This is a novel in verse co-written by one of the Exonerated Five. It is about a similarly wrongfully convicted and incarcerated teenage boy who is also an artist. It is both brilliantly written and helps fills an important gap in YA novels about incarcerated teens. I could see this prompting great discussion in a teen book club or English class.

Immersive, vulnerable, sustaining

“because darling, before I became alive, I watched the world / without knowing what to look for”

Elegant, organic, expansive

Uncertain, reverent, allusive

I came for the classic Tiffany D. Jackson twists, but stayed for the 90s cultural references, well developed characters, and brilliant writing.

Bare, revealing, emblematic

Blazing, skillful, tender

I wanted to start over as soon as it ended. I’ve never read a poetry collection where the end made me look differently at the beginning.

The books in the Storytelling Math series are great at introducing simple bath concepts while incorporating elements of culture and language. This one was a favorite of my five year old.

Definitely the most thrilling math book we’ve come across.

A perfect, gorgeously illustrated picture book biography of a figure both kids and adults should know more about. This take was playful, inspiring, and heartwarming. I especially appreciated that the creators knowledges Haring’s sexuality and AIDS diagnosis in a kid-friendly way.