Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
A joyful, empowering ode to identity and radical self-love! Based on real events from activist Colin Kaepernick’s childhood, I Color Myself Different navigates the complex realities of growing up Black in a white adoptive family. Rich with Black history connections and an exceptional message about recognizing inherent worth.
A powerful, lyrical anthem of identity! A beautiful guide from simple everyday observations to a profound appreciation of Black history, culture, and activism. Packed with exceptional educational back-matter—including poems, timelines, and a playlist to celebrate community heritage.
Put on your dancing shoes for the “Word King!” The legacy of Langston Hughes is celebrated with rhythmic prose and vibrant art. Perfect for introducing the Harlem Renaissance, this joyous book shows students that poetry is a living, breathing party. It’s an essential mentor text for young writers ready to stomp, clap, and find their own literary rhythm.
Her music is loud, but her hair is louder. A violin prodigy finds herself at the center of a racist dress code battle. From the elite halls of an arts academy to the under-resourced schools of her past, Lotus must decide if she’ll stay quiet for her art or stand up for her identity.
KB Brookins’s Pretty is a raw, 4-star exploration of Black trans-masculinity and the journey to self-definition. Part memoir, part cultural critique, it navigates the “messy and painful” realities of living between governmental labels and personal truth. For educators and GSA facilitators, it’s a powerful tool for empathy, highlighting the resilience required to survive in a world that insists on defining you before you can define yourself.