told, […]

A series of snapshot vignettes that weave into an immersive “novelloir,” Dinosaurs & Snow Angels by Mary Taylor is a non-traditional story of the watershed moments that mark every family and life. Capturing nuanced identities in a single turn of phrase or offhand comment, and pulling readers into the intimate scenes that define a young girl’s perspective, this book is a visceral ode to childhood, sisterhood, and the silent struggles of youth. Easing readers in with a conversational narration, the author also delivers striking strings of language throughout this unique and revealing read.

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