Category Archives: Middle Grade

More Modern Adventures with Gods: Girl Giant and the Monkey King and City of the Plague God

Posted on May 24, 2021 by Katy K.

Two stories in which modern-day kids get entangled with the living mythology of their culture, both great for fans of the Percy Jackson books. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Food, Friendship, and Immigration – Measuring Up and A Place at the Table

Posted on May 7, 2021 by Katy K.

Here are two and a half reviews of books for middle grade readers that combine cooking (or eating together) with making friends and the immigrant experience. What could be yummier? Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte and Ann Xu. Harper Alley, … Continue reading →

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Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston

Posted on May 3, 2021 by Katy K.

Here’s an exciting new middle grade fantasy, perfect for readers looking for stories of secret magical schools and agencies. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Interwoven Stories: The Raconteur’s Commonplace Book and Ancestor Approved

Posted on April 23, 2021 by Katy K.

Here are two collections of interwoven stories – one historical fantasy, one contemporary and mostly realistic – that both delighted me. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The House That Wasn’t There BLOG TOUR

Posted on April 10, 2021 by Katy K.

Please join me on the blog tour for the brand-new book the House That Wasn’t There by Elana K. Arnold, a tale of hidden magic and growing friendships. Continue reading →

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Reading with My Son – the Middle School Years

Posted on March 23, 2021 by Katy K.

At a friend’s request, I put together a list of the audiobooks and read-alouds my son and I read together when he was in middle school. I hope you enjoy these as much as we did. Continue reading →

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Four Favorite Graphic Novels: Twins, Class Act, Go with the Flow, and Katie the Catsitter

Posted on March 3, 2021 by Katy K.

Here are four of the graphic novels my daughter has been reading and rereading lately. Continue reading →

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Unicorn Island by Donna Galanti

Posted on February 22, 2021 by Katy K.

Here is a sweet and exciting fantasy for kids bridging up from early chapter books. Unicorn Island by Donna Galanti. Illustrated by Bethany Stancliffe. Epic!/Andrews McMeel, 2021. ISBN 978-1524864705. Review copy received from the publisher.   As the story opens, our … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Early Chapter Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Blog Tour! THE IN-BETWEEN by Rebecca K.S. Ansari

Posted on February 2, 2021 by Katy K.

I am so excited today to be part of the blog tour for this spooky, twisty brand-new middle grade book, THE IN-BETWEEN by Rebecca K.S. Ansari. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Format, Genre, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Shifting Friendships: a Middle School Book List

Posted on January 13, 2021 by Katy K.

When my teen librarian, Ms. D, and I started talking about a realistic fiction list for middle school, the way that formerly close friendships often start shifting in middle school came up as a particularly relevant topic. I’d been working … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Lists, Middle Grade, Realistic | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments