Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
At Last She Stood restores the legacy of Joey Guerrero, a Filipino WWII hero who used the stigma of her Hansen’s Disease to bypass Japanese checkpoints as a spy. From taping minefield maps to her back to receiving the Medal of Freedom, Joey’s life is a masterclass in resilience. Erin Entrada Kelly’s narrative nonfiction is a must-read for students interested in military history, medicine, and the fight against racial and medical discrimination.
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.
A heartwarming and humorous tale of an alien-turned-cat who discovers what it means to belong. Middle grade readers will love following Leonard and Olive on their tender and unforgettable journey.
One trail. One broken family. One unforgettable hike. Just Keep Walking is a powerful story of healing, resilience, and finding your way—step by step—through the wild and within yourself.