Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
History is a poem that never ends. The lives of six Black Americans—from Ona Judge to Barack Obama—are woven together to reveal the grit and grace of the fight for freedom. Filled with eye-opening historical truths and moving story-poems, this collection is an essential bridge between our country’s past and our shared future.
A harvest of hope. Lula Viramontes finds herself in the heart of the 1965 Delano Grape Strike. As she navigates her father’s traditional expectations and the powerful words of activist Dolores Huerta, Lula must decide if she has the courage to join the fight for justice.
Stop shrinking. Start starfishing. Young Ellie fights back against a world—and a mother—determined to make her feel small because of her weight. Through the sanctuary of the pool and the power of true friendship, Ellie learns that she deserves to take up space and define herself on her own terms.
Grief comes in every shade of blue. Thirteen-year-old Sage navigates the sudden loss of her best friend. Through poetic snapshots and a heart-wrenching support group journey, Sage learns that healing isn’t a straight line.
In this haunting 4-star debut, two Bribri American brothers fight to escape the shadow of their father’s violence. Written in accessible verse and vignettes, Saints of the Household is a raw, realistic look at trauma, brotherhood, and Indigenous identity. It’s a powerful recommendation for young men and reluctant readers, offering a hopeful model for navigating mental health crises and reclaiming one’s future from a turbulent past.