Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Heartbreaking, hopeful, and filled with supernatural intrigue, Vampires, Hearts & Other Dead Things follows a teen determined to save her dying father by finding a vampire. Blending paranormal adventure with themes of grief, friendship, and self-discovery, Margie Fuston’s debut offers an emotional coming-of-age story that will resonate with fans of fantasy and romance.
Lolo’s Light is a poignant, unforgettable middle-grade novel that navigates the messy, complicated layers of grief and unfair guilt. When a babysitting job turns into an unexpected tragedy, young Millie must find her way out of the dark. Masterfully written and deeply empathetic, this text is an essential, healing addition for middle school library collections, book clubs, and social-emotional learning spaces.
Think real-world reporting can’t match the adrenaline of an action novel? Think again. A mesmerizing, true-crime masterpiece. Follow the jaw-dropping, heart-wrenching journey of Miriam Rodríguez as she takes justice into her own hands, hunting down the cartel members responsible for her daughter’s disappearance. A powerful testament to a mother’s fierce love and an eye-opening look at modern geopolitical struggles.
A gentle anchor in the storm of loss. Broken into three distinct but beautifully non-linear sections, these comforting poems offer a beautiful blend of cathartic tears, warm smiles, and healing reminders to be infinitely gentle with yourself during seasons of deep grief.
Be careful what you wish for. Sky of Paper Stars introduces Yuna, a middle-schooler caught between her Korean heritage and her American life. After making a desperate wish upon 1,000 paper stars, a family tragedy strikes—and Yuna’s guilt begins to literally turn her body into paper.