Tag Archives: African-American

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 →

Posted in books, Realistic, Romance, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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 , , , , | 9 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

Sadiq series by Siman Nuurali for Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020

Posted on January 31, 2020 by Katy K.

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020 (1/31/20) is in its 7th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Early Chapter Books, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Real-Life and Realistic Early Chapter Books

Posted on December 11, 2019 by Katy K.

Here are thoughts on some of the early chapter books I read this fall, any of which would make good gifts for the 7 to 9 year-olds on your holiday shopping list My Furry Foster Book 1: Truman the Dog … Continue reading →

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Finding the Best: the Good Luck Cat and Saturday

Posted on November 22, 2019 by Katy K.

Quick promotional announcement: registration for KidLitCon 2020 in Ann Arbor is now open!  And in case you missed the news, registration is free thanks to the generosity of the Ann Arbor District Library, so sign up today! Here are two picture … Continue reading →

Posted in books, picture books, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Blended by Sharon Draper

Posted on August 30, 2019 by Katy K.

Blended by Sharon Draper. Simon and Schuster Kids, 2018. 978-1442495005 11-year-old Isabella’s parents divorced when she was 6.  It’s always been hard, but since her dad moved back to Ohio and she’s splitting her time between two houses, it’s even … Continue reading →

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City Kids: Thank you, Omu! and Dragons in a Bag

Posted on August 2, 2019 by Katy K.

Here are some short takes on books with city settings for kids on the younger end of the spectrum.  Side note: both of these authors were at KidLitCon this year, and I had a lovely conversation with Zetta Elliott.   Thank … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Middle Grade, picture books | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Recent Teen Reading: My Lady Jane, Summer of Salt, On the Come Up

Posted on May 9, 2019 by Katy K.

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows. Read by Katherine Kellgren.  HarperCollins, 2016. Many people whose taste I trust said they enjoyed this book, plus it’s narrated by one of the best narrators ever, Katherine Kellgren, … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Print, Realistic, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments