Category Archives: Realistic

Fast & Funny with Cookies & Cakes: Ben Yokoyama and Winnie Zeng

Posted on February 4, 2023 by Katy K.

Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Doom by Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr and Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend by Katie Zhao are two fast and funny chapter to middle grade books that are sure to keep kids reading. Continue reading →

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2 2022 Cybils MG Fic Finalists: Air and Jennifer Chan is Not Alone

Posted on January 26, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are my takes on two of the latest Cybils Middle Grade Fiction finalists – Air by Monica Roe and Jennifer Chan is Not Alone by Tae Keller. Continue reading →

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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 →

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#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 , , , , , , , , , | 1 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 →

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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