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.

2+2 Cybils Graphic Novel Finalists

Posted on May 4, 2022 by Katy K.

Here are reviews of four more outstanding 2021 Cybils Graphic Novel finalists – Cranky Chicken by Katherine Battersby, The Legend of Auntie Po by Shing Yin Khor, Cheer Up!: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Fraiser, and Nubia: Real One by L.L. McKinney and Robyn Smyth. Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Realistic, Reviews, Romance, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unicorn Island: Secret Beneath the Sand by Donna Galanti

Posted on April 27, 2022 by Katy K.

Thanks so much to Donna Galanti for sending me the second book in this appealing not-quite-middle-grade series.  Unicorn Island: Secret Beneath the Sand by Donna Galanti. Illustrated by Bethany Stancliffe. Epic!, 2022. Review copy kindly sent by the author.  Unicorn … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Early Chapter Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Remixed Classics: So Many Beginnings, Clash of Steel, and Travelers Along the Way

Posted on April 22, 2022 by Katy K.

These first three books from Feiwel & Friends’ Remixed Classics series take the classics, still in their original time periods, and retell them from the point of view of people of color.  The first three include retellings of Little Women, Treasure Island, and Robin Hood – all fabulous. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Historical, Print, Reviews, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Good Neighbors by Stephanie Burgis

Posted on April 19, 2022 by Katy K.

Here’s a sweet, uplifting and funny fantasy romance … between a semi-magical inventor and the necromancer down the road,. Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Books, Fantasy, Print, Reviews, Romance | Tagged , | Leave a comment

3 More Cybils Middle Grade Fiction Finalists

Posted on April 6, 2022 by Katy K.

Onwards with my reading of this year’s Cybils middle grade fiction finalists with reviews of Thanks a Lot, Universe by Chad Lucas, A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus and Linked by Gordon Korman! Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Historical, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Ripped Away by Shirley Vernick

Posted on April 5, 2022 by Katy K.

Here’s a new middle grade book combination of true crime, time travel, and historical fiction is sure to keep you turning the pages! Continue reading →

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

2021 in Review – the Books

Posted on March 27, 2022 by Katy K.

Here are 37 favorite books from my 2021 reading, from middle grade through adult, but all pretty heavy on the fantasy. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Lists | Tagged , | 9 Comments

4 Cybils YA Spec Fic Finalists

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Katy K.

Here are my takes on four of the seven 2021 Cybils YA speculative fiction finalists, including high fantasy, magical realism, and twisty science fiction. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Reviews, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Amah Faraway by Margaret Chiu Greanias. Illustrated by Tracy Subisak

Posted on March 16, 2022 by Katy K.

A heartwarming and beautifully painted picture book about a girl building a real relationship with her grandmother when she and her mother travel to Taiwan. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, picture books, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

3 Cybils Middle Grade Fiction Finalists

Posted on February 25, 2022 by Katy K.

Here are three more outstanding books in my read-through of 2021 Cybils Finalists – Finding Junie Kim by Ellen Oh, Many Points of Me by Caroline Gertler, and Violets are Blue by Barbara Dee.
Continue reading →

Posted in Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments