Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Almost American Girl is an incredibly honest, deeply moving graphic novel memoir exploring immigration, extreme culture shock, and a tumultuous mother-daughter relationship. Through creative color choices and brilliant visual storytelling, Ha beautifully depicts the pain of isolation and the power of finding oneself through art.
Authorized by the Anne Frank Foundation, Ari Folman and David Polonsky’s Anne Frank’s Diary: The Graphic Adaptation breathes vibrant, heartbreaking life into a classic. Blending hauntingly beautiful illustrations with direct diary quotes, this masterpiece captures Anne’s profound humanity and the claustrophobia of the Secret Annex.
A forgotten story of Dr. Mary Walker, the only female Medal of Honor recipient. Despite its slightly simplistic prose, this image-filled biography is an eye-opening account of a Civil War surgeon, spy, and radical suffragist who unapologetically challenged the gender norms of her time.
A culturally immersive YA thriller set in the intense world of competitive Scrabble. Tackling themes of long-term grief, peer relationships, and mental health, this mystery is highly recommended for readers seeking authentic representation and high-stakes suspense!
Kent State is a gripping, multi-perspective novel in verse that brilliantly tackles the tragic 1970 university shootings. By contrasting the voices of students, National Guardsmen, and townies, Wiles examines perspective, bias, and historical polarization.