Category Archives: Books

Dactyl Hill Squad by Daniel José Older

Posted on December 14, 2018 by

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

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

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 →

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The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin

Posted on December 12, 2018 by

The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin. Candlewick, 2018. M.T. Anderson is always coming up with new ideas – as in, his books are so very different from each other, from the dark, futuristic teen sci-fi … Continue reading →

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R is for Rebel by J. Anderson Coats

Posted on December 5, 2018 by

A determined Native girl fights back against a repressive system in this non-magical fantasy book. R is for Rebel by J. Anderson Coats. Simon & Schuster, 2018. Malley was named for the martyred Melian.  Nearly all children of native Milean … Continue reading →

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All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah by Emily Jenkins and Paul O. Zelinksy.

Posted on December 4, 2018 by

Happy Hanukkah!  Here’s a quick break from my Cybils reviews for this beautiful new Hanukkah book. All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah by Emily Jenkins and Paul O. Zelinksy. Schwartz & Wade Books/Penguin Random House, 2018. I remember finding and loving the All-of-a-Kind … Continue reading →

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Atmospheric Fantasy: The Turning and Strange Star

Posted on November 29, 2018 by

Here are two Cybils nominees with misty settings and strong characters. The Turning by Emily Whitman. Greenwillow Books, 2018. Aran (whose skin color is not mentioned) has lived all his life with the selkies.  Even though he’s stuck in ”longlimbs” … Continue reading →

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3 Ghost Stories: City of Ghosts; When a Ghost Talks, Listen; Festival of Ghosts

Posted on November 27, 2018 by

Did you think we were done with ghost stories just because October ended?  Here are three more, all Cybils nominated., including City of Ghosts; When a Ghost Talks, Listen; and a Festival of Ghosts. Continue reading →

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Magisterium 4 and 5: the Silver Mask and the Golden Tower

Posted on November 23, 2018 by

It’s the finale to a series that my son and I have been following since it started in 2014 with The Iron Trial. Reader be warned – spoilers are unavoidable. The Silver Mask. Magisterium Book 4 by Holly Black and … Continue reading →

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Magical Transportation: The Train of Lost Things and the Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle

Posted on November 21, 2018 by

Here are some more of my Cybils reading – two transportation-based fantasies (for a middle grade audience, of course.) The Train of Lost Things by Ammi-Joan Paquette. Philomel Books, 2018. Here’s a new book by the author of the Princess Juniper … Continue reading →

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