The Awakening of David Rose

A debut that punches above the usual indie-YA weight — an award win, genuine emotional stakes around grief and bullying, and a Jewish cultural identity woven in with care rather than as window dressing. The fantasy elements and Cooper comparisons will appeal to readers who want more than standard portal-fantasy fare. The main caveat is that this first book is largely setup; the Jewish and supernatural elements apparently deepen in later volumes, so readers should be prepared for an investment in a series.