Tag Archives: Jewish

Middle School Betrayals: A Field Guide to Broken Promises and A Split Second

Posted on May 16, 2025 by Katy K.

A Field Guide to Broken Promises and A Split Second are two moving stories of middle school girls blindsided by betrayals from friends and sometimes family, each with a slight speculative twist Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Max in the House of Spies by Adam Gidwitz

Posted on July 27, 2024 by Katy K.

Max in the House of Spies by Adam Gidwitz is a tale of WWII trials that’s clear-eyed, nuanced, and funny. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Historical, Print | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Monsters and Murder: Between Monsters and Marvels and Don’t Want to Be Your Monster

Posted on October 25, 2023 by Katy K.

Today I have for you two stories of monsters that, while taking readers along on adventures to solve murders, also ask them to question who the real monsters are. Between Monsters and Marvels by Alyssa Wishingrad. HarperCollins, 2023. ISBN 978-0063244870.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Books | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

BLOG TOUR: The Witch of Woodland by Laurel Snyder

Posted on May 26, 2023 by Katy K.

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for the Witch of Woodland by Laurel Snyder, a fantastic story of a girl who’s more certain of her identity as a witch than as a Jew – and the magic that changes everything. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

3 Cybils YA Speculative Fiction Finalists

Posted on April 29, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are reviews of three of the 2022 Cybils YA Spec Fic finalists – From Dust, a Flame by Rebecca Podos, See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon., and How to Succeed in Witchcraft by Aislinn Brophy. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Reviews, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

A Half-Built Garden by Ruthanna Emrys

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Katy K.

Here’s a dire and hopeful story of climate crisis and first contact that’s sticking with me months after I read it. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Reviews, Sci-Fi | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Button Box by Bridget Hodder and Fawzia Gilani-William

Posted on November 22, 2022 by Katy K.

For the younger middle grade set comes this exciting time travel adventure set in early medieval Morocco. Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Historical, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

3 More Cybils Middle Grade Fiction Finalists

Posted on April 6, 2022 by Katy K.

Onwards with my reading of this year’s Cybils middle grade fiction finalists with reviews of Thanks a Lot, Universe by Chad Lucas, A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus and Linked by Gordon Korman! Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Historical, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Ripped Away by Shirley Vernick

Posted on April 5, 2022 by Katy K.

Here’s a new middle grade book combination of true crime, time travel, and historical fiction is sure to keep you turning the pages! Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Four 2021 Cybils Middle Grade Graphic Novel Finalists

Posted on February 16, 2022 by Katy K.

Here are short reviews of four of the seven finalists in the elementary/middle grade graphic novel category of the 2021 Cybils Awards, including Borders, Chunky, Jukebox, and Salt Magic. Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Historical, Middle Grade, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments