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.

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

This is one I heard about from British bookish folk, and then had to wait a very long time for it to come out in the U.S., where it just came out last year, and a bit longer for it to … Continue reading

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Towers Falling

I was interested to see what the author of Cybils finalist Bayou Magic would do with the topic of September 11, just recently far enough in the past for students to need to learn about it in school. Towers Falling … Continue reading

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12 Girl-Led Read-alouds for K/1s

There’s been a lot of discussion about how people think that boys will only read or enjoy books about other boys.  I beg to differ.  It’s taken several months – but here at last is a list of girl-led read-alouds … Continue reading

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Evil Wizard Smallbone

Today, a review of a Cybils Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction finalist. The Evil Wizard Smallbone by Delia Sherman. Candlewick, 2017. Nick Reynaud’s life has been harsh since his mother died, leaving him in the hands of his uncle and cousin Jerry, … Continue reading

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Cybils Winners

Hooray!  Hooray!  The Cybils winners are out, and for the first time ever, a book that I nominated made it to be the winner.  The Inquisitor’s Tale by Adam Gidwitz is the winner in the Audiobooks category.  I love this … Continue reading

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Two Naomis

Tomorrow is Cybils Day!  I’m still reading finalists at home and am happy to report that my daughter gave two thumbs up to Early Chapter Books Finalists Weekends with Max and His Dad by Linda Urban. Thanks once again to … Continue reading

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Illuminae

I put the sequel to this book, Gemina, on my want-to-read list after reading the Book Smugglers review of it.  (Those Book Smugglers!  Always lengthening my list!) I started this one when it was nominated for a Cybils Audiobook award, … Continue reading

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Sacrifice

Sacrifice by Cindy Pon. Month9Books, 2016. Cindy Pon’s previous book, Serpentine, ended on a dramatic cliff hanger, leaving me waiting a year to find out what would happen next.  If you haven’t yet read Serpentine, you might wish to do … Continue reading

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The Firefly Code

It was a little jarring after two years on the Round One panel for the Cybils Middle Grade Speculative Fiction to find that I had read only half of the finalists.  Here’s one that I had read, thanks to Brandy … Continue reading

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Me and Marvin Gardens and Ninja Librarians: The Sword in the Stacks

Here are two recent middle grade books that I was inspired to read by Kidlitcon, as both of these authors were there. Me and Marvin Gardens by Amy Sarig King. Arthur A. Levine Books, January 31, 2017. I received this … Continue reading

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