Category Archives: Format

A Week of Reading

Posted on June 29, 2019 by Katy K.

Today I looked at the pages of review notes I have and decided to just give you shorter reviews of the books I read this week.  It’s a big mix of styles – two realistic fiction (one teen and one … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, Books, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, nonfiction, Print, Realistic, Reviews, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Everything I Know about You and Halfway Normal by Barbara Dee

Posted on June 26, 2019 by Katy K.

Here are some more books I read for my KidLitCon panel on taboo topics in middle grade this year.  I’d previously read and very much enjoyed her Star Crossed, but she has written a lot of books, all with very … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Midsummer’s Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca

Posted on June 21, 2019 by Katy K.

Here’s a magical midsummer book for the summer solstice!  I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book at KidLitCon, and waited to read it until closer to its release date. Midsummer’s Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca. Yellow Jacket, … Continue reading →

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

Sequels: Fated Sky, Exit Strategy, The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy

Posted on June 5, 2019 by Katy K.

Sometimes I read the first book in a series and never go on.  Other times I keep up in fits and starts. Here’s me trying to keep up.  All of these deserve longer reviews, but here’s to living with reality. … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, Books, Historical, Print, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

A Baker’s Half Dozen of Gluten Free Cookbooks

Posted on May 24, 2019 by Katy K.

I was diagnosed with celiac disease just before Christmas last year, so as a break from my usual fiction, here are some of the cookbooks I’ve been reading. The first one arrived in the mail as a gift, and all … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Books, nonfiction, Print | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Miss Buncle’s Book for Old School Wednesday

Posted on May 15, 2019 by Katy K.

I’m going to borrow a feature title from the Book Smugglers again and call this Old School Wednesday – taking a break from trying to keep up with the latest hot releases by reading an older book.  This one first … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Books, Historical, Print, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

4 Kids’ Fantasies from Outside the US

Posted on May 13, 2019 by Katy K.

Here are four middle grade fantasy books from the English-speaking world outside of the US – South Africa, Australia, Ireland, and the UK.  (Shorter reviews as part of my trying to catch up with my reading.) The Turnaway Girls by … Continue reading →

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

Recent Teen Reading: My Lady Jane, Summer of Salt, On the Come Up

Posted on May 9, 2019 by Katy K.

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows. Read by Katherine Kellgren.  HarperCollins, 2016. Many people whose taste I trust said they enjoyed this book, plus it’s narrated by one of the best narrators ever, Katherine Kellgren, … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Print, Realistic, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez

Posted on May 8, 2019 by Katy K.

Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez. Rick Riordan Presents/Disney Hyperion, 2019. The story starts with the raw chicken in the locker.  Sal put it there, to get bully Yasmany off his case in hopes of making it … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

New Kid by Jerry Craft

Posted on May 1, 2019 by Katy K.

I first saw Jerry Craft’s work illustrating the massively underappreciated Zero Degree Zombie Zone. Now he’s come out with his own graphic novel, which is receiving a lot of very deserved attention.   New Kid by Jerry Craft. HarperCollins Childrens, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Realistic | Tagged , , | 4 Comments