Category Archives: Middle Grade

Middle School beyond the Margins: Song for a Whale and Keep it Together, Keiko Carter

Posted on June 2, 2020 by Katy K.

These days, my work of trying to get books celebrating marginalized voices into kids’ hands seems too little, too slow.  I’m trying to find meaningful ways to support more current and active anti-racism work, while still keeping on with sharing … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, books, Middle Grade, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

3 Ground-breaking LGBTQ Graphic Novels for Kids and Teens

Posted on May 27, 2020 by Katy K.

I realize that I missed that halfway point of the#CybilsReadDown on May 15, but I thought I’d do a quick check-in while it’s still May.  I started off with 13 books on my already-read, need to review pile, 12 books … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Challenges, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Realistic, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Beautiful Fantasies: Mulan: Before the Sword and A Wish in the Dark

Posted on May 21, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two recent middle grade fantasies that both feature thoughtful main characters involved in epic adventures.  I’m reviewing them together because of that similarity, but hey, it’s Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, so if you’re still looking for a book to read to celebrate, both of these are excellent choices. Continue reading →

Posted in books, Challenges, Fantasy, Historical, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Modern Life with Gods: Race to the Sun and Maya and the Rising Dark

Posted on May 20, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two books from my #CybilsReadDown pile, both exciting contemporary fantasy in which modern-day kids find that their culture’s traditional Gods are, let’s say, highly relevant to their present lives.  Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse. Read by … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

8 Realistic Fiction Books for Kids on Hoopla

Posted on May 19, 2020 by Katy K.

Once again this week, I’m giving a list of tried-and-true favorites plucked from the vast array of choices available from Hoopla Digital.  This week, I thought I’d focus on realistic fiction, since (as counter-intuitive as it feels to me personally), … Continue reading →

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Planet Omar: Accidental Danger Magnet and Year of the Dog

Posted on May 15, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two funny and heartwarming books for the not-quite-middle-grade to middle grade set.  Accidental Danger Magnet by Zanib Mian is from my official #CybilsReadDown pile; The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin was purchased afterwards.   Continue reading →

Posted in books, Early Chapter Books, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Enjoying What Is: Paladin’s Grace and Iron Hearted Violet

Posted on May 12, 2020 by Katy K.

It’s so easy to make things harder for ourselves by focusing on the way we think things should be, rather than the way things really are.  Here are two stories (Paladin’s Grace for adults, Iron Hearted Violet for kids) about … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Romance | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

The Chaos Curse by Sayantani DasGupta.

Posted on May 11, 2020 by Katy K.

So far (as usual), I’m doing a better job of keeping up with reading than reviewing for my #CybilsReadDown challenge.  I have Charlotte of Charlotte’s Library to thank for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of this again, though it came out … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Challenges, Fantasy, Format, Genre, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

One Last Shot by John David Anderson Blog Tour

Posted on May 8, 2020 by Katy K.

Today I’m honored to be part of the blog tour for John David Anderson’s latest book, ONE LAST SHOT.  Scroll all the way to the bottom for a giveaway of a signed hardcover copy and the other stops on the tour! … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments

24 Asian-Pacific-American Heritage Books for Kids and Teens on Hoopla

Posted on May 6, 2020 by Katy K.

For this week’s hoopla list, I’m featuring books to celebrate Asian-Pacific-American Heritage month.  While I did make a graphic with adult books for the library to use, I confess I made it just based on hoopla’s own list, where for … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Lists, Middle Grade, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , | 1 Comment