Category Archives: Teen/Young Adult

Remixed Classics: So Many Beginnings, Clash of Steel, and Travelers Along the Way

Posted on April 22, 2022 by Katy K.

These first three books from Feiwel & Friends’ Remixed Classics series take the classics, still in their original time periods, and retell them from the point of view of people of color.  The first three include retellings of Little Women, Treasure Island, and Robin Hood – all fabulous. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Historical, Print, Reviews, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

4 Cybils YA Spec Fic Finalists

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Katy K.

Here are my takes on four of the seven 2021 Cybils YA speculative fiction finalists, including high fantasy, magical realism, and twisty science fiction. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Reviews, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Don’t Hate the Player by Alexis Nedd

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Katy K.

Here’s a sweet-tart teen romance between players on rival video game teams that doesn’t gloss over the barriers that face female players. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Print, Realistic, Romance, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Asian-American Graphic Novels 2020-2021

Posted on June 16, 2021 by Katy K.

Here are all the Asian-American graphic novels published in the last two years I could find. Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Books, Graphic Novel, Lists, Middle Grade, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Posted on June 4, 2021 by Katy K.

I had worked closely with Angeline Boulley on putting together the Decolonizing Libraries panel for the KidLitCon 2020 that never happened, so naturally between that and being a book set in my home state, I went out and bought my … Continue reading →

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

Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger

Posted on April 7, 2021 by Katy K.

Elatsoe is a ground-breaking contemporary teen fantasy that blends the new with Lipan Apache traditions. Continue reading →

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

Complex & Compelling Teen Fantasy: Legendborn and Burn

Posted on February 12, 2021 by Katy K.

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn and Burn by Patrick Ness are both finalists in the Teen Speculative Fiction category of the Cybils Awards with complex, multilayered, and very compelling narratives. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Print, Reviews, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Top 24 Books that want to be nominated for the Cybils

Posted on October 7, 2020 by Katy K.

One of the things I love about the Cybils Awards is that anyone can nominate their favorite book in each category, whether or not they are book professionals. One of the scary things about the Cybils Awards is that if no one nominates a book, it can’t be considered, no matter how good it is.  Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Lists, Middle Grade, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Magical Black Girls: A Song Below Water and Snapdragon

Posted on September 25, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two tales of girls coming to terms with their own magic, A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow and Snapdragon by Kat Leyh. Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Print, Teen/Young Adult | 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