Category Archives: Books

Desk Tales: Front Desk and From the Desk of Zoe Washington

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Katy K.

Two kids deal with friendships and take stands for social justice in stories that draw from real-life problems, Front Desk by Kelly Yang and From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks.   Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Future Worlds: 13 Riveting Speculative Fiction Books for Teens

Posted on June 26, 2020 by Katy K.

Whether the future is scientific or magical, on our planet or in space, there are so many options for good storytelling! Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Lists, Print, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

In the Dakotas: Apple in the Middle and Prairie Lotus

Posted on June 24, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two stories of girls growing up in the Dakotas – one modern and one in the past. Apple in the Middle by Dawn Quigley. NDSU, 2018. 9781946163073. Read from library copy. Dawn Quigley would have been one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Historical, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Magical Quests in YA Books

Posted on June 19, 2020 by Katy K.

Buckle up, friends – my teen librarian Ms. D. asked for help coming up with more specific lists for teen speculative fiction.  We’ve been brainstorming book titles together and came up with four lists worth.  This one has a fair … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , | 10 Comments

3 for Teens: American Road Trip, You’d Be Mine, and Finding Yvonne

Posted on June 17, 2020 by Katy K.

Three realistic teen books, all with musical characters – American Road Trip by Patrick Flores-Scott, You’d Be Mine by Erin Hahn, and Finding Yvonne by Brandy Colbert. Continue reading →

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Quarantine Book Buys and State of the TBR

Posted on June 16, 2020 by Katy K.

The #CybilsReadDown is done!  I have a few more books to review, but I read a lot. Here are the books that have come into my life since my initial post – mostly purchased from local bookstores, but a couple … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Books, Lists, Middle Grade, picture books, Print, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Graphic Novels: This Place, Guts, Best Friends

Posted on June 15, 2020 by Katy K.

Here’s my #CybilsReadDown Reckoning, plus reviews of three don’t-miss graphic novels (one YA, two middle grade) – This Place:150 Years Retold by Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm,  Sonny Assu, and Brandon Mitchell et al., Guts by Raina Telgemeier, and Best Friends by Shannon Hale. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Graphic Novel, Historical, Middle Grade, Realistic, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

3 Atmospheric Middle Grade Fantasies

Posted on June 12, 2020 by Katy K.

The clock is ticking on the #CybilsReadDown, so as I’ve once again been reading faster than I can review, I’m going to jump back to try to finish up some of the books that I read early on in quarantine.   … Continue reading →

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12 Magical Teen Fantasy Books on Hoopla

Posted on June 10, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are some great fantasy books for teens to download from libraries whether or not their library is open to the public yet. Most of them are books I’ve personally enjoyed, with a few top of the TBR pile books thrown in as well.   Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Print, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , | 3 Comments

The Thief Knot by Kate Milford

Posted on June 5, 2020 by Katy K.

The Thief Knot by Kate Milford is a welcome return to the world of Greenglass House, an urgent mystery set in the last few days before school lets out for the summer. Continue reading →

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