Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Ocean Vuong’s On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is a lyrical, epistolary novel that masterfully blends fiction and memoir. Written as a letter from a queer Vietnamese-American son to his illiterate mother, this deeply moving text tackles the haunting legacy of the Vietnam War, systemic racism, and intergenerational trauma. It is an exquisite, poetic masterpiece recommended for high school juniors, seniors, and educators exploring identity and equity.
Maggie Stiefvater’s The Dreamer Trilogy is a stunning, 5-star urban fantasy masterclass that secondary educators and librarians must stock on their shelves. Blending unmatched world-building with profound character growth, this spellbinding series follows Ronan Lynch through a landscape of miracles and catastrophes. It delivers exceptional LGBTQ+ representation and intricate plotting that will captivate fantasy lovers from the first page of Call Down the Hawk to Greywarren’s breathtaking end.
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.
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.