Tag Archives: youth fantasy

Guest Post: Isabelle Knight on “Why Middle Grade?”

Posted on March 8, 2026 by Katy K.

Author Isabelle Knight answers the question, “What is it about middle-grade books, like Greenglass House, Nevermoor, or Harry Potter, that I love so dearly?” Continue reading →

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Magic and Secrets: The Ink Witch, Farrah Noorzad and the Realm of Nightmares, and Scarlet Morning

Posted on February 26, 2026 by Katy K.

Here are three fantasy books where kids uncover secrets and find that solving their personal problems might just help the larger world as well. The Ink Witch by Steph Cherrywell. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2025. ISBN 978-0316585941. Read … Continue reading →

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Top 14 Percy Jackson Read-Alikes for Young Readers

Posted on February 25, 2026 by Katy K.

Here are 14 fresh tales of modern-day kids and their misadventures with mythology from around the world for fans of Percy Jackson. Continue reading →

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Crossing Magical Borders: 3 Middle Grade Fantasies

Posted on February 18, 2026 by Katy K.

Three engaging children’s books, each featuring unique protagonists exploring magical worlds. “The Forgotten Summer of Seneca” centers on Rowan, who discovers a portal to a magical village. “Vanya and the Wild Hunt” follows a girl navigating her magical lineage. “Nox Winters and the Stygian Serpent” sees Nox confronting unresolved family ties in a fantasy realm. Continue reading →

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Monthly Reading Round-Up Middle Grade-Adult: December 2025

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Katy K.

Share some cozy winter reads with me in my December round-up, featuring books from picture book through adult on themes as varied as ADHD, Indigenous culture, and cozy fantasy and sci-fi. With books by Jashar Awan, Penn and Kim Holderness, Dawn Quigley, Kim Normanton, Angeline Boulley, Lewis Hancox, Trung Le Nguyen, Mary Robinette Kowal, M. Stevenson, Charlotte E. English, Leslye Penelope, Lynn Strong., Malka Older, George Takei, and more. Continue reading →

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Monthly Book Round-Up Middle Grade-Adult: November 2025

Posted on December 5, 2025 by Katy K.

Brief thoughts on the books I read in November, including books by Tanita S. Davis, Alexandra Villasante, C.B. Lee, Mackenzi Lee, Maggie Stiefvater, and Rebecca Thorne. Continue reading →

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Monthly Book Round-Up: June 2025

Posted on August 27, 2025 by Katy K.

My brief thoughts on the books I read in June – so many books I loved! These are mostly fantasy as usual, with a smattering of contemporary middle grade, adult romance, and one historical teen book. Continue reading →

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Monthly Book Round-Up Middle Grade-Adult: May 2025

Posted on June 23, 2025 by Katy K.

My brief thoughts of the 15 books I read in May – from middle grade to adult, including lots of fantasy, some romance, and one deeply thoughtful nonfiction title. Continue reading →

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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 →

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Monthly Book Round-Up Middle Grade-Adult: April 2025

Posted on May 9, 2025 by Katy K.

My brief thoughts of the 14 books I read in April, including three re-reads of beloved books. Continue reading →

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