Impossible Creatures

Katherine Rundell & Ashley Mackenzie (illustrator)

When Christopher rescues a baby griffin, he discovers the Archipelago—a secret world of magical creatures on the brink of collapse. Joined by Mal, a mysterious girl on the run, he journeys across islands filled with dragons, kraken, and sphinxes to uncover why magic is dying. With rich world-building and over 60 stunning illustrations, this critically acclaimed novel is a great choice for middle-grade students who enjoy exploring fantasy, mythology, or environmental themes through imaginative storytelling.

Rez Ball

Byron Graves

A William Morris Award winner, Rez Ball is a powerful debut novel rooted in Ojibwe culture and community. Tre Brun is a rising basketball star determined to honor his late brother’s legacy by leading his Red Lake Reservation high school team to their first-ever state championship. As Tre steps into a bigger spotlight, both on the court and in his personal life, he must navigate pressure, loss, and growing relationships while holding tight to his dreams. With themes of resilience, belonging, and cultural pride, this novel offers a fresh and authentic voice that will resonate with students.

The Eyes & The Impossible

Dave Eggers & Shawn Harris (illustrator)

Johannes, a wildly fast and fiercely free dog, serves as the “eyes” of his seaside park. Each day, he reports his observations to the park’s wise bison trio, guardians of what they call the Equilibrium. But when more humans, a mysterious new building, and an overwhelming influx of unfamiliar animals appear in the park, Johannes must go beyond his role as observer and take bold action to protect his world and those he cares about. A Newbery Medal winner, this thought-provoking novel invites discussion around freedom, responsibility, and what it means to live in a community.

Thunder Rolling in the Mountains

Scott O’Dell & Elizabeth Hall

Written by acclaimed author Scott O’Dell, Thunder Rolling in the Mountains tells the powerful story of the Nez Perce people’s forced removal from their homeland in 1877, as seen through the eyes of Chief Joseph’s courageous daughter, Sound of Running Feet. As white settlers invade Nez Perce territory and violence escalates, she struggles with what it means to resist, survive, and lead in the face of injustice. Inspired by true events, this middle-grade historical novel explores themes of displacement, identity, and resilience.

She Kills Monsters

Qui Nguyen

After the sudden death of her sister Tilly, Agnes discovers Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook and is thrust into a fantastical world. As Agnes battles monsters—both literal and emotional—she uncovers who her sister really was and what it means to truly connect. A great pick for classroom study or performance, this play combines humor, action, and heart while exploring themes of loss, acceptance, and the value of storytelling through the lens of 1990s pop culture and fantasy role-playing games.

Looking for Smoke

K. A. Cobell

Looking for Smoke is a compelling debut from K. A. Cobell (Blackfeet), blending themes of grief, betrayal, and identity in a suspenseful story that keeps readers guessing to the end. Hoping to make friends on the Blackfeet reservation, Mara joins a traditional Blackfeet Giveaway ceremony honoring a missing girl. But when another participant, Samantha White Tail, turns up dead, Mara and the three others involved in the ceremony become suspects. Each has a history with Samantha. Each has something to lose. To clear their names, they’ll have to work together—if they can trust one another.

The Blood Years

Elana K. Arnold

Winner of the Sydney Taylor Book Award, The Blood Years offers a deeply moving portrait of survival during the Holocaust in Romania. Set in the once-safe city of Czernowitz, the novel follows Rieke Teitler as her world slowly unravels. As antisemitism intensifies and war reaches her doorstep, Rieke must make impossible choices to protect herself, her family, and her legacy. Inspired by the true story of the author’s grandmother, this powerful book brings a lesser-known part of Holocaust history into sharp focus, making it a valuable addition to any classroom exploring themes of resilience, moral complexity, and the impact of war on young lives.

Artifice

Sharon Cameron

Raised in her family’s Amsterdam art gallery, Isa de Smit’s world is shattered when the Nazis seize control, labeling modern works “degenerate” and looting masterpieces. Faced with mounting danger and the threat of losing everything, Isa takes a bold risk: selling forged art to the Nazis to fund resistance efforts to save Jewish children from deportation. Inspired by real events and figures—including renowned art forger Han Van Meegeren and rescuer Johann van Hulst—this suspenseful novel offers a compelling lens into World War II history, the power of art, and the courage of those who used their talents to defy oppression.

Convenience Store Woman: A Novel

Sayaka Murata & Ginny Tapley Takemori (translator)

Keiko Furukura never felt like she fit in, until at age eighteen, she found her place behind the counter at a Tokyo convenience store, where the clear routines and expectations gave her a sense of belonging she’d never known. Eighteen years later, Keiko is still working at the same store, content with the life she’s built. But the people around her—family, coworkers, and society at large—see her life as incomplete and push her toward change. Translated from Japanese by Ginny Tapley Takemori, Convenience Store Woman offers rich material for classroom conversations about what it means to live authentically in a world that demands conformity.

A Little Devil in America: In Praise of Black Performance

Hanif Abdurraqib

A National Book Award finalist, A Little Devil in America: In Praise of Black Performance is a genre-defying collection of essays that explores the richness, complexity, and cultural significance of Black performance in America. With deep insight and lyrical prose, Hanif Abdurraqib reflects on iconic moments, touching on figures like Michael Jackson, Patti LaBelle, the Wu-Tang Clan, and Dave Chappelle, while also recalling scenes from his own life. Each essay explores how Black artistry, expression, and presence have influenced and resisted the forces of history, racism, and popular culture.

Lessons in Chemistry

Bonnie Garmus

It’s the 1960s, and chemist Elizabeth Zott is a brilliant, unconventional woman navigating a male-dominated world. When her research career is derailed, Elizabeth unexpectedly becomes the host of a popular cooking show. But she’s not just teaching recipes—she’s inspiring women to think, question, and challenge the status quo. Blending humor, social commentary, and feminist themes, this bestselling novel is a compelling choice for literature circles or units on women’s history and societal change. Because of references to sexual assault, we recommend this book for mature high school readers.

Circe

Madeline Miller

Born to the sun god, Helios, but lacking divine might or beauty, Circe discovers her gift for witchcraft. But when Zeus is threatened by her power, he banishes her to a remote island. Here, she hones her magic, encounters legendary figures like Odysseus and Medea, and ultimately challenges gods and mortals alike. A rich text for high school classrooms, Circe invites discussion of classical literature through a modern, feminist lens and pairs well with epic poetry and mythology units.