Category Archives: Historical

Moving Verse Novels for Young Readers: A Sea of Lemon Trees and Octopus Moon

Posted on April 8, 2026 by Katy K.

I picked both of these books up because of the awards – honors for both the Newbery and the Pura Belpre awards for A Sea of Lemon Trees and a Schneider Family Award for representation of disability for Octopus Moon. … Continue reading →

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

Buzzworthy Historical Books for Young Readers: Red River Rose, Where Only Storms Grow, and The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli

Posted on March 12, 2026 by Katy K.

Here are three recent and much-talked about middle grade historical fiction titles. Red River Rose is just coming out this month (March 2026) and has gotten multiple starred reviews. The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli won a Newbery … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Historical, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Monthly Reading Round-Up Middle Grade-Adult: December 2025

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Katy K.

Share some cozy winter reads with me in my December round-up, featuring books from picture book through adult on themes as varied as ADHD, Indigenous culture, and cozy fantasy and sci-fi. With books by Jashar Awan, Penn and Kim Holderness, Dawn Quigley, Kim Normanton, Angeline Boulley, Lewis Hancox, Trung Le Nguyen, Mary Robinette Kowal, M. Stevenson, Charlotte E. English, Leslye Penelope, Lynn Strong., Malka Older, George Takei, and more. Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Historical, Lists, Middle Grade, nonfiction, Print, Realistic, Romance, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Book Round-Up Adult: September-October 2025

Posted on December 17, 2025 by Katy K.

Brief thoughts on the books for adults I read in September and October, including books by Olivia Atwater, Sangu Mandanna, Sarah Beth Durst, Elodie Durand, Elisabeth Wheatley, Tavi Hawn, Mia P. Manansala, Lisa See, Stephanie Burgis, Naomi Novik, and Katherine Center. Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Historical, Lists, Middle Grade, nonfiction, Print, Realistic, Romance, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Monthly Book Round-Up Middle Grade-Adult: November 2025

Posted on December 5, 2025 by Katy K.

Brief thoughts on the books I read in November, including books by Tanita S. Davis, Alexandra Villasante, C.B. Lee, Mackenzi Lee, Maggie Stiefvater, and Rebecca Thorne. Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Historical, Lists, Middle Grade, nonfiction, Print, Realistic, Romance, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Monthly Book Round-Up Middle Grade-Adult: August 2025

Posted on September 3, 2025 by Katy K.

Brief thoughts on the books I read in August, including books by E.K. Johnston, Intisar Khanani, Rboin Wall Kimmerer, and Nnedi Okorafor. Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Historical, Lists, Middle Grade, nonfiction, Print, Realistic, Romance, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Monthly Book Round-Up: June 2025

Posted on August 27, 2025 by Katy K.

My brief thoughts on the books I read in June – so many books I loved! These are mostly fantasy as usual, with a smattering of contemporary middle grade, adult romance, and one historical teen book. Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Historical, Lists, Middle Grade, nonfiction, Print, Realistic, Romance, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Monthly Book Round-Up Middle Grade-Adult: May 2025

Posted on June 23, 2025 by Katy K.

My brief thoughts of the 15 books I read in May – from middle grade to adult, including lots of fantasy, some romance, and one deeply thoughtful nonfiction title. Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Historical, Lists, Middle Grade, nonfiction, Print, Realistic, Romance, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Monthly Book Round-Up Middle Grade-Adult: April 2025

Posted on May 9, 2025 by Katy K.

My brief thoughts of the 14 books I read in April, including three re-reads of beloved books. Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Historical, Lists, Middle Grade, nonfiction, Print, Realistic, Romance, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Monthly Book Round-Up Middle Grade-Adult: March 2025

Posted on April 4, 2025 by Katy K.

My brief thoughts of the 16 books I read in March – so many books I loved! Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Historical, Lists, Middle Grade, nonfiction, Print, Realistic, Romance, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments