Mark Powell’s "Lioness" is a haunting literary thriller that probes an emotional and spiritual quest for meaning amid despair. Two years after the death of their seven-year-old son, David learns that his estranged wife, Mara, is... Read More

In William Hamilton’s posthumously-issued novel "The Dark of the Stars", two teenagers enter a mythical realm, where they band together to survive. Robert is an orphan who is planning to go on a holiday with his friends. Instead, he is... Read More

More than a memoir about sustainable farming in Scotland, Lynn Cassells and Sandra Baer’s "Our Wild Farming Life" delves into the history and present-day concerns of the region’s ecology. In 2016, after years spent dreaming of owning... Read More

This comforting metaphorical picture book starts after a tough childhood event and emphasizes its meanings via sparse, affecting illustrations. In it, a lost boy encounters Emptiness, who is spectral and sad; the two decide to assist... Read More

A young girl, frustrated with her regimented life, escapes to a land of magic in this whimsical, watercolor tale. Rose and her family are poor: her parents insist on chores rather than playing with local children, and her shoes are worn... Read More

Plush bunnies are set and photographed within intricate miniature scenes for this tale about making the best of unexpected challenges. Ava loves to paint, especially at the park, but a rogue soccer ball spells disaster for her latest... Read More

The intertwining of the personal and the political is at the heart of Christie Hodgen’s "Boy Meets Girl", a smart, funny novel. In 1992, rich Ben meets poor-ish Sam in a New Hampshire sandwich shop. Ben is working on a political... Read More

In Linda Williams Jackson’s historical novel "The Lucky Ones", a boy who’s living in poverty finds strength and a way forward through education. In 1968, Senator Robert Kennedy sets out on his Southern Poverty Tour, seeking to reveal... Read More