Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Culinary delights abound, romance lingers in the air, and plans go terribly, wonderfully astray in this historical tale. It’s 1830s England, and Culinarians—doyens who consult with society’s elite to create gorgeous food and confections—are the crème de la crème of high society.
Wings in the Wild by Margarita Engle is a lyrical, heart-stirring novel-in-verse that weaves together romance, activism, and a call for human rights. Soleida and Dariel’s love story unfolds against the backdrop of environmental destruction and political repression, offering readers a powerful exploration of resilience and hope in the face of adversity.
Engle masterfully paints a vivid picture of Latin American landscapes, where endangered birds and imprisoned artists alike fight for freedom. Soleida, fleeing political persecution in Cuba, and Dariel, a Cuban American with a gift for music, bond over their shared passion for environmental activism. Together, they dream of a world where both nature and art are protected.
This novel’s poetic form heightens the emotional impact, making Wings in the Wild a beautiful blend of romance and realism. Themes of climate change and social justice are seamlessly woven into the narrative, making it both timely and relevant for young adult readers. With its rich imagery and profound messages, this book is not only a love story but also a call to action, urging readers to fight for a better world.
Perfect for high school classrooms, especially those with a focus on Spanish language or environmental studies, Wings in the Wild will resonate with teens passionate about social and environmental justice, while also offering a touching story of love and hope.
On a spring morning in 1986, neighbors Valentina Kaplan and Oksana Savchenko wake up to an angry red sky. A reactor at the nuclear power plant where their fathers work–Chernobyl–has exploded. Before they know it, the two girls, who’ve always been enemies, find themselves on a train bound for Leningrad to stay with Valentina’s estranged grandmother, Rita Grigorievna.
A haunting, beautifully written novel about loss, identity, and the generational echoes of silence. The Berry Pickers intertwines two lives shaped by one disappearance, revealing the hidden costs of prejudice and the resilience of love. A powerful reflection on truth, family, and the price of secrets left buried.
A tale of one woman’s determination to resist and survive, the story follows Allina as she hides her identity, protects children and forms an unlikely bond with Karl. Their shared secrets and bravery become guiding forces as they attempt to save lives within a system built on cruelty.