Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Spanning surreal dimensions and speculative realities, Brenda Peynado’s The Rock Eaters uses magical realism to tackle pressing issues from xenophobia to school shootings. Though the collection’s pacing can feel uneven, its standout stories offer deeply impactful narratives on identity and belonging.
In A Soft Place to Land, Janae Marks delivers a deeply moving, relatable story of resilience that upper elementary and pre-teen readers will truly root for. Facing sudden financial struggles and family tension, Joy Taylor must redefine her meaning of home while navigating a secret neighborhood mystery.
Looking for a breathless, action-packed survival story that your high school readers won’t be able to put down? Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves delivers a fierce, modernized, and feminized twist on classic adventure tales like The Call of the Wild.
Separated by a world ravaged by climate change, sisters Cee and Kasey navigate isolation, secrets, and survival. While boasting vivid prose and a unique eco-dystopian setting, this complex sci-fi thriller features a convoluted plot and elusive characters that may leave readers more perplexed than satisfied.
Lost in the stars, found in each other. When three distinct 16-year-olds wake up on a hostile spaceship with zero memories, they must piece together their identities while navigating high-stakes survival. Anchored by a beautiful, identity-affirming queer romance, this bittersweet sci-fi mystery delivers unexpected twists that keep readers hooked.