Reviewed by P. Rosenthal for Readers' Favorite

Imagine the 1980s when gas was cheap, and Ronald Reagan was President. Facing the Fugitive by Katrina Hoover Lee is a mystery that will take the young reader to Stratford, Indiana, on the St. Joseph River. Stratford may seem like a quiet small town, but an international fugitive lurks in the shadows, or at least in the vicinity. After resolving a crime in their neighborhood, the thought of a fugitive on the loose piques the Fitzpatrick brothers’ interest. When their family travels by train to the University of Chicago hospital, several passengers seem to fit the international mystique. Then a precious artifact on loan from the Middle East is stolen. Are these observations clues or fodder for the imagination?

Move over, Hardy Boys! In Facing the Fugitive, Katrina Hoover Lee introduces amateur sleuths, “Terry the acrobat,” “Larry the brain,” and "Gary the introspect." The Fitzpatrick family’s Christian faith is the backdrop for their wholesome appeal and likable good natures. Vivid descriptions of the fictional town and actual geographical settings provide the lens for a cinematic experience for the mind. Family, inclusion, ethics, and good versus evil are just a few of the themes in this book. Lee combines a few false clues and red herrings to create a mysterious mood and intriguing tale. The underlying message of joy and joy’s true meaning is a wonderful bonus. Josh Tufts’ comic book-style illustrations enhance the text. Decipher the clues and solve the mystery! Facing the Fugitive is the second book of The Brady Street Boys Indiana Adventure Series. Collect them all!

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Did you know that altars were the first sacred spaces humans ever built, found in various religious settings, such as Hindu and Buddhist temples and Christian churches? Or that special birthdays of extraordinary beings are celebrated across several religions, including Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism? Learn these fascinating facts and tidbits about some of the world's most popular religions in ABCs of the World's Religions. Written by Rev. Vicki Michela Garlock, Ph.D., this colorful picture book contains information about the holidays, traditions, history, and rituals of the world's major religions, presented with a splash of color and catchy rhymes. While rhyming couplets introduce you to the unique traits of each religion, there is also a side-by-side explanation of the relevant topic in-depth.

Rev. Vicki Michela Garlock, Ph.D., has found the perfect medium to teach young readers about the various religions of the world and their respective traditions and rituals. ABCs of the World's Religions is an educational book that is also fun to read. Garlock's rhyming verses are superbly complemented by the vibrant illustrations and artwork by Raman Bhardwaj. As the world becomes smaller and smaller and communities comprise people from all over the world and people from different cultures who practice other religions, it is important to keep up to date with the fundamentals of the major religions. This creates vibrant communities and societies where everyone feels included and invited. Although ABCs of the World's Religions primarily targets kids below ten, I think even adults will find a lot to learn in this engaging educational book.

Reviewed by Luwi Nyakansaila for Readers' Favorite

The Dog Snatcher is a children’s adventure by Phyllis Wheeler with illustrations by Katie O’Malley. The story follows Jake, an eleven-year-old boy, and his twin sister Ava as they embark on an unexpected adventure through space and time. One day, Jake discovers a key that looks like those used to unlock pirates' treasure chests. He doesn't think much of it until a stranger comes looking for it. Jake decides to lie and keep the key for himself, but this backfires because the stranger abducts Nicky, Jake's beloved dog, and vanishes into thin air. With the key being his only clue, Jake examines it and discovers a whole new world with endless possibilities when he twists it in the air. The race against time to find Nicky and fix his mistakes begins. Join Jake as he teams up with Ava and new friends in this exciting adventure.

The Dog Snatcher is the first book in the Guardians of Time series, and it lays an excellent foundation for future installments. The story is captivating and left me wanting more. Phyllis Wheeler is a good writer who uses simple words and a casual tone, making the book easy to follow and understand. The characters are ordinary individuals with relatable struggles, and their progress throughout the story is gradual and enjoyable. Jake's guilt was a prominent theme, and it was satisfying to see him conquer his fears, apologize, and correct his mistakes. The book also teaches readers about different languages and places and has sketches that perfectly complement the plot. I enjoyed reading this book and hope to read more from this author and this series. Overall, this is great work.

Reviewed by Luwi Nyakansaila for Readers' Favorite

The Love Knot is a heartwarming children's picture book written by Vassi Rombis and illustrated by Pei Jen. The story follows Ollie, an otter who's very anxious after learning that he has to change his sleeping spot as he's grown up and can no longer sleep with his mother. Now, he has to sleep with the other boys, which overwhelms him. However, his cousins - Clementine, Nico, and Ophelia - try to cheer him up with his favorite activities and breathing exercises to help him relax. Despite their efforts, he's still scared of letting go of the other boys' paws when sleeping and floating away into the big ocean. Ollie's mother shares her own story with him and introduces a magical tool called The Love Knot. This helps Ollie feel more confident and ready to face his fears.

The Love Knot is a valuable resource for parents and educators who want to help young children navigate their emotions. It encourages children to acknowledge and manage their feelings healthily by providing a friendly approach to understanding and working through anxiety. Vassi Rombis uses simple words to narrate the story, making it easy for readers to follow and understand. The inclusion of fun facts about otters adds an educational element while accompanying exercises provide a practical way to relax and get rid of anxiety. This unique blend of entertainment and self-care makes the story a delightful and enriching experience for readers of all ages. Additionally, the colorful illustrations with warm tones fit perfectly with the book's message. I enjoyed this book and think it is a must-read for families and anyone looking for a story to help youngsters manage feelings of uncertainty and anxiety.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Engage yourselves in a tale of adventure and patriotism with Maggie the Military Rat by Monica Voicu Denniston. Illustrated by Elia Velasquez Murray, this delightful children's picture book follows the story of Maggie P. Worthington, a little rat living on a military base. Maggie always wanted to serve in the military and did her part by keeping her quarters clean and practicing marching every day. But when she went to the recruitment office, she was sent back for being too short. Disappointed, Maggie decides to serve in the kitchens, only for the chef to kick her out. She finally tries sending the troops letters, but even the postmaster can't read her small handwriting. Maggie was about to give up when she finally saw an opportunity to serve the troops. Will she take it?

Monica Voicu Denniston tells a heartwarming tale with a gentle message about chasing one's dreams. Maggie the Military Rat is about adventure, friendship, and the willingness to serve one's country in their own way. With some catchy rhyming dialogue, humor, and a spunky protagonist, Denniston delivers an entertaining children's book that kids are bound to love. Maggie is full of life and never lets anything or anyone discourage her from chasing the dream of serving her country. This makes her someone who is very easy to root for. Additionally, Elia Velasquez Murray's colorful illustrations bring the character to life and complement Denniston's writing perfectly. The book is short, concise, and an absolute joy to read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it to children under the age of ten.

Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite

The Conspiracy: The Legend of the Winged People - Book 1 is a young adult adventure by Alessandra Coco. Pamela Kendall is a fifteen-year-old girl with blue hair who has a gift for communicating with animals. Pam’s world is turned upside down when she makes a surprising discovery. Pam’s parents have been hiding the truth about her extraordinary skills and strange appearance. Determined to find the truth about her identity, Pam leaves her home and sets out on a dangerous journey. David Thompson is a shy, sixteen-year-old misfit who wants to write novels but is struggling to understand his newly developed strange abilities. Unexplainable events bring David and Pam together. David is eager to prove himself and is willing to help Pam with anything. David is forced to step out of his comfort zone and become a hero he never thought he could be.

The Conspiracy is an intriguing page-turner. Alessandra Coco took me with David and Pam on their journey to search for the truth about Pam’s origins and the force that had brought them to Greece. It was a roller coaster ride of mystery, ancient artifacts, hidden treasures, and prophecies. Alessandra created a beautiful and mysterious world, and several plots merge into an extraordinary story. It was a riveting read, and I could not put it down. The events were descriptive and easy to visualize. The characters were intriguing and compelling. There were a variety of interesting characters. My favorite characters were Pam and David. They were different people and worked well together to find the truth. The story is beautifully written and is one of the most unique stories I have ever read.

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

This gripping tale of determination and grit is a celebration of female resilience. Crafted in poetic language, The Ascenditure by Robyn Dabney follows Klarke Ascher, a passionate young woman who wants nothing but to become a member of the kingdom's elite climbing team. She wants to climb the Miter's Backbone in search of the cure for lung sickness that afflicts the population. But since climbing is reserved for men, not everyone is ready to welcome her. In her kingdom, women are owned by men and their place is in the kitchen. Klarke has skills that are unique and when she insists on joining the team, a civil uprising that favors her ensues. There are powerful people who are determined to make her pay. Now she finds herself not only fighting for the rights of her oppressed people but for her survival as her fellow Ascenditures are killed, one by one. Can she survive long enough to unravel the truth behind the killings?

The descriptive prose welcomes readers on the first page and it only gets better and better as they read on. The image of the female heroine climbing a treacherous mountain against a raging storm immediately gives readers a powerful insight into her fighting spirit. This is a novel about a young woman who stands up against sexism, oppression, and the misuse of power by the ruling class. Robyn Dabney writes with confidence. But what sets this book apart is the incredible journey the heroine makes in pursuit of her goals. She is a robust character who faces unforeseen cruelty and must navigate through a web of conspiracy and threats to survive. It is a page-turning story that will appeal to fans of women's fiction and tales with finely accomplished female protagonists.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Rogues of the Crosslands: Azoria's Blade is a young adult epic fantasy novel by John Daze. Azoria Dash, a twelve-year-old elfin child, survives a brutal massacre of her village by orcs, losing her father and everyone she cares about. Armed with an ancient Klarion sword and seeking revenge, she sets off toward the dangerous Crosslands, where she is rescued by a mysterious shadow ranger named Jandar. Slowly, Azoria learns to use her abilities and discovers that Jandar is her uncle. With the help of her allies, Azoria must prepare for a daring mission to rescue her childhood friends. Meanwhile, the orcs are getting ready for an invasion under the orders of the Sorceress Queen. Will Azoria and her friends survive their confrontation with the orcs? Will she be able to temper her quest for vengeance?

Author John Daze offers fantasy lovers a meticulously crafted new world to sink their teeth into. Rogues of the Crosslands: Azoria's Blade is action-packed, filled with vibrant characters, unforeseen reveals, and fantastical lore. Daze puts readers into the scheme of things from the get-go, and the plot never loses its breakneck pace until the end. The world-building is simply phenomenal, with a prime focus on the lay of the land and the in-universe mythology. There's a certain authentic feel to the atmosphere that Daze brings to the narrative, which makes it immersive and riveting to read. Each character is distinct and adds to the dynamic within Azoria's group. Azoria is a precocious child with some naivety and prejudices, which only makes her more believable as a person. Overall, this is a fantastic book for young adult fantasy readers.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

In Israh Azizi's first Heroes of the Empire series book, Velamir, a Chishman Academy student, confronts mortality on a perilous mission with three peers that becomes a reckoning of his past. Natassa, the emperor's daughter, plans to escape from an unwanted marriage, risking her life for freedom. In the second book, The General, Mordon's devotion shatters after a merciless Tariqin onslaught. Captured and thrust into a war camp among former adversaries, he is presented with an unexpected opportunity by the enemy and faces an unprecedented trial. Meanwhile, Coralie bears the weight of her kingdom's stability following a brutal assault and her uncle's ailing health. She seeks aid from unlikely allies in Verintown, risking all to secure her realm's survival against an imminent Tariqin resurgence.

Israh Azizi shows us that the second book in a series, when written well, can be just as triumphant in how it pulls its readers in as the first, and The General is proof of this. One of the most important aspects as we see two leads growing into themselves, their roles, and what they are destined to be is that they feel organic and unforced. Mordon's decision to help an injured Savorian during the training exercise hints at the battles within as we see the possibility of redemption despite his troubled past. Coralie's response to the fears of her staff juxtaposes her determination with her vulnerability as she acknowledges their doubts and vows to protect the kingdom. Velamit and Natassa's storylines also grow, and Azizi goes hard with emotional responses, particularly when questions of loyalty, betrayal, and sacrifice emerge. Overall, this is a fantastic read that ends with the promise of more to come, and I look forward to seeing where we go next.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

The Story of Briar: Coming of Age in Rural East Texas by Ian Griffin is a heart-warming look at a struggling family in the first half of the twentieth century. When Russell and his fiancee, Cheyenne return to East Texas to attend his grandfather Roy’s funeral, they listen attentively as their grandmother, Joy, known to all as Briar, begins to relate the amazing story of their younger lives growing up in this rural backwater. Joy had got her nickname, Briar, from her father, when she was just a little girl. A true tomboy, Briar was quick to anger and would fight anyone, girl or boy, who threatened her or made fun of her family’s situation. Through the lows of the Great Depression, a world war, and the highs of meeting and falling in love with the man of her dreams, Briar kept her outlook positive and built a life to be proud of. However, Russell will also discover many family secrets and have many of his questions answered by his grandmother’s revelations.

The Story of Briar is one of family, love, and the indomitable spirit of one young girl, with a little bit of mysticism and magic thrown in for good measure. Author Ian Griffin has done an incredible job of illuminating readers not only with a wonderful familial story but also giving readers an insight into life on the margins of rural East Texas. I loved the young Briar, her spirit, her feistiness, and her unwillingness to back down to anyone regardless of their age and size. Her maturity when forced to take over as the “Ma” of the family at such an early age was a testament to her true character and poise. I also greatly enjoyed the gentle introduction of magical happenings related to the stream that ran through the family’s property. No matter what happened to Briar and those she loved, she would always fight back with the courage and strength of a mother bear protecting her cubs. This is a wonderful social history of a period and a place that perhaps sadly has long disappeared from our landscape. This is a thoughtful recounting that wraps readers in a warm blanket and will leave them sighing with contentment. A wonderfully relaxing and refreshing read amidst the chaos and tension of everyday life. I can highly recommend this book for a break from the trials of the day.