The inclusion of flashbacks told through the perspectives of older family members adds historical depth, tying personal identity to larger cultural and political movements (e.g., the Chinese Civil War, immigration struggles). These sections read like mini historical vignettes that enrich the central narrative. For me, these portions of the book grabbed my attention the most.

“She realized, with a jolt, that the city must be peppered with women who frequented the Telegraph or similar clubs; women who watched performers like Tommy Andrews, made friends with each other, made girlfriends of each other. At each intersection she cast skittish glances at the women waiting for the light to change, wondering if she was one of them too, or her, or her“ (275).

Such a powerful realization of queer visibility and community.

This novel follows 17 y/o Lily Hu, a Chinese American teen discovering her queerness in 1950s San Francisco. The story is raw and honest, capturing the pain of exclusion from both white queer spaces and her own community. Lo skillfully weaves in themes of racism, homophobia, and McCarthy-era paranoia, grounding Lily‘s journey in a tense political climate. The emotional depth and historical detail make this a powerful, nuanced coming-of-age story.

To go along with this book, I would have students write in their daily journal responding to self-appreciation prompts. This will encourage students to be open about their feelings, recognize if they need to reach out for help, and encourage creative writing.

This book would be an excellent pick for a middle or high school ELA classroom. I would just make it abundantly clear, that if the book does have triggering content, and it's okay to opt out of reading it. Meaning, there would be an alternative assignment/book available to students who are uncomfortable. For students who are eager to read the book, they would gain valuable knowledge about eating disorders, and further, empathy.

“Me: I love when teachers read aloud.
Ms. Burns: Reading aloud is love.
Ms. Burns: May I hold your hand while you read to me?
Me: Yes, Ms. Burns.
Ms. Burns: Jake, are you OK?
Me: Yes.
Mrs. Burns: I can feel something is wrong. I can sense it. Teachers know these things, Jake“ (pg.s 60, 61).
This... really hits. One of my teachers was one of my saving graces while I was in recovery. We aren't just teachers to teach; we are here to support kids.

While I read this book, I keep on circling quotes that resonate with me over and over. As someone who experienced anorexia, I appreciate and treasure this book. Schu is speaking for those who are often too timid to speak on their trauma. Bringing attention to a very real, and all too common, issue that teens and adults suffer. This could be the most important book I keep in my class, it could save a life.

“Information spreads from one person to another, just like a virus, until myths and hoaxes and lies and facts and conspiracies have crept far and wide, taking on new shapes and mutations. Your snowball of information, layered with myth and misremembered history, was spread to you by others, and you spread it to someone else, who shared it with someone else, who keeps the chain of information contagion going and going...“ Spectacular introduction.

As an assignment, students could choose a current news story and analyze how it‘s reported across three different sources. Using concepts from the book, (like misinformation, malinformation, and bias) they would write a short reflection on how the story is framed, what might be misleading, and how media literacy tools helped them think critically about the coverage.

This book is a great tool for teaching media literacy in the classroom. It can spark discussions about how information spreads, who controls narratives, and why critical thinking matters; especially online. With real-world examples, clear definitions, and practical strategies, it‘s perfect for lessons on current events, digital citizenship, or argumentative writing.

Dr. Seema Yasmin breaks down the types of false info: misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation. She uses real examples, like Covid-19 coverage and media spin during the Iraq War, to show how the truth can be distorted. You‘ll also learn how satire can be mistaken for fact, how news gets made, and how to handle tough conversations. With clear tips and tools, this book makes media literacy easy, and even fun. A smart, friendly guide.

I think this book covers some heavy topics and includes language that might make some students uncomfortable, so I probably wouldn‘t use it as a whole-class read. That said, it could be a great option for students who are dealing with mental health struggles and ask for recommendations. I‘d definitely give a heads-up about the content, but it‘s still a thoughtful and creative resource for the right reader.

“We need to remember that the mind is still a mind, floating like a newborn cloud or bird wings drowning in hardened chocolate. My point is that a leaf knows it‘s important, at all moments of its life even when it is broken.  People always forget that a rough day, a bad year— doesn‘t equal a bad life.”
While this book is not my cup of tea, it is undeniable that it harbors many beautiful, important quotes, that would be helpful to one struggling.

The book deserves credit for tackling important, often taboo topics like mental illness and generational trauma, particularly within the Black community. That said, its execution falls short. The fantasy elements are vague, the worldbuilding lacks depth, and key terms are poorly explained. With so many competing themes, none are given the depth they deserve.

McBride illustrates Whimsy‘s depression through bold language, shifting structure, and layout. Parentheses echo intrusive thoughts, while her right-aligned dialogue visually sets her apart, showing her sense of isolation. Sudden changes in structure reflect the confusion and unpredictability of recovery. I have never read a book formatted in such a way before.

Paired with this text, I would have students create protest posters about a cause they care about, inspired by Answers in the Pages. It connects to the book‘s themes of advocacy and censorship, and gives them a chance to express their voices creatively. They‘ll choose an issue, design a poster with a clear message, and explain how it ties back to the story. ---I found a cute example of this assignment, pictured above---

Levithan‘s Answers in the Pages explores censorship, identity, and courage through three connected stories. When a book is challenged at school, a community is forced to confront what stories “deserve“ to be told. Thoughtful and timely, this novel celebrates the power of books to spark change. A must-read for young readers navigating their place in the world—and for the adults who support them.

Mexikid would be a fantastic scaffold for creative writing in the classroom. After reading the novel, I would have students create their own short visual novel (1-2 pgs.) that captures a meaningful moment or story from their own lives. It would be incredible to see each student‘s writing come to life through their own visual art. It‘s a powerful way to validate their voices and build confidence as both writers and artists.

Set in the late 1970s, this heartwarming graphic novel follows a young boy named Pedro and his family as they journey 2,000 miles to Mexico to bring their grandfather back to the U.S. The story blends humor, culture, and emotion, highlighting the dynamics between family members and Pedro‘s own journey of self-discovery. With its rich illustrations and compelling narrative, Mexikid is sure to keep you engaged from the first mile to the last.

During my college experience, I‘ve been assigned four visual novels. Honestly, in those cases, I found myself more drawn to the visuals than the actual stories. Mexikid, however, was a different experience entirely. I genuinely enjoyed both the artwork and storyline. The illustrations don‘t overpower the text; they enrich it. This book is a fantastic introduction to visual novels and a great starting point for anyone curious about the genre.

The “Foreword“ beautifully encapsulates the essence of this book. Like the author's experience with the kitty, George, we each carry stories. Memorable moments that invite reflection, laughter, tears, or quiet joy. These personal narratives shape who we are, page by page, into the book of our lives. It‘s a heartfelt and fitting introduction.

This novel would be a perfect pick for a middle school ELA class. The short stories all include well rounded characters, plots, and language. Further, with there being such a variety of backgrounds and themes in each story, it's likely that each student will find an excerpt that they find interesting. It would be fun to have students expand on these stories, or write short stories inspired by the characters. A great addition to the class library.

“Papi chose to be invisible today, so you won't ever have to be” pg. 89.

Reading this book has been a treat. Overall, the story that stood out to me most was “Sol Painting, Inc.“ The dynamic between the characters, particularly the siblings, read so natural and had quite a charm to it. Merci and Roli foil one another in a complimentary way; perfectly displaying the strengths and weaknesses of each character. This is a very well written story.