Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
In Robin Gow’s Dear Mothman, a young trans boy navigates the heavy silence of grief by writing letters to a local legend. This 4-star novel in verse breaks the mold of LGBTQ+ fiction by focusing on healing and friendship rather than just hardship. It’s a gentle, paranormal-tinged journey through the Poconos woods that reminds us that even when we feel misunderstood, we are never truly alone.
Something Like Home is a heartfelt novel in verse that uses its poetic structure to give students a gentle, honest window into the themes of family, belonging, and resilience. This powerful story is a quick, engaging read perfect for sparking deep ELA discussions on character development and poetic structure in grades 4-6.
Will Chambers is the only “round kid” in a school full of thin ones. He hides behind oversized hoodies and avoids the cafeteria, struggling with shame and self-doubt. When a cruel comment in fourth grade triggers years of pain, Will begins to spiral, using food restriction to cope.
Jacqueline Woodson’s Before the Ever After is a powerful novel in verse that explores the unseen costs of sports through the eyes of a young boy watching his father fade from repeated head injuries. Told with honesty and hope, it invites readers to reflect on family, memory, and resilience.