Category Archives: Audiobook

The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon

Posted on August 3, 2024 by Katy K.

The discovery of a hidden library full of secrets takes 12-year-old Dally on adventures through over a century of her family’s history in this thought-provoking adventure. Continue reading →

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Cybils Middle Grade Fiction Finalists

Posted on April 27, 2024 by Katy K.

I have slowly been working my way through the Cybils finalists by category (my favorite categories, besides the one where I’m a panelist.) I’ve finally finished the middle grade fiction finalists, and am including my brief thoughts here. The Cybils … Continue reading →

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

Just a Pinch of Magic by Alechia Dow

Posted on December 20, 2023 by Katy K.

Here’s the final book from my Baking Fantasy list – I enjoyed it just as much as I was hoping.  Just a Pinch of Magic by Alechia Dow. Read by Renee Dorian and Amber Dekkers. Feiwel & Friends, 2023 ISBN … Continue reading →

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

Haunted Houses: Finch House and Nightmare House

Posted on October 21, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are two stories of kids standing up to haunted houses and the horrors behind them – one more action-oriented and the other more introspective. Both of these books have been nominated for the Cybils Award, and these reviews reflect … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

3 Cybils YA Speculative Fiction Finalists

Posted on April 29, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are reviews of three of the 2022 Cybils YA Spec Fic finalists – From Dust, a Flame by Rebecca Podos, See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon., and How to Succeed in Witchcraft by Aislinn Brophy. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Reviews, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

LGBTQ+ Middle Grade Fantasy Book List

Posted on April 7, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are 9 of the great recent LGBTQ+ middle grade fantasy books I’ve read. Continue reading →

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No True Villains: Children of the Quicksands and Eden’s Everdark

Posted on February 18, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are two of the 2022 Cybils Middle Grade Speculative Fiction finalists, both with real problems but no real villains. Continue reading →

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

Winston Chu vs. the Whimsies by Stacey Lee

Posted on February 15, 2023 by Katy K.

Here’s a fresh and funny book from Stacey Lee and Rick Riordan presents, featuring an accident-prone boy and a whole lot of dangerous magical artifacts. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Fantasy, Middle Grade | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

A Half-Built Garden by Ruthanna Emrys

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Katy K.

Here’s a dire and hopeful story of climate crisis and first contact that’s sticking with me months after I read it. Continue reading →

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Magical Schools: Wildseed Witch and Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun

Posted on September 3, 2022 by Katy K.

Here are two exciting new magical school books, both with kids at all-Black schools, one drawing on Louisiana’s Black history and one set in a futuristic Nigeria. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Sci-Fi | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments