Category Archives: books

Exploring Grief in Renée Watson’s All the Blues in the Sky

Posted on February 26, 2025 by Katy K.

Grief comes whether we want it to or not, and All the Blues in the Sky by Renee Watson is a beautiful and sensitive verse exploration. Continue reading →

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2024 in Review – My Favorite Books

Posted on February 12, 2025 by Katy K.

Here’s my annual look back at the books I rated 9 – the ones I’d be mostly likely to go back to in the future – and the two I actually did reread. Continue reading →

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2024 In Review – by the Numbers

Posted on January 17, 2025 by Katy K.

Here’s my super-geeky, graph-heavy dive into my 2024 reading. Continue reading →

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Cybils 2024: 15 Middle Grade Spec Fic Books that Got Away

Posted on January 11, 2025 by Katy K.

Here are 15 books that didn’t quite make the cut for the 7 finalists chosen by the Cybils Round 1 panel that I still loved. They all have strong characters and range from classic fantasy to science fiction, time travel to cryptids. Continue reading →

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2024 Middle Grade Speculative Fiction Cybils Finalists

Posted on January 3, 2025 by Katy K.

After much reading, the 7 middle grade speculative Cybils finalists, with links to my reviews where available! Continue reading →

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MG Epic Fantasy Book Reviews: Splinter and Ash & Nox Winters

Posted on December 27, 2024 by Katy K.

Here are two epic fantasy stories, one with a classic medieval European-like setting, and one contemporary, both hard to put down. Continue reading →

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Farrah Noorzad and Amir: Journeys with Jinn for Kids

Posted on November 24, 2024 by Katy K.

Here are two Cybils-nominated books with rich worldbuilding, fast action, and thought-provoking themes: Farrah Noorazad and the Ring of Fate by Deeba Zargarpur, and Amir and the Jinn Princess by M.T. Khan. Continue reading →

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Exploring Found Family in Middle Grade: The Flicker and Wishbone

Posted on November 15, 2024 by Katy K.

The Flicker by H.E. Edgmon and Wishbone by Justine Pucella Winans are both stories of kids trying to find their way through grim circumstances, learning about themselves and creating found families along the way. Continue reading →

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Summer Camp Scares: It Came from the Trees and The Last Rhee Witch

Posted on November 11, 2024 by Katy K.

These two excellently terrifying Cybils-nominated books for middle grade readers set duriing summer camping trips. Continue reading →

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8 Ghost Books to Haunt Your Reading List in 2024

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Katy K.

Middle Grade ghost books that came out within the past years, ranging from funny to terrifying, heart-warming to adventurous. Continue reading →

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