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Best chapter books of 2025
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Hi Reader, I realized recently that most of the time, I enjoy reading middle grade books more than I enjoy reading books written for adults. There's just something about the blend of sincerity and complexity that makes me love books written for older elementary kids and young teens. In my last blog post of the year, I'm sharing my favorite middle grade books published in 2025, including: ✏️a hilarious book about two 5th grade writing and illustrating rivals, co-written by two of the most popular children's authors who are great frenemies in real life. 🚣🏽♀️an ambitious historical fiction and fantasy blend that transports three Latine cousins to the battle that became known as Cinco de Mayo, where they must deliver a magical sword. ✖️ a spirited and thorough biography of Malcolm X that links present-day racism with his life, work, and evolving views about race. 🍋 a moving novel in verse that imagines what a 12-year-old Mexican American boy experienced in the 1930s when he fought school segregation in his community. (This one is such a good starting point for talking about the oppression immigrants and Latine people are experiencing in the U.S. right now.)
Wishing you a peaceful holiday season (that includes time to curl up with a great book), Rebekah Rebekah Gienapp (she/her/hers) | rebekahgienapp.com | Connect on Instagram | Coffees for Gaza | |
Raising antiracist kids
Are you a parent, caregiver, or educator who wants to help children become brave justice seekers? Subscribe for practical tips, children's book recommendations, and resources for antiracist families and classrooms.
Hi Reader, It's time to share my favorite picture books that were published this year. This book list (and my favorite chapter books of 2025 list that I'll share next week) is the only one I work on all year-round. My favorite diverse and anti-bias picture books of 2025 Head to the blog post to discover these stories (and many more!) 🌙 An affirming read that celebrates the beautiful and difficult aspects of a girl growing up, perfect for reading snuggled up together at bedtime. 🌍 A story...
Hi Reader, The temptation to despair has been overwhelming this year. And I'm not going to lie; sometimes I've given into it. My city has been invaded by 1,500 federal agents and an additional 300 state troopers who are ripping families apart. Our governor has said this effort, inappropriately named the Memphis Safe Task Force, "will last forever." In November, federal officials played with the lives of poor children, cutting off food assistance and then announcing that once it was restored,...
Hi Reader, We're almost to the end of the year (how did that happen?), and I want to thank you for being an email subscriber. Whether you've been here for a few weeks or several years, your support means so much to me! To show just a bit of how much I appreciate you, all my anti-bias and anti-racism resources are 20% off right now, as well as my Knits for Gaza items that benefit Ameera Skaik's family. Year end sale details 20% off everything until Thursday, December 4th at midnight Discounts...