Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
There Goes the Neighborhood is a sharp, South L.A.-set adventure that pits three best friends against the crushing forces of gentrification. When a fake-gang scheme to scare off developers leads to a real murder charge, the stakes become life or death. While it tackles heavy themes of displacement and social inequity, the heart of the story remains a relatable love letter to the power of community and authentic friendship.
A Long Stretch of Bad Days is a gritty exploration of classism and buried small-town secrets. When a “good girl” podcaster teams up with a “bad reputation” classmate to solve a cold-case murder for school credit, they uncover more than they bargained for. While the pacing is slow, Mindy McGinnis delivers a timely look at how intergenerational trauma and natural disasters shape a community’s narrative. Perfect for fans of true-crime podcasts.
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.
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.
The Otherwhere Post is a magical-school mystery perfect for fans of academic fantasy. Following Maeve, an apprentice learning the art of scriptomancy (language-based magic), the story balances a quest for justice with authentic relationship growth. While the magic system is complex, the themes of resilience and self-discovery make it a compelling read for secondary students interested in mystery and “magic with a price.”