Author Archives: Katy K.

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About Katy K.

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

A Sky Full of Stars by Linda Williams Jackson

I won an ARC of this book from Brandy at Random Musings of a Bibliophile last year, waited to read it until it was close to coming out… and am now behind on posting my review of it.  It is … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Historical, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Spinning by Tillie Walden

This was one of the Cybils teen graphic novel finalists.  (Although my son read and enjoyed the winner, Spill Zone, I ran out of time to read it myself.) Spinning by Tillie Walden. First Second, 2017. Tillie Walden tells first-hand her … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Graphic Novel, Realistic, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya

Here’s book number three in my impromptu middle grade Latinix reading series, following Stella Martinez Has Something to Sayand A Dash of Trouble. The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya. Read by the Author. Listening Library, 2017. Arturo … Continue reading

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Middle Grade, Realistic | Tagged , | 5 Comments

A Dash of Trouble. Love Sugar Magic #1 by Anna Meriano

I had an unplanned little Latinix series as holds came in on various fun-sounding books all at the same time. Here’s the next one, a funny fantasy with lots of baking. A Dash of Trouble. Love Sugar Magic #1 by … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 20 Comments

Stella Diaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez

Here’s a charming first novel from the illustrator of Mango, Abuela & Me. Stella Diaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez. Roaring Brook Press, 2018. Stella is nervous about school now that her best friend, Jenny, is in another … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Early Chapter Books, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

3 Fun Early Chapter Books

Jasmine Toguchi: Super Sleuth by Debbi Michiko Florence. Pictures by Elizabet Vuković. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2017. I’d been wanting to read the new Jasmine Toguchi series, especially because I have a Japanese-American niece who’ll be needing some early chapter books … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Early Chapter Books, Fantasy, Print, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Scythe by Neal Schusterman

Scythe has been sweeping up the honors – it won the Young Adult Speculative Fiction Cybils Award, a Printz Honor, and was being talked up by my teen librarian, to boot. Scythe by Neal Schusterman. Simon & Schuster, 2016. Humanity … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Print, Reviews, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , | 6 Comments

2 More Cybils Middle Grade Graphic Novel Finalists

Here are two more of the Cybils Middle Grade Graphic Novel finalists. Coming back to write these reviews reminds me that I still haven’t read the only one I couldn’t get from my own library – Suee and the Shadow.  … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

The Dollmaker of Krakow and the Ice Sea Pirates

I said I was done reviewing Cybils books.  I lied.  Here are two more that were nominated for last year’s Cybils, both read from review copies kindly sent to me by the publisher. The Dollmaker of Krakow by R.M. Romero. … Continue reading

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

3 Cybils MG Graphic Novel Finalists

Here are three of the Cybils elementary/middle grade graphic novel finalists.  It’s always good to read what the other Cybils panelists came up with! Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham. First Second, 2017. Newbery-honor winning (and personal favorite) … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments