Category Archives: Middle Grade

12 more Cybils titles I loved

Posted on January 4, 2019 by Katy K.

One of the things I love about the Cybils awards are the many books I get to try that I wouldn’t get around to otherwise.  One of the hardest parts is making a shortlist of only seven books, because I … Continue reading →

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

Cybils Finalists Announced!

Posted on January 2, 2019 by Katy K.

Happy 2019! The 2018 Cybils finalists have been announced! Here are the titles that my panel selected for the Middle Grade Speculative Fiction category: Inkling by Kenneth Oppel Love Sugar Magic: A Dash of Trouble by Anna Meriano Nevermoor: The … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Lists, Middle Grade, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged | 3 Comments

Thisby Thestoop and the Black Mountain

Posted on December 26, 2018 by Katy K.

I’m not having a lot of time to write reviews with my kids home from school and seeing friends and family for the holidays, but here’s one more Cybils nominee review to tide you over until the finalists are announced … Continue reading →

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The House with Chicken Legs

Posted on December 21, 2018 by Katy K.

The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson. Scholastic, 2018. Marinka has lived in the house with chicken legs all her life, helping Baba Yaga.  Others may see her as an ugly and dangerous hag, but Marinka knows her as … Continue reading →

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The Art of the Swap and The Magic Misfits: the Second Story

Posted on December 19, 2018 by Katy K.

The Art of the Swap by Kristine Asselin and Jen Malone. Simon and Schuster Kids, 2018. Hannah is the caretaker’s daughter in the Elms, a mansion in Newport, Rhode Island.  She annoys the docents by listening in on tours and … Continue reading →

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The Truth about Martians and the Marvelous Adventures of Gwendolyn Gray

Posted on December 17, 2018 by Katy K.

Here’s a couple shorter takes on some more Cybils books, as I try desperately to keep up with my reading. The Truth about Martians by Melissa Savage. Crown Books, 2018. In 1947 Arizona, Mylo Affinito is still struggling to get … Continue reading →

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The Lifters by David Eggers

Posted on December 16, 2018 by Katy K.

The Lifters by David Eggers. Read by Dion Graham. Listening Library, 2018. Granite Flowerpetal’s father named him Granite to be a strong name – but starting school in a new town, Granite has decided to try being Gran instead.  They’ve … Continue reading →

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Dactyl Hill Squad by Daniel José Older

Posted on December 14, 2018 by Katy K.

Kids riding dinosaurs in New York City!  Does it get more fun? Dactyl Hill Squad by Daniel José Older. Arthur A. Levine Books, Scholastic, 2018. It’s 1863 in New York City – the middle of the Civil War.  Magdalys Roca, … Continue reading →

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Ice Wolves. Elementals Book 1

Posted on December 13, 2018 by Katy K.

One of the co-authors of the best-selling teen series The Illuminae Files kicks off an exciting new middle grade series. Ice Wolves. Elementals Book 1 by Amie Kaufman. Read by Jonathan McClain. HarperAudio, 2018. Twin street orphans Anders and Rayna … Continue reading →

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The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes

Posted on December 12, 2018 by Katy K.

The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes. Disney-Hyperion 2018. Zane Obispo has never been able to make friends at his school in New Mexico due to his limp – one of the reasons he adopted his dog Rosie, who’s missing a … Continue reading →

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