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MK Asante. Nephew: a Memoir in 4-Part Harmony. Published in May 2024 by Amistad, an imprint of Harper Publisher, a division of HarperCollins Publishers. Hardback $26.99. 208 pages. 9780063275287. Ages 12-18. In Nephew, MK Asante shares a deeply personal and powerful memoir, written as a series of heartfelt letters to his eighteen-year-old nephew, Nasir, who lies unconscious in a Philadelphia hospital after being shot nine times.
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Nephew: a Memoir in 4-Part Harmony
Written by MK Asante. Published in May 2024 by Amistad, an imprint of Harper Publisher, a division of HarperCollins Publishers. Hardback $26.99. 208 pages. 9780063275287. Ages 12-18.
In Nephew, MK Asante shares a deeply personal and powerful memoir, written as a series of heartfelt letters to his eighteen-year-old nephew, Nasir, who lies unconscious in a Philadelphia hospital after being shot nine times. As Nasir fights for his life, MK confronts long-buried family secrets, particularly the story of Nasir’s absent father, Uzi—MK’s estranged brother. Through these letters, MK attempts to bridge the gap between uncle, nephew, and father, hoping to break the cycle of mistakes that has haunted their family. Both Nasir and Uzi share striking similarities: fiery tempers, battles with opioid addiction, and lyrical talent as raw, autobiographical rappers—though neither had heard the other’s music. MK uses their lyrics to weave a vivid narrative of family, struggle, and redemption, culminating in an emotional meeting between father and son where music becomes their language of healing.
Trigger Warnings: Gun Violence, Alcohol & Drug Addiction, Dysfunctional Family, Mental Health,Physical/Emotional Abuse, Incarceration, Grief, Poverty
Top NF Title
The Rez Doctor
Written by Gitz Crazyboy. Illustrated by Veronika Barinova, Azby Whitecalf and Toben Racicot. Published in October 2024, by Highwater Press, a division of Portage & Main Publishers. Paperback $20.95. 64 pages. 9781553799245. Ages 12-17.
Ryan Fox is a hardworking student with strong grades, but he’s uncertain about his future—until a school assembly changes everything. Meeting a Blackfoot doctor inspires Ryan to dream big and sets him on the path to becoming a doctor himself. But the journey isn’t easy. Leaving his family and the Siksikaitsitapi community for university, Ryan struggles without the support system he’s always known. Overwhelmed by academic pressure and isolation, he turns to partying, losing focus on his goals. His grades slip, bills pile up, and medical school feels farther away than ever. When his beloved uncle is sent to jail, Ryan’s world feels like it’s falling apart. Based on a true story, this powerful graphic novel for young adults follows Ryan’s struggle to overcome setbacks, reconnect with his roots, and find the strength to pursue his dreams against all odds.
Trigger Warnings: Substance Abuse, Academic Stress and Failure, Incarceration, Mental Health struggles, Financial Hardship, Identity and Cultural Disconnection, Emotional Stress
Breathe: Journeys to Healthy Binding
Written by Maia Kobabe and Sarah Peitzmeier, PhD. May 2024. Published by Dutton Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Dutton Children’s Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, a division of Penguin Random House. Paperback $9.57. 224 pages. 9780593855836. Ages 14-17..
Breathe is an accessible, evidence-based guide designed for individuals considering chest binding as part of gender-affirming care. Created by Dr. Sarah Peitzmeier and artist Maia Kobabe, the book combines expert insights with real-life experiences from 25 people of diverse ages and backgrounds. Through personal stories and practical advice, Breathe offers guidance on safe binding practices, health considerations, and emotional well-being.
More than just a resource for trans and nonbinary individuals, Breathe invites all readers to gain a deeper understanding of the gender journey, celebrating the ways people express their identities with joy, authenticity, and care.
Trigger Warnings: Body Dysphoria, Discussions of Gender Dysphoria, Medical and Physical Discomfort Related to Binding, Mental Health, Gender Identity, Societal Stigma and Discrimination
Freeing Teresa: A True Story About My Sister and Me
Written by Franke James, Billiam James, Teresa Heartchild. October 2023. James Gang, Published by Iconoclasts Inc. Hardback $16.99. 346 pages. 9781999406103. Ages 16 & Up.
Freeing Teresa tells the powerful true story of environmental activist Franke James, who found herself in an unexpected battle—not against corporations, but within her own family. When Franke discovered her siblings’ plan to place their disabled sister, Teresa Heartchild, who has Down syndrome, into a nursing home against her will, she was outraged. Despite Teresa’s clear refusal, the family secretly institutionalized her in an end-of-life care facility. Shocked and horrified, Franke organized a daring rescue, sparking a fierce conflict with her siblings, the medical system, and even the police. Together, Franke and Teresa fought for Teresa’s fundamental civil right—the right to choose where and how she lives.
This gripping account shines a light on the broader struggle for disability rights, particularly the right to autonomy and self-determination.
Trigger Warnings: Dysfunctional Family, Ableism, Discriminatory Attitudes, Institutionalization of a Disabled Person, Emotional Abuse, Legal and Medical System Challenges, Disability Rights Issues
What Kind of Bird Can’t Fly: A Memoir of Resilience ans Resurrection
Written by Dorsey Nunn with Lee Romney. April 2024. Published by HeydayBooks. Paperback $24.00. 368 pages. 9781597146326. Adults.
Dorsey Nunn’s memoir is a powerful account of transformation, resilience, and activism. At the age of nineteen, Nunn entered the California prison system, shackled and barely literate. While incarcerated, he learned firsthand about the racial and systemic injustices embedded in the criminal legal system. Guards deliberately incited racial violence among inmates, while outside the prison walls, the legal system disproportionately targeted Black and Brown communities.
After serving ten years in San Quentin, Nunn emerged not just as a free man but as a radical activist determined to fight for the rights of system-impacted individuals. Fueled by the militant wisdom he gained behind bars, he co-founded All of Us or None, an organization advocating for formerly incarcerated people. His lifelong work has centered on dismantling systemic discrimination against people labeled as “criminals” and fighting for policies that restore dignity and justice to those who have been imprisoned.
Throughout his memoir, Nunn draws connections between the Black Power movement and contemporary struggles for Black lives and reentry justice. His journey from incarceration to national leadership underscores the necessity of coalition building, perseverance in the face of adversity, and the importance of centering the voices of directly impacted individuals in the fight for change.
With a foreword by Michelle Alexander and praise from Angela Davis and Cornel West, this deeply personal and politically urgent book proves that those once caged can rise and lead movements for justice—showing, as Nunn says, that “jailbirds can fly.”
Trigger Warnings: Racialized and State Sanctioned Violence, Mass Incarceration, Inhumane Prison Conditions, Psychological Trauma, Systemic Discrimination.
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Dear Dad: Growing Up with a Parent in Prison — and How We Stayed Connected
Written by ay Jay Patton, Antoine Patton, and Kiara Valdez. Illustrated by. Markia Jenai. September 2024. Published by Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc. Hardback $24.99. 128 pages. 9781546128373. Ages 8-12.
Dear Dad: Growing Up with a Parent in Prison — and How We Stayed Connected is a powerful coming-of-age story about Jay Jay Patton’s experience growing up with an incarcerated father. Since she was nine, Jay Jay’s dad, Antoine, has been in prison, and their connection has relied on sporadic letters—some taking weeks or months to arrive, and others never delivered at all. Living in Buffalo, New York, with her mom and younger brother, Jay Jay has only visited her dad twice, leaving her to wonder: what will life be like when he finally comes home?
Through heartfelt storytelling and vivid illustrations, this graphic memoir explores the challenges of maintaining a parent-child bond across prison walls. Despite the distance, Jay Jay and her dad develop a strong relationship, eventually co-creating Photo Patch, an innovative app designed to help children stay connected with their incarcerated parents. Jay Jay’s story is a moving testament to resilience, love, and the belief that every child deserves the right to engage with their parents.
Trigger Warnings: Parental Incarceration, Family Separation, Emotional Distress, Systemic Injustice, Communication Barriers
Top 10 List
One Pill Killed: Fentanyl Poisoning. Are you Next?
Written by Normandy D. Piccolo. October 2023. Published by Normandy’s Bright Ideas. Paperback $5.99. 59 pages. 9788985565430. Ages 12-17.
One Pill Killed: Fentanyl Poisoning. Are You Next? is a hard-hitting mini-book that delivers raw, unfiltered facts about the growing fentanyl poisoning epidemic. Unlike traditional drug education materials, this book pulls no punches, confronting readers with the harsh reality of how dangerous counterfeit pills can be. Fentanyl poisoning is an out-of-control crisis happening in plain sight, worsening every day. The book reveals alarming statistics—like the fact that over 70% of pills bought from dealers or even friends could be fake, often containing deadly amounts of fentanyl, sometimes up to five times the lethal dose. Whether it’s snorted, smoked, injected, or swallowed, one counterfeit pill can kill within minutes. This book challenges readers to pause and think critically before making a potentially fatal decision, emphasizing that the choice—and its consequences—are ultimately theirs.
Trigger Warnings: Drug Overdose/Addiction/Poisoning, Death, Graphic Descriptions of Drug-Related Risks, Grief
Top 10 List
Sito: An American Teenager and the City that Failed Him
Written by Laurence Ralph. Published in February 2024 by Grand Central, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette. Hardback $30.00. 320 pages. 978-1538740323. Ages 16 & Up.
Sito is an intimate and powerful narrative that blends personal grief with academic insight, offering a profound reflection on urban violence, the cycle of trauma, and the fragile presence of grace amidst tragedy. Written by Laurence Ralph, an Ivy League professor and expert on youth violence, the book explores the heartbreaking story of Luis Alberto Quiñonez—known as Sito—who was shot and killed at nineteen in San Francisco’s Mission District. His killer, seventeen-year-old Julius Williams, had encountered Sito once before, five years earlier, when Julius witnessed his brother’s murder by someone connected to Sito. Though both incidents received fleeting media attention, the deeper human and societal impacts remained unseen. For Ralph, who is also the stepfather of Sito’s half-brother, this tragedy was deeply personal, compelling him to grapple with issues of violence, loss, and systemic injustice not just through the lens of academia, but as a grieving member of the family.
Trigger Warnings: Gun / Gang Violence, Murder, Grief, Systemic Racism Emotional Distress
Top 10 List
Just Another Story: A Graphic Migration Account
Written by Ernesto Saade . April 2024. Published by Graphic Universe, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group. Paperback $17.99. 216 pages. 9798765623367. Ages 15-18.
Just Another Story: A Graphic Migration Account tells the powerful, personal journey of Carlos, who, at nineteen, left El Salvador with his mother, Elena, to seek a new life in the United States. Though hesitant to leave, Carlos couldn’t let his mother face the perilous journey alone. Their migration through Mexico and into the U.S. mirrors the struggles, dangers, and hopes faced by countless Central American migrants.
Ten years later, Carlos recounted his experiences to his cousin, cartoonist Ernesto Saade, who transformed their conversation into this poignant graphic narrative. Moving beyond statistics and headlines, the book offers an intimate, humanized perspective on migration, highlighting that every story—no matter how common—is unique, personal, and deeply significant.
Trigger Warnings: Migration-Related Trauma, Family Separation, Physical Danger/Violence/Fear, Systemic Oppression, Poverty, Xenophobia
Rising from the Ashes: Los Angeles, 1992
Written by Paula Yoo. Edward Jae Song Lee, Latasha Harlins, Rodney King, and a City on Fire. May 2024. Published by Norton Young Readers, an imprint of W.W. Norton & Company. Hardback $19.99. 368 pages. 9781324030904 Ages 12-18.
Rising from the Ashes by award-winning author Paula Yoo offers a powerful, multi-perspective account of the 1992 Los Angeles uprising, ignited by the not guilty verdicts for the police officers who brutally beat Rodney King. The city erupted in violence, with fires consuming neighborhoods, armed clashes between protestors and storeowners, and widespread destruction resulting in over $1 billion in damages. The chaos left 63 people dead, 2,400 injured, and more than 12,000 arrested.
Yoo focuses on the experiences of the Korean American community, exploring the racial tensions and systemic inequalities that fueled the unrest. At its core are the intertwined stories of Rodney King; Latasha Harlins, a Black teenager fatally shot by a Korean American storeowner; and Edward Jae Song Lee, a Korean American man killed during the riots. Through personal accounts from police officers, activists, journalists, and community members, Yoo paints a vivid portrait of those five tumultuous days and their lasting impact.
Trigger Warnings: Police/Gang/Gun Violence, Death, Civil Unrest, Graphic Descriptions of Violence, Systemic Injustice, Graphic Descriptions of Violence and Injury
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