Author Archives: Katy K.

Unknown's avatar

About Katy K.

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

Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack

Posted on November 11, 2019 by Katy K.

This is one that was on my want-to-read list this year, a fantasy from Kwame Alexander’s new imprint, Versify.   Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack. Versify/HMH, 2019. 9780358006077 Anya’s is the only Jewish family in her little Russian village … Continue reading →

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

The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone by Jaclyn Moriarty

Posted on November 8, 2019 by Katy K.

I discovered that I missed this book when it came out last fall, and finally got around to it this year.  The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone by Jaclyn Moriarty. Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic, 2018. 978-1338455843 Ten-year-old Bronte (who is … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Posted on November 6, 2019 by Katy K.

Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith. Candlewick, 2018. High school senior Lou Wolfe breaks up with her boyfriend Cam when he’s proven one time to often that he just won’t listen to what’s important to her, things like respecting her … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Print, Realistic, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Plain Kate by Erin Bow

Posted on November 4, 2019 by Katy K.

Back in 2016, I made a list of the top 10 fantasy authors I’d never read.  – (I still need to get to three more of those authors!) Erin Bow was on that list, though I put the cover for … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Fantasy, Historical, Middle Grade, Print, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Secrets and Journeys: Four Graphic Novels for Kids

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Katy K.

Pilu of the Woods by Mai K. Nguyen. Oni Press, 2019. 9781620105511. Willow’s tears turn into actual monsters, and she seems to want to cry all the time.  She tries to keep them bottled up, but that just leads to … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Early Chapter Book Bonanza

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Katy K.

Last week, my friend Nakenya and I presented at the Michigan Library Association’s annual conference.  We’ve done several presentations on diverse books for kids and teens at other conferences, but this time, Nakenya wanted to focus on early chapter books … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Conference Notes, Early Chapter Books | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Katy K.

Take your Native reading into the future with a gut-wrenching, thought-provoking post-apocalyptic teen book – The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline. Continue reading →

Posted in books, Print, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks

Posted on October 14, 2019 by Katy K.

Was there ever a better match for a romantic teen graphic novel than Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks?  This one is already nominated for the Cybils, but I am sure there are other great titles out there, which hopefully you’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Graphic Novel, Romance, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Freedom Fire and Spark

Posted on October 11, 2019 by Katy K.

Today I’m featuring a couple of middle grade speculative fiction books that are eligible but not yet nominated for the Cybils – Dactyl Hill Squad 2 by Daniel José Older and Spark by Sarah Beth Durst. Both feature kids flying on the backs of fantastic beasts! Continue reading →

Posted in books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Nominate Me for the Cybils!

Posted on October 6, 2019 by Katy K.

There is still another week in which to nominate books for the Cybils Award!  I started going through all the eligible books I’ve read this year (far from exhaustive) to see what I wanted to nominate.  I have nominated in … Continue reading →

Posted in books | Tagged | 5 Comments