Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Free Lunch is an unsparingly realistic, emotionally vital memoir that illuminates the lived experience of childhood poverty and domestic instability. Handled with incredible grace, wit, and hope, Rex’s voice represents countless students navigating invisible hardships.
Claribel Ortega’s Witchlings is an absolute triumph of middle-grade fantasy, packed with girl-power vibes, magical world-building, and a heartwarming story of friendship. Following three “Spare” witchlings on an impossible quest, this modern classic brilliantly tackles themes of empathy, classism, and belonging.
A high-stakes, magical adventure perfect for fans of mythology and tight-knit friendships. Featuring relatable anxiety representation and gorgeous illustrations by Mirelle Ortega.
A forgotten story of Dr. Mary Walker, the only female Medal of Honor recipient. Despite its slightly simplistic prose, this image-filled biography is an eye-opening account of a Civil War surgeon, spy, and radical suffragist who unapologetically challenged the gender norms of her time.
The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt is a heartwarming Halloween picture book with a powerful message about inclusion. Perfect for children ages 2–8, this beautifully illustrated story teaches young readers that being different is something to celebrate.