Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
In Evil-ish, Kennedy Tarrell blends humor, fantasy, and heart to tell the story of Hawthorne, a nonbinary teen who dreams of villainy but finds something much greater: belonging. When Hawthorne accidentally becomes the leader of a band of misfits, they discover that evil and good are not as simple as they seem. A fast-paced, funny, and affirming graphic novel that celebrates self-discovery and friendship.
In The Puppets of Spelhorst, five puppets dream of freedom and purpose as they pass from owner to owner until finding themselves part of a magical play that fulfills each of their secret wishes. Through imagination, friendship, and self-discovery, Kate DiCamillo reminds readers that every story, no matter how small, holds meaning and heart.
In the realm of Awara, where gods, monsters, and humans exist side by side, Miuko is an ordinary girl resigned to a safe, if uneventful, existence as an innkeeper’s daughter. But when she is cursed and begins to transform into a demon, she must decide if saving her soul is worth returning to an ordinary life that no longer fits her.
Aaron Blabey’s Cut to the Chase delivers fast-paced humor, bizarre adventures, and plenty of chaos as the Bad Guys navigate yet another dimension. With quick dialogue, expressive illustrations, and over-the-top antics, this installment is full of the slapstick humor kids love.
Travis Baldree’s Bookshops & Bonedust is a cozy, heartfelt prequel to Legends & Lattes. When mercenary Viv is forced to rest, she unexpectedly finds friendship, mystery, and love while helping revive a small-town bookshop. Filled with charm, humor, and heart, it’s a perfect escape for fantasy fans seeking warmth and adventure.