Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Inspired by the real life of Rabbi Rafael Grossman, Anna Olswanger’s graphic novel A Visit to Moscow exposes the often-overlooked history of the “Let My People Go” movement and Jewish persecution in the 1960s Soviet Union. Balancing suspense with evocative, emotionally resonant artwork, this short yet impactful crossover between historical fiction and biography provides an accessible look at Cold War history for upper elementary through high school shelves.
An exceptional and award-winning graphic memoir, Tommie Smith’s Victory. Stand! chronicles the inspiring life story and personal sacrifices behind his iconic 1968 Olympic podium protest. Melding Derrick Barnes’s emotionally resonant writing with Dawud Anyabwile’s dynamic illustrations, this quick yet profound history is a powerful, highly accessible tool for school libraries and classrooms looking to explore civil disobedience, sports history, and the fight against racial injustice.
Told through the vulnerable eyes of a nine-year-old boy, Javier Zamora’s Solito is a gripping, deeply emotional memoir chronicling a perilous 3,000-mile immigration journey from El Salvador to the United States. Exploring themes of identity, profound resilience, and the beauty of found families, this powerful narrative serves as an invaluable tool for educators seeking to foster deep cultural empathy and critical global awareness in high school students.
Defying a king’s erasure to forge a Golden Age! Shuttering the myth that Henry VIII successfully deleted his executed second wife from history, Borman exposes how an adult Queen Elizabeth secretly filled her private court with her mother’s books, tapestries, and symbols—using Anne’s fierce legacy to rule England independently for 45 triumphant years.
A devastatingly beautiful tribute to unconditional love. Serving as a companion to Free Lunch, this poetic masterpiece chronicles Ogle’s survival through horrific childhood abuse at the hands of his mother, anchored entirely by the tender, complicated, and lifesaving sanctuary of his grandmother’s home.