The King of Birds is a colorful, playful homage to Flannery O’Connor and her love of birds written by Acree Graham Macam and illustrated by Natalie Nelson—who also happen to be close friends. The story imagines how Flannery, as a child, might have gone about collecting her collection of birds, and we watch as she solves the problem of getting her prize peacock to show his magnificent fan. It’s a wonderful way to introduce young readers to Flannery O’Connor and captures her quirkiness perfectly. We think her peacocks would approve.

One of the great surprises for us in 2017 was discovering Michelle Kuo. Kuo writes about her experience teaching high school English in the Mississippi delta with such clarity and insight. Her memoir Reading with Patrick taught us so much about humanity, the kindness and grace that can be found in all corners of the globe. But you don't have to take our word for it. Here's our conversation with Michelle Kuo, one of our Reading Women Award shortlisted authors.