Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Award-winning author Reem Faruqi delivers a heartbreakingly beautiful, hope-filled middle grade novel in verse with Call Me Adnan. Following a young Pakistani-American table tennis prodigy navigating an unthinkable family tragedy, this poignant story explores cultural identity, heavy grief, and ultimate healing. Written in evocative, accessible poetry, it provides profound emotional insights and vital Muslim representation for middle and junior high school library collections.
An exceptional and award-winning graphic memoir, Tommie Smith’s Victory. Stand! chronicles the inspiring life story and personal sacrifices behind his iconic 1968 Olympic podium protest. Melding Derrick Barnes’s emotionally resonant writing with Dawud Anyabwile’s dynamic illustrations, this quick yet profound history is a powerful, highly accessible tool for school libraries and classrooms looking to explore civil disobedience, sports history, and the fight against racial injustice.
High stakes on the fencing strip! Following sixth-grader Lucy and her eighth-grade sister GiGi, a bitter cafeteria clash triggers an official fencing showdown. Underneath the dramatic school factions and athletic competition lies a deeply touching, realistic study on sibling dynamics, shared family grief, and the long road to mutual forgiveness.
Step onto the court. Hoops is a vibrant graphic novel that brings the 1975 fight for gender equity to life. Based on a true story, the Lady Bears must overcome empty bleachers and homemade uniforms to prove they belong in the game. It’s an inspiring, visually stunning tale of teamwork and the enduring power of Title IX that belongs in every middle-grade library.
She’s running for two. Patty a girl who carries her family’s hopes on her back and the rhythm of the track in her feet. Navigating a new school and a complex home life, Patty must learn that even the fastest runner can’t win the race alone.