Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Rescue is a spectacular, World War II adventure of espionage and unmatched courage. Tasked with guiding a family of German refugees across Nazi-occupied France to save her imprisoned father, young Meg Kenyon enters a dangerous game of survival and codes.
The Fort is a gripping, realistic fiction novel that follows a middle school “band of brothers” who discover an underground bomb shelter after a major hurricane. What begins as a secret hideout quickly transforms into a vital sanctuary for a friend fleeing an abusive home.
Clean Getaway is a phenomenal, middle-grade road-trip mystery that loops together past and present American race relations. Following eleven-year-old Scoob and his eccentric G’ma through the segregation history of the American South, this layered novel balances historical realities with contemporary suspense.
K.B. Jackson’s The Sasquatch of Hawthorne Elementary is a fast-paced, heart-warming mystery that brilliantly balances regional folklore with the real-world trials of middle school life. Featuring a captivating plot twist and a lovable trio of young detectives, this high-energy adventure about friendship, family, and forgiveness is a must-have page-turner for elementary and middle school libraries. Perfect for fans of flashlight reading!
Natalie Lloyd’s Hummingbird is a luminous, unforgettable middle-grade masterpiece exploring identity, disability, and belonging. Infused with enchanting magical realism and written with own-voices authenticity, Olive’s journey in her bedazzled wheelchair will capture the hearts of readers who loved Wonder. Highly recommended for middle school librarians and educators seeking a powerful, inspiring story centered on self-acceptance, resilience, and the beauty of our fragile places.