Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Kent State is a gripping, multi-perspective novel in verse that brilliantly tackles the tragic 1970 university shootings. By contrasting the voices of students, National Guardsmen, and townies, Wiles examines perspective, bias, and historical polarization.
Wash Day Diaries tells the story of four best friends—Kim, Tanisha, Davene, and Cookie—through five connected short story comics that follow these young women through the ups and downs of their daily lives in the Bronx.
Legendary storyteller Stephen King steps away from pure horror to deliver a magnificent, dark fantasy epic. Following a traumatized teen who discovers a portal to a parallel world at war, Fairy Tale seamlessly blends traditional folklore elements with modern suspense.
Don P. Hooper’s gripping YA debut, True True, is a powerful, addition to high school libraries. Following a Black Brooklyn teen navigating a hostile Manhattan prep school using Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, this fast-paced contemporary novel masterfully tackles institutional racism and performative diversity. It is an enticing, thought-provoking read that will keep students hooked while sparking vital conversations about equity, identity, and resilience.
Exploring the beautiful complexities of Deaf culture, Anna Sortino’s debut novel Give Me a Sign follows seventeen-year-old Lilah as she navigates community, identity, and romance at a summer camp for the Deaf and Blind. While the story features vital representation and an innovative audiobook production that captures hearing loss, a lagging mid-plot and some unrealistic pacing choices keep it from being a total page-turner.