Category Archives: Realistic

How to Be Brave by Daisy May Johnson

Posted on August 24, 2022 by Katy K.

Here’s a smart, modern British boarding school story, packed with humor, friendships, footnotes, bravery and British baked goods. Continue reading →

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

#MGReadathon Finish Line

Posted on July 18, 2022 by Katy K.

Here’s my wrap-up, with reviews of It’s the End of the World and I’m in My Bathing Suit and Valentina Salazar is NOT a Monster Hunter. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Challenges, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Loophole by Naz Kutub

Posted on June 22, 2022 by Katy K.

A queer teen tries to track down his missing ex-boyfriend to win him back, with help from a possible genie, in this winning debut. Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Realistic, Romance, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

2+2 Cybils Graphic Novel Finalists

Posted on May 4, 2022 by Katy K.

Here are reviews of four more outstanding 2021 Cybils Graphic Novel finalists – Cranky Chicken by Katherine Battersby, The Legend of Auntie Po by Shing Yin Khor, Cheer Up!: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Fraiser, and Nubia: Real One by L.L. McKinney and Robyn Smyth. Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Realistic, Reviews, Romance, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

3 More Cybils Middle Grade Fiction Finalists

Posted on April 6, 2022 by Katy K.

Onwards with my reading of this year’s Cybils middle grade fiction finalists with reviews of Thanks a Lot, Universe by Chad Lucas, A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus and Linked by Gordon Korman! Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Historical, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Amah Faraway by Margaret Chiu Greanias. Illustrated by Tracy Subisak

Posted on March 16, 2022 by Katy K.

A heartwarming and beautifully painted picture book about a girl building a real relationship with her grandmother when she and her mother travel to Taiwan. Continue reading →

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3 Cybils Middle Grade Fiction Finalists

Posted on February 25, 2022 by Katy K.

Here are three more outstanding books in my read-through of 2021 Cybils Finalists – Finding Junie Kim by Ellen Oh, Many Points of Me by Caroline Gertler, and Violets are Blue by Barbara Dee.
Continue reading →

Posted in Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Four 2021 Cybils Middle Grade Graphic Novel Finalists

Posted on February 16, 2022 by Katy K.

Here are short reviews of four of the seven finalists in the elementary/middle grade graphic novel category of the 2021 Cybils Awards, including Borders, Chunky, Jukebox, and Salt Magic. Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Historical, Middle Grade, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Interview with Joy Jones

Posted on October 8, 2021 by Katy K.

I have a treat for you today, my friends – an interview with author Joy Jones, in honor of the paperback release of her book, Jayla Jumps In. Continue reading →

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

Don’t Hate the Player by Alexis Nedd

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Katy K.

Here’s a sweet-tart teen romance between players on rival video game teams that doesn’t gloss over the barriers that face female players. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Print, Realistic, Romance, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment