“A Beautiful Lie” wasn’t a page-turner for me, but its heartfelt story and cultural insights make it a strong living book for middle-grade readers. As an adult, I wanted more depth—but the epilogue delivered. A solid pick for students studying the Middle East!

Choosing curricula can be overwhelming! It’s an ongoing personal choice that will likely shift a little bit each year. If you need a jumping off point, here are some of the things we’ve tried over the years including the things that stuck and a few things we let go.