Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Oh No, the Aunts Are Here captures the hilarious chaos of family visits when a little girl is overwhelmed by a troupe of overly enthusiastic aunts. The book celebrates the endearing strangeness of family, but its unique dynamic may require explanation for children without similar large-family experiences. It’s a funny, diverse picture book about irreplaceable love.
A bold and intense sequel that deepens the political landscape of Iron Widow’s world. Fans of intricate sci fi will appreciate Zetian’s struggle with power and revolution.
The Dark We Know is a debut novel that offers a mysterious and pensive look at the cyclical nature of trauma, wrapped in a spooky horror package. While the excellent premise—an art student confronting a supernatural entity linked to her past—will appeal to fans of Hill House, the book suffers from vague backstories and a lack of character development.
In Evil-ish, Kennedy Tarrell blends humor, fantasy, and heart to tell the story of Hawthorne, a nonbinary teen who dreams of villainy but finds something much greater: belonging. When Hawthorne accidentally becomes the leader of a band of misfits, they discover that evil and good are not as simple as they seem. A fast-paced, funny, and affirming graphic novel that celebrates self-discovery and friendship.
Everyone in town knows about the game. For decades, J. Everett High has staged an annual murder mystery to put its criminology students to the test. But this year, when the fake victim turns up truly dead, the stakes become terrifyingly real. Dulce must decide who to trust—and how far she’ll go for the truth.