Far-off worlds and hidden places

Nothing Else But Miracles

Kate Albus
(Margaret Ferguson Books 2023)

While Pop is overseas serving during WWII, Dory and her two brothers must manage on their own at home in Manhattan. Surrounded by caring neighbors, the siblings fall into a comfortable routine until a new landlord threatens to uproot them. The discovery of an abandoned hotel, however, offers them a haven of renewed security and hope. Dory also finds comfort by talking to “Libby” (aka, the Statue of Liberty), but it’s the kind of interaction one would expect someone to have with God, not with an inanimate monument. Still, the story emphasizes the importance of family and community and reminds readers that wonderful treasure can be found in ordinary and unlikely places. Note: One use of Jesus’ name in vain. Ages 9-12

The Carver & the Queen

Emma C. Fox
(Owl’s Nest Publishers 2023)

In this fairy tale set in Imperial Russia, Petr is determined to become a master carver so he can free himself and his best friend Lena from a life of serfdom. Under the tutelage of a gruff but caring old stonecutter, Petr and Lena work to perfect the art of carving malachite while plotting their future together. Their plans go awry, however, and Petr’s obsession with success leads him to seek help from the bewitching Malachite Queen who promises to fulfill his heart’s desires. Her promises come at a cost, though, and Petr soon discovers Lena is his only hope to escape the enchantress’ underworld. The plot offers an allegory for the struggles teens may face from sin’s enticements and the twisting of truth. Ages 13-17

Heartwood Mountain

S.J. Dahlstrom
(Paul Dry Books 2023)

In the latest Wilder Good installment, Wilder’s friend Corndog has settled into a stable routine with his new foster family. But when a man from Corndog’s past shows up in town, Corndog gets scared and runs away, determined not to fall victim to his past. After Wilder and his friends find Corndog hiding in an abandoned coal mine cave, they must make hard decisions about the best way to help their friend. Alone in the wild, Corndog embraces life as a mountain man and ­relishes the opportunity to be himself in a way he’s never been able to before. When his past catches up to him, though, Corndog ­discovers that he no longer has to face hard things alone thanks to good friends and a ­caring community. Ages 9-14

Forbidden Child

Gwen Newell
(Canonball Books 2023)

It’s the year 2070 and Piper Pascal is a devoted spy for the secret police aboard the Escape, a ship ­carrying the only Americans to survive a great flood 40 years earlier. Piper, 13, knows nothing of life before the flood, only that she will do anything to please their ship’s leader, the Godmother, even if it means ruthlessly turning in anyone who doesn’t obey the rules. But then Piper finds a baby—an illegal organism—and everything she thought was true begins to unravel as she uncovers the web of lies that have entombed her and everyone else aboard the ship. In this debut novel, Newell offers an engaging dystopian read with a strong ­message of love leading the way out of darkness. Ages 13-17