“This multilayered, coming-of-age story beautifully explores self-love, ethics, integrity, friendship and forgiveness. Nichols’ tale will keep you intrigued to the very end. You’ll be so proud of Pip, you’ll want to stand up and cheer.”
~ Vaunda Nelson, author of Radiant
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“What I found most meaningful about The Turquoise Bead is that Pip’s journey isn’t reduced to a simple message of “just accept yourself.” The book recognizes that acceptance can be complicated and that confidence can come and go. There are moments of vulnerability alongside moments of pride, and that felt much more truthful to me.
Ultimately, I found the book validating, challenging, and hopeful. As someone with a birthmark, it was meaningful to see experiences that can often feel isolating reflected so thoughtfully in a story. I believe the book has the potential to help young readers with visible differences feel less alone, while also helping readers who have never experienced that reality develop greater empathy and understanding.”
~ Chelsey Peat, Sturge Weber Syndrome Advocate and Author
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“The Turquoise Bead has many strengths, including an absorbing mystery centering around returning artifacts to sacred sites, but Nichols' greatest achievement is in its characters who read as authentic individuals, especially Pip. I audibly cheered when she overcame obstacles, both internal and external, and moaned in disbelief when other characters rudely commented on her facial features. Wonderful prose, vibrant characters, especially Pip, intriguing plot development, make this an easy recommendation!”
~ Brian Lee Young, author of Shards of Silence and the Water Monster series
