Tag Archives: youth audiobooks

3 Magical Journeys: The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams, The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto, and Hamra and the Jungle of Memories

Posted on June 17, 2023 by Katy K.

There are magical journeys galore in these new middle grade fantasies, including along the historical Silk Road, a possibly haunted present-day ranch, and the Indonesian jungle during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Continue reading →

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3 Fantasies about Bullying: The Insiders, Friend Me, and the Nightmare Thief

Posted on November 21, 2021 by Katy K.

As an empathic adult who was bullied as a child, bullying is always very painful for me to read about. But it happens all too frequently, and it is dishonest for adults to deny kids the opportunity to read about … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Sci-Fi | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Reading with My Son – the Middle School Years

Posted on March 23, 2021 by Katy K.

At a friend’s request, I put together a list of the audiobooks and read-alouds my son and I read together when he was in middle school. I hope you enjoy these as much as we did. Continue reading →

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Tristan Strong Destroys the World by Kwame Mbalia

Posted on November 5, 2020 by Katy K.

I read Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, the 2019 Cybils Middle Grade Speculative Fiction Winner, near the end of February this year… just a month out from what would have been KidLitCon had not 2020 intervened.  So … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Fantasy, Middle Grade | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Middle School beyond the Margins: Song for a Whale and Keep it Together, Keiko Carter

Posted on June 2, 2020 by Katy K.

These days, my work of trying to get books celebrating marginalized voices into kids’ hands seems too little, too slow.  I’m trying to find meaningful ways to support more current and active anti-racism work, while still keeping on with sharing … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Middle Grade, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Young Blerds: SLAY and My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich

Posted on April 23, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two more books from my Cybils TBR Read Down pile.  As the partner of someone who was usually one of just a few people of color at the local sci-fi conventions, I was so happy to see two books for young nerds of color like his younger self! Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Challenges, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Lost Girl by Anne Ursu

Posted on August 19, 2019 by Katy K.

I am breaking a trend – I just realized my last three books reviewed all had “dragon in the title.  Here’s another book that I was really looking forward to this year.  I first listened to it on my own … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade | Tagged , , , , | 6 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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The Lifters by David Eggers

Posted on December 16, 2018 by Katy K.

The Lifters by David Eggers. Read by Dion Graham. Listening Library, 2018. Granite Flowerpetal’s father named him Granite to be a strong name – but starting school in a new town, Granite has decided to try being Gran instead.  They’ve … Continue reading →

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Ice Wolves. Elementals Book 1

Posted on December 13, 2018 by Katy K.

One of the co-authors of the best-selling teen series The Illuminae Files kicks off an exciting new middle grade series. Ice Wolves. Elementals Book 1 by Amie Kaufman. Read by Jonathan McClain. HarperAudio, 2018. Twin street orphans Anders and Rayna … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments