Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Eleanor Shearer’s River Sing Me Home is a breathtaking, 5-star historical novel exploring the aftermath of the British Emancipation Act of 1834 in the Caribbean. Following a mother’s harrowing quest across Barbados and Trinidad to find her stolen children, this lyrical narrative beautifully captures the cruelty of slavery and the triumph of redemption. An essential addition for high school libraries exploring global Black histories and diverse perspectives.
Lindsay Ward’s Pink is not a color is a charming, picture book perfect for elementary art classes and school libraries. When Pink realizes she isn’t in the rainbow, she goes on a journey to discover her value as a tint. Personifying colors to teach shading, tints, and self-acceptance, this delightful companion to This Book Is Gray is an essential read-aloud for teaching art vocabulary and inclusion.
Ocean Vuong’s On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is a lyrical, epistolary novel that masterfully blends fiction and memoir. Written as a letter from a queer Vietnamese-American son to his illiterate mother, this deeply moving text tackles the haunting legacy of the Vietnam War, systemic racism, and intergenerational trauma. It is an exquisite, poetic masterpiece recommended for high school juniors, seniors, and educators exploring identity and equity.
Don P. Hooper’s gripping YA debut, True True, is a powerful, addition to high school libraries. Following a Black Brooklyn teen navigating a hostile Manhattan prep school using Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, this fast-paced contemporary novel masterfully tackles institutional racism and performative diversity. It is an enticing, thought-provoking read that will keep students hooked while sparking vital conversations about equity, identity, and resilience.
Malavika Kannan’s All The Yellow Suns is a vibrant, coming-of-age story that masterfully explores identity, art, and activism through the eyes of a queer Indian American teen. Featuring a deeply relatable, diverse cast and a unique perspective on student resistance, this novel is a powerful addition to high school libraries looking to inspire critical thinking and conversations around community, equity, and self-expression.