Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Set in the early 1960s, Bonnie Garmus’s smash-hit Lessons in Chemistry follows brilliant chemist Elizabeth Zott as she combats pervasive workplace sexism, eventually subverting expectations as a sharp-witted television cooking show host. Despite a heavy, emotionally difficult start highlighting the historic marginalization of women in STEM, this empowering novel delivers an inspiring message of resilience. A superb addition for high school collections exploring gender equality and historical fiction.

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Straight on Till Morning by Liz Baswell

What if Wendy first traveled to Neverland with Captain Hook? Liz Braswell’s Straight on Till Morning puts a feminist spin on a classic Disney tale. Shifting the focus to Wendy Darling’s resilience, imagination, and quest for agency away from Edwardian societal constraints, this empowering young adult fantasy is an excellent addition for middle and high school readers who love subversive retellings driven by female independence.

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The Little Liar by Mitch Albom

A haunting parable of deception and survival. Narrated by the cosmic voice of Truth, the story tracks an innocent Greek boy tricked by Nazis into coaxing neighbors onto trains to Auschwitz. While its unique philosophical narration occasionally distances the reader from the characters, it remains a beautifully written, essential study on honesty and redemption.

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The Thirteenth Cat by Mary Downing Hahn

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.

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Living with Viola by Rosena Fung

When worry takes on a life of its own! This graphic novel personifies a middle-schooler’s anxiety as a chaotic, shadowy twin named Viola. Blending the trial of changing schools with the complex cultural pressures of growing up in a Chinese immigrant family, it offers a visually striking, deeply poignant look at finding coping strategies and seeking clinical help.

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