Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Secrets in the sand! Blood in the Water takes readers to the prestigious shores of Martha’s Vineyard, where a summer vacation turns into a high-stakes murder mystery. Follow Kaylani as she uses her mock-trial skills to find a killer and save her family. This fast-paced mystery is a powerful look at class, injustice, and the lengths a daughter will go to for the truth.
Cannons, scabs, and “numbskulls”! Follow thirteen-year-old Elsbeth as she navigates a war-torn Boston plagued by a terrifying smallpox epidemic. This fast-paced survival story tackles the fascinating history of early medicine and the grit of a girl determined to find her father while avoiding the orphanage. It’s a powerful, period-accurate look at our nation’s chaotic birth.
Can a Muslim girl play Mary in a Catholic Nativity play? Sixth-grader Mariam navigates the “ambassador’s burden” at her new school while dealing with a family health crisis and the awkwardness of puberty. This sweet, Judy Blume-esque story is a groundbreaking look at interfaith connection, identity, and the discovery that faith is more about common ground than rigid lines.
Survival is just the beginning. Eighth-grader Bea must navigate life with cerebral palsy and the heavy trauma of a school shooting. Through the healing power of equine therapy, Bea finds the strength to move from helplessness to advocacy.
More than just a rainbow! Pride tells the empowering true story of Harvey Milk and the birth of a global symbol for hope. From the streets of San Francisco to classrooms today, this book explores the history of activism and equality in a way that is gentle, colorful, and deeply moving. It is a vital tool for lessons on civil rights and the power of standing up for others.