Category Archives: Reviews

4 Kids’ Fantasies from Outside the US

Posted on May 13, 2019 by Katy K.

Here are four middle grade fantasy books from the English-speaking world outside of the US – South Africa, Australia, Ireland, and the UK.  (Shorter reviews as part of my trying to catch up with my reading.) The Turnaway Girls by … Continue reading →

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

A Sprinkle of Spirits: Love Sugar Magic Book 2

Posted on February 10, 2019 by Katy K.

I really enjoyed Anna Meriano’s first book in the Love Sugar Magic series, A Dash of Trouble, so I jumped at the chance to be part of the blog tour for the second book, which just came out February 5. … Continue reading →

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

Thisby Thestoop and the Black Mountain

Posted on December 26, 2018 by Katy K.

I’m not having a lot of time to write reviews with my kids home from school and seeing friends and family for the holidays, but here’s one more Cybils nominee review to tide you over until the finalists are announced … Continue reading →

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

3 Holiday Picture Books + Bonus Craft Book

Posted on December 23, 2018 by Katy K.

This year, I was given a last-minute request to read a Christmas book to the Girl Scout Junior troop. Here’s what I found on the shelves. Under the Christmas Tree by Nikki Grimes. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. HarperCollins, 2002. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Books, Fantasy, Historical, nonfiction, picture books, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

The House with Chicken Legs

Posted on December 21, 2018 by Katy K.

The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson. Scholastic, 2018. Marinka has lived in the house with chicken legs all her life, helping Baba Yaga.  Others may see her as an ugly and dangerous hag, but Marinka knows her as … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , | 2 Comments

The Art of the Swap and The Magic Misfits: the Second Story

Posted on December 19, 2018 by Katy K.

The Art of the Swap by Kristine Asselin and Jen Malone. Simon and Schuster Kids, 2018. Hannah is the caretaker’s daughter in the Elms, a mansion in Newport, Rhode Island.  She annoys the docents by listening in on tours and … Continue reading →

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

The Truth about Martians and the Marvelous Adventures of Gwendolyn Gray

Posted on December 17, 2018 by Katy K.

Here’s a couple shorter takes on some more Cybils books, as I try desperately to keep up with my reading. The Truth about Martians by Melissa Savage. Crown Books, 2018. In 1947 Arizona, Mylo Affinito is still struggling to get … Continue reading →

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The Lifters by David Eggers

Posted on December 16, 2018 by Katy K.

The Lifters by David Eggers. Read by Dion Graham. Listening Library, 2018. Granite Flowerpetal’s father named him Granite to be a strong name – but starting school in a new town, Granite has decided to try being Gran instead.  They’ve … Continue reading →

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Ice Wolves. Elementals Book 1

Posted on December 13, 2018 by Katy K.

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 →

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

The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes

Posted on December 12, 2018 by Katy K.

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 →

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