Author Archives: Katy K.

About Katy K.

I'm a librarian and book worm who believes that children and adults deserve great books to read.

My Top Nonfiction Read in 2018

Posted on January 15, 2019

I don’t often get around to writing full-on reviews of the nonfiction I read, especially if it’s for adults.  Here’s a selection of my favorites from last year, handily separated into knitting and non-knitting books.   Faerie Knitting by Alice … Continue reading →

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12 more Cybils titles I loved

Posted on January 4, 2019

One of the things I love about the Cybils awards are the many books I get to try that I wouldn’t get around to otherwise.  One of the hardest parts is making a shortlist of only seven books, because I … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Lists, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Cybils Finalists Announced!

Posted on January 2, 2019

Happy 2019! The 2018 Cybils finalists have been announced! Here are the titles that my panel selected for the Middle Grade Speculative Fiction category: Inkling by Kenneth Oppel Love Sugar Magic: A Dash of Trouble by Anna Meriano Nevermoor: The … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Lists, Middle Grade, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged | 2 Comments

New Books at Christmas!

Posted on December 27, 2018

Here are the new books received for Christmas at our house. I’ve always enjoyed curling up with a new book after the gifts are opened, and it’s delightful to see my children carrying on the tradition. My books: My son’s … Continue reading →

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Thisby Thestoop and the Black Mountain

Posted on December 26, 2018

I’m not having a lot of time to write reviews with my kids home from school and seeing friends and family for the holidays, but here’s one more Cybils nominee review to tide you over until the finalists are announced … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

3 Holiday Picture Books + Bonus Craft Book

Posted on December 23, 2018

This year, I was given a last-minute request to read a Christmas book to the Girl Scout Junior troop. Here’s what I found on the shelves. Under the Christmas Tree by Nikki Grimes. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. HarperCollins, 2002. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Books, Fantasy, Historical, nonfiction, picture books, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The House with Chicken Legs

Posted on December 21, 2018

The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson. Scholastic, 2018. Marinka has lived in the house with chicken legs all her life, helping Baba Yaga.  Others may see her as an ugly and dangerous hag, but Marinka knows her as … Continue reading →

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The Art of the Swap and The Magic Misfits: the Second Story

Posted on December 19, 2018

The Art of the Swap by Kristine Asselin and Jen Malone. Simon and Schuster Kids, 2018. Hannah is the caretaker’s daughter in the Elms, a mansion in Newport, Rhode Island.  She annoys the docents by listening in on tours and … Continue reading →

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The Truth about Martians and the Marvelous Adventures of Gwendolyn Gray

Posted on December 17, 2018

Here’s a couple shorter takes on some more Cybils books, as I try desperately to keep up with my reading. The Truth about Martians by Melissa Savage. Crown Books, 2018. In 1947 Arizona, Mylo Affinito is still struggling to get … Continue reading →

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The Lifters by David Eggers

Posted on December 16, 2018

The Lifters by David Eggers. Read by Dion Graham. Listening Library, 2018. Granite Flowerpetal’s father named him Granite to be a strong name – but starting school in a new town, Granite has decided to try being Gran instead.  They’ve … Continue reading →

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