To be included on the Authors page, your book must have been published within the last year. Send the author’s name; their chapter letter(s), city, state/province/district; the title of the book; a brief, objective synopsis of the book and a photo of the cover of the book or of the author to: editor@peodsm.org Authors are published in the order in which they are received and new authors are added in conjunction with the release of new issues of The Record.
Martha Liebert, AN, Albuquerque, New Mexico, wrote “Bernalillo: Between a River and a Hard Place.” Her book takes a loving look at this place called Bernalillo. In the heart of the Rio Grande Valley, sheltered by the sacred mountain, the area has attracted diverse peoples for centuries. They were strong, proud, and persevering people or they would not have survived. They adapted to the area’s constant changes as they built a life in the desert soil and despite desperate hardships, found a way to sing, dance, and celebrate life. This book celebrates and recognizes their lives and struggles.Featuring over 300 images, this book is divided into six parts- starting with geology and the area’s first inhabitants, the arrival of the Spanish, 19th century, modern and depression-era Bernallilo, and the town’s relationship with its neighbors to the west.
Tara Link, KJ, Moberly, Missouri and Beth Whitaker, AZ, Columbia, Missouri, co-wrote “Teacher Induction That Works: A Lasting Impact from Day One.”
Getting new teachers off to the right start is essential for teacher retention and student success. This book shows the nuts and bolts of induction that really works.
Drawing on the successful, research-based SHINE program, the authors demonstrate the key components for setting up or tweaking your new teacher induction program, including involving different staff members, remembering that induction is not an event but an ongoing process, considering the different phases of induction and the support and modeling needed along the way, finding appropriate mentors, helping new teachers juggle priorities, and more. Beginning teachers often leave due to classroom management struggles; this book also helps you give teachers the basics immediately so they’re set up for success. In addition, the appendix offers a wealth of tools and templates to help you cover all the bases during your induction journey.
Whether you’re an induction coordinator, mentor, PDC member, principal, or superintendent, this practical resource will help you ensure your new teachers thrive so they can enjoy their roles and effectively reach students. When a program to support new teachers is made stronger, the accelerated growth and acclimation of new teachers can accelerate the growth of students too!
Juliet Cutler, AF, Peachtree City, Georgia, wrote “Lessons in HOPE: A New Era for Maasai Women in Tanzania.”
For readers inspired by Margaret Busby’s “New Daughters of Africa,” Juliet Cutler presents a stunning testament to a group of Maasai women who are claiming their voices and shaping a future of lasting change.
In this inspiring collection of interviews and portraits, over twenty Maasai women share the ways education has transformed their lives by giving them the tools to overcome poverty and empowering them to make profound differences in their communities.
Through their stories, the women featured in Lessons in Hope lay bare the overwhelming challenges many Maasai women and girls continue to face. For some, hunger hovers nearby, only one bad drought away. Many must raise children without running water or electricity. Most struggle to gain a basic education, see a doctor, or earn an income. And too many Maasai girls still endure female genital mutilation, early forced marriages, and other forms of violence.
Yet these remarkable women have overcome the odds. As graduates of the first school for Maasai girls in East Africa, these thriving leaders now hold positions in education, health care, nonprofits, government, and business. Their stories reveal a cadre of Maasai women working toward positive change within their own culture and offering a compelling, optimistic vision for the future.
Dawn Hutchins, H, Jacksonville, Florida, wrote “The Alligator Under My Bed: Recollections of a Childhood of Madness.” This book recounts the true story of a mother’s obsession with an exotic pet. “Living under my bed for almost two decades was a real live alligator…Thus begins the memoir of a child who survived years of abuse both physical and mental. It is the story of a journey to discover the impact of a mother’s madness.” The journey starts in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and moves on to New York City and then the suburbs of New Jersey and spans over 20 years. The unblemished tale is told through the eyes of its single survivor.
The author, DB Hutchins, has been praised for her bravery in baring her soul, her search to uncover her truth and allowing her audience to share such this wild roller coaster adventure from the 1950s to 1970s.
Marcia Ren, CC, Coquille, Oregon, wrote “The Seasons of Eleanor: Echoes of a Year,” a tender, reflective novella about love, memory, and the quiet beauty of life’s changing seasons.
After moving from the coast to the city, Eleanor finds herself at a crossroads…unsettled, yet hopeful. When she discovers a letter left behind by her late sister Clara, memories from the past gently echo into her present, guiding her through grief, love, and new beginnings.
Through Eleanor’s story, readers are invited to wander cobblestone streets, share in intimate friendships, and embrace the delicate transitions of life…those moments of letting go, holding on, and stepping forward with grace.
Blending fiction with threads of memoir, The Seasons of Eleanor is a heartfelt companion for anyone who has faced loss, embraced change, or found meaning in the simple rhythms of everyday life.
Perfect for cozy afternoons, quiet reflections, and readers who love gentle storytelling with depth and soul.
One by one, the sisters have returned to the crumbling old family mansion, which stands in the shadows of the woods and their haunted childhoods. Here, they struggle through their separate lives, personal secrets, and uncertain memories. Until a singular stranger in the woods enters their lives: a transient piano tuner.
“Are You Dead Yet?” features the trademark narrative style of the author and columnist who resides in Aiken, SC. She deftly transports the reader into the story experientially, leading them through all the sights, sounds and emotions of the characters and settings. It is a gently mysterious story, intergenerational, layered and lyrical, about family, identity, love, forgiveness, and the power of grace.
Lynn Lonardo, X, Salt Lake City, Utah, wrote and illustrated “Graysbee Grouper’s Good Deeds,” a children’s book about kindness and empathy.
Help your child discover the joy of kindness with “Graysbee Grouper’s Good Deeds,” a beautifully illustrated, interactive children’s book that teaches empathy through every-day good deeds.
Join Graysbee and his seahorse sidekick, Cruise, as they explore meaningful moments—sharing toys, reading to Grandpa, and being gracious in defeat. Children learn by example and are encouraged to practice kindness themselves.
Each copy includes a “Good Deed Doer” checklist and a certificate your child can sign and display, celebrating their efforts in making the world a better place. With vibrant watercolor illustrations and playful rhyming text, this engaging story helps young readers build emotional awareness and social skills in a fun, memorable way. Perfect for ages 3–8, Graysbee Grouper’s Good Deeds is a must-have for parents, teachers, and caregivers who want to raise caring, confident kids—one good deed at a time.
Isabella Baker, BB, Rootstown, Ohio, wrote “Perplexion.”
Behind every courthouse door, there are secrets worth killing for.
Kiersten Castellan, a no-nonsense police officer, is tasked with investigating the suspicious death of Charlotte Wayde, a courthouse intern found dead under mysterious circumstances. Though the death is officially ruled a suicide, Kiersten knows better. What begins as a routine investigation soon leads her into a maze of lies, corruption, and cover-ups within the courthouse. Judges falsify testimony, staff members erase evidence, and a missing key to the security footage room may hold the key to everything. As Kiersten digs deeper, she realizes that exposing the truth could cost her more than just her career—it could cost her life.
Kathryn Preziosi, BD, Daytona Beach, Florida, wrote “Rocky Mountain Conspiracy.”
A sinister plot unfolds across the American heartland in Kathryn’s new novel, “Rocky Mountain Conspiracy.” This fast-paced thriller follows a government range inspector and a veterinarian who stumble upon a shocking secret that threatens to dismantle the nation’s cattle industry.
When cattle begin to vanish without a trace from Iowa to the Eastern Rockies, range inspector Susan Jakes and Laramie veterinarian Dr. Lane Curtis are drawn into a mystery far bigger than a simple case of missing livestock. As they dig deeper, they uncover an expansive conspiracy that pits them against powerful, shadowy forces.
With the FBI and CIA watching their every move and danger closing in, Susan and Lane find themselves in a desperate fight for answers and their lives. In a world where no one can be trusted, their relentless pursuit of the truth may be the only thing that can expose the secrets lurking in the shadows.
Kathryn’s passion for the western landscape and the cattle industry is deeply rooted in her life experiences. A lifelong participant in livestock judging, horse shows, and rodeo, she was also one of the first female members of the Future Farmers of America. Kathryn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from the University of Wyoming, where she also taught horseback riding. This extensive background provides the authentic expertise that fuels the thrilling narrative of “Rocky Mountain Conspiracy.”
Barbara McRoy, LO, Bloomington, Illinois, wrote “The Search for Bella Honeybee.”
If you visit Rader Family Farms in Bloomington, Illinois, during field trip season, you might just spot a very special bee buzzing around — not in the flowers, but among the children. Dressed in a cheerful bee costume and known affectionately as “Grandma Bee,” Barbara brings the fascinating world of honey bees to life for young learners.
With warmth, humor, and a genuine love for teaching, she shares fun facts and important lessons about honey bees — from their critical role in pollination to how honey is made. Her passion for education and the environment shines as brightly as her costume.
To make learning even more engaging, she wrote a delightful children’s book, “The Search for Bella Honeybee,” which is used at Rader Farms as a hands-on, story-based teaching tool. It’s more than a book — it’s a journey into the world of honeybees and the adventures that wait for you at Rader Family Farms! Through Bella’s journey, kids explore the life of a honey bee while discovering just how vital these small creatures are to our world.
As a proud grandmother of 10, “Grandma Bee” brings a special kind of magic to her work — blending the heart of a teacher, the joy of a storyteller, and the love of a grandmother. She’s a wonderful example of how one person, a little creativity, and a lot of heart can make a big impact.
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