Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Button Pusher is a phenomenal, memoir that provides a vital window into growing up with ADHD. Combining personal vulnerability with authentic medical insights and striking artwork, this realistic narrative addresses neurodiversity, family trauma, and self-advocacy with incredible nuance.
The Tryout is a phenomenal, memoir exploring the chaotic, painful, and beautiful realities of middle school. Set in small-town Texas, this vibrant book follows two friends navigating competitive cheerleading tryouts while managing the unique pressures of growing up in dual cultures.
Karyn Parsons’ Clouds Over California is a heartwarming, masterpiece set in 1970s Los Angeles. Through the eyes of a young girl navigating her parents’ crumbling marriage and the arrival of an activist cousin, this novel brilliant balances relatable domestic changes with the historical rise of the Black Panthers.
An incredible graphic memoir capturing the bittersweet reality of growing up. Grounded in a life-changing 8th-grade trip to Europe, this heartwarming and funny coming-of-age story beautifully explores teenage vulnerability, first love, and emotional resilience. Complete with stunning illustrations and interactive digital features!
Katherine Marsh’s The Lost Year is a brilliant, dual-timeline novel that interweaves a teen’s isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic with a shocking family secret from the 1930s Soviet Ukraine Holodomor. Rich in historical relevance and emotional depth, this highly relatable book is an essential addition to middle and high school libraries, perfectly bridging past conflicts with contemporary themes of resilience, media literacy, and global equity.