Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
In the realm of Awara, where gods, monsters, and humans exist side by side, Miuko is an ordinary girl resigned to a safe, if uneventful, existence as an innkeeper’s daughter. But when she is cursed and begins to transform into a demon, she must decide if saving her soul is worth returning to an ordinary life that no longer fits her.
Aaron Blabey’s Cut to the Chase delivers fast-paced humor, bizarre adventures, and plenty of chaos as the Bad Guys navigate yet another dimension. With quick dialogue, expressive illustrations, and over-the-top antics, this installment is full of the slapstick humor kids love.
Travis Baldree’s Bookshops & Bonedust is a cozy, heartfelt prequel to Legends & Lattes. When mercenary Viv is forced to rest, she unexpectedly finds friendship, mystery, and love while helping revive a small-town bookshop. Filled with charm, humor, and heart, it’s a perfect escape for fantasy fans seeking warmth and adventure.
Alan Gratz’s Allies delivers a gripping and emotional retelling of D-Day through diverse voices that capture the bravery and heartbreak of war. Perfect for middle and high school readers, it encourages empathy, historical understanding, and reflection on sacrifice and unity.
B. B. Alston’s Amari series blends magic, mystery, and heart. In The Great Game and The Despicable Wonders, Amari grows into a courageous young heroine facing moral choices and real-world parallels of prejudice and leadership. A must-read for middle grade fantasy fans.