Gray by Laura Dockrill; illus. by Lauren ChildPreschool, Primary    Candlewick    40 pp.5/24    9781536235463    $18.99e-book ed.  9781536237153    $18.99This visually and metaphorically resonant picture book follows a child living through a day when they are not “sunshine yellow” or “balloon bright.” Instead, they describe themself as “gray today. I just am. I...

Karen M. McManus is a best-selling author of young adult mysteries. I started reading McManus’s books shortly after I graduated college, and the first one reignited my love of young adult novels and made me realize how much I adore a good mystery. So far, she has written one series,...