Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Karyn Parsons’ Clouds Over California is a heartwarming, masterpiece set in 1970s Los Angeles. Through the eyes of a young girl navigating her parents’ crumbling marriage and the arrival of an activist cousin, this novel brilliant balances relatable domestic changes with the historical rise of the Black Panthers.
When an overprotective Squirrel tries to claim a new blossom as his own, his friend Bird teaches him how to let nature grow. Seamlessly introducing seasonal science concepts alongside social-emotional themes like sharing and emotional control, this vibrant book is an ideal choice for primary grade read-alouds.
Katherine Marsh’s The Lost Year is a brilliant, dual-timeline novel that interweaves a teen’s isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic with a shocking family secret from the 1930s Soviet Ukraine Holodomor. Rich in historical relevance and emotional depth, this highly relatable book is an essential addition to middle and high school libraries, perfectly bridging past conflicts with contemporary themes of resilience, media literacy, and global equity.
Lindsay Ward’s Pink is not a color is a charming, picture book perfect for elementary art classes and school libraries. When Pink realizes she isn’t in the rainbow, she goes on a journey to discover her value as a tint. Personifying colors to teach shading, tints, and self-acceptance, this delightful companion to This Book Is Gray is an essential read-aloud for teaching art vocabulary and inclusion.
Kindness is contagious! Using a simple, accessible visual metaphor of an invisible bucket that holds our happiness, this sweet book inspires young children to lift others up through everyday caring actions. It is a must-read for any primary teacher looking to cultivate playground kindness.