Category Archives: Books

4 Cybils YA Spec Fic Finalists

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Katy K.

Here are my takes on four of the seven 2021 Cybils YA speculative fiction finalists, including high fantasy, magical realism, and twisty science fiction. Continue reading →

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Amah Faraway by Margaret Chiu Greanias. Illustrated by Tracy Subisak

Posted on March 16, 2022 by Katy K.

A heartwarming and beautifully painted picture book about a girl building a real relationship with her grandmother when she and her mother travel to Taiwan. Continue reading →

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3 Cybils Middle Grade Fiction Finalists

Posted on February 25, 2022 by Katy K.

Here are three more outstanding books in my read-through of 2021 Cybils Finalists – Finding Junie Kim by Ellen Oh, Many Points of Me by Caroline Gertler, and Violets are Blue by Barbara Dee.
Continue reading →

Posted in Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

2021 In Review – by the Numbers

Posted on February 20, 2022 by Katy K.

Here’s my super-geeky, graph-heavy dive into my 2021 reading. Continue reading →

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Four 2021 Cybils Middle Grade Graphic Novel Finalists

Posted on February 16, 2022 by Katy K.

Here are short reviews of four of the seven finalists in the elementary/middle grade graphic novel category of the 2021 Cybils Awards, including Borders, Chunky, Jukebox, and Salt Magic. Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Historical, Middle Grade, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Nightingale by Deva Fagan and Eva Evergreen and the Cursed Witch by Julie Abe

Posted on January 17, 2022 by Katy K.

Nightingale by Deva Fagan and Eva Evergreen and the Cursed Witch by Julie Abe are two adventure-filled books from my 2021 Cybils reading that I discovered during my 2020 Cybils reading. Continue reading →

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

Blog Tour: Riley’s Ghosts by John David Anderson

Posted on January 14, 2022 by Katy K.

Once again, I’m very pleased to share the latest book by John David Anderson with you, this one a horror-filled ghost story. Keep reading for more, including a giveaway! Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

2021 Cybils Finalists and Ones that Got Away

Posted on January 4, 2022 by Katy K.

Here’s my annual post about the 2021 Cybils finalists and the ones I wish could have made the already excellent list. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Fantasy, Lists, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Dystopias: the Last Cuentista and the Monster Missions

Posted on December 29, 2021 by Katy K.

Here are two Cybils nominees, very different stories of life after disaster on earth – one literary and set in space, one action-oriented, and set on an Earth entirely covered by oceans. Continue reading →

Posted in Middle Grade, Print, Sci-Fi | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Monsters of Rookhaven by Pádraig Kenny

Posted on December 22, 2021 by Katy K.

A fantasy from Irish author Pádraig Kenny that strikes a balance between scary, adventuresome, and thoughtful. Continue reading →

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