Category Archives: Reviews

Magic and Secrets: The Ink Witch, Farrah Noorzad and the Realm of Nightmares, and Scarlet Morning

Posted on February 26, 2026 by Katy K.

Here are three fantasy books where kids uncover secrets and find that solving their personal problems might just help the larger world as well. The Ink Witch by Steph Cherrywell. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2025. ISBN 978-0316585941. Read … Continue reading →

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Middle School Betrayals: A Field Guide to Broken Promises and A Split Second

Posted on May 16, 2025 by Katy K.

A Field Guide to Broken Promises and A Split Second are two moving stories of middle school girls blindsided by betrayals from friends and sometimes family, each with a slight speculative twist Continue reading →

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Farrah Noorzad and Amir: Journeys with Jinn for Kids

Posted on November 24, 2024 by Katy K.

Here are two Cybils-nominated books with rich worldbuilding, fast action, and thought-provoking themes: Farrah Noorazad and the Ring of Fate by Deeba Zargarpur, and Amir and the Jinn Princess by M.T. Khan. Continue reading →

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Summer Camp Scares: It Came from the Trees and The Last Rhee Witch

Posted on November 11, 2024 by Katy K.

These two excellently terrifying Cybils-nominated books for middle grade readers set duriing summer camping trips. Continue reading →

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Review of Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell

Posted on October 25, 2024 by Katy K.

Both timely and timeless, Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell is a book you definitely want to read. Continue reading →

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Journeys with Introverted Kids: The First State of Being, Olivetti, and The Sky over Rebecca

Posted on October 13, 2024 by Katy K.

Here are three Cybils nominees all featuring beautiful stories of introverted kids who must reach out of themelves and their comfort zones to make things right for those around them. Continue reading →

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Blog Tour: THE CREEPENING OF DOGWOOD HOUSE

Posted on August 14, 2024 by Katy K.

Join me for the blog tour of Eden Royce’s latest book, THE CREEPENING OF DOGWOOD HOUSE, featuring hair horror and an old and magical house. Continue reading →

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Romance Break: The Friend Zone Experiment by Zen Cho

Posted on July 20, 2024 by Katy K.

The Friend Zone Experiment by Zen Cho is a glamorous romance with real feelings and a social justice conscience. Continue reading →

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2023 Cybils Young Adult Speculative Fiction Finalists

Posted on June 30, 2024 by Katy K.

I always like to see what my counterparts on the Cybils young adult speculative fiction panel have chosen as finalists! I started listening to these first thing in January, and only realized when I went to start writing reviews that … Continue reading →

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The Cookie Crumbles by Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow

Posted on June 11, 2024 by Katy K.

In this closed-building mystery, two best friends must work together to identify the criminal behind an attempted murder before one of them is unjustly blamed for it – or the would-be murderer strikes again. Continue reading →

Posted in Middle Grade, Mystery, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments