Tag Archives: African-American

The Cookie Crumbles by Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow

Posted on June 11, 2024 by Katy K.

In this closed-building mystery, two best friends must work together to identify the criminal behind an attempted murder before one of them is unjustly blamed for it – or the would-be murderer strikes again. Continue reading →

Posted in Middle Grade, Mystery, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Cybils Middle Grade Fiction Finalists

Posted on April 27, 2024 by Katy K.

I have slowly been working my way through the Cybils finalists by category (my favorite categories, besides the one where I’m a panelist.) I’ve finally finished the middle grade fiction finalists, and am including my brief thoughts here. The Cybils … Continue reading →

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

My Top 12 Posts #9 – Bud, Not Buddy and The Mighty Miss Malone

Posted on March 27, 2024 by Katy K.

In celebration of my 20th blogiversary, I’m reblogging the posts that have gotten the most views in the time they’ve been published. Here we have #9, a post that has gotten regular hits every year since I published it in … Continue reading →

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Haunted Houses: Finch House and Nightmare House

Posted on October 21, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are two stories of kids standing up to haunted houses and the horrors behind them – one more action-oriented and the other more introspective. Both of these books have been nominated for the Cybils Award, and these reviews reflect … Continue reading →

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

Back to Magic School: a Middle Grade Book List

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are nine stories of kids going to magic schools – some delightful and some horrifying. Continue reading →

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

For Real: Nikhil Out Loud, On Air with Zoe Washington, and The Many Masks of Andy Zhou

Posted on September 13, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are three realistic middle grade books I’ve enjoyed recently, from Maulik Pancholy, Janae Marks, and Jack Cheng Continue reading →

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Time Travel Trio: A Spoonful of Time, the Carrefour Curse, and the the Rhythm of Time

Posted on July 28, 2023 by Katy K.

Three recent middle grade time travel books, each to please a different reading personality. Continue reading →

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

BLOG TOUR: Conjure Island by Eden Royce

Posted on June 29, 2023 by Katy K.

Join me on the blog tour for CONJURE ISLAND by Eden Royce, set in a magical school I’d love to visit. Continue reading →

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

Speculation by Nisi Shawl

Posted on June 9, 2023 by Katy K.

Magic spectacles and a bookish girl discovering family secrets combine to make Speculation by Nisi Shawl one of my very favorite books of the year so far.  Continue reading →

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

Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas

Posted on May 13, 2023 by Katy K.

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

Posted in Books, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment