Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi & Ryan Reynolds – BOOK REVIEW

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You traces the history of racist ideas in America. This “not history book” by Jason Reynolds, adapted from Ibram X Kendi’s award-winning novel Stamped From the Beginning, is brilliant in its delivery.

Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley – BOOK REVIEW

Della and Suki are sisters bound by love, the desire to protect one another, and – unfortunately – trauma. After escaping their mother’s abusive boyfriend, the sisters find themselves in foster care under the care of Francine.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins – BOOK REVIEW

Suzanne Collins treats fans of the Hunger Games series with a return trip to the Capitol. This tale provides insight into how the Hunger Games came to be a Capitol tactic to control the Districts. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes also serves as President Snow’s origin story, following him as a young teenager and mentor for the 10th annual Hunger Games.

Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri – BOOK REVIEW

Everything Sad Is Untrue is author Daniel Nayeri’s (true) story. In recounting his story of being in a middle school classroom in Oklahoma, Nayeri immerses contemporary students in a narrative that spans generations and centuries.

Kent State by Deborah Wiles – BOOK REVIEW

Kent State retells the story of the events surrounding the infamous clash between student demonstrators protesting the Vietnam War and the National Guard at Kent State in Ohio.

Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi – BOOK REVIEW

Zélie, Amari, and Inan are back in the sequel to Tomi Adeymi’s Children of Blood and Bone. In the next installment of the trilogy, Children of Virtue and Vengeance, the trio confront the fallout of magic’s return with each trying to navigate a new path forward in order to bring peace to Orïsha (and themselves).