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.

Shadow Magic by Joshua Khan

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Katy K.

The winner of this year’s Middle Grade Speculative Fiction Cybils Award! Shadow Magic by Joshua Khan. Disney-Hyperion, 2016. Young Thorn, after a series of events gone wrong that are slowly disclosed to the reader, is up for sale as a … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Reviews | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Labyrinth Lost

Posted on March 3, 2017 by Katy K.

A Brooklyn teen must come to terms with her inherited bruja powers in this Cybils young adult speculative fiction finalist. Continue reading →

Posted in books, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Diverse Reading Round-Up

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Katy K.

This year, instead of focusing just on reading diverse authors, I’m working on something even harder for me – trying to keep up with writing reviews. I’m linking up my reviews of #ownvoices books at Read Diverse Books. Here’s what … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Lists | Tagged | 4 Comments

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Katy K.

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 →

Posted in books, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Towers Falling

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Katy K.

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 →

Posted in books, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

12 Girl-Led Read-alouds for K/1s

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Katy K.

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 →

Posted in books, Lists | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Evil Wizard Smallbone

Posted on February 17, 2017 by Katy K.

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 →

Posted in books, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Cybils Winners

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Katy K.

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 →

Posted in books | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Two Naomis

Posted on February 13, 2017 by Katy K.

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 →

Posted in books, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Illuminae

Posted on February 9, 2017 by Katy K.

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 →

Posted in books | Tagged , | 10 Comments