SYNOPSIS: Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan follows Esperanza Ortega, a wealthy girl in Mexico whose life changes when her father is killed and her family loses everything. She and her mother flee to California during the Great Depression to work in labor camps alongside migrant farmworkers. At first, Esperanza struggles to adjust to the hard labor and poverty, feeling out of place and helpless. Over time, she learns resilience, responsibility, and compassion as she helps her mother, who becomes very ill, and supports her community. By the end, Esperanza grows stronger and more independent, realizing that true wealth comes from love, family, and perseverance.

THOUGHTS: I read Esperanza Rising with a student, and we both found it to be an inspiring story about courage and resilience. As we discussed Esperanza’s struggles, my student connected with how difficult it must have been to leave behind everything familiar and start over in such harsh conditions. I think reading it together made the themes of family, perseverance, and hope even more meaningful. We could share our thoughts and feelings along the way.

SYNOPSIS: Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango is a novel-in-verse about a seventh-grade girl named Iveliz who struggles with grief after losing her father and with the challenges of her mental health. She navigates school, friendships, and her relationship with her mother and abuela while trying to find her voice and seek the help she needs. Through journaling and honesty, Iveliz learns the importance of expressing her feelings and that asking for support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

THOUGHTS: I think Iveliz Explains It All is a powerful and honest story. It shows what it’s really like for a young person to struggle with mental health while also dealing with family expectations. I appreciated how the verse format made Iveliz’s emotions feel raw and real, almost like reading her diary. Overall, I believe this book is important because it encourages readers to talk about their feelings and reminds us that healing takes time and support.

SYNOPSIS: Mel Robbins introduces The Let Them Theory as a simple yet powerful mindset anchored in two complementary principles: “Let Them,” meaning accepting that others' behaviors are beyond your control, and “Let Me,” which encourages you to focus on your own responses and personal growth. The book teaches that emotional liberation comes from detaching from others’ judgments and redirecting your energy toward your own values, goals, and peace of mind Robbins integrates psychological research, neuroscience insights, and relatable anecdotes to show how this framework can reduce stress, set healthy boundaries, and improve relationships She also offers practical tools—like the ABC Loop (Apologize, Back off, Celebrate)—to influence others positively without exerting control Ultimately, the book is a modern, accessible guide to reclaiming personal agency and peace by aligning your focus inward rather than trying to manage everyone around you.

THOUGHTS: In between reading my students’ novels, I tried to sneak a good nonfiction during the drive to and from work. Reading The Let Them Theory was both enjoyable and eye-opening. It gave me a simple but powerful way to stop stressing about things I can’t control. I liked how Robbins used real examples and practical tools that made the advice feel easy to apply in everyday life. Overall, I found it not only informative but also encouraging, since it showed me how shifting my focus inward can lead to more peace and stronger relationships.

SYNOPSIS: Animal Farm by George Orwell is an allegorical novel where the animals on Manor Farm overthrow their human owner, Mr. Jones, to create a society based on equality. At first, the animals work together under the principles of Animalism, hoping to build a fair and just community. However, the pigs, especially Napoleon, gradually take control and abuse their power, becoming as oppressive as the humans they replaced. In the end, the animals realize that the pigs are indistinguishable from the humans, showing how power can corrupt even the noblest of ideals.

THOUGHTS: I read Animal Farm with an AP English Literature student, and together we found it to be a brilliant yet chilling allegory about power and corruption. My student pointed out how Orwell’s use of simple language makes the story accessible, while the deeper political messages reveal themselves through careful analysis. Overall, I was impressed by how much discussion the book sparked, showing its lasting relevance in both literature and history!

The 57 Bus is a nonfiction book that tells the true story of two teenagers from very different backgrounds whose lives intersect for just a few minutes — but are changed forever. The story takes place in Oakland, California, and centers on Sasha, a white, genderqueer high school student who lives in a middle-class neighborhood, and Richard, a Black high school student from a tough part of the city. I had to read this with my middle schooler and it was such a great read.

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson is a historical fiction novel set in Philadelphia during the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1793. The story follows 14-year-old Matilda “Mattie” Cook, who lives with her mother and grandfather above the family coffeehouse. I read this with my middler school student and it was an amazing read! Highly recommend!

Wanting to support Asian American or Asian writers, I decided to pick up this book, delve into it, and devoured it in 3 days. Bingsu for Two offers a delicious blend of humor, romance, and heart. If you enjoy rom-coms with a side of café ambiance, cultural nuance, and social media drama (plus a slow‑burn ship), this book serves it up hot—er, cold, like a perfect cup of bingsu

Nobel Prize author, Han Kang, produced a harrowing and gripping story centers on Yeong-hye, a quiet, ordinary woman living in Seoul, who one day decides to stop eating meat after a series of disturbing dreams involving blood and animal cruelty. Her decision seems trivial but quickly disrupts her traditional family life and unravels her mental health.

My student and I decided to read Book 1 of Harry Potter. While I know that this is a classic for many children, I went in with no expectations and didn’t think that I would enjoy it this much. I thought it was a great read.

Harry Potter, an orphaned boy living with his cruel relatives, the Dursleys, discovers on his 11th birthday that he is a wizard. A giant named Hagrid delivers the news and invites him to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

What a read! I devoured this book within a week! Refugee tells the stories of Josef (Nazi Germany, 1930s), Isabel (Cuba, 1994), and Mahmoud (Syria, 2015). Though they come from different eras and places, their experiences share striking similarities: danger, loss, resilience, and the desire for a better life. It was a book that my 7th grader have to read and we read this for our summer class session and I never knew that I would take so much interests in this historical fiction genre! Another highly recommend!

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is a historical fiction novel set in Nazi Germany during World War II. It tells the story of Liesel Meminger, a young girl living with a foster family on Himmel Street in the fictional town of Molching. The story is narrated by Death, who provides a unique and often haunting perspective on the events. It was a wonderful read with my students. I highly recommend!

Meg Murry, her younger brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin O'Keefe embark on a journey across space and time to rescue Meg's missing father from an evil force threatening the universe. Through finding her father, Meg also discovers her strength and put forth into saving the ones she loves.

In ancient Athens, four young lovers flee into the forest and become entangled in a magical world ruled by fairies. Meanwhile, a group of amateur actors rehearses a play for the Duke’s wedding. The fairy king Oberon and his mischievous servant Puck cause confusion with a magic love potion, making people fall in love with the wrong person—including a man turned into a donkey. After much chaos, the spell is lifted, true love is restored, and everyone gathers for a joyful wedding celebration.

Book 2 of ACOTAR follows Feyre aftermath surviving Amarantha’s brutal court, returns to the Spring Court with Tamlin, haunted by trauma and changed by her new powers. Trapped in a stifling relationship, she is rescued by Rhysand, High Lord of the Night Court, who shows her a new world of strength, freedom, and love. As Feyre learns to harness her abilities, she uncovers a growing threat to the entire realm. Faced with hard choices and shifting loyalties, she must decide where her heart—and her future—truly lie.

Book 1 of ACOTAR written by Sarah J. Mass has taken the world by storm. When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre Archeron kills a wolf in the woods, she unknowingly slays a faerie in disguise. As punishment, she is taken to the magical land of Prythian by Tamlin, a powerful High Fae. Though initially resentful and afraid, Feyre begins to fall for Tamlin and discovers the beauty—and danger—of his world. As a dark curse threatens the land, Feyre must fight to break it, facing deadly trials and uncovering the truth behind the magic. Her choices could save or doom everyone she loves.

I read this book with my student for his research writing project. Meaningful and informative do not begin to describe this book. Malcom Gladwell lends his thought-provoking perspective on our success. Success is contributed by numerous factors: time, opportunity, resources, and supportive people and environment. Malcom left us with: The outlier, in the end, is not an outlier at all. Do you agree?

New York Time bestseller, Chelsea Handler, a TV personality, and a comedian shares her life experiences. At ten years old, she sells lemonade and realized that she could make if her lemonade was spiked. She tells the tale of the woman she dreams to become and successfully fully become she desires to be. She tells the tale of her success, her failures, lessons she learned, and more.

I find myself absorbed and in a trance while reading Rebel with a Clause. Packed with informative details that Ellen Jovin touches on different areas of our English grammar and clarifies common reader’s confusion on our usage of affect vs. effect, further vs. farther, you will find yourself continuously turning the page. It’s a great read for those who have a love for grammar and seek clarification!

In Like, Literally, Dude, linguist Valerie Fridland shows how we can re-imagine these forms as exciting new linguistic frontiers rather than our culture’s impending demise. With delightful irreverence and expertise built over two decades of research, Fridland weaves together history, psychology, science, and laugh-out-loud anecdotes to explain why we speak the way we do today, and how that impacts what our kids may be saying tomorrow. She teaches us that language is both function and fashion, and that though we often blame the young, the female, and the uneducated for its downfall, we should actually thank them for their linguistic ingenuity.