Category Archives: books

Stella Diaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez

Posted on April 21, 2018 by Katy K.

Here’s a charming first novel from the illustrator of Mango, Abuela & Me. Stella Diaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez. Roaring Brook Press, 2018. Stella is nervous about school now that her best friend, Jenny, is in another … Continue reading →

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

3 Fun Early Chapter Books

Posted on April 20, 2018 by Katy K.

Jasmine Toguchi: Super Sleuth by Debbi Michiko Florence. Pictures by Elizabet Vuković. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2017. I’d been wanting to read the new Jasmine Toguchi series, especially because I have a Japanese-American niece who’ll be needing some early chapter books … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Early Chapter Books, Fantasy, Print, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Scythe by Neal Schusterman

Posted on April 18, 2018 by Katy K.

Scythe has been sweeping up the honors – it won the Young Adult Speculative Fiction Cybils Award, a Printz Honor, and was being talked up by my teen librarian, to boot. Scythe by Neal Schusterman. Simon & Schuster, 2016. Humanity … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Print, Reviews, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , | 6 Comments

2 More Cybils Middle Grade Graphic Novel Finalists

Posted on April 16, 2018 by Katy K.

Here are two more of the Cybils Middle Grade Graphic Novel finalists. Coming back to write these reviews reminds me that I still haven’t read the only one I couldn’t get from my own library – Suee and the Shadow.  … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

The Dollmaker of Krakow and the Ice Sea Pirates

Posted on April 14, 2018 by Katy K.

I said I was done reviewing Cybils books.  I lied.  Here are two more that were nominated for last year’s Cybils, both read from review copies kindly sent to me by the publisher. The Dollmaker of Krakow by R.M. Romero. … Continue reading →

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

3 Cybils MG Graphic Novel Finalists

Posted on April 13, 2018 by Katy K.

Here are three of the Cybils elementary/middle grade graphic novel finalists.  It’s always good to read what the other Cybils panelists came up with! Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham. First Second, 2017. Newbery-honor winning (and personal favorite) … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

Shadowhouse Fall by Daniel José Older

Posted on April 4, 2018 by Katy K.

Sierra and her Shadowshaper crew return in the second full-length novel. Shadowhouse Fall by Daniel José Older. Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic, 2017. The school year is starting again for Sierra and her friends, all now in training, as our story opens.  … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Fantasy, Print, Reviews, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

All the Crooked Saints

Posted on March 30, 2018 by Katy K.

All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater. Narrated by Thom Rivera. Scholastic, 2017. Beatriz, Joaquin and Daniel Soria are cousins living in Bicho Raro, Colorado, in 1962.  The Sorias have developed a reputation over the past century as miracle workers, … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Reviews, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

MLA Spring Institute

Posted on March 28, 2018 by Katy K.

Last week, I got to go to the Michigan Library Association’s Spring Institute for the first time.  I’ve never been before because it’s specifically for youth and teen librarians, and I’m officially an adult librarian – someone has to stay … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Conference Notes, Lists | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Watchdog by Will McIntosh

Posted on March 16, 2018 by Katy K.

I think I’m finally approaching the end of books I read for the Cybils award! No guarantees, but here at least is a fun, fast-paced story, especially for fans of giant robot dogs. Watchdog by Will McIntosh. Delacorte, 2017. In … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews, Sci-Fi | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments