Category Archives: Realistic

Superman Smashes the Klan and Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang

Posted on September 19, 2020 by

Here are two recent books by perennial favorite Gene Luen Yang, author of American Born Chinese  and The Shadow Hero, among many others. Continue reading →

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3 Tales of Kids Countering Prejudice with New Passions

Posted on September 16, 2020 by

Here are three stories of kids working against prejudice to find pride in who they are, as well as learning new skills along the way, with books by Nikki Grimes, Alyssa Zaczek, and Jewell Parker Rhodes. Continue reading →

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

Summer and Winter: Stepping Stones and Midwinter Witch

Posted on September 8, 2020 by

Here are two graphic novels my daughter and I have been enjoying – Stepping Stones by Lucy Knisley and the Midwinter Witch by Molly Know Ostertag Continue reading →

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12 Middle Grade Books for Fans of Role-Playing Games

Posted on September 5, 2020 by

Every so often I come across books that feel like they would make a great start to a role-playing game. I love the collaborative story-telling they encourage. And while the fantasy dungeons of Dungeons & Dragons are where it started, any setting with an ensemble cast and the possibility for adventure will do. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Lists, Middle Grade, Mystery, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

More Teen Love: Opposite of Always, Emergency Contact, and Frankly in Love

Posted on August 24, 2020 by

I’m catching up on more heart-tugging teen romances that will still make you feel better about the world. Continue reading →

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Teen Love: This is My Brain in Love, Secret of a Heart Note, and Don’t Date Rosa Santos

Posted on July 15, 2020 by

Here are three teen stories with romance at the center and satisfyingly sweet endings, though all of them have the good grace to be as much or more about our main character figuring out who she is and where she … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Print, Realistic, Reviews, Romance, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Desk Tales: Front Desk and From the Desk of Zoe Washington

Posted on June 30, 2020 by

Two kids deal with friendships and take stands for social justice in stories that draw from real-life problems, Front Desk by Kelly Yang and From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks.   Continue reading →

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In the Dakotas: Apple in the Middle and Prairie Lotus

Posted on June 24, 2020 by

Here are two stories of girls growing up in the Dakotas – one modern and one in the past. Apple in the Middle by Dawn Quigley. NDSU, 2018. 9781946163073. Read from library copy. Dawn Quigley would have been one of … Continue reading →

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3 for Teens: American Road Trip, You’d Be Mine, and Finding Yvonne

Posted on June 17, 2020 by

Three realistic teen books, all with musical characters – American Road Trip by Patrick Flores-Scott, You’d Be Mine by Erin Hahn, and Finding Yvonne by Brandy Colbert. Continue reading →

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Graphic Novels: This Place, Guts, Best Friends

Posted on June 15, 2020 by

Here’s my #CybilsReadDown Reckoning, plus reviews of three don’t-miss graphic novels (one YA, two middle grade) – This Place:150 Years Retold by Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm,  Sonny Assu, and Brandon Mitchell et al., Guts by Raina Telgemeier, and Best Friends by Shannon Hale. Continue reading →

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