Tag Archives: African-American

Summer Camp Scares: It Came from the Trees and The Last Rhee Witch

Posted on November 11, 2024 by Katy K.

These two excellently terrifying Cybils-nominated books for middle grade readers set duriing summer camping trips. Continue reading →

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Blog Tour: THE CREEPENING OF DOGWOOD HOUSE

Posted on August 14, 2024 by Katy K.

Join me for the blog tour of Eden Royce’s latest book, THE CREEPENING OF DOGWOOD HOUSE, featuring hair horror and an old and magical house. Continue reading →

Posted in books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon

Posted on August 3, 2024 by Katy K.

The discovery of a hidden library full of secrets takes 12-year-old Dally on adventures through over a century of her family’s history in this thought-provoking adventure. Continue reading →

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Interview with Illustrator Bea Jackson: Creating Joyful Art for SUMMER IS HERE

Posted on June 22, 2024 by Katy K.

Read on for an interview with Bea Jackson, the illustrator of the gorgeous new book SUMMER IS HERE by Renée Watson (of Piecing Me Together and Ways to Make Sunshine), as well as the best-selling PARKER LOOKS UP! As you all … Continue reading →

Posted in books, picture books, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

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 , , , , , , , | 3 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 →

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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 →

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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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