Category Archives: Genre

Show Me a Sign and Indian No More

There are two very exciting things about these books – first, they are both fantastic, and from underrepresented voices.  Secondly (okay, maybe more exciting for me than for you, dear reader) is that I got both of these books in … Continue reading

Posted in books, Historical, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Girl and the Witch’s Garden and Catalyst

Here are two new middle grade fantasies that appear light on the surface, but address serious issues underneath – The Girl and the Witch’s Garden by Erin Bowman and Catalyst by Sarah Beth Durst. Continue reading

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

Magical History: 12 Takes on Our Past + Magic for Teens

Here is the fourth in my series of lists for teens, this one featuring 14 great historical fantasy picks. Continue reading

Posted in books, Fantasy, Historical, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Teen Love: This is My Brain in Love, Secret of a Heart Note, and Don’t Date Rosa Santos

Here are three teen stories with romance at the center and satisfyingly sweet endings, though all of them have the good grace to be as much or more about our main character figuring out who she is and where she … Continue reading

Posted in Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Print, Realistic, Reviews, Romance, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Modern Magic: 12 Tantalizing Tales for Teens

Here’s the third in my series of teen fantasy and science fiction lists, working together with my library’s teen librarian and intern. Enjoy! Continue reading

Posted in books, Fantasy, Lists, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Aftermath: Children of Virtue and Vengeance and Wayward Son

Here are two teen sequels where characters must deal with the consequences of the magical cataclysm of the first books, Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi and Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell. Continue reading

Posted in books, Fantasy, Print, Reviews, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Sequels: The Jumbie God’s Revenge and Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe

Here are two great middle grade speculative fiction sequels – The Jumbie God’s Revenge by Tracey Baptiste and Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe by Carlos Hernandez – the first of which is the selection for the current round of the Generations Book Club from the Brown Bookshelf. Continue reading

Posted in Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews, Sci-Fi | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Desk Tales: Front Desk and From the Desk of Zoe Washington

Two kids deal with friendships and take stands for social justice in stories that draw from real-life problems, Front Desk by Kelly Yang and From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks.   Continue reading

Posted in books, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Future Worlds: 13 Riveting Speculative Fiction Books for Teens

Whether the future is scientific or magical, on our planet or in space, there are so many options for good storytelling! Continue reading

Posted in Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Lists, Print, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

In the Dakotas: Apple in the Middle and Prairie Lotus

Here are two stories of girls growing up in the Dakotas – one modern and one in the past. Apple in the Middle by Dawn Quigley. NDSU, 2018. 9781946163073. Read from library copy. Dawn Quigley would have been one of … Continue reading

Posted in books, Historical, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments