Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Winter is coming for the orphans of Stockholm. Mika uses her sharp eye for detail to help a detective solve a gruesome serial killer mystery. This fast-paced Nordic Noir delivers a darker, more mature atmosphere than your typical middle-grade read. Perfect for fans of Lemony Snicket who are ready for higher stakes and a chilling historical mystery.
Her music is loud, but her hair is louder. A violin prodigy finds herself at the center of a racist dress code battle. From the elite halls of an arts academy to the under-resourced schools of her past, Lotus must decide if she’ll stay quiet for her art or stand up for her identity.
In the Vossen house, every move could be your last. Fourteen-year-old chess whiz Ruby must navigate a “deliciously dysfunctional” family to solve a crime at her grandmother’s estate. Combining the tension of a high-stakes chess match with a modern Cinderella twist, this gripping story explores the power of choosing your own allies and outsmarting the “villains” in your own home.
Is she truly the master of the deep? Serena Valentino attempts to unmask the sea witch, Ursula. The retelling often leaves its titular villain in the shadows of the meddling Odd Sisters. It’s a darker look at the depths of the sea.
The glass slipper has shattered. 200 years after Cinderella, the kingdom of Mersailles is a nightmare for women. Sophia refuses to be “chosen” at the royal ball. Choosing her own heart over a Prince’s decree, she teams up with a forgotten rebel to expose the lie of the fairy tale.