Category Archives: Books

Real-Life and Realistic Early Chapter Books

Posted on December 11, 2019 by

Here are thoughts on some of the early chapter books I read this fall, any of which would make good gifts for the 7 to 9 year-olds on your holiday shopping list My Furry Foster Book 1: Truman the Dog … Continue reading →

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Mistletoe and Murder by Robin Stevens

Posted on December 6, 2019 by

This year I finally read all the books in this series that are available in the U.S.  I may have read this one over the summer and saved the review until it was more seasonally appropriate… what could go better … Continue reading →

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Celebrate Ramen with Magic Ramen and Let’s Make Ramen

Posted on November 26, 2019 by

My daughter and my love bond over a shared love of ramen.  Here are two books to celebrate it!  Magic Ramen: the Story of Momofuku Ando by Andrea Wang and Kana Urbanowica. Little Bee Books, 2019. 9781499807035 This picture book … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Books, Graphic Novel, nonfiction, picture books, Print | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Finding the Best: the Good Luck Cat and Saturday

Posted on November 22, 2019 by

Quick promotional announcement: registration for KidLitCon 2020 in Ann Arbor is now open!  And in case you missed the news, registration is free thanks to the generosity of the Ann Arbor District Library, so sign up today! Here are two picture … Continue reading →

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Sweet YA: From Twinkle, with Love and The Last Beginning

Posted on November 16, 2019 by

Here are short reviews of two sweet romance-focused teen books – one contemporary with an Indian-American heroine, and one futuristic time travel with a same-sex romance. From Twinkle, with Love by Sandhya Menon. Simon & Schuster, 2018. 978-1481495400 This companion … Continue reading →

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Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack

Posted on November 11, 2019 by

This is one that was on my want-to-read list this year, a fantasy from Kwame Alexander’s new imprint, Versify.   Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack. Versify/HMH, 2019. 9780358006077 Anya’s is the only Jewish family in her little Russian village … Continue reading →

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The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone by Jaclyn Moriarty

Posted on November 8, 2019 by

I discovered that I missed this book when it came out last fall, and finally got around to it this year.  The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone by Jaclyn Moriarty. Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic, 2018. 978-1338455843 Ten-year-old Bronte (who is … Continue reading →

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Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Posted on November 6, 2019 by

Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith. Candlewick, 2018. High school senior Lou Wolfe breaks up with her boyfriend Cam when he’s proven one time to often that he just won’t listen to what’s important to her, things like respecting her … Continue reading →

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Plain Kate by Erin Bow

Posted on November 4, 2019 by

Back in 2016, I made a list of the top 10 fantasy authors I’d never read.  – (I still need to get to three more of those authors!) Erin Bow was on that list, though I put the cover for … Continue reading →

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Secrets and Journeys: Four Graphic Novels for Kids

Posted on October 30, 2019 by

Pilu of the Woods by Mai K. Nguyen. Oni Press, 2019. 9781620105511. Willow’s tears turn into actual monsters, and she seems to want to cry all the time.  She tries to keep them bottled up, but that just leads to … Continue reading →

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