Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Hadley Freeman’s Good Girls is a searingly honest memoir that deconstructs the “perfect” facade of anorexia. By blending her personal 20-year struggle with cutting-edge research on metabolism, OCD, and neurodivergence, Freeman offers adults a vital window into the anorexic mind. This 4-star read is an essential, albeit heavy, resource for counselors and parents looking to understand the cultural and biological pressures that drive disordered eating in adolescents.
Elena Aguilar’s Arise is a masterclass in transformational coaching. Moving beyond simple advice-giving, this 5-star professional guide explores how to impact the “3 B’s”—Beliefs, Behaviors, and Ways of Being. For counselors and school leaders, it provides a vital roadmap for navigating equity, power dynamics, and relational trust. It’s an essential read for anyone looking to foster deep, systemic change and build a more empathetic school culture.
M.S. RedCherries’ Mother is a 5-star multimorphic masterpiece that maps the emotional landscape of Indigenous identity and adoption. Through a “patchwork” of poetry and prose, it explores the deep-seated trauma of being separated from one’s tribe and the slow, courageous journey toward cultural reclamation. A vital resource for counselors and educators, this collection provides a hauntingly beautiful vocabulary for the complex search for belonging and home.
Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart is an essential “GPS” for the human experience. Mapping 87 distinct emotions, this guide provides the language necessary for true connection and self-awareness. For educators and counselors, it’s a powerful tool for Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), helping students name their feelings to reclaim their power. A must-read for anyone looking to build a more empathetic and resilient school community.
At Last She Stood restores the legacy of Joey Guerrero, a Filipino WWII hero who used the stigma of her Hansen’s Disease to bypass Japanese checkpoints as a spy. From taping minefield maps to her back to receiving the Medal of Freedom, Joey’s life is a masterclass in resilience. Erin Entrada Kelly’s narrative nonfiction is a must-read for students interested in military history, medicine, and the fight against racial and medical discrimination.