Category Archives: Challenges

3 Ground-breaking LGBTQ Graphic Novels for Kids and Teens

Posted on May 27, 2020 by

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 , , , , , , | Leave a comment

YA Blockbusters: Aurora Rising and Call Down the Hawk

Posted on May 22, 2020 by

Here are two series-starters by authors of previous hot, hot YA series, both of which my teen and I have enjoyed. Aurora Rising was on my #CybilsReadDown lists, while Call Down the Hawk was the last book I took notes … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Challenges, Fantasy, Reviews, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted on May 21, 2020 by

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 , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Chaos Curse by Sayantani DasGupta.

Posted on May 11, 2020 by

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 , , , , | 3 Comments

The Rise of Kyoshi by F.C. Yee

Posted on May 1, 2020 by

Here’s one from my official Cybils Awards TBR Read Down pile, one of the 2019 Cybils Young Adult Speculative Fiction nominees.    We’d just finished a family viewing of the Avatar series over many pizza Fridays when my daughter saw … Continue reading →

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

Graphic Novel Ghosts: Sheets and Lola

Posted on April 24, 2020 by

Sheets by Brenna Thummler. Lion Forge Comics, 2018. ISBN 978-1941302675. Read on hoopla. 13-year-old Marjorie Glatt has been running a small laundromat by herself ever since her mother died, while going to school and caring for her younger brother.  Her … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Challenges, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Young Blerds: SLAY and My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich

Posted on April 23, 2020 by

Here are two more books from my Cybils TBR Read Down pile.  As the partner of someone who was usually one of just a few people of color at the local sci-fi conventions, I was so happy to see two books for young nerds of color like his younger self! Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Challenges, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cybils Awards ReadDown TBR Starting Line

Posted on April 15, 2020 by

The Cybils Awards are having a TBR Reading challenge starting today!  Here’s my starting line photo:  Since the challenge is to review/share the books I’m reading as well as just reading them, I’m including the books I have on hand … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Challenges, Lists | Tagged , | 13 Comments

2019 in Review: the Numbers

Posted on March 31, 2020 by

This is way past the time of year when I normally look back at my reading from the previous year.  Maybe we can pretend this whole first quarter of 2020 didn’t happen?  I’m still putting this up here, for my … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Challenges | Tagged , | 4 Comments

We Want You to Be a Cybils Judge !

Posted on September 7, 2019 by

Just in case you missed it earlier – the call for Cybils judges for this year went out a few weeks ago, but you still have one week left to apply to be a Cybils judge yourself! Though the Cybils … Continue reading →

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