Category Archives: Realistic

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

Spinning by Tillie Walden

Posted on April 29, 2018 by Katy K.

This was one of the Cybils teen graphic novel finalists.  (Although my son read and enjoyed the winner, Spill Zone, I ran out of time to read it myself.) Spinning by Tillie Walden. First Second, 2017. Tillie Walden tells first-hand her … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Graphic Novel, Realistic, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya

Posted on April 25, 2018 by Katy K.

Here’s book number three in my impromptu middle grade Latinix reading series, following Stella Martinez Has Something to Sayand A Dash of Trouble. The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya. Read by the Author. Listening Library, 2017. Arturo … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, books, Middle Grade, Realistic | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Stella Diaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez

Posted on April 21, 2018 by Katy K.

Here’s a charming first novel from the illustrator of Mango, Abuela & Me. Stella Diaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez. Roaring Brook Press, 2018. Stella is nervous about school now that her best friend, Jenny, is in another … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Early Chapter Books, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

3 Fun Early Chapter Books

Posted on April 20, 2018 by Katy K.

Jasmine Toguchi: Super Sleuth by Debbi Michiko Florence. Pictures by Elizabet Vuković. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2017. I’d been wanting to read the new Jasmine Toguchi series, especially because I have a Japanese-American niece who’ll be needing some early chapter books … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Early Chapter Books, Fantasy, Print, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

3 Cybils MG Graphic Novel Finalists

Posted on April 13, 2018 by Katy K.

Here are three of the Cybils elementary/middle grade graphic novel finalists.  It’s always good to read what the other Cybils panelists came up with! Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham. First Second, 2017. Newbery-honor winning (and personal favorite) … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments