Category Archives: Genre

Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor

Posted on July 1, 2018 by Katy K.

#Afrofuturism from my “What to Read after Black Panther” list part two: a full-length adult novel from Nnedi Okorafor, whose books for younger readers I had aggressively sought out while putting off this intense book.  Not for the faint of … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Books, Fantasy, Print | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Everfair by Nisi Shawl

Posted on June 22, 2018 by Katy K.

It’s summer reading time at the library.  I love crowds of kids excited about reading, but it does make it challenging to get anything else done.  But waiting patiently in my own review queue, I have a trio of African-based … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Historical | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

3 Great Graphic Novels for Kids

Posted on June 16, 2018 by Katy K.

This weekend is the A2CAF, the Ann Arbor Comic Arts Festival, which I used to love helping out with back when it was still Kids Read Comics.  Naturally, I’m at work at my regular library rather than there right now, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Realistic | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess by Shari Green

Posted on June 13, 2018 by Katy K.

Last time, I reviewed this year’s Schneider Family Teen award winner, You’re Welcome, Universe.  Here’s the middle grade winner. Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess by Shari Green. Pajama Press, 2017 Macy is in sixth grade and struggling.  She’s horrified … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

You’re Welcome, Universe by Whitney Gardner

Posted on June 11, 2018 by Katy K.

Once again, a book winning an award – in this case the Schneider Family Award – pushed me from meaning to read it someday to actually doing so. You’re Welcome, Universe by Whitney Gardner. Random House Teens, 2017. Julia believes … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Print, Realistic, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

3 Great Middle Grade Realistic Picks

Posted on June 8, 2018 by Katy K.

If you’re looking for some contemporary realistic fiction, here are three solid titles for a range of tastes from full-on adventure to more introspective. To Catch a Cheat by Varian Johnson. Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic, 2016. The officially-ended Greene Gang … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Posted on June 1, 2018 by Katy K.

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo. Harper Teen, 2018. “My parents probably wanted a girl who would sit in the pews wearing pretty florals and a soft smile. They got combat boots and a mouth silent until it’s sharp as … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Print, Realistic, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Saints and Misfits by S. K. Ali

Posted on May 25, 2018 by Katy K.

Saints and Misfits by S. K. Ali. Salaam Reads, 2017. Meet Janna, a teen girl trying to figure out her increasingly complicated life.  She’s  committed to wearing hijab as part of her mostly artsy, layered outfits (swim suits are a … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Print, Realistic, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson

Posted on May 23, 2018 by Katy K.

I was planning to do another triple review in the interests of catching up, but have fallen to the reality of headaches and patrons with long reference questions (that last a much more pleasant reason!).  So more contemporary teen girls … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Print, Realistic, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Teen Boys in Diverse Historical Fiction

Posted on May 20, 2018 by Katy K.

I know there are really no boy books or girl books, just people books.  But nevertheless, when working on our presentation on diverse books for Spring Institute, my friend Nakenya and I realized that our teen historical reading had only … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Historical, Print, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments