Category Archives: Reviews

The Last Mirror on the Left by Lamar Giles

Posted on October 19, 2020 by Katy K.

I’m very excited to be celebrating the release of the second book in Lamar Giles’ Legendary Alston Boys series, which began last year with The Last Last Day of Summer. Continue reading →

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New Looks at the Past: The Forgotten Girl and Thunder Run

Posted on October 7, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two stories of friendship that ask the reader to take a new look at the past – The Forgotten Girl by India Hill Brown and Thunder Run. Dactyl Hill Squad Book 3 by Daniel José Older. Continue reading →

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

Daring Darleen, Queen of the Screen by Anne Nesbet

Posted on October 5, 2020 by Katy K.

A silent movie action star finds adventure crossing over into her real life in Daring Darleen, Queen of the Screen by Anne Nesbet. Continue reading →

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

Thinky Thoughts: Four Nonfiction Books for Adults and Teens

Posted on September 21, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are shorter takes on four recent nonfiction books for adults and teens. Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, Books, Graphic Novel, nonfiction, Print, Reviews, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

3 Tales of Kids Countering Prejudice with New Passions

Posted on September 16, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are three stories of kids working against prejudice to find pride in who they are, as well as learning new skills along the way, with books by Nikki Grimes, Alyssa Zaczek, and Jewell Parker Rhodes. Continue reading →

Posted in Middle Grade, Print, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Show Me a Sign and Indian No More

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Katy K.

There are two very exciting things about these books – first, they are both fantastic, and from underrepresented voices.  Secondly (okay, maybe more exciting for me than for you, dear reader) is that I got both of these books in … Continue reading →

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

Teen Love: This is My Brain in Love, Secret of a Heart Note, and Don’t Date Rosa Santos

Posted on July 15, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are three teen stories with romance at the center and satisfyingly sweet endings, though all of them have the good grace to be as much or more about our main character figuring out who she is and where she … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Print, Realistic, Reviews, Romance, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Aftermath: Children of Virtue and Vengeance and Wayward Son

Posted on July 3, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two teen sequels where characters must deal with the consequences of the magical cataclysm of the first books, Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi and Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Print, Reviews, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Sequels: The Jumbie God’s Revenge and Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two great middle grade speculative fiction sequels – The Jumbie God’s Revenge by Tracey Baptiste and Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe by Carlos Hernandez – the first of which is the selection for the current round of the Generations Book Club from the Brown Bookshelf. Continue reading →

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

YA Blockbusters: Aurora Rising and Call Down the Hawk

Posted on May 22, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two series-starters by authors of previous hot, hot YA series, both of which my teen and I have enjoyed. Aurora Rising was on my #CybilsReadDown lists, while Call Down the Hawk was the last book I took notes … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Challenges, Fantasy, Reviews, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments