A Young Adult Journey of Poetry and Letters
By: Priscilla Johnson
Priscilla Johnson was born in Pennsylvania and put into the foster care system at age two when her younger sister almost died in a near-drowning incident. She and her siblings were separated, and Priscilla endured twelve foster homes until her forever family adopted her. Because of early trauma, Priscilla was diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder, ADHD, anxiety, and depression. However, she was able to read and write at an amazing pace, even at age six. Throughout middle school, she won several accelerated reading contests and had written sixty-nine poems before reaching her freshman year of high school. Her artwork has been published in the Seminole County Library System, and she uses poetry to process anxiety and depression. Priscilla entered St. Petersburg College at age sixteen and is majoring in special education.
A Picture Book
By: Mikayla Lowery
Illustrated by: Keller Pyle
Only a fabulous book written by a ten-year-old about birds eating bagels, flying around the moon, and dancing hip-hop.
A Middle Grade Sci-Fi Comedy
By: Elias Mask
Illustrated by: Uzayr Aftab, Diksha Bror, Kaytee Beth Curbow, Kassidy Eaton, Jett Fleeman, Darby Gentry, Bobby Gillentine, Vance Gillentine, Ruby Gillentine, Katelynn Jones, Liam LeBrocq, Aiden Long, Jazmyn Nunn, Alexis Reid, Krish Roy, Magnus Smith, Tripp Strider, Smith Weaver, and Taylor West
Elias is an only child seeking adventure in his ordinary life. He and his telepathic rabbit, Snowball, encounter a strange man wearing a gas mask. Snow-ball and Elias determine the alien intruder is from another galaxy and wants to take over the house. Elias enlists the help of his best friend to blast the alien back to outer space. Unfortunately, Elias’ dad gains many bumps and bruises along the way. Poor guy.
A Young Adult Thriller
By: Jessica Branton
Casey Darling can enter the minds of people when they die. After receiving romantic advances from the enigmatic new guy at school, a serial killer invades her small town. Local police grow suspicious as she appears at crime scenes, but an FBI agent believes in her psychic powers. Will Casey fall in love or help take down a psychopath? Maybe both.
[Trigger Warning: Subject matter deals with self-harm and stalking.]
Casey and her circle of friends are well drawn with an effective balance of personalities that add interest and suspense… a solid and multilayered thriller. – KIRKUS Reviews
A competent first novel… Branton is skilled at misdirection. – INDIEREADER
Jessica Branton has written the story with such page-turning style- drawing you into the world of Casey Darling, her twin sister, and the ‘curse’ they experience. – Jera’s Jamboree
How to Experience Death for Beginners has won the 2020 Best Paranormal Thriller Independent Press Award.
A Young Adult Thriller
By: Luke Evans
Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at age seven, Daniel has always felt different. He has trouble making friends, meeting girls, and communicating with his family. Daniel learns a whole new “different” when these real-life terrors on canvas come to life in Spirit Ridge. Luckily, he discovers friends with powers of their own who can stop the string of bizarre murders. Unless the killer is one of their own.
A Middle Grade Novel
By: Mikayla Lowery
Zoey Song cannot catch a break from quirky mishaps and hilarious accidents. This redhead is as warm hearted as they come, but mischief follows her everywhere. With a little miss perfect twin sister and friends who seem to have everything they want, Zoey has a difficult time finding confidence and a place in the world. Get lost in Zoey’s zany stream of consciousness. Don’t worry. She says it out loud.