Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Follow young Misty Copeland as she takes her very first steps toward becoming a prima ballerina in Bunheads. Highlighting themes of courage, teamwork, and chasing dreams, this picture book features stunning, kid-friendly illustrations by Setor Fiadzigbey.
A masterpiece of heartbreak, hope, and humanity! Alternately gut-wrenching and deeply inspiring, When Stars are Scattered delivers an intimate look at life in a Kenyan refugee camp through the eyes of a young Somali boy and his nonverbal brother. A raw personal history, this graphic memoir explores global human rights, community support, and the transformative power of education.
Join acclaimed poet Joy Harjo on a powerful journey through memory, music, family, and resilience. Blending stories, poetry, and reflection, she explores the experiences that shaped her life and art while celebrating the strength of Native traditions. Inspiring and deeply personal, this memoir invites readers to discover wisdom, healing, and the courage to find their own path.
A shipwreck. A mutiny. A murder trial. When survivors of a doomed British warship return home with conflicting stories, a gripping battle over truth and survival begins. Packed with danger, betrayal, and astonishing twists, this true story reads like an adventure novel while revealing how far people will go when pushed to the edge.
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.