Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett are the co-creators of Trans History: A Graphic Novel, a Winter/Spring 2025 Indies Introduce YA nonfiction graphic novel selection, and May/June 2025 Kids’ Next List pick.
Combs and Eakett sat down with Suzanne Lucey of Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina, to discuss their debut title.
“Jemimah Wei crafts a beautiful story in The Original Daughter, exploring a woman’s relentless determination to succeed despite her efforts not yielding the anticipated results,” said Dave Suiter of pages: a bookstore in Manhattan Beach, California.
“There is no getting away from death here. However, there’s a subtlety that resonates throughout the wonderfully smooth and lithe prose that makes these tales a joy to read. Absolutely fantastic!” said Randy Schiller of Left Bank Books in St. Louis, Missouri.
“Kyle Casey Chu does a miraculous job showcasing the importance of equality and open-mindedness, as well as fabrics and sequins and being fierce!” said Kristine Jelstrom-Hamill of Buttonwood Books & Toys in Cohasset, Massachusetts.
“All the Noise at Once is a captivating read about Aiden — a Black, autistic teen — and his love of football, his struggle with identity, and his fight against injustice after a jarring experience with the police. I cheered Aiden on to the very end,” said Kalli King of Rediscovered Books in Boise, ID.
“Young Ollie struggles to grasp the diaphanous tendrils of their future self in the face of puberty, especially when everyone around them seems to have already figured out where they belong. A gentle classic to add to any middle reader's shelf,” said Jessica Hahl of Books Inc. in San Leandro, California.
“A slow walk through a fast-paced day leads to heartbreak, hope, determination and a sacrifice that readers will only find if they read to the end. Tilt is phenomenal and one of this year’s best page-turners,” said Desirae Wilkerson of Paper Boat Booksellers in Seattle, Washington.
“With heart and humor, James Robinson shares his story of learning to live with a vision disability. In this illustrated memoir, he invites readers to visualize his point of view with honest anecdotes and interesting, interactive images that truly make his words sing,” said Claire Margetts of Weller Book Works in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“Austen’s debut novel is a stunning portrait of community and hope, following the inhabitants of one apartment building in the nightmarish early days of the second World War. Each character is trying to do their best and hope for better, all while trying to make sense of a world that seems to have lost all rationality,” said Austin Carter of Pocket Books Shop in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
“I was gripping the pages while reading this book. You can feel the tension coming off the page. You know something is going to happen, you’re just not sure what. An interesting look at masculinity and male friendships,” said Kim Brock of Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Cincinnati, Ohio.
