Unleashing Readers

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 3/23/26

March 24, 2026March 23, 2026 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
For readers of all ages

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop we host which focuses on sharing what we’re reading. This Kid Lit version of IMWAYR focuses primarily on books marketed for kids and teens, but books for readers of all ages are shared. We love this community and how it offers opportunities to share and recommend books with each other.

The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. The Kid Lit IMWAYR was co-created by Kellee & Jen at Teach Mentor Texts.

We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up below, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs.

Happy reading!

No posts last week, but I will shamelessly promote Trent’s post again 😁

Wednesday: Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He Was 11

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Kellee

It has been a LONG time since I’ve post!!! Here is what I’ve been reading since 2/9:

Young Adult

The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II by Candace Fleming: After Candance Fleming won so many awards at the ALA Youth Media Awards, I knew I wanted to read more of her books because all I’ve read, I loved, and this one was no different. The way that Fleming is able to write a nonfiction narrative that sucks in the reader yet also so clearly educate the reader is brilliant. And just like her others I’ve read, I found myself sharing about what I learned because of how interesting it was. (P.S. Read this just to learn some Women’s HERstory that should be known!)
What We Did to Survive by Megan Lally: What would you do to survive if you found yourself on a boat in the middle of the ocean? What if the worst case scenario happens? What are you willing to do?! This book puts the characters in a situation where that is the question, and they truly must decide how they are going to survive the peril they find themselves in. I actually could not put this book down!
Lady Knight by Amalie Howard: This companion of Queen Bee is so very different than the first book! While still a romance in 1800s England, the focus is Zia’s fight to save her school and fight against “the man”–literally.
Royal Heirs Academy and Royal Liars by Lindsey Duga: I picked up this duology because I saw the covers at the book store, read just a bit about it, and I knew I was going to love it. The premise is that four individuals, 3 heirs and a scholarship student, are put up against each other to fight to become the heir of their country. But man oh man was there more to it! And yes, you have to read both to figure everything out. But you will want to.
Thieves’ Gambit by Kayvion Lewis: This was a reread for me because I want to read the second book in the series, and I liked this one enough to go back and reread so I could enjoy the sequel wholely. My original review stands, except for the part where I don’t have to wait for #2 anymore!: “Thieves’ Gambit was a twisty, turny heist book with a fantastic cast of characters and non-stop action. Oh, and I can’t forget about betrayal and romance! They’re in there, too. The only thing I didn’t like about the book was the ending because I now have to wait for book #2 to see what happens next!”

Middle Grade

A Fishboy Named Sashimi by Dan Santat: Dan Santat’s newest graphic novel is just the correct mix of weird, funny, and endearing. In the vein of Pilkey, this Santat novel is going to find so many readers who adore that perfect combination.
Which Is Worse: Animal Challenges? by Brady Barr: I saw this book in one of my science teacher’s classrooms, and I was intrigued and was not disappointed. Every questions lasts two spreads: the first asks the question with large images then the second answers the question. I had so much fun guessing then learning.
Sneaks by Amy Tern: Amy Tern gives us a middle grade mystery that will suck in the reader, keep them guessing, and will also fill their heart. She does such a great job of creating a situation that gives us two protagonists that we’re rooting for as they navigate not only the mystery their trying to solve but the complicatons that just come with life. (I also was very lucky to be able to write the educators’ guide for this book; I will share it when it is published!)

Picture Books/Kid Lit

Muslim Mavericks: The True Story of … Maysoon Zayid, the Girl Who Can Can by Seema Yasmin, Illustrated by Noha Habaieb: This early middle grade biography seems to be the first in a series that will focus on Muslim mavericks, and I love that we get to meet Maysoon Zayid in this one! Maysoon was told that her dreams were impossible as a Palestinian Muslim American with cerebal palsy, but Maysoon was not going to let anyone tell her she can’t when she knew she can. This is going to be a great addition to biography sections–put near the Who Was, She Persisted, and I am series and it’ll definitely find its reader.
The Octopus by Guojing: I don’t even know how to describe the beauty of these illustrations; they are muted and calm but hold so much story, emotions, and a perfect ecology messages about humans’ impact on other living things, how helping animals is magical (literally in the book but figuratively in life), and how we can’t forget about the beauty that we can’t always see. And the book can be wordless because words are not needed; the illustrations hold all of that. Oh, and the cherries on the top? Good backmatter that is informative and brief enough for the audience, AND don’t forget to take off the dust jacket for some beauty!
Planting Hope by Frederick Joseph, Illustrated by Paul Kellam: I really that the illustrator made this book full spreads and full color–the colors really make it! Also, the facial expressions are on point, truly emoting what the characters are thinking and feeling. These wonderful illustrations mixed with the the extended metaphor about hope and a full life equals a perfect book for so many situations, including the classroom/library to discuss prediction, theme, and character development.
Beginning, Middle, and End by Jon Burgerman: Hilarious (yet simple) drawings that lend itself perfectly to the story that Burgerman is telling. It truly supports what the author’s biography says about the author: “Expressing creativity and fun is the key to [his] world. It is his belief that simple reactive acts can allow people to change not only their world but the world around them.” Also, while reading, I found myself wanting to be sitting with kids, so we could discuss questions like: Why the different shapes for the different parts? Is what they say about each of them correct? How does this connect to the plot diagram?
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. Lewis: Trent wanted to read Charlotte’s Web since he hadn’t read it, and I am so glad that I listened to it with him because I got to experience this truly special children’s book again. It holds up.

Adult

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin: I can definitely see why this book made all of the lists when it came out–it is truly a special book! (I do think many people describe it wrong because I was told it was a book about a video game. It is not; it is a book about two people who truly affect each other’s lives in the most unexpected ways. It is a story about them.)
Project Hail Mary by Any Weir: I read The Martian in one sitting and with the movie coming out, I decided to listen to Project Hail Mary, and I am so glad I did because I loved it. While I have mild complaints, I can wholeheartedly say that I recommend it–specifically listening to it. I promise. There is something specifically with this book that is better with audio.

And you can always learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

This is my week off; I’ll see you next week!

Kellee

Reading: Heist Royale by Kayvion Lewis
Going to Re-Read: The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie (for school book club)
Listening: Root Magic by Eden Royce (for my book club with Jewel)
Listening with Trent: Unplugged by Gordon Korman

Wednesday: Student Voices: Christina Diaz Gonzlez’s Visit to Kellee’s Middle School

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Planting the Seed: Why Sharing Stories with Diverse
Representation in Medicine and STEM Matters for Children” by Dr. Candicee Childs, Author of Cece’s Sour and Sweet Journey to Medical School

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!

and

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 3/16/26

March 16, 2026March 16, 2026 by Ricki

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
For readers of all ages

Happy reading!

Wednesday: Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He Was 11

Sunday: Author’s Guest Post: “Five Lesser-known Figures from Greek Mythology” by Shana Targosz, Author of Relic of Thieves

Kellee

It’s my week off, but you can always learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

I am on Spring Break (a staycation, but trying to reduce responsibilities). 😊 See you in two weeks!

and

Author Guest Post: “Five Lesser Known Figures from Greek Mythology” by Shana Targosz, Author of Relic of Thieves

March 17, 2026March 15, 2026 by Kellee

“Five Lesser-known Figures from Greek Mythology”

When we think of Greek mythology, the gods and goddesses that most likely come to mind are the famous twelve Olympians who rule from Mount Olympus: Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Athena, Ares, Aphrodite, Dionysus, Hephestus, Demeter, Hermes, Artemis, and Apollo. But there are hundreds of other gods and immortals who are given small parts to play in the more celebrated myths and epic tales. Many of these figures from myth are no less important and have unique divine powers of their own—and some are even more powerful than the Olympians. These lesser-known figures from mythology can be sources of inspiration to craft deeper, richer stories for mythology-loving readers.

Here are some lesser-known gods and immortals with fascinating stories of their own:

Thanatos – the god of death
You may have heard of Hades, the god of the Underworld, but have you heard of the actual god of death, Thanatos? Thanatos is mentioned occasionally in myths and is seen briefly in The Iliad. Thanatos is the child of Nyx and twin to Hypnos, the god of sleep. In fact, Thanatos’s power was to bring a gentle death to mortals, much like the deep sleep Hypnos’s touch would bring. Perhaps the most intriguing myth Thanatos appears in is not about the origins of the god of death, but of the Corinthian king, Sisyphus. Sisyphus was a mortal man who escaped death not once, but twice. The first was when Sisyphus locked the god of death up in chains so Thanatos could not send Sisyphus to the Underworld. Thanatos remained imprisoned by Sisyphus for several days. Eventually, the other gods took notice that mortals were not completing their life cycle as expected. It was Ares, the god of war, who figured out the reason and set Thanatos free. The second time Sisyphus escaped death, he convinced Persephone that he was taken by mistake and the queen of the Underworld released him. Hades was not pleased. To punish Sisyphus, Hades sent him to Tartarus, where he was condemned to roll a boulder up a hill every day only for it to roll down to the bottom each time. As for Thanatos, the god of death learned to not trust mortals, and was never bound again.

Thanatos’s role in the Greek pantheon is to represent the gentle end of a life cycle, rather than a distraught one. Perhaps this is why Thanatos was not given a larger role in the epics and features mainly in Orphic hymns and even in Aesop’s fables. A god who respects the precious cycle of life is an interesting character to explore.

Nyx – goddess of the night

Nyx is one of the primordial gods who came to be during the dawn of creation. Nyx was a goddess even before the Titans and the Olympians appeared. Nyx symbolized the night, specifically the substance that obscured the light and brought forth the darkness. It was believed that her chariot crossed the sky at dusk, and Nyx pulled the veil across the world that would turn day into night, the stars following in her wake. Even Zeus was in awe of Nyx and went to lengths to appease her. In classic texts, Nyx is mentioned as the parent to many other immortals, such as the Erinyes (the Furies), the Morai (the Fates), and the Oneiroi (gods of dreams). She is also the mother of twins Hypnos (the god of sleep) and Thanatos (the god of death). In the Iliad, Nyxis is mentioned by her son, Hypnos, when he recounts the time that Zeus was furious with him. The only reason Hypnos escaped was because he ran to Nyx for protection. Zeus did not want to anger the goddess, and so left Hypnos unharmed. I am in awe of Nyx, myself! This primordial goddess has ties to some of the most intriguing figures from mythology and seems to hold an awe-striking power over the Olympians. They are right to revere her!

Hecate – goddess of crossroads, magic, ghosts, and the moon

Hecate is the goddess of many things, often appearing as a triple-bodied or three-headed deity who carries a torch. As the goddess of crossroads and magic, Hecate is the holder of keys that can unlock the gates between realms—even the realm of the dead. In the famous myth of Hades and Persephone, Hecate was called by Demeter to aid in the search for her abducted daughter. At first, Hecate could not find Persephone, even with her divine torch and her magical keys. When Persephone was finally found, it was too late—she had become bound to the Underworld and had to remain there for six months out of the year. Later, after Persephone was crowned the queen of the Underworld alongside Hades, Hecate became the one who guided Persephone from the realm of the dead back to the above realms, when it was time for her to return to her mother’s side at Mount Olympus. Persephone’s journey from the Underworld to Mount Olympus coincides with the spring and her return signifies the time when flowers, trees, and crops begin to bloom once more. And in the myths, Hecate is always there to make that journey alongside her. With her influence over crossroads, magic, ghosts, and the moon, there is so much to love about Hecate!

The Erinyes

The Erinyes were three fearsome goddesses of vengeance and retribution who punished mortals for crimes they committed. You may be more familiar with their Roman counterparts, the Furies. In early myths, the Erinyes were originally the personification of curses called down upon those guilty of crimes. It wasn’t until later that the Erinyes were given physical forms. Their names are Tisiphone, Alecto, and Megaera; women with wings who carry poisonous serpents wound around their wrists and woven through their hair. They were known to hunt criminals and bring them to justice. Even invoking their names was believed to lay a curse upon the wicked. The Erinyes brought misery and misfortune to those found guilty of crimes, anything from disobeying parents to the more serious crimes of harming others. They appear in many Greek and Roman classic texts and were both revered and feared by all.

The Erinyes were fascinating goddesses whose task it was to punish first and ask questions later. Because of this, the Erinyes were ideal figures from mythology to include in Relic of Thieves—their singular focus to hunt down law-breakers made them the perfect antagonists for the story.

Charon – the Ferryman of the Underworld

Unlike the others on this list, Charon is not a god at all. Rather, he is an immortal daimon, or spirit of the Underworld in service to Hades. Charon’s only task is to ferry the dead across the river and into Hades’ domain. Charon is featured in some myths, such as the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, often appearing as an old man who will not take a passenger unless they can pay for the crossing. If the person arrives without payment, they are forced to wander the shore for a hundred years without rest, doomed to haunt the world as a ghost. Charon’s role in mythology is to be a psychopomp, a spirit who guides the dead, forever bound to the river that divides the realm of the living from the Underworld. Charon has always been a source of intrigue and inspiration for me. I would often wonder about this immortal of the Underworld. Did he ever have time off from his duties? What did he do with all of the payments he received from the dead? Mostly, though, I wondered if he ever got lonely.

All of the gods and immortals I’ve mentioned make appearances in The Underwild series and have pivotal roles in the story. Charon is the guardian of Senka, the main character of River of Spirits, and Senka is undergoing training as the young apprentice ferryer of the Underworld. Hecate visits the Underworld often and becomes a key figure in both of the Underwild books. In Relic of Thieves, Hecate’s magical keys are the relics Anya, the main character, “borrows” to reunite with her best friend who moved away. And the Erinyes (named the Furies in my book) do indeed hunt Anya down for breaking a pivotal law of the gods. These fascinating figures from mythology all have unique abilities, and they either help or hinder Senka and Anya on their journeys through the realms of myth. Now that you know a little more about these lesser-known gods and immortals and the powers they wield, what new stories would you create with them?

Publishing March 24th, 2026 by Aladdin

About the Book: An ordinary girl’s longing to return to the way things were sets off a chain of events that lands her and her best friend in the Underwild in this second book in the New York Times bestselling middle grade fantasy series The Underwild—perfect for fans of Greenwild and Rick Riordan.

The best ways Anya knows how to cope with the struggles life throws her way is to keep her head down, stay invisible, and stick close to her best friend, Lizzie. Lizzie has been Anya’s rock since second grade. Together, they pretend the world away. But when Lizzie moves out of state, Anya is left adrift and desperately lonely.

One day, Anya follows a strange girl home from school and is shocked to see her go into the home of the woman who everyone in town swears is a witch. As Anya spies on the pair, she realizes the woman really does have magic—including a set of magical keys that can deliver you anywhere you want to go…keys that could reunite Anya with Lizzie. Anya has seen all she needs to; as soon as she has the chance, she steals the keys.

But magic always has a price. The keys do bring Anya to Lizzie, but then the girls are transported to the dark and chaotic world of the Underwild. Before long, Lizzie is snatched away by a terrible creature! Now wracked with guilt and paralyzed by fear, Anya has no choice but to trust the girl from school, Senka, when she unexpectedly shows up and offers to help. But can Anya find the bravery locked away deep inside herself in time to rescue her friend?

About the Author: Shana Targosz writes about magical girls, budding friendships, ghosts who may or may not be friendly, and fiercely held hope. She is an Oregon Literary Fellow and the 2021 recipient of the Edna L. Holmes Fellowship in Young Readers Literature. Shana is the author of The Underwild series, the first book of which was an instant New York Times bestseller. When not writing or reading through a stack of books, she spends her time playing Zelda with her son, designing solo journaling games, walking her domesticated monster disguised as a Labradoodle, and dreaming up different worlds.

Thank you, Shana, for writing this interesting article about one of my (and students’) favorite subjects!

Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He Was 11

March 11, 2026 by Kellee

Trent read 56 books when he was 11. Here are his favorites (in his own words & in no particular order):

A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga

I never would have come up with the story myself; it is such a creative way to write a book–in the mind of a robot. I think it is cool that we get to see all the scientists working on Resilience as well as a rover developing human emotions over time.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

I wanted to read this because it is my mom’s favorite book and now it is also my favorite book! It is just such an amazing story. The way that Jonas goes from believing that it is all normal and then when he becomes the receiver, he learns that everything is really a lie and the book becomes dystopian. The book made me feel lucky about my life because we have nature, animals, color, art, music, emotions, family, and are free.

The rest of the Giver series by Lois Lowry

I read the rest of the books because of the cliffhanger of The Giver. The rest of the series, at first, doesn’t seem like a continuation, but as you keep reading, it all weaves itself together. In the end, these three books cleared everything up, and the ending of Son was amazing.

Wish I Was a Baller by Amar Shah

I like how Amar Shah based this graphic novel off of his real life experiences and since I have met Amar, it made me connect even more to the book. I think his life was a great idea for a book because I think that it was very cool for him to meet famous basketball players and for us to read about it. The book also had a great message: Just because you can’t DO the thing you love, doesn’t mean you can’t do SOMETHING with it.

The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie

I am so glad that at an author event, Lindsay Currie talked me into getting this book! It was fun watching out everythign played out, and I liked trying to guess how to get out of the room, like being in an escape room.

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

I like how this book shows the mind of a person with cerebal palsy and how it shows that it is not nice to make fun of people. Also, overall it was a great, emotional story.

Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan

This is my favorite book series because Rick Riordan is so amazing at writing books because I can see what is happening in the book in my head and “watching” Percy fight in my head is very cool. The series also has some mystery, romance, and humor which makes it fun to read. This series also made me like Greek mythology and now I really like it. Ane the fifth book is just EPIC–filled with fighting, monsters, and other action.

Alone and Away by Morgan E. Freeman

With Alone, I loved the poetry because it fit the character’s personality and matched the book because it shows that she is alone. It is a great book because I didn’t want to put it down as I read about her wondering about what happened and her ability to survive. Then in Away, everything gets cleared up. And just like in Alone, each character got their own way to tell their story with different formats which matched their personality.

Tell Me What Really Happened by Chelsea Sedoti

I loved trying to guess who the killer was! It was very creative how the story was told because it was told in police interviews with the witnesses telling the police about what happened. It is just overall a good crime, mystery book.

Alex Rider books #1-#5 by Anthony Horowitz

This is one of my favorite book series ever. Me, personally, I love mystery, spy novels, so this series was amazing and interesting to read because of all the action, villains, and just Alex Rider, in general.

Maus I & Maus II by Art Spiegelman

I think it is so important that the author wrote this story about the Holocaust. Also, it was interesting how the author chose to make the people animals because it was a great representation of how society was. I learned so much about the Holocaust from this book. It is astonishing that this is his father’s story.

Past “Trent’s Favorite Books” Posts

Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He Was 10
Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He Was 9
Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He was 8
Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He was 7
Trent’s Favorite Reads as a 6 Year Old
Trent’s Favorite Reads as a 5 Year Old
Trent’s Favorite Reads as a 4 Year Old
Ten(ish) of Trent’s Favorite Books as a 3 Year Old
Ten of Trent’s Favorite Books as a 2 Year Old
Trent’s Favorite Books as a 1 Year Old
Trent and Kellee’s Favorite Books: 9 to 12 Months
Trent and Kellee’s Favorite Picture Books: 6 to 9 Months
Kellee and Trent’s Favorite Picture Books: First 3 Months
A First Year Full of Books: Trent’s Journey Through Books
**Check this one ^ out if you haven’t–it is one of my favorite posts ever!**

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 3/9/26

March 9, 2026 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
For readers of all ages

Happy reading!

Kellee

Well, the weekend got away from me with family celebrations and Trent’s obligations… I’ll update you on my reading in 2 weeks!

AND you can always learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

This is my week off; I’ll see you next week!

Wednesday: Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He Was 11

Sunday: Author’s Guest Post: “Five Lesser-known Figures from Greek Mythology” by Shana Targosz, Author of Relic of Thieves

and

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 3/2/26

March 2, 2026March 2, 2026 by Ricki

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
For readers of all ages

Happy reading!

Wednesday: Q&A with Nadine Presley, Author of A Ramadan Night

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “What Post-Apocalyptic Fiction Can Teach Us about Humanity, Resilience, and Critical Thinking” by Magda Mizzi, Author of Tyranny of Tomorrow and Dawn in Ruins

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Kellee

It’s my week off! But you can learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

I’ve been reading a lot of adult books recently. I think it’s allowing me a bit of escapism. I’ll return to YA soon. 🙂

Picture Book

Goldfinches by Mary Oliver has received a lot of starred reviews. I loved it and immediately pre-ordered a copy for some relatives.

Young Adult

I read What We Did to Survive by Megan Lally with Kellee and two of our other ALAN friends. We had a lot of fun reading this one. It is a page-turner about four teens trying to survive on a boat in the middle of a storm.

Adult

I saw Foster by Claire Keegan on a few lists, so I decided to check it out. I was blown away by the author’s ability to draw me so intensely into the story with such a short text (it is 101 pages). The emotions I felt at the end of the novel were powerful.

Several of my students listed There’s Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraqib as their favorite book, so I decided to read it. This nonfiction text is incredibly well-written. It is about basketball and life.

Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson was a local brewery’s book club text, so I read it (even though I knew I couldn’t attend the book club meeting—ha ha!). This one is well-deserving of all of the praise it has received. The storytelling is stunning.

No Matter What by Cara Bastone is the story of a husband and wife who are struggling in their relationship because of a traumatic accident. It’s a bit of a romance, but it is more about trauma’s effects. I absolutely loved that the narrator was learning to be a figure artist. I asked my art teacher if we could do figure drawing after I read this book. 🙂

Adult Romance

And I consumed adult romances, which are the biggest escape for me, lately, in this world! Highlights about each are below.

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren: Enemies to lovers. The brother of the groom and identical sister of the bride go on their sibling’s honeymoon when the bride and groom get sick.

The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros. Part historical fiction, part fiction, both stories romance. The narrator is recently divorced and taking care of her great-grandmother’s estate. Her great grandmother is a popular romance writer who never finished her romance story of her own life. Noah, a best-selling tragedy/romance writer is hired to write the ending. Enemies to lovers.

Tessa Bailey’s It Happened One Summer and Hook, Line, and Sinker are stories of fishermen who work in very dangerous work conditions. In book one, a rich influencer is sent to the fishing town because her stepfather thinks she doesn’t understand the value of hard work. Her sister goes with her. Book two is about her sister. I really adored the setting of these two books.

Ana Huang’s Twisted Love and Twisted Games are both spicier romances (books 1 and 2 out of 4). I really enjoyed reading them, but the possessiveness of the men was a little bit off-putting for me.

The Book Tour by Emily Ohanjanians is an enemies to lovers romance. I liked that the main character is Armenian. Too many romances are about all-white characters! It’s about an author who is on tour with her grumpy book publicist.

and

Author Guest Post: “What Post-Apocalyptic Fiction Can Teach Us about Humanity, Resilience, and Critical Thinking” by Magda Mizzi, Author of Tyranny of Tomorrow and Dawn in Ruins

March 1, 2026 by Kellee

“What Post-Apocalyptic Fiction Can Teach Us About Humanity, Resilience, and Critical Thinking”

Post-apocalyptic fiction often gets dismissed as “just survival stories,” but in fact, stories like The Tyranny
of Tomorrow and Dawn in Ruins offer rich opportunities for deep classroom discussion and learning.
Whether students are in middle school, high school, or a reading group, these narratives invite readers
to explore crucial skills: ethical thinking, empathy, resilience, and critical analysis.

1. Exploring What It Means to Be Human

At the heart of these novels is the question: What does it mean to be human when the structures of
society fall apart? In the ruins of Sydney, young protagonists must make choices that test their values
and force them to consider the humanity in themselves and others — even when “others” are different or
damaged.

In the classroom, teachers can use post-apocalyptic scenes as prompts for discussions or essays on
compassion, judgment, and identity:
● When is survival instinct, and when is it moral compromise?
● How do characters define who is worthy of help?

These questions help students connect literature to empathy and ethical reasoning.

2. Resilience as a Skill, Not Just a Theme

Resilience isn’t something characters just “have.” It’s something they develop particularly through loss,
failure, connection, and re-engagement with their world. Students read about how Madeline in The
Tyranny of Tomorrow pushes through grief and fear to protect those she loves — and they see resilience
modeled in action.

Classroom activity idea: Resilience Journals

After reading a chapter, students write about a time they faced difficulty and identify the traits that helped
them persevere. This connects the text to students’ own lives, encouraging self-reflection and growth.

3. Critical Thinking Through World-Building Analysis

Post-apocalyptic worlds require readers to question “Why this world?” and “What caused this collapse?”
In Dawn in Ruins, the mystery of the virus and its effects on characters like Jude pushes readers to think
beyond plot into cause/effect, systems, and unintended consequences.

Teachers can ask:
● How does the author build tension through setting?
● What real-world issues echo in the fictional collapse?

This develops analytical skills crucial for literature and other subjects like science or social studies.

4. Empathy Through Others’ Perspectives

Stories about survival inevitably involve diverse types of people reacting in different ways. Through
character comparisons and point-of-view exercises students can deepen their empathy and
understanding of motivation.

Classroom discussion prompt:
How might you respond differently than Annie, Jude, or Michael in a crisis? What does your answer reveal about your values?

Post-apocalyptic fiction isn’t just about the end of the world; it’s about the survival of ideas, hope, and
connection. When teachers bring texts like The Tyranny of Tomorrow and Dawn in Ruins into their
curriculum, they give students a space to consider ethics, resilience, and critical thinking in a way that is
both imaginative and deeply relevant to real life.

About the Book: In the heart of Sydney’s Western Suburbs, a devastating virus has unleashed a wave of unprecedented violence, leaving the town in chaos.

As the government struggles to regain control, the contagion spreads with alarming speed, triggering a global crisis. Amid the turmoil, Madeline, a quiet teenage girl, and Michael, the boy who captures her heart, are unexpectedly thrust together.

Now they must navigate the treacherous landscape, racing against time to secure a safe haven for their families and friends. Faced with the relentless onslaught of the virus, they’ll have to rely on their wits, courage, and the unbreakable bonds they forge in this high-stakes race for survival. `

The Tyranny of Tomorrow’ is a fast-paced and thrilling first instalment in a gripping series that explores the resilience of youth, the imposition of responsibility and the meaning of humanity in the face of an unravelling world.

About the Book: The world ended in silence. The fight for what’s left will not.

Ten months after the collapse, teenager Annie’s world has shattered, and with it, everything she once believed about monsters. They don’t always lurk in shadows. Sometimes they wear uniforms. Sometimes they wear the faces of those you love.

In the ruins of Sydney, Annie finds an unlikely ally in Jude—a half-infected boy marked by virus and twisted science. His strange, dangerous abilities make him both a threat and their best hope. But the line between abomination and saviour is thinner than either imagined.

Haunted by what was done to him, Jude carries scars deeper than flesh. Meanwhile, Annie’s younger brother, Lucas, remains a prisoner, infected and altered. If she doesn’t reach him soon, Lucas will face the same fate that nearly destroyed Jude—experiments that don’t just scar flesh but twist what it means to be human.

As secrets unravel and the origin of the virus comes to light, Jude learns a devastating truth: his connection to the outbreak is deeper, darker, and far more personal than he ever imagined.

Together, Annie and Jude race through a city where every shadow hides a threat. When they are torn apart, survival becomes more than a mission—it becomes a promise: to endure, to protect, and to bring each other back from whatever hell awaits.

From the shattered edges of the Fractured Reality universe comes a story of desperate hope and fierce loyalty—because in a world this ruined, some things are lost forever. But some are worth risking everything to save.

About the Author: .Magda Mizzi spins tales of shattered worlds and fierce survivors. A lifelong fan of post-apocalyptic fiction, she sets her stories in the haunting beauty of Western Sydney’s riverbanks and the rugged Blue Mountains—landscapes she grew up exploring.

When she’s not teaching English or encouraging young writers, she’s crafting her next dystopian twist.

Thank you, Magda, for this insight into how post-apocalyptic stories can help lead our students to critical thinking!