Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Gamerville is a vibrant, thoughtful graphic novel that tackles the “screen time battle” with empathy and humor. Following Max as he trades his gaming headset for a tech-free summer camp, the story explores the vital balance between digital passion and real-world connection. Perfect for “Battle of the Books” readers and gamers alike, it’s a refreshing look at stepping out of your comfort zone to find your pack.
At Last She Stood restores the legacy of Joey Guerrero, a Filipino WWII hero who used the stigma of her Hansen’s Disease to bypass Japanese checkpoints as a spy. From taping minefield maps to her back to receiving the Medal of Freedom, Joey’s life is a masterclass in resilience. Erin Entrada Kelly’s narrative nonfiction is a must-read for students interested in military history, medicine, and the fight against racial and medical discrimination.
Go With the Flow is a bold, honest, and necessary graphic novel that tackles the “taboo” of menstruation head-on. Through the eyes of four high school friends, readers explore the realities of puberty, period poverty, and the power of student advocacy. With its striking red-toned artwork and inclusive language, it is an essential resource for Health classrooms and a powerful celebration of unapologetic female friendship.
Slugfest is Gordon Korman’s “Breakfast Club” for the middle school gym set. When star athlete Yash is forced into summer school PE with a group of academic misfits and pranksters, he expects a boring summer. Instead, he finds a group of unlikely friends and a teacher with a secret. It’s a humorous, fast-paced look at breaking stereotypes and finding common ground, perfect for fans of sports fiction and school-centered comedies.
Co-authored by powerhouses Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia, On Again, Awkward Again is a hilariously cringey 9th-grade romance. Featuring “love at first sight” in a nurse’s office amidst IBS and water fountain injuries, it perfectly captures the awkward transition to high school. It’s a rare “sweet spot” book: pacy and funny enough for middle schoolers, but aspirational enough for early high schoolers—all without mature content.