Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Poetry, secrets, and dangerous boundaries. Bright Red Fruit follows 16-year-old Samira as she navigates her Sudanese-American identity in Washington, D.C. When an online poetry forum leads her into a relationship with a predatory older man, her artistic dreams are put at risk. Written in gorgeous, lyrical free verse, this honest coming-of-age story masterfully explores family expectations, isolation, and the power of a young woman finding her true voice.
Three eras, one blood-drinking entity. The Bewitching weaves a multi-generational horror tale across 1900s Mexico, 1930s Massachusetts, and a 1998 graduate research project. As a dark indigenous force called the teyolloquani stalks three generations of women, the power of storytelling becomes their only shield. It’s a complex, atmospheric mystery that explores trauma, privilege, and the survival of cultural memory.
Gods walk the streets of Manhattan—but as prey. Lore reimagines Greek mythology as a high-stakes, once-every-seven-years hunt called the Agon. When a wounded Athena seeks out Lore Perseous, the last of her line, an unlikely alliance is born. It’s a breathless story of revenge, fate, and the courage it takes to break a cycle of violence that has lasted for centuries.
Secrets in the sand! Blood in the Water takes readers to the prestigious shores of Martha’s Vineyard, where a summer vacation turns into a high-stakes murder mystery. Follow Kaylani as she uses her mock-trial skills to find a killer and save her family. This fast-paced mystery is a powerful look at class, injustice, and the lengths a daughter will go to for the truth.
Cannons, scabs, and “numbskulls”! Follow thirteen-year-old Elsbeth as she navigates a war-torn Boston plagued by a terrifying smallpox epidemic. This fast-paced survival story tackles the fascinating history of early medicine and the grit of a girl determined to find her father while avoiding the orphanage. It’s a powerful, period-accurate look at our nation’s chaotic birth.