THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2026 49 Avatars of the Pantheon: Four Girls Come Together Jackson Owens, independently published, 2026, $15.00/paperback, e-book available, 334 pages. In this fantasy for young adults about goddesses, power, and found family, a mysterious letter brings together four girls from very different worlds: Sophie Griffin, a Sentinel of the proud Aurorium clan; Annabelle Salazar, an unruly privateer with a dangerous past; Regina Fournier, a silver-eyed scholar from the land of libraries; and Lisa Nozaki, a highborn heir of Verdantia. For 14 years, Brother Albert Thompson has watched over them in secret, knowing their births foretold a coming darkness. But when assassins and witch-crafted machines strike from the shadows, his quiet vigil comes to an end. Drawn together by fate, the girls are forced to face the truth: they are Avatars—living vessels of the goddesses who shaped their world. This is the first book of four in the Avatars of the Pantheon series. All are now out and available for purchase. Jackson Owens joined the State Department in 2013 and has served in Johannesburg, Frankfurt, Vienna, Brussels, and Washington, D.C. He is currently posted in Frankfurt. “Chulo”: The Great Journey of the French Bulldog: A True Story of Love, Family, and Home Nury Stemple, Storytime Publisher House, 2026, $15.99/paperback, e-book available, 38 pages. This bilingual children’s tale was inspired by the true story of Chulo, a French bulldog who traveled throughout Kenya, Europe, and the United States with his Foreign Service family, discovering family, friendship, and home along the way. Author Nury Stemple wrote “Chulo” during a season of grief, after losing both her husband and her dog. It also grew out of a deeper need for more bilingual, culturally rich children’s books that encourage youngsters to celebrate culture, love, and family. Nury Stemple is a first-tour Foreign Service officer posted in Monterrey, Mexico. The Making of a Little Diplomat—An Armenian Adventure in Friendship, Courage, and Belonging Melinda Woywood, Inspired Journal, 2026, $23.00/paperback, e-book available, 76 pages. Every year, thousands of children pack their bags, say goodbye, and follow their families to the far corners of the world. If that sounds familiar, this book is for you—whether your family serves overseas at a diplomatic post, in the military, Peace Corps, or a corporate position, or just simply travels often. Violet’s mom served with USAID until she was caught up in the 2025 reductions in force (RIFs). Her story, intended to teach children ages 5–9 diplomatic skills and good behavior, demonstrates that the best adventures begin with a goodbye. Through it children and their parents will learn to navigate tricky conversations about leaving one place and starting anew. Melinda Woywood served nine years as a USAID FSO posted in Washington, D.C., Afghanistan, and Armenia. She lost her job in last year’s RIF and says writing the book helped her and her family process the sudden loss of her career. HISTORY The Kane Family: Slavery to Freedom at Sotterley David G. Brown, ed., The Printing Press, 2025, $20.00/paperback, print only, 111 pages. Born in 1925, Agnes Kane Callum was the descendant of enslaved workers at the Sotterley Plantation in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. Callum joined the Board of Trustees of Historic Sotterley in 1991 and shared her research concerning the story of her ancestors’ enslavement at the plantation and their transition to freedom following emancipation. In this book, retired FSO David Brown collects Callum’s writings and offers endnotes that provide editorial context. David Brown spent 32 years in the Foreign Service, including assignments in Ho Chi Minh City, Tokyo, Beijing, Taipei, and as deputy consul general in Hong Kong. His last assignment was as director of Korean affairs in Washington, D.C. He retired in 1996. To purchase the book, write to officemanager@Sotterley.org.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODIyMDU=