Category Archives: Audiobook

Tristan Strong Destroys the World by Kwame Mbalia

Posted on November 5, 2020 by Katy K.

I read Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, the 2019 Cybils Middle Grade Speculative Fiction Winner, near the end of February this year… just a month out from what would have been KidLitCon had not 2020 intervened.  So … Continue reading →

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

Mañanaland by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Posted on October 30, 2020 by Katy K.

Pam Muñoz Ryan, the author of Esperanza Rising and Echo, returns with Mañanaland, a Cybils nominee that falls right on the border of realism and fantasy. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Posted on October 26, 2020 by Katy K.

Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia is a dark but funny tale of monsters of Mexican myth and the preteens who battle them to rescue their friends perfect for your Halloween reading. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Magic, Friendship and Community: Muse Squad, Weird Little Robots, If We Were Giants

Posted on October 23, 2020 by Katy K.

Every September before Cybils nominations open, I look around for eligible books that I can read in the meantime.  Here are three that I enjoyed that were not nominated, though there are still a few days for their publishers or … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

African Superheroes: Shuri by Nic Stone and Ikenga by Nnedi Okorafor

Posted on October 12, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two stories of African superheroes by African-American authors: Shuri by Nic Stone and Ikenga by Nnedi Okorafor. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Top 13 Books I Missed Reviewing in the Past Year for Top 10 Tuesday

Posted on September 29, 2020 by Katy K.

Because I couldn’t pick just 10, here are the top 13 books I read over the past year and didn’t write full reviews of for Top Ten Tuesday. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Early Chapter Books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Lists, Middle Grade, Mystery, Print, Realistic, Sci-Fi | Tagged , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Thinky Thoughts: Four Nonfiction Books for Adults and Teens

Posted on September 21, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are shorter takes on four recent nonfiction books for adults and teens. Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, Books, Graphic Novel, nonfiction, Print, Reviews, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

More Teen Love: Opposite of Always, Emergency Contact, and Frankly in Love

Posted on August 24, 2020 by Katy K.

I’m catching up on more heart-tugging teen romances that will still make you feel better about the world. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Print, Realistic, Romance, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Girl and the Witch’s Garden and Catalyst

Posted on July 21, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two new middle grade fantasies that appear light on the surface, but address serious issues underneath – The Girl and the Witch’s Garden by Erin Bowman and Catalyst by Sarah Beth Durst. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Teen Love: This is My Brain in Love, Secret of a Heart Note, and Don’t Date Rosa Santos

Posted on July 15, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are three teen stories with romance at the center and satisfyingly sweet endings, though all of them have the good grace to be as much or more about our main character figuring out who she is and where she … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Print, Realistic, Reviews, Romance, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments