Tag Archives: Florida

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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Strange Birds: a Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers

Posted on June 26, 2021 by Katy K.

Strange Birds: a Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers by Celia C. Pérez. is a Scout-flavored book of friendship during a Florida summer for young activists. Continue reading →

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Adventures with Charlie Hernández

Posted on September 11, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are the first two books in a new contemporary mythology-based series perfect for Rick Riordan fans, the Charlie Hernandez series by Ryan Calejo. Continue reading →

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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 →

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Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez

Posted on May 8, 2019 by Katy K.

Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez. Rick Riordan Presents/Disney Hyperion, 2019. The story starts with the raw chicken in the locker.  Sal put it there, to get bully Yasmany off his case in hopes of making it … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

Boys of Blur

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Katy K.

Here is an intoxicating blend of Beowulf with the Everglades and football, three things that sounded incongruous but came together beautifully. Boys of Blur by N.D. Wilson. Random House, 2014. Charlie has just moved to swampy Taper, Florida (pop. 6000) … Continue reading →

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