Tag Archives: African-American

Sequels: The Jumbie God’s Revenge and Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe

Posted on July 2, 2020 by

Here are two great middle grade speculative fiction sequels – The Jumbie God’s Revenge by Tracey Baptiste and Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe by Carlos Hernandez – the first of which is the selection for the current round of the Generations Book Club from the Brown Bookshelf. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews, Sci-Fi | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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 →

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

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 →

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

Modern Life with Gods: Race to the Sun and Maya and the Rising Dark

Posted on May 20, 2020 by

Here are two books from my #CybilsReadDown pile, both exciting contemporary fantasy in which modern-day kids find that their culture’s traditional Gods are, let’s say, highly relevant to their present lives.  Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse. Read by … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Young Blerds: SLAY and My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich

Posted on April 23, 2020 by

Here are two more books from my Cybils TBR Read Down pile.  As the partner of someone who was usually one of just a few people of color at the local sci-fi conventions, I was so happy to see two books for young nerds of color like his younger self! Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Challenges, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Kids on Bikes: Ghost Squad and Ways to Make Sunshine

Posted on April 16, 2020 by

Here are two books for the younger middle grade set that are just coming out in April of 2020, both featuring girls on bikes  These are both from my Cybils Awards ReadDown TBR pile. Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Sadiq series by Siman Nuurali for Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020

Posted on January 31, 2020 by

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020 (1/31/20) is in its 7th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Early Chapter Books, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Real-Life and Realistic Early Chapter Books

Posted on December 11, 2019 by

Here are thoughts on some of the early chapter books I read this fall, any of which would make good gifts for the 7 to 9 year-olds on your holiday shopping list My Furry Foster Book 1: Truman the Dog … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Early Chapter Books, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Finding the Best: the Good Luck Cat and Saturday

Posted on November 22, 2019 by

Quick promotional announcement: registration for KidLitCon 2020 in Ann Arbor is now open!  And in case you missed the news, registration is free thanks to the generosity of the Ann Arbor District Library, so sign up today! Here are two picture … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, picture books, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Blended by Sharon Draper

Posted on August 30, 2019 by

Blended by Sharon Draper. Simon and Schuster Kids, 2018. 978-1442495005 11-year-old Isabella’s parents divorced when she was 6.  It’s always been hard, but since her dad moved back to Ohio and she’s splitting her time between two houses, it’s even … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment