Category Archives: Format

Just South of Home by Karen Strong

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Katy K.

Just South of Home by Karen Strong, a spooky summer story with ties to African-American history, was perfect vacation reading this year. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Show Me a Sign and Indian No More

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Katy K.

There are two very exciting things about these books – first, they are both fantastic, and from underrepresented voices.  Secondly (okay, maybe more exciting for me than for you, dear reader) is that I got both of these books in … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Historical, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

Aftermath: Children of Virtue and Vengeance and Wayward Son

Posted on July 3, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two teen sequels where characters must deal with the consequences of the magical cataclysm of the first books, Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi and Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell. Continue reading →

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

Sequels: The Jumbie God’s Revenge and Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two great middle grade speculative fiction sequels – The Jumbie God’s Revenge by Tracey Baptiste and Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe by Carlos Hernandez – the first of which is the selection for the current round of the Generations Book Club from the Brown Bookshelf. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews, Sci-Fi | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Desk Tales: Front Desk and From the Desk of Zoe Washington

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Katy K.

Two kids deal with friendships and take stands for social justice in stories that draw from real-life problems, Front Desk by Kelly Yang and From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks.   Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Future Worlds: 13 Riveting Speculative Fiction Books for Teens

Posted on June 26, 2020 by Katy K.

Whether the future is scientific or magical, on our planet or in space, there are so many options for good storytelling! Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Lists, Print, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

In the Dakotas: Apple in the Middle and Prairie Lotus

Posted on June 24, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two stories of girls growing up in the Dakotas – one modern and one in the past. Apple in the Middle by Dawn Quigley. NDSU, 2018. 9781946163073. Read from library copy. Dawn Quigley would have been one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Historical, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Quarantine Book Buys and State of the TBR

Posted on June 16, 2020 by Katy K.

The #CybilsReadDown is done!  I have a few more books to review, but I read a lot. Here are the books that have come into my life since my initial post – mostly purchased from local bookstores, but a couple … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Books, Lists, Middle Grade, picture books, Print, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , | 2 Comments