It’s not often you see picture books for young children which address depression. Sure, there are probably many informative nonfiction titles on the subject, but I specifically mean fictional titles that approach the subject in a metaphorical way. read more

It’s been over a decade since Memory Boy hit the shelves. But in its sequel, The Survivors, only two years have passed since volcanic ash fall forever changed the pampered suburban lives of Miles Newell and his family. After being turned away from their own home by menacing squatters, they seek shelter in a rural cabin with only one shotgun, a friendly goat and Miles’ impeccable memory of survival skills as their arsenal. read more

In Spoonful, Chris Mendius tells an engrossing tale of drug-dealing, the junkie lifestyle and the seductive perils of heroin, set in Chicago of the ’90s. The evocative work earned the book a Kirkus star. Here he talks to us about the levels of addiction, the tension of gentrification and his route to publication. read more

In The Amazing Adventures of John Smith, Jr., aka Houdini, when the protagonist decides to write a book, it's not to gain insight on his character or bring a sense of logic to his life. It's to make money. read more