Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Step back into a time before iPhones, where the woods were a kingdom and siblings were your best (and worst) friends. The oldest of nine children shares hilarious and heartfelt stories of growing up in the 1950s. With quick chapters and real family photos, it’s the perfect “mentor text” for young writers looking to turn their own memories into stories.
Perfection has a price. The “perpetual daughter” of Cuban and Mexican immigrants navigates the narrow bridge between two cultures. This raw, honest account of a decade-long battle with bulimia and the pressure to excel is a powerful look at the resilience of the Hispanic family and the vital importance of breaking the silence surrounding mental health.
Finding yourself is the ultimate homecoming. The journey of a nonbinary teen is told with warmth, honesty, and inviting illustrations. By deconstructing the “rules” of high school gender, Parish shows that identity isn’t a destination reached overnight but it’s a patient process of making your body a place where you truly belong.
Is your life a choice or an accident? A 16,000-mile bike trip from Oregon to Patagonia becomes the backdrop for a profound internal awakening. From sleeping under bridges in Mexico to navigating the heights of the Andes, Jenkins explores the intersection of faith, identity, and the raw grit required to live a life without regret. A must-read for any aspiring wanderer.
Take an epic 5-star road trip in Mexikid! Pedro Martín’s graphic memoir is a hilarious and heartfelt journey into his Mexican heritage. As his family squeezes into a Winnebago to fetch their legendary grandfather, Pedro discovers that heroes don’t just exist in his comic books. With eye-popping, stylized art and a relatable cast of siblings, this is a must-read for anyone navigating the beautiful chaos of family and identity.