Category Archives: Reviews

The Birchbark House and The Game of Silence

For the past 14 years, I have recommended this series to every family that’s come to me asking for something to read after reading the Little House books. This year, I finally started the series myself.  I am so glad … Continue reading

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The Lioness and the Spellspinner

Elements from many different fairy tales combine in this story that works as a prequel to Mahoney’s “Twelve Dancing Princesses” retelling The Storyteller and Her Sisters.  If you missed it, be sure to read my latest interview with Cheryl. The … Continue reading

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Four Fantastic Fantasies

Here are four mostly recent middle grade fantasies, all by authors I’ve enjoyed in the past, including Mike Jung, Nnedi Okorafor, Diane Zahler and Ursula Vernon. Continue reading

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War: The Lost Heir and Guts and Glory: WWII

My Cybils audiobook listening continues with two middle grade books about war, one fantasy with dragons and one historical. Continue reading

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2 Diverse Audiobooks -The Inquisitor’s Tale & Momotaro: Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters

In which I review two action-packed, Cybils-nominated middle grade audiobooks, The Inquisitor’s Tale by Adam Gidwitz and Momotaro: Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters by Margaret Dilloway Continue reading

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The Mountain of Kept Memory

Take a break from real life politics with tricksy fantasy politics in a gorgeous setting in the Mountain of Kept Memory by Rachel Neumeier. Continue reading

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4 Mostly Fantasy Children’s Classics

Here are four classic children’s books that I explored recently – the first two on audio with my children. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien. Narrated by Barbara Caruso.  Print Atheneum, 1971. Audio Recorded Books, … Continue reading

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4 Adorable Picture Books

Now that my youngest is in second grade, I’m often told that she’s too old for picture books.  That doesn’t stop me from bringing them home – I firmly believe in the magic of a good picture book to capture … Continue reading

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Sorcerer to the Crown and Shades of Milk and Honey

First – hooray, I was selected to be on a Cybils panel again this year!  After two years of doing Round 1 Middle Grade Speculative Fiction, this year I’ll be doing the Cybils Round 1 Audiobooks – click through to see … Continue reading

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The Rest of Us Just Live Here

Recently, Maureen at By Singing Light had a post called Not the Chosen One.  This is one of the books she talked about, which I just happen to have finished recently. It’s also one I considered putting on my Top 10 … Continue reading

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