Tag Archives: award winners

Moving Verse Novels for Young Readers: A Sea of Lemon Trees and Octopus Moon

Posted on April 8, 2026 by Katy K.

I picked both of these books up because of the awards – honors for both the Newbery and the Pura Belpre awards for A Sea of Lemon Trees and a Schneider Family Award for representation of disability for Octopus Moon. … Continue reading →

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Buzzworthy Historical Books for Young Readers: Red River Rose, Where Only Storms Grow, and The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli

Posted on March 12, 2026 by Katy K.

Here are three recent and much-talked about middle grade historical fiction titles. Red River Rose is just coming out this month (March 2026) and has gotten multiple starred reviews. The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli won a Newbery … Continue reading →

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Magic and Secrets: The Ink Witch, Farrah Noorzad and the Realm of Nightmares, and Scarlet Morning

Posted on February 26, 2026 by Katy K.

Here are three fantasy books where kids uncover secrets and find that solving their personal problems might just help the larger world as well. The Ink Witch by Steph Cherrywell. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2025. ISBN 978-0316585941. Read … Continue reading →

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Honor Books: Yonder by Ali Standish and Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Katy K.

Yonder by Ali Standish and Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango are two beautiful, reflective books that both won honors this year. Continue reading →

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Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Posted on May 18, 2022 by Katy K.

Here’s a beautiful and chewy historical novel that lives up to its slew of awards – a Cybils Young Adult Fiction finalist in addition to the four pictured on the cover. Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo. … Continue reading →

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Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger

Posted on April 7, 2021 by Katy K.

Elatsoe is a ground-breaking contemporary teen fantasy that blends the new with Lipan Apache traditions. Continue reading →

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2020 Cybils Finalists and Ones that Got Away

Posted on January 6, 2021 by Katy K.

Here is the list of official Cybils finalists in my category, Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction – as well as a list of personal favorites that didn’t make it to this round. Continue reading →

Posted in books, Lists, Middle Grade | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

2019 Newberys: Merci Suárez Changes Gears and The Night Diary

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Katy K.

Here are reviews of this year’s Newbery and Newbery honor books.  I had read just one of these when it first came out, The Book of Boy by Catherine Gilbert Murdock.  And shout-out to my blogging friend Sondy at Sonderbooks, … Continue reading →

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You’re Welcome, Universe by Whitney Gardner

Posted on June 11, 2018 by Katy K.

Once again, a book winning an award – in this case the Schneider Family Award – pushed me from meaning to read it someday to actually doing so. You’re Welcome, Universe by Whitney Gardner. Random House Teens, 2017. Julia believes … Continue reading →

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Short Takes: House of Shadows, Girl Who Drank the Moon, Furthermore

Posted on May 19, 2017 by Katy K.

Every so often, I realize that I am reading faster than I can write reviews.  Time passes, my friends, and I cannot seem to make more of it no matter how hard I try.   So here is an exercise in … Continue reading →

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