Category Archives: Middle Grade

Three Tasks for a Dragon and My Head Has a Bellyache

Posted on December 13, 2023 by Katy K.

Just in case you’re still looking for a gift to give to a kid in your life, here are two beautiful books, each suited to a different kind of kid, or perhaps different moods. Both of these have been nominated for … Continue reading →

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

Unconventional Epics: Abeni’s Song and Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston

Posted on December 8, 2023 by Katy K.

I’m reading my Cybils nominations far faster than I’m able to blog them, but here are two recent reads that I really enjoyed, both classic epic fantasies with unconventional twists. Abeni’s Song by P. Djèlí Clark. Starscape, 2023. ISBN 978-1250825827. … Continue reading →

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Classics Reimagined: The Grace of Wild Things and Moongarden

Posted on November 25, 2023 by Katy K.

Anne of Green Gables and The Secret Garden were two books that I read and reread more times than I could count as a child. I was very happy to see these two fantasy retellings in my Cybils nominations pile … Continue reading →

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8 Baking Fantasy Books

Posted on November 15, 2023 by Katy K.

I love baking and reading about baking, so I’ve gradually put this list of baking-related fantasies together over the past seven years. It’s finally long enough to deserve its own list rather than just “if you like this, you may … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Lists, Middle Grade | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Cozy Middle Grade Fantasies: The Lost Library and the House of the Lost on the Cape

Posted on November 12, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are two lovely, cozy Cybils-nominated middle grade fantasy books that are perfect for reading aloud as well as solo. Remarkably, both of them achieve this while being set in the aftermath of significantly traumatic events – and both have … Continue reading →

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Dog Stories: Elf Dog and Owl Head and The Eyes and the Impossible

Posted on October 27, 2023 by Katy K.

Continuing on with my Cybils reading, I have two beautifully illustrated stories of dogs, both great for reading aloud as well as independent reading. I confess I’m more of a cat person myself, but these doggos still won me over. … Continue reading →

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Haunted Houses: Finch House and Nightmare House

Posted on October 21, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are two stories of kids standing up to haunted houses and the horrors behind them – one more action-oriented and the other more introspective. Both of these books have been nominated for the Cybils Award, and these reviews reflect … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Nominate Me for the Cybils 2023!

Posted on October 6, 2023 by Katy K.

Dear readers – it’s Cybils time! Being a panelist always brings with it the joy of stacks of books to read – and the fear that those stacks will be missing important titles. Here are some of the books that … Continue reading →

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Adventures with Djinn: Nayra and the Djinn and Kingdom over the Sea

Posted on September 29, 2023 by Katy K.

Dear readers, it’s the end of September, which mean the beginning of Cybils time! I’m excited once again to be serving on the Round 1 Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction panel. And as usual, I’m trying to write up reviews of … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Back to Magic School: a Middle Grade Book List

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are nine stories of kids going to magic schools – some delightful and some horrifying. Continue reading →

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