Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Eric Gansworth shatters and reclaims a painful slur in Apple (Skin to the Core), a heartbreaking memoir-in-verse. Chronologically tracking his youth on the Tuscarora Nation Reservation, Gansworth confronts the dark history of government boarding schools alongside the struggles of poverty and identity.
Bring crucial social justice conversations to the forefront with Brianna Jonnie’s five-star graphic novel, If I Go Missing. Combining spare, devastating text with striking black-and-white artwork by Neal Shannacappo, this high school title challenges systemic biases in policing and media coverage regarding missing Indigenous youth.
An inspiring, Caldecott Medal-winning rallying cry! A translation of complex modern environmental justice and Indigenous-led movements into a beautiful, accessible message. Rich with themes of ancestry and community responsibility is an ideal gateway for exploring environmental stewardship, modern Native American voices, and the power of civic activism.
Perry expected a boring summer, not a mission to right a historical wrong. When she discovers that the remains of an Anishinaabe ancestor are being kept in a university archive, she and her friends hatch a daring plan to bring them home. Packed with mystery, action, and powerful themes of justice and community, this thrilling story follows one teen determined to make a difference before more secrets disappear forever.
A powerful and wryly funny graphic novel adaptation, Borders follows a Blackfoot mother and son trapped in legal limbo at the U.S.-Canada border. Seamlessly blending Thomas King’s sharp narrative with Natasha Donovan’s breathtaking illustrations, this book is a must-have for middle school libraries looking to spark profound student discussions on identity, sovereignty, and visual literacy.