Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Co-authored by powerhouses Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia, On Again, Awkward Again is a hilariously cringey 9th-grade romance. Featuring “love at first sight” in a nurse’s office amidst IBS and water fountain injuries, it perfectly captures the awkward transition to high school. It’s a rare “sweet spot” book: pacy and funny enough for middle schoolers, but aspirational enough for early high schoolers—all without mature content.
If your brain still stores core memories in AIM away messages, Limited Too receipts, and Spice Girls feminism, this audiobook is going to feel like a time capsule with a pulse. Kate Kennedy is funny, sharp, and unexpectedly tender, and you will keep pausing just to say, “I thought it was only me.”
Aria’s curls seem to attract attention everywhere she goes, but she is ready to make one thing very clear. This playful, imaginative story delivers a powerful message about respect, boundaries, and asking first.
Nell of Gumbling is a charming, diverse graphic novel/diary hybrid that blends a fantastical setting with highly relatable middle-grade problems. Nell’s journey to find her place in a world featuring magic and two dads is funny and engaging. The format makes it a great stepping stone for graphic novel readers ready for more text. Highly recommended!
I am a GREAT Friend! delivers a sweet message about authenticity and friendship through the eyes of Baby Capybara. When he tries to change his adventurous nature to fit in, he learns that true connection comes from being himself. This relatable picture book is perfect for showing young children that it’s okay if not everyone likes your ideas—your perfect friend is out there!