Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Olive Cobin Zang has . . . issues. And they mostly aren’t her fault. (No, really!) Though she often slips under the radar, problems have a knack for finding her. So, imagine her doubts when she’s suddenly dropped off at the strangest boarding school ever: a former castle turned prison that’s now a “reforming arts school”!
What if your voice could change everything? A Duet for Home is a powerful, music-filled story of friendship, justice, and speaking up—no matter how young or unheard you feel.
Louis Sachar’s Holes is a funny, heartfelt mystery about fate, friendship, and second chances. Stanley Yelnats’s journey from unlucky teen to unexpected hero is filled with clever twists and meaningful lessons about perseverance and justice. With humor and depth, Sachar creates a story that appeals to both kids and adults, making this a must-read classic for middle-grade classrooms.
Different like me. When Addie learns about her town’s dark past, she fights to honor those once silenced—while finding her own voice. A Kind of Spark is a powerful, heartfelt story of justice, identity, and being heard.