Tag Archives: not quite middle grade

Seasonal Reads for Elementary Readers: Greta Grimsdark and the Normal New Neighbor and Holidays at the Castle

Posted on September 21, 2026 by Katy K.

Greta Grimsdark and the Normal New Neighbor by Haley Neil and Holidays at the Castle by Jessica Day George are two new books for younger readers, one with Halloween vibes and the other filled with winter holiday cheer. Continue reading →

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Engaging Chapter Books: The Mighty Macy, Raquel Reyes, The Avian Adventurers, and Heartwood Hotel

Posted on May 29, 2026 by Katy K.

I talk about three new chapter books and one older but very popular book – all aimed at about middle elementary school-aged kids, including books by Kwame Alexander, Angela Cervantes, Heidi E.Y. Stemple, and Kallie George. Continue reading →

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Unicorn Island: Beyond the Portal by Donna Galanti

Posted on April 19, 2023 by Katy K.

Read about the exciting finale to the Unicorn Island series, as spoiler free as I could make it. Continue reading →

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Fast & Funny with Cookies & Cakes: Ben Yokoyama and Winnie Zeng

Posted on February 4, 2023 by Katy K.

Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Doom by Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr and Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend by Katie Zhao are two fast and funny chapter to middle grade books that are sure to keep kids reading. Continue reading →

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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 , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Unicorn Island: Secret Beneath the Sand by Donna Galanti

Posted on April 27, 2022 by Katy K.

Thanks so much to Donna Galanti for sending me the second book in this appealing not-quite-middle-grade series.  Unicorn Island: Secret Beneath the Sand by Donna Galanti. Illustrated by Bethany Stancliffe. Epic!, 2022. Review copy kindly sent by the author.  Unicorn … Continue reading →

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Unicorn Island by Donna Galanti

Posted on February 22, 2021 by Katy K.

Here is a sweet and exciting fantasy for kids bridging up from early chapter books. Unicorn Island by Donna Galanti. Illustrated by Bethany Stancliffe. Epic!/Andrews McMeel, 2021. ISBN 978-1524864705. Review copy received from the publisher.   As the story opens, our … Continue reading →

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Planet Omar: Accidental Danger Magnet and Year of the Dog

Posted on May 15, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two funny and heartwarming books for the not-quite-middle-grade to middle grade set.  Accidental Danger Magnet by Zanib Mian is from my official #CybilsReadDown pile; The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin was purchased afterwards.   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

Creature of the Pines. Unicorn Rescue Society #1

Posted on October 10, 2018 by Katy K.

Here’s one of the titles from my Hopeful Cybils list. Creature of the Pines. Unicorn Rescue Society #1 by Adam Gidwitz and Hatem Aly. April 2018. Newbury Honor and Cybils winning author Gidwitz and illustrator Aly team up again after … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Fantasy, picture books, Print | Tagged , | 6 Comments