Tag Archives: African-American

Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas

I was looking forward to reading Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas for months – and I’m so glad I did! Continue reading

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3 Cybils YA Speculative Fiction Finalists

Here are reviews of three of the 2022 Cybils YA Spec Fic finalists – From Dust, a Flame by Rebecca Podos, See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon., and How to Succeed in Witchcraft by Aislinn Brophy. Continue reading

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Reviews, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Drizzle, Dreams, and Lovestruck Things and Figure it Out, Henri Weldon

Friends, usually I try to group books of similar themes for similar age groups in my reviews. But today, in the effort to get some reviews out where you can see them, I am just putting out a teen book … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic, Reviews, Romance, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

No True Villains: Children of the Quicksands and Eden’s Everdark

Here are two of the 2022 Cybils Middle Grade Speculative Fiction finalists, both with real problems but no real villains. Continue reading

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The Enemy is Fear Part 2: Etta Invincible by Reese Eschmann

This one is for fans of superheroes and puzzle mysteries. Etta Invincibleby  Reese Eschmann. Illustrated by Gretel Lusky Aladdin, 2022 ISBN 9781534468375 Read from a library copy.  Chicago girl Etta lives with Quiet Days, where her ears are filled with … Continue reading

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Magical Schools: Wildseed Witch and Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun

Here are two exciting new magical school books, both with kids at all-Black schools, one drawing on Louisiana’s Black history and one set in a futuristic Nigeria. Continue reading

Posted in Audiobook, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Sci-Fi | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

A Taste of Magic by J. Elle

Here’s a sparkling and delicious new story of a 12-year-old learning magic, baking and other secrets in her inner city neighborhood magic academy. Continue reading

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#MGReadathon Finish Line

Here’s my wrap-up, with reviews of It’s the End of the World and I’m in My Bathing Suit and Valentina Salazar is NOT a Monster Hunter. Continue reading

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Challenges, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton

Here’s a fantastic new magical school story from best-selling author Dhonielle Clayton. Continue reading

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5 Stories of Adventure & Change

Here’s a mix of books from the past couple of years, all sharing an element of change and adventure. Continue reading

Posted in Lists, Middle Grade, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment