Twice Enslaved: Liberty and Justice for Henrietta Wood by Selene Castrovilla and Erin K. Robinson - ESSENTIAL

Twice Enslaved: Liberty and Justice for Henrietta Wood by Selene Castrovilla and Erin K. Robinson. 80 pages. NON FICTION. Calkins Creek (Lerner), 2026. $20

Language: PG (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (Henrietta has a son, but doesn't reveal who the father is); Violence: PG-13 (slavery, vicious floggings, and describes her situation as being "in hell")

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

At the beginning of the novel, Henrietta Wood is 14. At the end of the story, she is 58 years old. This is a true story about Henrietta Wood's amazing life. She was born into slavery, eventually given freedom papers, and then kidnapped and sold back into slavery. On June 19, 1865, she was emancipated and was determined to seek justice. She sued the man who kidnapped her, Zebulon Ward. His lawyers stalled, but in the end, she was awarded $2,500 by an all white jury. This is still the "largest financial award granted by an American court as reparations for enslavement." 

I liked this because it was written in prose. It was extremely interesting and it showed how Henrietta didn't give up during very hard times of her life. It helps young readers understand how unfair and terrible slavery was. Henrietta Wood is African American.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher 

Coming Home (adapted for YA) by Brittney Griner with Michelle Burford - ADVISABLE

Coming Home (adapted for YA) by Brittney Griner with Michelle Burford, 309 pages. NON FICTION BIOGRAPHY. Bright Matter Books (Random House), 2026. $20. 9798217027033

Language: PG (4 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (drug possession, nonsexual nudity; Violence: PG (LGBT slurs), peril, confined in small cage

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Brittney Griner is a decorated WNBA player, three-time Olympic gold medalist, and star player in the EuroLeague. She has been playing for the Ekat team in Russia and was home in the US for a week long break. Disaster strikes when she is searched upon landing in the Russian airport. In a packing rush, she has left a THC vape in her carry on bag. At home she has a medical card to legally use marijuana to manage chronic pain, but it’s not legal in Russia. She must now navigate a corrupt legal system and manage to keep herself safe as a black, queer, 6’9” tall woman in a Russian prison. Brittney and her loved ones are desperate for her return home.

I liked that it showcased the things that kept Brittney going in her hardest times: faith, family, connections with others, and self love. I found the limited dialogue and heavy exposition a bit of a slog to get through in the middle of the book. I really enjoyed her reflections on coming of age, I think students may relate to and find hope in her coming out story. Brittney Griner is a black, gay woman. 

Melanie Pew (School Counselor)

The Mysterious Virginia Hall: World War II's Most Dangerous Spy by Claudia Friddell - ADVISABLE

The Mysterious Virginia Hall: World War II's Most Dangerous Spy by Claudia Friddell, 160 pages. Astra, 2025. $19. 

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Born to a well-to-do family in Maryland near the turn of the 1900’s, Virginia, or “Dindy” as her family knew her, her dream was to become an ambassador for the United States. She loved traveling and was up for any adventure. Even losing a foot after a hunting accident didn’t deter her. When World War II broke out in Europe, Virginia was determined to involve herself in the fight in any way she could.  And she became a prolific spy and saboteur, constantly putting herself into danger. 

at 60 pages shorter than The Lady is a Spy (https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-lady-is-spy-by-don-mitchell.html), Hall’s story is even more accessible in Friddell’s hands, and is enthusiastically endorsed by Virginia’s own family. If you study WWII, or have a curious free reader population, Hall’s story is a great one to add. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS