Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Fifteen voices, one powerful collection. Come On In, edited by Adi Alsaid, explores the diverse and often mirror-like experiences of young immigrants moving to the U.S. From Fiji to New Jersey, these stories tackle TSA anxiety, family dynamics, and the search for home. A tool for building empathy and understanding the “realness” of the immigrant struggle in America today.
Finding your stride is harder when the ground keeps shifting. Jack Hurd fights to keep his family together while navigating the heavy miles of grief and cross-country racing. This emotional companion to Orbiting Jupiter is a simple, powerful exploration of what it means to be a brother and a protector.
A secret history is waiting in the wings. A modern-day search for a bone marrow donor unlocks a buried WWII past in Amsterdam. Through a haunting mix of historical photography and illustration, a blackbird narrates the tale of a resistance fighter whose bravery saved a family line. A unique, visually striking exploration of history that proves the past is never truly gone.
In the Vossen house, every move could be your last. Fourteen-year-old chess whiz Ruby must navigate a “deliciously dysfunctional” family to solve a crime at her grandmother’s estate. Combining the tension of a high-stakes chess match with a modern Cinderella twist, this gripping story explores the power of choosing your own allies and outsmarting the “villains” in your own home.
Kindness is the gravity that holds us together. Addison returns to high school after a suicide attempt, finding her life tethered to four peers hiding their own silent battles. A gentle, empathetic read for older teens.