Category Archives: Genre

Sweet YA: From Twinkle, with Love and The Last Beginning

Posted on November 16, 2019 by Katy K.

Here are short reviews of two sweet romance-focused teen books – one contemporary with an Indian-American heroine, and one futuristic time travel with a same-sex romance. From Twinkle, with Love by Sandhya Menon. Simon & Schuster, 2018. 978-1481495400 This companion … Continue reading →

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Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack

Posted on November 11, 2019 by Katy K.

This is one that was on my want-to-read list this year, a fantasy from Kwame Alexander’s new imprint, Versify.   Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack. Versify/HMH, 2019. 9780358006077 Anya’s is the only Jewish family in her little Russian village … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone by Jaclyn Moriarty

Posted on November 8, 2019 by Katy K.

I discovered that I missed this book when it came out last fall, and finally got around to it this year.  The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone by Jaclyn Moriarty. Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic, 2018. 978-1338455843 Ten-year-old Bronte (who is … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Posted on November 6, 2019 by Katy K.

Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith. Candlewick, 2018. High school senior Lou Wolfe breaks up with her boyfriend Cam when he’s proven one time to often that he just won’t listen to what’s important to her, things like respecting her … Continue reading →

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Plain Kate by Erin Bow

Posted on November 4, 2019 by Katy K.

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 →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Historical, Middle Grade, Print, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Secrets and Journeys: Four Graphic Novels for Kids

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Katy K.

Pilu of the Woods by Mai K. Nguyen. Oni Press, 2019. 9781620105511. Willow’s tears turn into actual monsters, and she seems to want to cry all the time.  She tries to keep them bottled up, but that just leads to … Continue reading →

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

The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Katy K.

Take your Native reading into the future with a gut-wrenching, thought-provoking post-apocalyptic teen book – The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Print, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks

Posted on October 14, 2019 by Katy K.

Was there ever a better match for a romantic teen graphic novel than Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks?  This one is already nominated for the Cybils, but I am sure there are other great titles out there, which hopefully you’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Graphic Novel, Romance, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Freedom Fire and Spark

Posted on October 11, 2019 by Katy K.

Today I’m featuring a couple of middle grade speculative fiction books that are eligible but not yet nominated for the Cybils – Dactyl Hill Squad 2 by Daniel José Older and Spark by Sarah Beth Durst. Both feature kids flying on the backs of fantastic beasts! Continue reading →

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Early Chapter Book Trio: Juana & Lucas, Polly Diamond, Phoebe G. Green

Posted on September 27, 2019 by Katy K.

Here’s a trio of fun early chapter books!  Because Cybils nominations will be opening up October 1, I’ve added notes on which books would be eligible to be nominated.   Juana & Lucas: Big Problemas by Juana Medina. Candlewick, 2019. 978-1536201314 … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Early Chapter Books, Fantasy, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment