Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Life isn’t color-coded! Through vibrant illustrations and simple text, this sweet concept book reframes traditional gender binaries by showing that every color—and every activity—belongs to everyone. Perfect for early elementary classrooms, it uses a colorful spectrum to deliver a profound, heartwarming lesson on self-expression, identity, and playground inclusivity.
Step into the 24-second countdown of Neon’s life. Twenty-four Seconds from Now is a sensitive, snarky, and deeply honest look at teenage love. Using a unique reverse timeline, the story explores the awkwardness and beauty of a healthy relationship from a boy’s perspective.
The war is over, but the battle for self-love is just beginning. Simon Snow must navigate a magic-less life and a complex relationship with Baz. Mature, diverse, and deeply emotional, this “ending about endings” deconstructs the Chosen One trope to find the human heart underneath.
Grief comes in every shade of blue. Thirteen-year-old Sage navigates the sudden loss of her best friend. Through poetic snapshots and a heart-wrenching support group journey, Sage learns that healing isn’t a straight line.
Nell of Gumbling is a charming, diverse graphic novel/diary hybrid that blends a fantastical setting with highly relatable middle-grade problems. Nell’s journey to find her place in a world featuring magic and two dads is funny and engaging. The format makes it a great stepping stone for graphic novel readers ready for more text. Highly recommended!