Thief of the Heights

Basem, Mustafa, and Aarfah are friends who are gifted inventors and innovators. Their talent is only matched by their ambition to ascend to the upper levels of their vertical city. A debilitating and deadly disease is spreading in Lake Saha, and they are resolved to do what they can to help each other and their families. When their reputation catches the attention of a scout, they face a crucial decision: stick together or pursue their dreams. As Basem ventures further into the “paradise,” he uncovers the shocking secrets the elites are hiding.

Thief of the Heights is a gripping graphic novel written by Son M. and illustrated by Robin Yao. The story is filled with suspense, although it can feel slow at times. However, these moments are essential for fully developing the characters. Yao creates an atmosphere of neglect and decay, reflecting themes of disease and disability. Some of the frames are quite dark, which may pose challenges for low-vision readers. Nevertheless, the muted and gloomy color palette effectively conveys a mood of desolation and despair.

Designed for middle school readers, Thief of the Heights is a poignant story about friends who dare to defy the odds of their circumstances, only to confront the pain of betrayal. The book explores important lessons about staying true to one’s convictions and highlights the consequences of compromising valued relationships for personal gain.

Editor's Note: This review was originally published in Seattle Book Review.

Medicine Wheel for the Planet

Jennifer Grenz, PhD Working toward ecological healing requires awareness of how Indigenous ancestral knowledge and living ways can complement Western scientific approaches to environmental restoration and protection practices. Dr. Jennifer Grenz (Nlaxa’pamux mixed ancestry) worked for more than two decades as a field researcher and practitioner for environmental nonprofit organizations, where she worked with different levels of government, including First Nations in Canada. "Medicine Wheel for the Planet" compiles Grenz’s most potent realizations about the lack of forward movement in addressing an impending ecological catastrophe. A warming climate impacts not only human lives but also the natural balance that relies on reciprocal relationships rooted in deep connections to the land. She uses the metaphor of the four directions of the Indigenous “medicine wheel” to invite openness to Indigenous teachings, letting go of colonial narratives, merging lessons f...

Memento - Embracing the Darkness

Dennis "Dizzy" Doan Stories about overcoming and persevering through family dysfunction, poverty, and mental health challenges offer hope and the promise of better days. Dennis “Dizzy” Doan’s memoir Memento: Embracing the Darkness is one such story, with the added complexity of being raised in an immigrant Vietnamese family. Doan’s parents dealt with the mental and emotional aftermath of war, which forcibly uprooted them from their homeland. In the United States, they struggled to create a safe and stable life for their two sons. Doan shares his journey of finding himself, his craft, and eventually a successful tattoo business in Southern California despite personal strife and run-ins with the law. Doan is best known for developing the aesthetic language to combat anti-Asian hate that erupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. His art series titled “Model Minority” went viral, sparking conversation about Asian American identities and harmful stereotypes. In Memento, Doan showcase...

Enlighten Me

Editor's Note: This review was originally published in Los Angeles Book Review . Author Minh Lê Standing up for oneself seems like doing the right thing. Binh did just that in the face of a racist school bully who was poking fun at his Asian heritage. But physically assaulting another student goes against school policy, and it was Binh who got in trouble. Binh shares a silent retreat with his family and younger siblings. Along with other children, he learns about stories from the previous lives of the Buddha. The stories are interesting, but for Binh, it is difficult to sit still and clear his mind when he misses his Gameboy. While he struggles with silence, he learns important lessons about friendship, community, and being present. In the graphic novel "Enlighten Me," award-winning author Minh Lê and bestselling illustrator Chan Chau tell the story of a boy who gains a better understanding of himself as he works on quieting the mind and reflecting on dharma. Lê and Ch...

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