Category Archives: Genre

8 Baking Fantasy Books

Posted on November 15, 2023 by Katy K.

I love baking and reading about baking, so I’ve gradually put this list of baking-related fantasies together over the past seven years. It’s finally long enough to deserve its own list rather than just “if you like this, you may … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Lists, Middle Grade | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Cozy Middle Grade Fantasies: The Lost Library and the House of the Lost on the Cape

Posted on November 12, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are two lovely, cozy Cybils-nominated middle grade fantasy books that are perfect for reading aloud as well as solo. Remarkably, both of them achieve this while being set in the aftermath of significantly traumatic events – and both have … Continue reading →

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

Dog Stories: Elf Dog and Owl Head and The Eyes and the Impossible

Posted on October 27, 2023 by Katy K.

Continuing on with my Cybils reading, I have two beautifully illustrated stories of dogs, both great for reading aloud as well as independent reading. I confess I’m more of a cat person myself, but these doggos still won me over. … Continue reading →

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

Haunted Houses: Finch House and Nightmare House

Posted on October 21, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are two stories of kids standing up to haunted houses and the horrors behind them – one more action-oriented and the other more introspective. Both of these books have been nominated for the Cybils Award, and these reviews reflect … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Adventures with Djinn: Nayra and the Djinn and Kingdom over the Sea

Posted on September 29, 2023 by Katy K.

Dear readers, it’s the end of September, which mean the beginning of Cybils time! I’m excited once again to be serving on the Round 1 Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction panel. And as usual, I’m trying to write up reviews of … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Time Travel Trio: A Spoonful of Time, the Carrefour Curse, and the the Rhythm of Time

Posted on July 28, 2023 by Katy K.

Three recent middle grade time travel books, each to please a different reading personality. Continue reading →

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

3 2022 Cybils YA Graphic Novel Finalists: Messy Roots, Across a Field of Starlight, and Huda F Are You?

Posted on July 12, 2023 by Katy K.

I’m back with short takes on 3 2022 Cybils graphic novel finalists you won’t want to miss! Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Graphic Novel, Realistic, Reviews, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Claws & Contrivances by Stephanie Burgis

Posted on July 7, 2023 by Katy K.

First: There are still 5 days to enter the giveaway for Conjure Island! I have been eagerly awaiting the next book of Stephanie Burgis’s Regency Dragons series, so of course I accepted when she asked if I wanted a copy … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Books, Fantasy, Historical, Print | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Speculation by Nisi Shawl

Posted on June 9, 2023 by Katy K.

Magic spectacles and a bookish girl discovering family secrets combine to make Speculation by Nisi Shawl one of my very favorite books of the year so far.  Continue reading →

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

Daughters of Izdihar by Hadeer Elsbai

Posted on June 2, 2023 by Katy K.

Hadeer Elsbai’s debut book, Daughters of Izdihar is an exciting tale of magic and the struggle for women’s rights inspired by Egyptian women’s quest for the vote. Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Books, Fantasy, Print | Tagged , , | 1 Comment