Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Poetry, secrets, and dangerous boundaries. Bright Red Fruit follows 16-year-old Samira as she navigates her Sudanese-American identity in Washington, D.C. When an online poetry forum leads her into a relationship with a predatory older man, her artistic dreams are put at risk. Written in gorgeous, lyrical free verse, this honest coming-of-age story masterfully explores family expectations, isolation, and the power of a young woman finding her true voice.
Three eras, one blood-drinking entity. The Bewitching weaves a multi-generational horror tale across 1900s Mexico, 1930s Massachusetts, and a 1998 graduate research project. As a dark indigenous force called the teyolloquani stalks three generations of women, the power of storytelling becomes their only shield. It’s a complex, atmospheric mystery that explores trauma, privilege, and the survival of cultural memory.
Stay away from the doll hospital! The Headless Doll takes readers to a spooky island in Maine where the toys don’t stay broken for long. When twelve-year-old Jennifer finds a headless vintage doll, she triggers a haunting that only teamwork and courage can stop. Perfect for fans of Goosebumps, this quick, chilling read is just the right amount of scary for middle-grade mystery lovers.
The earth is moving—and nowhere is safe. Magnitude brings the 1906 San Francisco earthquake to life through the eyes of twelve-year-old Cora. Trapped underground and chased by thieves through a burning city, Cora must find the courage to survive the impossible. This heart-pounding historical adventure is a perfect next step for fans of the I Survived series looking for a deeper, more suspenseful journey.
Being thirteen is hard. Being the Prime Minister’s daughter is harder. Elle McNicoll, autistic teenager Aeriel Sharpe is forced into the spotlight when her mom takes office. Expected to be a spokesperson for all neurodivergent youth, Aeriel must learn to drown out the noise of social media to find her own voice.