Ask a bookseller

This week's book is a “phenomenal read-aloud,” according to Jessica Palacios of Once Upon a Time Bookstore in Montrose, Calif.

The story follows Noah Romano, an autistic, transgender sixth grader grappling with the death of his best friend.

This month on Ask a Bookseller, we'll be celebrating the start of school by featuring books for kids and teens.

Lee Post of Homer Bookstore says it was hard to stay warm reading Buddy Levy's beautifully written nonfiction book, “Empire of Ice and Stone: The Disastrous and Heroic Voyage of the Karluk,” about at 1913 expedition gone horribly wrong.

Julian Karhumaa of Farley’s Bookshop in New Hope, Pa., said he’s still thinking about Catherine Raven’s memoir “Fox and I: An Uncommon Friendship.”

Alden Graves of Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vt., says he generally avoids books about animals, but he's glad he made an exception for Geraldine Brooks’ novel “Horse.”

Matt Nixon of A Capella Books in Atlanta, Ga., has been eagerly awaiting publication of Colin Walsh's debut novel “Kala,” which he says is both an intricate character study and rip-roaring thriller.

Melodie Edwards of Night Heron Books & Coffeehouse of Laramie, Wyo., recommends “Less” by Andrew Sean Gree, where the protagonist flees a broken heart — and travels the world — by accepting every conference and literary event invitation he can pull together.

Kathy Burnette of Brain Lair Books in South Bend, Ind., recommended the novel “Chain-Gang All-Stars” by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah.

Bookseller Claire Bone of Wild Sisters Book Company in Sacramento, Calif. recommends the novel "For Her Consideration" by Amy Spalding.