Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
A Muslim teen must find her voice amidst community expectations, Islamophobia, and a sudden political spotlight. Blending powerful verse with contemporary political realism, this essential novel is a high-stakes, deeply moving recommendation for fans of The Hate U Give and The Poet X.
Khadijah VanBrakle’s Fatima Tate Takes the Cake is a powerful, intersectional coming-of-age story that gives a necessary voice to young Black Muslim women. Balancing the joy of baking with a serious look at relationship manipulation, agency, and community expectations, this engaging novel is an essential recommendation for high school librarians and educators aiming to expand their contemporary realistic fiction collections with authentic, deeply relatable diverse narratives.
A triumphant debut for a revolutionary heroine! Hidden away in a remote forest for sixteen years, secret royal heir Kalothia is forced to flee to a lethal Western court governed by an oppressive, anti-intellectual patriarchy. Refusing to play the submissive damsel, Kalothia uses her sharp mind and survival instincts to navigate an unmissable web of palace intrigue.
A devastatingly beautiful tribute to unconditional love. Serving as a companion to Free Lunch, this poetic masterpiece chronicles Ogle’s survival through horrific childhood abuse at the hands of his mother, anchored entirely by the tender, complicated, and lifesaving sanctuary of his grandmother’s home.
History that reads like an espionage thriller! This gripping narrative non-fiction work exposes the bizarre spy rings, secret U-2 flights, and harrowing political standoffs of the Cold War. From hollow coins to the Cuban Missile Crisis, it is a masterclass in history writing for middle and high schoolers.