Well... The Door of No Return is kinda thick but you guys should totally read it. It shows life before African Americans became slaves, a history beyond that. And it has a very satisfying ending. Also, it's in-verse, which I think in-verse books can be powerful in a way prose books just can't (I also love Inside Out and Back Again, The Canyon's Edge, Love That Dog and Hate That Cat, which are all in-verse (in-verse can be funny also, like Listen, Slowly, not just kinda serious which is what I think of when I think in-verse)). It's written by Kwame Alexander, whom you may know from the Crossover, and has a cool glossary and symbols thing at the back. Also has lots of foods to try, which I always love in books! And is just overall perfect.