Category Archives: Fantasy

Cozy Middle Grade Fantasies: The Lost Library and the House of the Lost on the Cape

Posted on November 12, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are two lovely, cozy Cybils-nominated middle grade fantasy books that are perfect for reading aloud as well as solo. Remarkably, both of them achieve this while being set in the aftermath of significantly traumatic events – and both have … Continue reading →

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

Dog Stories: Elf Dog and Owl Head and The Eyes and the Impossible

Posted on October 27, 2023 by Katy K.

Continuing on with my Cybils reading, I have two beautifully illustrated stories of dogs, both great for reading aloud as well as independent reading. I confess I’m more of a cat person myself, but these doggos still won me over. … Continue reading →

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

Haunted Houses: Finch House and Nightmare House

Posted on October 21, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are two stories of kids standing up to haunted houses and the horrors behind them – one more action-oriented and the other more introspective. Both of these books have been nominated for the Cybils Award, and these reviews reflect … Continue reading →

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

Adventures with Djinn: Nayra and the Djinn and Kingdom over the Sea

Posted on September 29, 2023 by Katy K.

Dear readers, it’s the end of September, which mean the beginning of Cybils time! I’m excited once again to be serving on the Round 1 Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction panel. And as usual, I’m trying to write up reviews of … Continue reading →

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

Time Travel Trio: A Spoonful of Time, the Carrefour Curse, and the the Rhythm of Time

Posted on July 28, 2023 by Katy K.

Three recent middle grade time travel books, each to please a different reading personality. Continue reading →

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Claws & Contrivances by Stephanie Burgis

Posted on July 7, 2023 by Katy K.

First: There are still 5 days to enter the giveaway for Conjure Island! I have been eagerly awaiting the next book of Stephanie Burgis’s Regency Dragons series, so of course I accepted when she asked if I wanted a copy … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Books, Fantasy, Historical, Print | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Speculation by Nisi Shawl

Posted on June 9, 2023 by Katy K.

Magic spectacles and a bookish girl discovering family secrets combine to make Speculation by Nisi Shawl one of my very favorite books of the year so far.  Continue reading →

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

Daughters of Izdihar by Hadeer Elsbai

Posted on June 2, 2023 by Katy K.

Hadeer Elsbai’s debut book, Daughters of Izdihar is an exciting tale of magic and the struggle for women’s rights inspired by Egyptian women’s quest for the vote. Continue reading →

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

BLOG TOUR: The Witch of Woodland by Laurel Snyder

Posted on May 26, 2023 by Katy K.

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for the Witch of Woodland by Laurel Snyder, a fantastic story of a girl who’s more certain of her identity as a witch than as a Jew – and the magic that changes everything. Continue reading →

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

Two by Elisa A. Bonnin: Dauntless and Stolen City

Posted on May 22, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are two exciting (but different) books by 2022 debut author Elisa A. Bonnin, Dauntless and Stolen City. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Print, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments