Category Archives: Format

Heroine Complex and Heroine Worship

Posted on August 19, 2018 by Katy K.

Who says a book starring a person of color has to be dark and realistic?  Or that it takes darkness and realism to make a serious statement?  I finally tracked down these books that I’d been wanting to read since … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Books, Fantasy, Print | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Aru Shah and Kiranmala

Posted on August 17, 2018 by Katy K.

I’m always on the lookout for more books for Percy Jackson fans, especially from non-Western European cultures.  Happily, Rick Riordan has started his own imprint to do just this thing – but Scholastic also recently published a book with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust

Posted on July 20, 2018 by Katy K.

Look!  I read one of the books on my missed-from-2017 list.  This is a lovely Snow White retelling for a teen audience with an LGBT spin. Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust. Narrated by Jennifer Ikeda. MacMillan … Continue reading →

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

Bad Luck Kids: Nevermoor: the Trials of Morrigan Crow and Book of Boy

Posted on July 14, 2018 by Katy K.

Here are two stories of children in very different worlds, but both considered to be bad luck. The first was all over the blogs I read in the middle of Cybils season last year.  It’s just as delightful a few … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Posted on July 6, 2018 by Katy K.

“What to Read after Black Panther” part 3. It’s not quite Afrofuturism because it’s decidedly mythic past without even the alternate technology of Everfair, and it came out after I made my display. It still belongs here. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Print, Reviews, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor

Posted on July 1, 2018 by Katy K.

#Afrofuturism from my “What to Read after Black Panther” list part two: a full-length adult novel from Nnedi Okorafor, whose books for younger readers I had aggressively sought out while putting off this intense book.  Not for the faint of … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Books, Fantasy, Print | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Everfair by Nisi Shawl

Posted on June 22, 2018 by Katy K.

It’s summer reading time at the library.  I love crowds of kids excited about reading, but it does make it challenging to get anything else done.  But waiting patiently in my own review queue, I have a trio of African-based … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Historical | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

3 Great Graphic Novels for Kids

Posted on June 16, 2018 by Katy K.

This weekend is the A2CAF, the Ann Arbor Comic Arts Festival, which I used to love helping out with back when it was still Kids Read Comics.  Naturally, I’m at work at my regular library rather than there right now, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Realistic | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess by Shari Green

Posted on June 13, 2018 by Katy K.

Last time, I reviewed this year’s Schneider Family Teen award winner, You’re Welcome, Universe.  Here’s the middle grade winner. Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess by Shari Green. Pajama Press, 2017 Macy is in sixth grade and struggling.  She’s horrified … Continue reading →

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

You’re Welcome, Universe by Whitney Gardner

Posted on June 11, 2018 by Katy K.

Once again, a book winning an award – in this case the Schneider Family Award – pushed me from meaning to read it someday to actually doing so. You’re Welcome, Universe by Whitney Gardner. Random House Teens, 2017. Julia believes … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Print, Realistic, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments