Category Archives: Genre

Compelling Nonfiction Graphics: Astronauts and When Stars are Scattered

Here are two recent nonfiction graphics, both with stories strong enough to be interesting for readers who don’t naturally gravitate towards nonfiction as well as those who do.   Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier by Jim Ottaviani and Maris Wicks. … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, nonfiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Into the Tall, Tall Grass by Loriel Ryon

Into the Tall, Tall Grass by Loriel Ryon. Margaret K. McElderry, 2020. ISBN 978-1534449671. Read from library copy.  Yolanda Rodríguez-O’Connell has a little too much on her plate and not enough support.  Her grandmother, Wela, has been asleep for weeks … Continue reading →

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

More Teen Love: Opposite of Always, Emergency Contact, and Frankly in Love

I’m catching up on more heart-tugging teen romances that will still make you feel better about the world. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, books, Print, Realistic, Romance, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The League of Secret Heroes: Cape and Mask by Kate Hannigan

Once again, being behind both in reading and reviewing means that I get to review the first two books of a series at the same time.  I have enjoyed every book I’ve read by Kate Hannigan so far (see Cupcake … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Fantasy, Historical, Lists, Print | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Just South of Home by Karen Strong

Just South of Home by Karen Strong, a spooky summer story with ties to African-American history, was perfect vacation reading this year. Continue reading →

Posted in books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Magical Middle School: 12 Speculative Fiction School Stories

Here are twelve tales of magic at middle school – you only wish your school were this exciting! Continue reading →

Posted in books, Fantasy, Lists, Middle Grade, Sci-Fi | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

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