Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
“For you, a thousand times over.” The Kite Runner delivers a devastatingly beautiful look at friendship, betrayal, and the grueling path to redemption. Set against the turbulent backdrop of Afghanistan’s changing regimes, this unforgettable high school senior staple balances heavy, sensitive realities with the enduring power of human rights and love.
Earthy, honest, and profoundly human. U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón’s collection The Carrying navigates the delicate space between the wildness of youth and the quiet grace of acceptance. Moving seamlessly from the grief of infertility and chronic pain to the soothing rhythms of nature, Limón uses brilliant, accessible diction to explore what our bodies and spirits carry.
Gregg Olsen’s If You Tell is a true crime story of horrific abuse and survival. While not for the faint of heart, this powerful account of the Knotek sisters’ unbreakable bond offers validation to students facing violence and provides crucial awareness for educators seeking to understand their students’ struggles. A true story of perseverance and love.
Jennifer A. Nielsen’s Resistance breathes fresh, thrilling life into a crowded historical fiction market. Focusing on the harrowing journeys of a teenage courier in Nazi-occupied Poland, this masterfully researched novel perfectly balances heart-pounding suspense with the devastating realities of the Holocaust. An absolute must-have for middle and high school library collections, especially for fans of fast-paced survival stories and historical narratives like those of Alan Gratz.
In The K Team, Andy Carpenter’s wife Laurie teams up with her former partner and his German shepherd to form a new investigative team. From David Rosenfelt, author of the bestselling Andy Carpenter mysteries, comes a story filled with sharp humor, loyal dogs, and fast-paced detective work. Fans of crime fiction and canine companions alike will love this engaging start to a new series.