Category Archives: Books

No True Villains: Children of the Quicksands and Eden’s Everdark

Posted on February 18, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are two of the 2022 Cybils Middle Grade Speculative Fiction finalists, both with real problems but no real villains. Continue reading →

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

Winston Chu vs. the Whimsies by Stacey Lee

Posted on February 15, 2023 by Katy K.

Here’s a fresh and funny book from Stacey Lee and Rick Riordan presents, featuring an accident-prone boy and a whole lot of dangerous magical artifacts. Continue reading →

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

3 2022 MG Fic Finalists: Attack of the Black Rectangles, Freewater, and Thirst

Posted on February 10, 2023 by Katy K.

I’m continuing my read-through of 2022 Cybils finalists with three more middle grade fiction titles – Attack of the Black Rectangles, Freewater (which also won the Newbery) and Thirst. Continue reading →

Posted in Historical, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Fast & Funny with Cookies & Cakes: Ben Yokoyama and Winnie Zeng

Posted on February 4, 2023 by Katy K.

Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Doom by Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr and Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend by Katie Zhao are two fast and funny chapter to middle grade books that are sure to keep kids reading. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Half-Built Garden by Ruthanna Emrys

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Katy K.

Here’s a dire and hopeful story of climate crisis and first contact that’s sticking with me months after I read it. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Reviews, Sci-Fi | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

2022 In Review – by the Numbers

Posted on January 30, 2023 by Katy K.

Here’s my super-geeky, graph-heavy dive into my 2022 reading. Continue reading →

Posted in Blog, Books | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

2 2022 Cybils MG Fic Finalists: Air and Jennifer Chan is Not Alone

Posted on January 26, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are my takes on two of the latest Cybils Middle Grade Fiction finalists – Air by Monica Roe and Jennifer Chan is Not Alone by Tae Keller. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Mirrorwood by Deva Fagan

Posted on January 24, 2023 by Katy K.

Two enemies chase each other into the enchanted Mirrorwood – and discover that breaking the curse will be more complicated than either of them realized. Continue reading →

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

The Counterclockwise Heart

Posted on January 21, 2023 by Katy K.

Here’s a story of adventure, secrets, and betrayal, with delightful gear-punky twists. The Counterclockwise Heart by Brian Farrey Algonquin, 2022 ISBN 978-1616205065 Read from a library copy. At the edge of Kingdom of Rheinvelt sits the tiny town of Somber … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza

Posted on January 19, 2023 by Katy K.

Here’s a scary-cozy middle grade based on Mexican legend – one of the books I was sad not to make it to the Cybils finalists. Continue reading →

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