Category Archives: Format

Sweep by Jonathan Auxier

Posted on January 16, 2019 by Katy K.

Back to some Cybils books while I tabulate more end-of-year things. Sweep: the Story of a Girl and her Monster by Jonathan Auxier. Amulet Books, 2018. Nan Sparrow lived with the Sweep, a kindly man who took care of her, teaching … Continue reading →

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

My Top Nonfiction Read in 2018

Posted on January 15, 2019 by Katy K.

I don’t often get around to writing full-on reviews of the nonfiction I read, especially if it’s for adults.  Here’s a selection of my favorites from last year, handily separated into knitting and non-knitting books.   Faerie Knitting by Alice … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, Books, nonfiction, Print | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

12 more Cybils titles I loved

Posted on January 4, 2019 by Katy K.

One of the things I love about the Cybils awards are the many books I get to try that I wouldn’t get around to otherwise.  One of the hardest parts is making a shortlist of only seven books, because I … Continue reading →

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

Thisby Thestoop and the Black Mountain

Posted on December 26, 2018 by Katy K.

I’m not having a lot of time to write reviews with my kids home from school and seeing friends and family for the holidays, but here’s one more Cybils nominee review to tide you over until the finalists are announced … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

3 Holiday Picture Books + Bonus Craft Book

Posted on December 23, 2018 by Katy K.

This year, I was given a last-minute request to read a Christmas book to the Girl Scout Junior troop. Here’s what I found on the shelves. Under the Christmas Tree by Nikki Grimes. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. HarperCollins, 2002. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Books, Fantasy, Historical, nonfiction, picture books, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

The House with Chicken Legs

Posted on December 21, 2018 by Katy K.

The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson. Scholastic, 2018. Marinka has lived in the house with chicken legs all her life, helping Baba Yaga.  Others may see her as an ugly and dangerous hag, but Marinka knows her as … Continue reading →

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

The Art of the Swap and The Magic Misfits: the Second Story

Posted on December 19, 2018 by Katy K.

The Art of the Swap by Kristine Asselin and Jen Malone. Simon and Schuster Kids, 2018. Hannah is the caretaker’s daughter in the Elms, a mansion in Newport, Rhode Island.  She annoys the docents by listening in on tours and … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Truth about Martians and the Marvelous Adventures of Gwendolyn Gray

Posted on December 17, 2018 by Katy K.

Here’s a couple shorter takes on some more Cybils books, as I try desperately to keep up with my reading. The Truth about Martians by Melissa Savage. Crown Books, 2018. In 1947 Arizona, Mylo Affinito is still struggling to get … Continue reading →

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The Lifters by David Eggers

Posted on December 16, 2018 by Katy K.

The Lifters by David Eggers. Read by Dion Graham. Listening Library, 2018. Granite Flowerpetal’s father named him Granite to be a strong name – but starting school in a new town, Granite has decided to try being Gran instead.  They’ve … Continue reading →

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Dactyl Hill Squad by Daniel José Older

Posted on December 14, 2018 by Katy K.

Kids riding dinosaurs in New York City!  Does it get more fun? Dactyl Hill Squad by Daniel José Older. Arthur A. Levine Books, Scholastic, 2018. It’s 1863 in New York City – the middle of the Civil War.  Magdalys Roca, … Continue reading →

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