Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
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.
Lolo’s Light is a poignant, unforgettable middle-grade novel that navigates the messy, complicated layers of grief and unfair guilt. When a babysitting job turns into an unexpected tragedy, young Millie must find her way out of the dark. Masterfully written and deeply empathetic, this text is an essential, healing addition for middle school library collections, book clubs, and social-emotional learning spaces.
Step into the shadows of the overgrown woods! When young Zoey saves a friendly feline from her unkind, witchy neighbor, she unlocks a dangerous web of sinister magic. A spooky adventure that blends classic gothic atmosphere with unexpected twists that will keep cat lovers hooked.
The Paper Girl of Paris is a captivating YA historical fiction novel that blends the tragedy of the Holocaust with a compelling family mystery. As Alice uncovers the secrets of her grandmother’s abandoned Paris apartment, readers are drawn into a story of harrowing survival and the enduring power of family, making it an excellent supplemental read for a unit on WWII.
A Long Stretch of Bad Days is a gritty exploration of classism and buried small-town secrets. When a “good girl” podcaster teams up with a “bad reputation” classmate to solve a cold-case murder for school credit, they uncover more than they bargained for. While the pacing is slow, Mindy McGinnis delivers a timely look at how intergenerational trauma and natural disasters shape a community’s narrative. Perfect for fans of true-crime podcasts.