Category Archives: Books

8 Baking Fantasy Books

Posted on November 15, 2023 by Katy K.

I love baking and reading about baking, so I’ve gradually put this list of baking-related fantasies together over the past seven years. It’s finally long enough to deserve its own list rather than just “if you like this, you may … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Lists, Middle Grade | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Cozy Middle Grade Fantasies: The Lost Library and the House of the Lost on the Cape

Posted on November 12, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are two lovely, cozy Cybils-nominated middle grade fantasy books that are perfect for reading aloud as well as solo. Remarkably, both of them achieve this while being set in the aftermath of significantly traumatic events – and both have … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Dog Stories: Elf Dog and Owl Head and The Eyes and the Impossible

Posted on October 27, 2023 by Katy K.

Continuing on with my Cybils reading, I have two beautifully illustrated stories of dogs, both great for reading aloud as well as independent reading. I confess I’m more of a cat person myself, but these doggos still won me over. … Continue reading →

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

Monsters and Murder: Between Monsters and Marvels and Don’t Want to Be Your Monster

Posted on October 25, 2023 by Katy K.

Today I have for you two stories of monsters that, while taking readers along on adventures to solve murders, also ask them to question who the real monsters are. Between Monsters and Marvels by Alyssa Wishingrad. HarperCollins, 2023. ISBN 978-0063244870.  … Continue reading →

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Haunted Houses: Finch House and Nightmare House

Posted on October 21, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are two stories of kids standing up to haunted houses and the horrors behind them – one more action-oriented and the other more introspective. Both of these books have been nominated for the Cybils Award, and these reviews reflect … Continue reading →

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

Nominate Me for the Cybils 2023!

Posted on October 6, 2023 by Katy K.

Dear readers – it’s Cybils time! Being a panelist always brings with it the joy of stacks of books to read – and the fear that those stacks will be missing important titles. Here are some of the books that … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Lists, Middle Grade | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Adventures with Djinn: Nayra and the Djinn and Kingdom over the Sea

Posted on September 29, 2023 by Katy K.

Dear readers, it’s the end of September, which mean the beginning of Cybils time! I’m excited once again to be serving on the Round 1 Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction panel. And as usual, I’m trying to write up reviews of … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Back to Magic School: a Middle Grade Book List

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are nine stories of kids going to magic schools – some delightful and some horrifying. Continue reading →

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For Real: Nikhil Out Loud, On Air with Zoe Washington, and The Many Masks of Andy Zhou

Posted on September 13, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are three realistic middle grade books I’ve enjoyed recently, from Maulik Pancholy, Janae Marks, and Jack Cheng Continue reading →

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Ghosts, Toast, and Other Hazards by Susan Tan and Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind by Misa Siguira

Posted on August 19, 2023 by Katy K.

Two girls with similar issues find adventure along the way – one with a ghost elephant, one battling demons – in Ghosts, Toast, and Other Hazards and Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind. Continue reading →

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