Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
K.B. Jackson’s The Sasquatch of Hawthorne Elementary is a fast-paced, heart-warming mystery that brilliantly balances regional folklore with the real-world trials of middle school life. Featuring a captivating plot twist and a lovable trio of young detectives, this high-energy adventure about friendship, family, and forgiveness is a must-have page-turner for elementary and middle school libraries. Perfect for fans of flashlight reading!
A gentle, life-changing toolkit for little hearts. Following a young multiracial girl navigating unexpected sadness, this vital social-emotional guide teaches young readers how to ground their big emotions through deep breathing, nature, and interoceptive awareness—reminding children that heavy feelings are temporary and processing them is a lifelong superpower.
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.
Neat-freak meets Goldendoodle! A comedic adventure that turns the body-swap trope into a journey of empathy. When Parker Pitts swaps bodies with his sister’s messy dog, Boof, he learns that life is about more than organization. This fast-paced, funny read helps middle-grade students explore self-acceptance, grief, and the importance of seeing the world through someone else’s eyes (and paws!).