Tag Archives: African-American

Interview with Joy Jones

Posted on October 8, 2021 by Katy K.

I have a treat for you today, my friends – an interview with author Joy Jones, in honor of the paperback release of her book, Jayla Jumps In. Continue reading →

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

Kingston and the Magician’s Lost and Found by Rucker Moses and Theo Gangi

Posted on September 1, 2021 by Katy K.

12-year-old Kingston tries to rescue his long-missing father from the mysterious world on the other side of a mirror. Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Much Ado about Baseball and Ophie’s Ghosts

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Katy K.

Two of my most-anticipated summer books: Much Ado about Baseball by Rajani LaRocca and Ophie’s Ghosts by Justina Ireland. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Historical, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Root Magic by Eden Royce

Posted on June 30, 2021 by Katy K.

In 1963 South Carolina, Jezebel and her brother Jay are trying to learn the traditional Root magic their late grandmother practiced in time to save themselves from monsters both supernatural and human. Continue reading →

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

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston

Posted on May 3, 2021 by Katy K.

Here’s an exciting new middle grade fantasy, perfect for readers looking for stories of secret magical schools and agencies. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Complex & Compelling Teen Fantasy: Legendborn and Burn

Posted on February 12, 2021 by Katy K.

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn and Burn by Patrick Ness are both finalists in the Teen Speculative Fiction category of the Cybils Awards with complex, multilayered, and very compelling narratives. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Print, Reviews, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Tristan Strong Destroys the World by Kwame Mbalia

Posted on November 5, 2020 by Katy K.

I read Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, the 2019 Cybils Middle Grade Speculative Fiction Winner, near the end of February this year… just a month out from what would have been KidLitCon had not 2020 intervened.  So … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Fantasy, Middle Grade | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

8 Spooky Middle Grade Books

Posted on October 28, 2020 by Katy K.

Just in case you or a kid in your life happen to be looking for something to read for Halloween, here are a few I’ve enjoyed! And let me know in the comments if you have anything you’d add to … Continue reading →

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

The Last Mirror on the Left by Lamar Giles

Posted on October 19, 2020 by Katy K.

I’m very excited to be celebrating the release of the second book in Lamar Giles’ Legendary Alston Boys series, which began last year with The Last Last Day of Summer. Continue reading →

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New Looks at the Past: The Forgotten Girl and Thunder Run

Posted on October 7, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two stories of friendship that ask the reader to take a new look at the past – The Forgotten Girl by India Hill Brown and Thunder Run. Dactyl Hill Squad Book 3 by Daniel José Older. Continue reading →

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