Review: The Fight of Our Lives: AIDS in America by David Levithan and Gabriel Duckels

The Fight of Our Lives by David Levithan and Gabriel Druckels

The Fight of Our Lives: AIDS in America
David Levithan and Gabriel Duckels
Knopf Books for Young Readers
Published April 21, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Fight of Our Lives: AIDS in America

A thoughtful, poignant look at the AIDS crisis in the United States that includes primary source interviews, history, medical research, and cultural touchpoints.

The AIDS crisis in America is complex and composed of countless individual stories of grief, love, and advocacy. Its history shows the power of youth activism, how creativity and community can be vehicles for social … Continue reading

Review: The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz

The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz

The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Deya Muniz
Little, Brown and Company
Published May 9, 2023

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich

A funny, heartfelt YA romance about finding love—and lots of grilled cheese sandwiches—in the place you least expect it, from rising talent Deya Muniz.

Lady Camembert wants to live life on her own terms, without marriage. Well, without marrying a man, that is. But the law of the land is that women cannot inherit. So when her father passes away, she does … Continue reading

Review: The Danger of Small Things by Caryl Lewis

The Danger of Small Things by Caryl Lewis

The Danger of Small Things
Caryl Lewis
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published March 24, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Danger of Small Things

Set in a world where bees are at risk of extinction, this startling YA dystopian is perfect for fans of Meg Rosoff’s How I Live Now and Sarah Crossan, described by the author as a love letter to her daughter. 

Imagine a world where honeybees have died out. It’s a patriarchal world where famines are rife. It’s a world without art, without books, without plays. Girls are sent … Continue reading

Review: Charmed and Dangerous by Shelly Page

Charmed and Dangerous by Shelly Page

Charmed and Dangerous
Shelly Page
Joy Revolution
Published March 24, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Charmed and Dangerous

A teen mystic will do anything to solve a series of love-related magical mishaps plaguing her high school, including fake dating her boss’s daughter, in this charming sapphic romance.

Magic lingers in the cozy town of Fair Glen, Illinois, and it’s up to the agents at the Bureau of Mystical Affairs to keep it in check. Monroe Bennett, a junior recruit at the Bureau, is ready to ace her first tracking down the source of a rogue love charm.

Continue reading

Review: The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy by Angela Cervantes

The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy by Angela Cervantes

The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy
Angela Cervantes
Henry Holt & Co.
Published May 5, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy

From Pura Belpré Honor recipient Angela Cervantes and perfectly timed for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy follows 12-year-old sleuth Diez Espada on a high-stakes case as he tracks down the tournament’s stolen trophy in time for the championship match.

“Humor, heart, and fútbol… everything a middle grade mystery should be.” –Chris Grabenstein, New York Times-bestselling author of the Lemoncello series

Diez Espada—named after the jersey number of his soccer-obsessed father’s … Continue reading

Review: Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall

Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall

Hood Feminism
Mikki Kendall
Viking Books
Published March 3, 2020

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Hood Feminism

Today’s feminist movement has a glaring blind spot, and paradoxically, it is women. Mainstream feminists rarely talk about meeting basic needs as a feminist issue, argues Mikki Kendall, but food insecurity, access to quality education, safe neighborhoods, a living wage, and medical care are all feminist issues.

All too often, however, the focus is not on basic survival for the many, but on increasing privilege for the few. That feminists refuse to prioritize these issues has only exacerbated the age-old problem of … Continue reading