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 Second Guard

Posted on December 16, 2015 by Katy K.

The Second Guard by J.D. Vaughn. Disney Hyperion, 2015. The Second Guard is an epic fantasy with two cool and unique features: the kingdom of Tequende, where it’s set, is something like a South American kingdom, still under indigenous rule … Continue reading →

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Mark of the Thief

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Katy K.

Like everyone else I know who read The False Prince (it won the Cybils Award for Middle Grade Speculative Fiction award in 2012), I loved it, so of course I had to read Jennifer Nielsen’s new book.  Bonus points for … Continue reading →

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The Hero and the Crown

Posted on December 11, 2015 by Katy K.

Thoughts on my third time reading this book aloud. The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley. Greenwillow Books, 1985. Aeryn is the sol, or princess, but not heir to the throne because her mother was a foreigner distrusted by … Continue reading →

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Princess Juniper of the Hourglass

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Katy K.

Sometimes you just want an old-fashioned story of a princess making it out of a tough situation by the strength of her wits and the loyalty of her friends. Princess Juniper of the Hourglass by Ammi-Joan Paquette. Philomel, 2015. 13-year-old … Continue reading →

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State of the Book Basket – Late November

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Katy K.

I am have been doing almost nothing but Cybils reading this month and last, but here’s a brief rundown of the family’s reading anyway. My daughter, aged six, is mostly still wanting to be read to, but yesterday morning at breakfast put … Continue reading →

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Grounded

Posted on November 27, 2015 by Katy K.

Grounded by Megan Morrison. Scholastic, 2015. Rapunzel has grown up in a tower filled with everything she could ever want – beautiful dresses, a harp, books filled with stories about her and her beloved Witch.  All the stories warn of … Continue reading →

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Continuing Epics – The Copper Gauntlet, The Hollow Boy, Nightborn

Posted on November 25, 2015 by Katy K.

On with the Cybils reading… this time, I have three sequels, all books whose earlier entries were also Cybils nominees. Copper Gauntlet. Magisterium Book 2.  by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare. Penguin Random House, 2015. Callum Hunt is home for … Continue reading →

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Two animal fantasies: Escape from Baxter’s Barn and Brilliant

Posted on November 22, 2015 by Katy K.

This is the time of year when I’m reading much, much faster than I can write about all the books I’m reading. Here are two Cybils-nominated fantasies about animals. Escape from Baxters’ Barn by Rebecca Bond. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015. When … Continue reading →

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The Wrinkled Crown

Posted on November 21, 2015 by Katy K.

Anne Nesbet is another author I discovered through the Cybils, before I was a judge.  Her latest book is out this month and will be eligible for next year’s Cybils. by Anne Nesbet. HarperCollins, 2015. In the Wrinkled Hills is … Continue reading →

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School for Sidekicks

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Katy K.

Can you have too many middle grade superhero novels? Not if they’re well done! School for Sidekicks. The Academy of Metahuman Operatives #1 by Kelly McCullough. Feiwel and Friends, 2015. Years ago, the Hero Bomb went off in St.Paul/Minneapolis, killing … Continue reading →

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