Category Archives: Books

2023 In Review – by the Numbers

Posted on January 26, 2024 by Katy K.

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

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Cruzita and the Mariacheros by Ashley Granillo for MCBD 2024

Posted on January 25, 2024 by Katy K.

It’s time to celebrate Multicultural Children’s Book Day again! I’m reviewing this book here – be sure to head over to the website for lots of book giveaways, hundreds of reviews, and for information about the online party.  Cruzita and the … Continue reading →

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

BLOG TOUR – Not Quite a Ghost by Anne Ursu

Posted on January 17, 2024 by Katy K.

Dear readers, I am so excited to once again be part of the blog tour for Anne Ursu’s latest book! This is one braids together a realistic middle school story with one of unease and slowly developing horror.  ABOUT THE BOOK … Continue reading →

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

Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans by Isi Hendrix

Posted on January 13, 2024 by Katy K.

This is the last book I read for the Cybils this year – and it’s a lovely play on standard magic school tropes. It’s from Nigerian-British author Isi Hendrix, and has a lovely UK cover as well.  Adia Kelbara and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

2023 Cybils Finalists and Ones that Got Away

Posted on January 10, 2024 by Katy K.

Here is my mostly-annual post about the seven fantastic books my fellow Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction Cybils panelists and I chose, narrowing down from nearly 100 nominees. As always, while I truly love the books we chose, and I do see … Continue reading →

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Demons and Dark Lords: The Demon Sword Asperides and The Dark Lord’s Daughter

Posted on January 3, 2024 by Katy K.

Happy New Year, dear readers!  Here are a couple of Cybils reviews that I had waiting and am sharing with you, while I go put together a list of the finalists and my favorites that didn’t make it for your … Continue reading →

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Just a Pinch of Magic by Alechia Dow

Posted on December 20, 2023 by Katy K.

Here’s the final book from my Baking Fantasy list – I enjoyed it just as much as I was hoping.  Just a Pinch of Magic by Alechia Dow. Read by Renee Dorian and Amber Dekkers. Feiwel & Friends, 2023 ISBN … Continue reading →

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

Three Tasks for a Dragon and My Head Has a Bellyache

Posted on December 13, 2023 by Katy K.

Just in case you’re still looking for a gift to give to a kid in your life, here are two beautiful books, each suited to a different kind of kid, or perhaps different moods. Both of these have been nominated for … Continue reading →

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Unconventional Epics: Abeni’s Song and Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston

Posted on December 8, 2023 by Katy K.

I’m reading my Cybils nominations far faster than I’m able to blog them, but here are two recent reads that I really enjoyed, both classic epic fantasies with unconventional twists. Abeni’s Song by P. Djèlí Clark. Starscape, 2023. ISBN 978-1250825827. … Continue reading →

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Classics Reimagined: The Grace of Wild Things and Moongarden

Posted on November 25, 2023 by Katy K.

Anne of Green Gables and The Secret Garden were two books that I read and reread more times than I could count as a child. I was very happy to see these two fantasy retellings in my Cybils nominations pile … Continue reading →

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