Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
An incredible graphic memoir capturing the bittersweet reality of growing up. Grounded in a life-changing 8th-grade trip to Europe, this heartwarming and funny coming-of-age story beautifully explores teenage vulnerability, first love, and emotional resilience. Complete with stunning illustrations and interactive digital features!
Inspired by the real life of Rabbi Rafael Grossman, Anna Olswanger’s graphic novel A Visit to Moscow exposes the often-overlooked history of the “Let My People Go” movement and Jewish persecution in the 1960s Soviet Union. Balancing suspense with evocative, emotionally resonant artwork, this short yet impactful crossover between historical fiction and biography provides an accessible look at Cold War history for upper elementary through high school shelves.
An exceptional and award-winning graphic memoir, Tommie Smith’s Victory. Stand! chronicles the inspiring life story and personal sacrifices behind his iconic 1968 Olympic podium protest. Melding Derrick Barnes’s emotionally resonant writing with Dawud Anyabwile’s dynamic illustrations, this quick yet profound history is a powerful, highly accessible tool for school libraries and classrooms looking to explore civil disobedience, sports history, and the fight against racial injustice.
A scorching, empowering urban fantasy! When fourteen-year-old Lolo Wright witnesses a cop pull a gun on her brother, her hidden telekinetic powers ignite. Navigating a lethal neighborhood drug dealer determined to exploit her gifts and the sudden return of her estranged mother, Lolo transforms her internal spark into an unstoppable flame for justice.
High stakes on the fencing strip! Following sixth-grader Lucy and her eighth-grade sister GiGi, a bitter cafeteria clash triggers an official fencing showdown. Underneath the dramatic school factions and athletic competition lies a deeply touching, realistic study on sibling dynamics, shared family grief, and the long road to mutual forgiveness.