Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
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.
Christmas at Holiday House is a heartwarming, wholesome tale of healing and holiday magic. Following a young widow and her son as they find a fresh start in Colorado, the story explores the definition of found family and the courage it takes to trust again. Perfect for fans of Hallmark movies, this 5-star romance is a cozy, emotionally resonant read that beautifully addresses grief and resilience.
Dustborn is a gritty, high-octane post-apocalyptic Western that feels like The Hunger Games meets Mad Max. Following Delta as she navigates a world ravaged by solar flares to rescue her family, the novel explores powerful themes of found family and the dismantling of societal myths. Due to its intense themes and violence, it is best suited for Grade 12 readers looking for a complex story about trust and survival.
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.
Part travelogue and part “Roman Holiday” reimagining, All Roads Lead to Rome follows a diplomat’s daughter caught in a celebrity fake-dating scheme. While the romance is sweet and the setting is breathtakingly vivid, the story offers a timely look at digital reputation and the impact of social media scandals. It’s a perfect pick for students who love stories about travel, identity, and the complexities of living in the public eye.