Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
A vibrant celebration of sacred female authority! Dividing 50 global figures into goddesses, heroines, and monsters, this beautifully illustrated YA handbook breaks down names, symbols, and lore. While entries are brief, it serves as a stunning, accessible starting point for high schoolers looking to uncover the diverse, cross-cultural history of female power.
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.
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.
A devastatingly beautiful tribute to unconditional love. Serving as a companion to Free Lunch, this poetic masterpiece chronicles Ogle’s survival through horrific childhood abuse at the hands of his mother, anchored entirely by the tender, complicated, and lifesaving sanctuary of his grandmother’s home.
History that reads like an espionage thriller! This gripping narrative non-fiction work exposes the bizarre spy rings, secret U-2 flights, and harrowing political standoffs of the Cold War. From hollow coins to the Cuban Missile Crisis, it is a masterclass in history writing for middle and high schoolers.