Category Archives: Historical

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 →

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

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 , , , , , | 4 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 →

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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

Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack

Posted on September 19, 2021 by Katy K.

Here’s an exciting fantasy set in Kievan Rus, just perfect for Sukkot! Continue reading →

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The Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna by Alda P. Dobbs

Posted on September 10, 2021 by Katy K.

Moving, high-stakes middle grade historical fiction based on family history and set during Mexico’s civil war. Continue reading →

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Much Ado about Baseball and Ophie’s Ghosts

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Katy K.

Two of my most-anticipated summer books: Much Ado about Baseball by Rajani LaRocca and Ophie’s Ghosts by Justina Ireland. Continue reading →

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Root Magic by Eden Royce

Posted on June 30, 2021 by Katy K.

In 1963 South Carolina, Jezebel and her brother Jay are trying to learn the traditional Root magic their late grandmother practiced in time to save themselves from monsters both supernatural and human. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Historical, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments