2025 Book Excellence Award Winner - Diversity and Inclusion Mom's Choice Gold - Adult Fiction and Young Adult Fiction "Embracing Zak" takes you to a small Midwestern town inhabited by characters written so believably and with such depth by Jodee Kulp that you will feel as though you've known these people for years. In the story, you will appreciate variations of neurodiversity by resonating with brilliantly interwoven characters whose struggles and strengths shape the life of a vibrant community. The book teaches that FASD consists of strengths as well as challenges. By relating to multiple neurodiverse characters, you will realize that embracing our unique learning preferences and strengths is how we come to terms with our humanity and find ways to contribute to the lives of others in our community. Indeed, our combination of strengths, learning style preferences, and challenges is as unique as our fingerprint. As we embrace the characters in this story, we fully appreciate the saying about tapestries woven from threads of many colors. A complete and rich life must include differing ideas, perspectives, and gifts, creating a delicate and sometimes dramatic intricacy pattern.