Category Archives: Historical

Mistletoe and Murder by Robin Stevens

Posted on December 6, 2019 by

This year I finally read all the books in this series that are available in the U.S.  I may have read this one over the summer and saved the review until it was more seasonally appropriate… what could go better … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Historical, Middle Grade, Mystery, Print | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Plain Kate by Erin Bow

Posted on November 4, 2019 by

Back in 2016, I made a list of the top 10 fantasy authors I’d never read.  – (I still need to get to three more of those authors!) Erin Bow was on that list, though I put the cover for … Continue reading →

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Rebel Girls and Gowns: YA Graphic Novels

Posted on September 16, 2019 by

Continuing with the graphic novels, here are some aimed at teens (or at least, from the teen section of the library.)  Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang. First Second Books, 2018. This book was tearing up the award and … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Historical, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Cats and the Sea: Graphic Novels for Kids

Posted on September 13, 2019 by

I’ve found myself reading a lot of graphic novels lately.  Here are some for the elementary to middle grade set.  Curiously enough, they all have either cats or the sea as central themes – or both, in the case of Sea … Continue reading →

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2019 Newberys: Merci Suárez Changes Gears and The Night Diary

Posted on July 15, 2019 by

Here are reviews of this year’s Newbery and Newbery honor books.  I had read just one of these when it first came out, The Book of Boy by Catherine Gilbert Murdock.  And shout-out to my blogging friend Sondy at Sonderbooks, … Continue reading →

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

Posted on June 5, 2019 by

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 , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Miss Buncle’s Book for Old School Wednesday

Posted on May 15, 2019 by

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

Cybils Middle Grade Graphic Novel Finalists

Posted on February 15, 2019 by

The Cybils Award winners were announced yesterday!  So many good books – some I’ve read already and some to add to the TBR!  I’m so happy that Nevermoor: the Trials of Morrigan Crow won in my Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Historical, Middle Grade, Realistic | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Sweep by Jonathan Auxier

Posted on January 16, 2019 by

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 , , , | 2 Comments

3 Holiday Picture Books + Bonus Craft Book

Posted on December 23, 2018 by

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