Category Archives: Books

More Teen Love: Opposite of Always, Emergency Contact, and Frankly in Love

Posted on August 24, 2020 by

I’m catching up on more heart-tugging teen romances that will still make you feel better about the world. Continue reading →

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Apply to be a Cybils Judge!

Posted on August 22, 2020 by

If you have been reading my blog for a year or more, you’ll know that many years I have served as a panelist for the Cybils awards.  This is a great deal of fun, allowing me to read lots of … Continue reading →

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The League of Secret Heroes: Cape and Mask by Kate Hannigan

Posted on August 10, 2020 by

Once again, being behind both in reading and reviewing means that I get to review the first two books of a series at the same time.  I have enjoyed every book I’ve read by Kate Hannigan so far (see Cupcake … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Historical, Lists, Print | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Just South of Home by Karen Strong

Posted on August 3, 2020 by

Just South of Home by Karen Strong, a pooky summer story with ties to African-American history, was perfect vacation reading this year. Continue reading →

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Magical Middle School: 12 Speculative Fiction School Stories

Posted on July 23, 2020 by

Here are twelve tales of magic at middle school – you only wish your school were this exciting! Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Lists, Middle Grade, Sci-Fi | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Show Me a Sign and Indian No More

Posted on July 22, 2020 by

There are two very exciting things about these books – first, they are both fantastic, and from underrepresented voices.  Secondly (okay, maybe more exciting for me than for you, dear reader) is that I got both of these books in … Continue reading →

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The Girl and the Witch’s Garden and Catalyst

Posted on July 21, 2020 by

Here are two new middle grade fantasies that appear light on the surface, but address serious issues underneath – The Girl and the Witch’s Garden by Erin Bowman and Catalyst by Sarah Beth Durst. Continue reading →

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

Magical History: 12 Takes on Our Past + Magic for Teens

Posted on July 16, 2020 by

Here is the fourth in my series of lists for teens, this one featuring 14 great historical fantasy picks. Continue reading →

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Teen Love: This is My Brain in Love, Secret of a Heart Note, and Don’t Date Rosa Santos

Posted on July 15, 2020 by

Here are three teen stories with romance at the center and satisfyingly sweet endings, though all of them have the good grace to be as much or more about our main character figuring out who she is and where she … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Print, Realistic, Reviews, Romance, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Seventh Grade Switch: The First Rule of Punk and Roll with It

Posted on July 10, 2020 by

Here are two stories of two seventh-grade kids finding their way in new schools. The First Rule of Punk is a Pura Belpré honor book, and Roll with It is a 2019 Cybils finalist.   The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. … Continue reading →

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