Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
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.
Tara Sullivan’s Treasure of the World is a powerful story of resilience and hope set in the Bolivian Andes. Through Ana’s eyes, readers witness the harsh realities of child labor and the courage it takes to dream beyond survival. A compelling and empathetic read for young adults.
Tummolo’s The Facility is a striking debut that merges philosophy and science fiction. In a world of machines, the creation of one fragile human child challenges the meaning of existence itself. Both chilling and hopeful, this story captures the heart of humanity’s resilience amid technological evolution.