Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
A powerful reminder that kindness and connection can bloom even in the most unlikely circumstances. The book balances heavy topics with warmth and humor, making it a comforting choice for readers who appreciate emotional depth and character driven storytelling. I recommend it for adult readers or older teens who are prepared to explore themes of grief, healing, and starting over.
Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper series continues to shine with empathy and warmth. Volumes Two through Four follow Charlie and Nick’s journey through love, identity, and mental health with honesty and care. A beautifully illustrated and deeply affirming story for teens discovering who they are.
When you’re named after a 250-year-old tortoise, you grow up believing life is full of possibilities and wonder. But ever since Addie’s family got turned upside down, those things have been harder for her to see.
It’s a beautiful day in Newport, Rhode Island, when Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn wearing a green dress and gold heels, not a bag in sight, alone. Everyone assumes she’s part of the wedding party, but Phoebe has other plans—plans that unravel when the bride herself intervenes. In turns absurdly funny and deeply moving, The Wedding People explores how unexpected encounters can reroute even the most broken lives toward redemption and connection.
Jacqueline Woodson’s Before the Ever After is a powerful novel in verse that explores the unseen costs of sports through the eyes of a young boy watching his father fade from repeated head injuries. Told with honesty and hope, it invites readers to reflect on family, memory, and resilience.