Tag Archives: monsters

Cozy Middle Grade Fantasies: The Lost Library and the House of the Lost on the Cape

Posted on November 12, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are two lovely, cozy Cybils-nominated middle grade fantasy books that are perfect for reading aloud as well as solo. Remarkably, both of them achieve this while being set in the aftermath of significantly traumatic events – and both have … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 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 , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Enemy is Fear: the Clackity by Lora Senf

Posted on November 30, 2022 by Katy K.

The Clackity by Lora Senf is a delightfully creepy book to please fans of both contemporary and classic fantasy horror. Continue reading →

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

Terrifying Monsters: Let the Monster Out and Secret of the Shadow Beasts

Posted on October 14, 2022 by Katy K.

Here are two books for the fall season, where two group of kids must fight very different monsters in very different ways. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Monsters of Rookhaven by Pádraig Kenny

Posted on December 22, 2021 by Katy K.

A fantasy from Irish author Pádraig Kenny that strikes a balance between scary, adventuresome, and thoughtful. Continue reading →

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

Leaving Safety: The Magnificent Monsters of Cedar Street and Cleo Porter and the Body Electric

Posted on December 22, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two stories of girls – one past, one future – leaving the safety of their homes for the first time, and the adventures that follow. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Reviews, Sci-Fi | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Malamander and Gargantis

Posted on June 3, 2020 by Katy K.

Continuing on with important topics, Rosemary at Mom Read it put together a great list of anti-racism resources from multiple places, while author Shanna Miles put together list of Black Kids Living books, saying on Twitter “Buy a book about … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Challenges, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The Adventurers Guild

Posted on December 22, 2017 by Katy K.

The Adventurers Guild by Zack Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos. Disney Hyperion, 2017. Zed is a servant’s son, half-elf in a city where that’s a much bigger deal than his fawn-colored skin.  His best friend is Brock, a wealthy merchant’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Reviews | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Journey across the Hidden Islands by Sarah Beth Durst

Posted on November 8, 2017 by Katy K.

I was so excited when an author from my Top 10 Fantasy Authors I’ve Never Read list popped up on the Cybils nominations this year!  Sarah Beth Durst writes mostly YA – I understand this is her first middle grade … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Reviews | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

The Princess in Black

Posted on December 26, 2014 by Katy K.

I’m hoping to do a longer post on the holiday books soon, but here’s the prose book we gave my daughter yesterday. The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale. Illustrated by LeUyen Pham. Candlewick, 2014. Princess Magnolia … Continue reading →

Posted in Books | Tagged , , | 4 Comments