Tag Archives: youth fantasy

4 Fantasy Series Starters for Kids: An Encantadora’s Guide to Monstros & Magic, The Genie Game, The Last Ember, and The Magic Library of Waterfall Way

Posted on July 23, 2026 by Katy K.

I’m sharing four new series starters here, posting as part of Marvelous Middle Grade Monday hosted by Greg at Always in the Middle. An Encantadora’s Guide to Monstros & Magic by Sarah J. Mendonca. Quill Tree Books, 2025. ISBN 978-1335012883. … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Sci-Fi | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

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

Posted on July 8, 2026 by Katy K.

My brief thoughts of the 11 books I read in July of 2025 – so many books I loved! Worth sharing, even a year late. Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Historical, Lists, Middle Grade, nonfiction, Print, Realistic, Romance, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Magic and Mental Health: Rialto and Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute

Posted on July 2, 2026 by Katy K.

On the surface, these two books don’t have much in common with each other. Rialto by Kate Milford is a contemporary middle grade fantasy book with all of the magic weaving in and out of everyday life that I’d expect … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews, Romance, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in books, Early Chapter Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

3 Fantasy Graphic Novels for Kids: Camp Monster, Goat Magic, and the Space Cat

Posted on May 5, 2026 by Katy K.

Here are three different takes on fantasy/sci-fi adventures for kids in graphic novel format. Misunderstandings and pranks take the lead in Camp Monster; a princess in exile needs the help of goats and their herder in Goat Magic, and a cat has multiple funny/serious adventures with aliens in The Space Cat. Continue reading →

Posted in books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Reviews, Sci-Fi | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in books, Fantasy, Middle Grade | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

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

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 →

Posted in books, Fantasy, Lists, Middle Grade | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in books, Middle Grade | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Historical, Lists, Middle Grade, nonfiction, Print, Realistic, Romance, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments