Tag Archives: African-American

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 , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Magical Black Girls: A Song Below Water and Snapdragon

Posted on September 25, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two tales of girls coming to terms with their own magic, A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow and Snapdragon by Kat Leyh. Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Print, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

3 Tales of Kids Countering Prejudice with New Passions

Posted on September 16, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are three stories of kids working against prejudice to find pride in who they are, as well as learning new skills along the way, with books by Nikki Grimes, Alyssa Zaczek, and Jewell Parker Rhodes. Continue reading →

Posted in Middle Grade, Print, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Just South of Home by Karen Strong

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Katy K.

Just South of Home by Karen Strong, a spooky summer story with ties to African-American history, was perfect vacation reading this year. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

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

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Katy K.

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 , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Desk Tales: Front Desk and From the Desk of Zoe Washington

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Katy K.

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

3 for Teens: American Road Trip, You’d Be Mine, and Finding Yvonne

Posted on June 17, 2020 by Katy K.

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 →

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

Posted on May 20, 2020 by Katy K.

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 , , , , | 8 Comments

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

Posted on April 23, 2020 by Katy K.

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 , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Kids on Bikes: Ghost Squad and Ways to Make Sunshine

Posted on April 16, 2020 by Katy K.

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 , , , , , , , | 11 Comments