Category Archives: Realistic

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 Katy K.

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 , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

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

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Katy K.

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 →

Posted in books, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

In the Dakotas: Apple in the Middle and Prairie Lotus

Posted on June 24, 2020 by Katy K.

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 →

Posted in books, Historical, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

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

Posted on June 17, 2020 by Katy K.

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 →

Posted in books, Realistic, Romance, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Graphic Novels: This Place, Guts, Best Friends

Posted on June 15, 2020 by Katy K.

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 →

Posted in books, Graphic Novel, Historical, Middle Grade, Realistic, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Middle School beyond the Margins: Song for a Whale and Keep it Together, Keiko Carter

Posted on June 2, 2020 by Katy K.

These days, my work of trying to get books celebrating marginalized voices into kids’ hands seems too little, too slow.  I’m trying to find meaningful ways to support more current and active anti-racism work, while still keeping on with sharing … Continue reading →

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

12 Snuggle-Worthy Picture Books on Hoopla

Posted on May 28, 2020 by Katy K.

Here’s a look at some picture books that I love and was thrilled to find on hoopla.  Several of these have attached audio, so kids not yet able to read on their own can enjoy on their own.  But of … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Fantasy, picture books, Print, Realistic | Tagged , | Leave a comment

3 Ground-breaking LGBTQ Graphic Novels for Kids and Teens

Posted on May 27, 2020 by Katy K.

I realize that I missed that halfway point of the#CybilsReadDown on May 15, but I thought I’d do a quick check-in while it’s still May.  I started off with 13 books on my already-read, need to review pile, 12 books … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Challenges, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Realistic, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

8 Realistic Fiction Books for Kids on Hoopla

Posted on May 19, 2020 by Katy K.

Once again this week, I’m giving a list of tried-and-true favorites plucked from the vast array of choices available from Hoopla Digital.  This week, I thought I’d focus on realistic fiction, since (as counter-intuitive as it feels to me personally), … Continue reading →

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Planet Omar: Accidental Danger Magnet and Year of the Dog

Posted on May 15, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two funny and heartwarming books for the not-quite-middle-grade to middle grade set.  Accidental Danger Magnet by Zanib Mian is from my official #CybilsReadDown pile; The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin was purchased afterwards.   Continue reading →

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