Since going back to work full time, I’ve learned even more the importance of living seasonally. It’s ok—I’m not about to go all basic white girl and start talking about Pumpkin Spice Lattes In The Fall. What I mean is a little more along the lines of Ecclesiastes 3:5- “a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them.” The school year feels a lot like scattering stones for me. Teaching, grading, helping with homework, driving to music lessons, driving to church, driving to practice (so much driving). Scattering food on tables, scattering words on pages, scattering people to places. There hardly feels time to gather.
Even while homeschooling, my children would tease me about “school mom” vs. “summer mom.” School Mom is scheduled, orderly, and nutritious. Summer Mom gives popsicles for breakfast and reads until the wee hours of the morning. School Mom is scattering stones, but Summer Mom gathers. Summer Mom gathers folds of fabric into new quilts and ingredients into new recipes. She gathers miles into road trips and messes into memories. And yes, Summer Mom has been reading late into the wee hours of the morning and I would love to share the latest stories I’ve gathered for you.
I want to start by visiting three new titles from an old favorite of mine, KB Hoyle.

Son of Bitter Glass, by KB Hoyle
This is another fairy tale retelling, and is descriptive and lovely like the last one (Son of the Deep). It has notes of “East of the Sun, West of the Moon,” “Snow White,” and “Sleeping Beauty.” (Or as my 13 year old girl would say, “It’s giving the Snow Queen.”) What was especially fun about this particular book was how she wove elements from the world of “Son of the Deep” into a larger and grander story. I especially loved how she took the scoundrel, James, from “Son of the Deep,” and gave him a redemptive arc in this next story. There are hints that we’ll see more of him in a future book, and I’m looking forward to it. Hoyle does character redemption so well.

Orion and the Starborn, by KB Hoyle
This was my daughter’s favorite, as there were features of dystopia and fantasy gently intertwined. Orion, an awkward 12 year old boy who has always felt out of place, discovers that not only is he from another world, he’s from another planet. Whisked away by a mysterious protector, Orion finds himself more in his element than he’s ever been. But this incredible new world (actually three worlds) proves to be treacherous as he navigates a whole new society while hiding his real identity. This book resonates so well with young teens who are trying to find their place in the world they’re called to, and would also be a beautiful book for anyone who is adopted or in foster care that is asking even harder questions about personhood in this vulnerable stage of life.

Queen of Ebenezer, by KB Hoyle
This one was my personal favorite and is a major departure from Hoyle’s other works. This book would be appropriate for teens as the story is more fluid and harder to grab on to (intentionally and masterfully so). Beatrice wakes up in a mystical realm that feels at the same time foreign and familiar. Tom, another youth whom she quickly encounters, is the only person she recognizes, though he can give no answers to how either of them got there. This book is beautiful, disorienting, and captivating. I found myself trying to unravel the mystery of their existence and origin throughout the whole story and was delighted by the way it all came together in the end.
I’ve also greatly enjoyed a debut by a new author, Tasha Kazanjian:

A Trick of Spades, by Tasha Kazanjian
I loved so many things about this book. I loved the family dynamic of Colm and Cliana, twins who are reaching past their comfort zones to rescue their aunt and hold the family together. I loved the element of magic- and that some are born with it, but for others, it’s learned. There were plot twists, elements of danger, unlikely friendships and alliances, and also moments of honest grief that are rare in middle grade fiction. This one kept me on my toes and up at night.
As you head into summer, I hope you will gather so many things. Lovely stories, good food, fond memories, and delightful moments. May these stories add wonder to your days as you gather.
Full disclosure, as a friend of the publishing company I was given a few of their books to read and review at my discretion and at my leisure. These were ones I truly enjoyed and am happy to recommend. All my thoughts and opinions are voluntary and are my own.
Featured image by freepik- Remember and Proclaim - September 4, 2024
- Gathering Stories - June 26, 2024
- Review: Son of the Deep - March 13, 2024
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