Reviews in Brief

Unbearable by Amy Winfield, with illustrations by Thiago Neumann, is a story about the unlikely friendship between a boy and a bear, filled with intelligent messaging for young readers about navigating modern life. One morning, Brandon wakes up and finds that his parents sleeping bags are empty – as he looks for them around their camping site, he meets Smokey, an imposing bear who turns out to be more wise than ferocious. With a concentration on the importance of acceptance and community, as well as unexpected plot twists that keep one turning the pages, Winfield’s narrative is alternately serious and humorous, and ultimately inspiring, as Smokey is such an engaging and perceptive guide.

A thoughtfully crafted children’s book about gratitude, hard work, and family, The Adventures of Rick and Jack by Rick Randall explores the not-so-perfect dream of quitting school and living on the beach. As young Jack discovers during a dreamy trip to paradise with his pal Dr. Rick, living without any responsibilities in lieu of education isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. Whether he’s dumpster diving for breakfast or longing for the hot showers at his parents’ house, it turns out that his old life isn’t so bad after all. With vivid illustrations and clearly focused messages of appreciation, humility, and learning from your lessons, this is a timely and multilayered read for a wide age range of readers.

An unassuming but remarkable collection of short stories, I Never Knew How Old I Was by David Joseph is a heartfelt gathering of narrative philosophy. From wisdom about setting expectations and the noble charm of gullibility to seeing beyond ignorant societal judgments and the love imbued in our everyday nourishment, these seemingly simple tales overflow with profound lessons from ordinary sources. Celebrating the magic of small-town life, the significance of family legacies, and the persistence of imperfection, these pieces are carefully crafted, but ring with the authenticity of a casual chat. Impressive in its breadth of subject matter and delicacy of analysis, this collection is a kaleidoscopic portrait of nostalgia.

A charming travelogue with a spontaneous quartet of entertaining companions, A Girls’ Road Trip: From Texas (U.S.) to Prince Edward Island (Canada) by Eula Woodyard McKown is an affecting slice of inspiration for people who long for the open road. Detailing a road trip of over 2,000 miles from Texas to Canada, from eccentric diners and scenic boardwalks to the JFK Museum and covered bridge adventures, the author’s tone is both informative and personable, welcoming readers into the unique challenges and triumphs of a largely unplanned journey. Reading at times like a road novel, this is a quick and empowering story that celebrates both the backroads of America and the enduring friendships in our lives.

Revelatory in its fearless narrative exploration, Every Saint a Sinner by Pearl Solas takes an unflinching look at a modern crisis of faith, truth, and community. A young boy is assaulted by a trusted figure in the church, launching a mother’s hunt for higher justice, no matter what resistance she faces, in this raw tale of shattered belief. The visceral narration and rollercoaster plot will hold readers’ rapt attention, bringing emotion to the fore and never getting lost in the weeds of legal proceedings. Timely in its subject matter, this story stands as a crucial reminder of the echoing ripples of trauma caused by this shocking chapter in Catholic history.

A newly liberated doctor launches herself into a high-seas journey of self-discovery in Transit by Marty Malin, a smart and scintillating read about taking control of your own story. When Dr. Quilter boards the MV Andaman Pearl in Japan, she is hoping for excitement, but multiple love interests, a tragic murder, rebel pirates, and some disturbingly feline dreams end up spinning her onto a much different and more dangerous adventure. Her particular skill set makes her both an asset and a target, while the ship’s eclectic cast of travelers makes this dauntless doctor’s dream vacation more exhilarating and enlightening than she could have imagined. A visionary read that is at once action-packed and cerebral, the novel totally defies any expectations of genre, resulting in a story that is continually surprising and intellectually audacious.