Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
This stunning graphic novel adaptation of Ruta Sepetys’ Between Shades of Gray brings the harrowing history of Soviet deportations to life through expressive, haunting artwork. Following 15-year-old Lina from Lithuania to the depths of Siberia, the story explores the trauma of family separation and the power of art as a means of survival. An accessible yet deeply moving resource for middle and high school classrooms studying WWII.
The Color of a Lie is a high-stakes social justice thriller that uncovers the hidden history of Northern segregation and redlining in the 1950s. As Calvin’s family attempts to “pass” in an all-white suburb, they face the suffocating pressure of a dangerous lie. While a controversial ending may give some educators pause for a whole-class study, it remains an essential look at the systemic roots of housing inequality in America.
A haunting graphic novel set in a traveling carnival, where freedom comes at a heartbreaking cost. Isabel’s story blends history, grief, and ghostly mystery in a way that will keep readers turning pages.
A gripping memoir that pulls you into a chapter of history many readers realize they have never fully understood. It is a devastating and deeply human story that stays with you long after you finish the last page.
A small town thinks it knows exactly who she is, until tragedy forces her to see how messy, complicated, and human everyone around her really is. This raw, realistic story does not look away, and it might stay with you long after the last page.