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Author Archives: Katy K.
All the Crooked Saints
All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater. Narrated by Thom Rivera. Scholastic, 2017. Beatriz, Joaquin and Daniel Soria are cousins living in Bicho Raro, Colorado, in 1962. The Sorias have developed a reputation over the past century as miracle workers, … Continue reading
Posted in Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Reviews, Teen/Young Adult
Tagged Colorado, Latino/a, magical realism, spectrum, teen fantasy
4 Comments
MLA Spring Institute
Last week, I got to go to the Michigan Library Association’s Spring Institute for the first time. I’ve never been before because it’s specifically for youth and teen librarians, and I’m officially an adult librarian – someone has to stay … Continue reading
Watchdog by Will McIntosh
I think I’m finally approaching the end of books I read for the Cybils award! No guarantees, but here at least is a fun, fast-paced story, especially for fans of giant robot dogs. Watchdog by Will McIntosh. Delacorte, 2017. In … Continue reading
Posted in books, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews, Sci-Fi
Tagged Chicago, homelessness, robots, spectrum, twins, youth science fiction
2 Comments
The Marvelwood Magicians
I’ve enjoyed books by Diane Zahler in the past, including Baker’s Magic and The Thirteenth Princess, so I was happy when this new offering came up in my Cybils reading last year. The Marvelwood Magicians by Diane Zahler. Boyds Mills Press, 2017. … Continue reading
Posted in books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews
Tagged circuses, psychics, South Asian, youth fantasy
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Rebel Genius by Michael Dante DiMartino
This book was a 2016 Christmas gift from my love to my son and I. We finished the book we were reading and then took several months reading it aloud together. Rebel Genius by Michael Dante DiMartino. Roaring Brook Press, … Continue reading
Posted in books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews
Tagged art fantasy, historical fantasy, Renaissance, youth fantasy
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Beast & Crown by Joel Ross
Beast & Crown by Joel Ross. HarperCollins, 2017. This most recent book by the author of the 2015 Cybils Middle Grade Speculative Fiction winner, The Fog Diver, features a similarly diverse cast, this time in a historical fantasy world. (I … Continue reading
Posted in books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews
Tagged historical fantasy, youth fantasy
2 Comments
Dominion by Shane Arbuthnott
My catching up with books I read for the Cybils continues… Dominion by Shane Arbuthnott. Orca, 2017. Twelve-year-old Molly Stout lives and works on her family’s airship, the Legerdemain, along with her father and two older brothers. Following the legacy … Continue reading
Posted in books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews
Tagged Canada, steampunk, youth fantasy
1 Comment
2018 Diversity Reading Challenge Update
This year I’m participating in the Diversity Reading Challenge hosted by Pam at an Unconventional Librarian. It’s a really great way to help me make sure my reading is well-rounded! Here’s what I’ve read so far this year: Written by … Continue reading
Posted in books, Challenges, Lists
Tagged #wndb, 2018 Diversity Reading Challenge, diversity
1 Comment
The Painting by Charis Cotter
Here is another creepy, atmospheric story from the author of 2015 Cybils finalist The Swallow: a Ghost Story. The Painting by Charis Cotter. Tundra Books, 2017. In the present day, our heroine, Annie, is struggling with her mother being in … Continue reading
Brave Red, Smart Frog
This week, I’m going to focus on reviewing Cybils books that I wasn’t able to write up during the rush of Cybils season. Brave Red, Smart Frog by Emily Jenkins. Illustrated by Rohan Daniel Eason. Candlewick Press, 2017. This volume … Continue reading

