These are the books repping Indiana at the National Book Festival

• For the third year, the center chose two books — a children's title and an adult selection, Suzanne Walker, the center's director, told Axios.
• The selected books must have an author who has a connection to the state, a plot set here or some other Hoosier tie.
• Other recent selections include "Zorrie" by Laird Hunt, "You Should See Me in a Crown" by Leah Johnson and "The Rabbit Hutch" by Tess Gunty.

Catch up quick: "Martyr!," the debut novel from Iranian American poet Akbar, follows an Iranian immigrant who grows up in Indiana and struggles to find his place in the "intersection of Iranian-ness and Midwestern-ness."

• The book, published in January, is already a bestseller and considered one of the year's best debuts.
• Broad Ripple High School graduate Balkan now lives in Brooklyn writing children's books.

• "What a Map Can Do" takes a raccoon narrator on adventures through various maps — traditional, and less so — teaching navigational skills to young readers.

What they're saying: "It's always interesting to consider what book has an Indiana connection," Walker said. "There are so many different ways to choose a book."

• Walker said both books this year are "perfect fits" for the festival and she's particularly excited for the chance to highlight Balkan, who has published about a dozen books.

What's next: The 2024 National Book Festival is Aug. 24 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.