Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Jas Hammonds’ powerful debut We Deserve Monuments weaves family secrets, a slow-burn mystery, and a heartwarming queer romance into an unforgettable Southern story. Intertwining individual healing with a critical examination of multi-generational racial violence.
Malavika Kannan’s All The Yellow Suns is a vibrant, coming-of-age story that masterfully explores identity, art, and activism through the eyes of a queer Indian American teen. Featuring a deeply relatable, diverse cast and a unique perspective on student resistance, this novel is a powerful addition to high school libraries looking to inspire critical thinking and conversations around community, equity, and self-expression.
Sonora Reyes’s debut, The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School, is a brilliantly witty and deeply moving novel about identity, family, and self-acceptance. Subverting classic tropes with uniquely lovable, nuanced characters, this story handles heavy themes like homophobia and suicidal ideation with incredible tenderness and care. It is a highly recommended, essential contemporary realistic addition for any high school library collection or diverse young adult display.
Think you know the story of the Titanic? Think again. A Million to One by Adiba Jaigirdar, a thrilling, high-seas heist that gives the infamous tragedy an Ocean’s 8 makeover. Featuring four young women of color plotting to steal a priceless treasure, this fast-paced YA historical adventure delivers high stakes, intersectional representation, and a beautiful slow-burn romance.
In Zara Hossain Is Here, Sabina Khan delivers a deeply moving and authentic look at the immigrant experience in America. High schooler Zara must balance the everyday trials of teenage life with the terrifying realities of Islamophobia and a fragile visa status. Perfect for high school libraries, this novel is a poignant tool for discussing diversity, equity, and the resilience it takes to stand against hate.