Category Archives: Middle Grade

The Girl and the Witch’s Garden and Catalyst

Posted on July 21, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two new middle grade fantasies that appear light on the surface, but address serious issues underneath – The Girl and the Witch’s Garden by Erin Bowman and Catalyst by Sarah Beth Durst. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Seventh Grade Switch: The First Rule of Punk and Roll with It

Posted on July 10, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two stories of two seventh-grade kids finding their way in new schools. The First Rule of Punk is a Pura Belpré honor book, and Roll with It is a 2019 Cybils finalist.   The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. … Continue reading →

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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

Desk Tales: Front Desk and From the Desk of Zoe Washington

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Katy K.

Two kids deal with friendships and take stands for social justice in stories that draw from real-life problems, Front Desk by Kelly Yang and From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks.   Continue reading →

Posted in books, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

In the Dakotas: Apple in the Middle and Prairie Lotus

Posted on June 24, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two stories of girls growing up in the Dakotas – one modern and one in the past. Apple in the Middle by Dawn Quigley. NDSU, 2018. 9781946163073. Read from library copy. Dawn Quigley would have been one of … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Historical, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Quarantine Book Buys and State of the TBR

Posted on June 16, 2020 by Katy K.

The #CybilsReadDown is done!  I have a few more books to review, but I read a lot. Here are the books that have come into my life since my initial post – mostly purchased from local bookstores, but a couple … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, books, Lists, Middle Grade, picture books, Print, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Graphic Novels: This Place, Guts, Best Friends

Posted on June 15, 2020 by Katy K.

Here’s my #CybilsReadDown Reckoning, plus reviews of three don’t-miss graphic novels (one YA, two middle grade) – This Place:150 Years Retold by Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm,  Sonny Assu, and Brandon Mitchell et al., Guts by Raina Telgemeier, and Best Friends by Shannon Hale. Continue reading →

Posted in books, Graphic Novel, Historical, Middle Grade, Realistic, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

3 Atmospheric Middle Grade Fantasies

Posted on June 12, 2020 by Katy K.

The clock is ticking on the #CybilsReadDown, so as I’ve once again been reading faster than I can review, I’m going to jump back to try to finish up some of the books that I read early on in quarantine.   … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Thief Knot by Kate Milford

Posted on June 5, 2020 by Katy K.

The Thief Knot by Kate Milford is a welcome return to the world of Greenglass House, an urgent mystery set in the last few days before school lets out for the summer. Continue reading →

Posted in books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Mystery, Print | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Malamander and Gargantis

Posted on June 3, 2020 by Katy K.

Continuing on with important topics, Rosemary at Mom Read it put together a great list of anti-racism resources from multiple places, while author Shanna Miles put together list of Black Kids Living books, saying on Twitter “Buy a book about … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Challenges, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments