Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
In Robin Gow’s Dear Mothman, a young trans boy navigates the heavy silence of grief by writing letters to a local legend. This 4-star novel in verse breaks the mold of LGBTQ+ fiction by focusing on healing and friendship rather than just hardship. It’s a gentle, paranormal-tinged journey through the Poconos woods that reminds us that even when we feel misunderstood, we are never truly alone.
Jared Reck delivers a 5-star masterpiece of humor and heart. Donuts and Other Proclamations of Love follows Oscar, a teen navigating grief and the pressures of fitting in, while running a Swedish food truck with his grandfather. A perfect pick for middle and high schoolers, this story explores the many ways we express love when words fail us. It’s an essential tool for counselors and educators looking to support emotional literacy and empathy.
A Second Chance on Earth is a poignant novel in verse that follows sixteen-year-old Marcos to Cartagena, Colombia, as he seeks to understand his late father’s past. Through the lens of Gabriel García Márquez’s classic literature and a new friendship with a local taxi driver, Marcos explores themes of forgiveness and cultural identity. It is a vivid, sensory-rich journey perfect for students exploring grief and the complexities of family history.
A magical and emotional story about grief, friendship and the unseen forces that shape us. Aviva’s journey is tender, haunting and deeply unforgettable.
Beneath is a tender picture book that beautifully explores the idea that there is always more under the surface of what we see, in both nature and people. A boy and his grandpa realize that “beneath what is different is what’s the same.” This story is a great classroom addition for discussing emotions, empathy, and the hidden layers of our inner lives.