Category Archives: Historical

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 →

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Honor Books: Yonder by Ali Standish and Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Katy K.

Yonder by Ali Standish and Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango are two beautiful, reflective books that both won honors this year. Continue reading →

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3 2022 MG Fic Finalists: Attack of the Black Rectangles, Freewater, and Thirst

Posted on February 10, 2023 by Katy K.

I’m continuing my read-through of 2022 Cybils finalists with three more middle grade fiction titles – Attack of the Black Rectangles, Freewater (which also won the Newbery) and Thirst. Continue reading →

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The Button Box by Bridget Hodder and Fawzia Gilani-William

Posted on November 22, 2022 by Katy K.

For the younger middle grade set comes this exciting time travel adventure set in early medieval Morocco. Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Historical, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Other Side of the River by Alda P. Dobbs

Posted on September 23, 2022 by Katy K.

This freshly imagined story of an immigrant girl, taking off from the author’s grandmother’s story, is filled with determination, hard-won joy, as well as hope and humor. Continue reading →

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The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat

Posted on July 3, 2022 by Katy K.

Here’s another lovely Thai-inspired historical fiction/fantasy book from Christina Soontornvat, whose earlier books A Wish in the Dark and All Thirteen won Newbery Honors the same year. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Fantasy, Historical, Middle Grade | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Posted on May 18, 2022 by Katy K.

Here’s a beautiful and chewy historical novel that lives up to its slew of awards – a Cybils Young Adult Fiction finalist in addition to the four pictured on the cover. Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo. … Continue reading →

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Remixed Classics: So Many Beginnings, Clash of Steel, and Travelers Along the Way

Posted on April 22, 2022 by Katy K.

These first three books from Feiwel & Friends’ Remixed Classics series take the classics, still in their original time periods, and retell them from the point of view of people of color.  The first three include retellings of Little Women, Treasure Island, and Robin Hood – all fabulous. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Historical, Print, Reviews, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

3 More Cybils Middle Grade Fiction Finalists

Posted on April 6, 2022 by Katy K.

Onwards with my reading of this year’s Cybils middle grade fiction finalists with reviews of Thanks a Lot, Universe by Chad Lucas, A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus and Linked by Gordon Korman! Continue reading →

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Four 2021 Cybils Middle Grade Graphic Novel Finalists

Posted on February 16, 2022 by Katy K.

Here are short reviews of four of the seven finalists in the elementary/middle grade graphic novel category of the 2021 Cybils Awards, including Borders, Chunky, Jukebox, and Salt Magic. Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Historical, Middle Grade, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments