Tag Archives: youth fantasy

Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Posted on October 26, 2020 by Katy K.

Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia is a dark but funny tale of monsters of Mexican myth and the preteens who battle them to rescue their friends perfect for your Halloween reading. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Magic, Friendship and Community: Muse Squad, Weird Little Robots, If We Were Giants

Posted on October 23, 2020 by Katy K.

Every September before Cybils nominations open, I look around for eligible books that I can read in the meantime.  Here are three that I enjoyed that were not nominated, though there are still a few days for their publishers or … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Last Mirror on the Left by Lamar Giles

Posted on October 19, 2020 by Katy K.

I’m very excited to be celebrating the release of the second book in Lamar Giles’ Legendary Alston Boys series, which began last year with The Last Last Day of Summer. Continue reading →

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New Looks at the Past: The Forgotten Girl and Thunder Run

Posted on October 7, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two stories of friendship that ask the reader to take a new look at the past – The Forgotten Girl by India Hill Brown and Thunder Run. Dactyl Hill Squad Book 3 by Daniel José Older. Continue reading →

Posted in books, Fantasy, Historical, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Top 13 Books I Missed Reviewing in the Past Year for Top 10 Tuesday

Posted on September 29, 2020 by Katy K.

Because I couldn’t pick just 10, here are the top 13 books I read over the past year and didn’t write full reviews of for Top Ten Tuesday. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, books, Early Chapter Books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Lists, Middle Grade, Mystery, Print, Realistic, Sci-Fi | Tagged , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Magical Black Girls: A Song Below Water and Snapdragon

Posted on September 25, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two tales of girls coming to terms with their own magic, A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow and Snapdragon by Kat Leyh. Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Print, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Adventures with Charlie Hernández

Posted on September 11, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are the first two books in a new contemporary mythology-based series perfect for Rick Riordan fans, the Charlie Hernandez series by Ryan Calejo. Continue reading →

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

Summer and Winter: Stepping Stones and Midwinter Witch

Posted on September 8, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two graphic novels my daughter and I have been enjoying – Stepping Stones by Lucy Knisley and the Midwinter Witch by Molly Know Ostertag Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

12 Middle Grade Books for Fans of Role-Playing Games

Posted on September 5, 2020 by Katy K.

Every so often I come across books that feel like they would make a great start to a role-playing game. I love the collaborative story-telling they encourage. And while the fantasy dungeons of Dungeons & Dragons are where it started, any setting with an ensemble cast and the possibility for adventure will do. Continue reading →

Posted in books, Fantasy, Lists, Middle Grade, Mystery, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Homerooms & Hall Passes by Tom O’Donnell

Posted on September 2, 2020 by Katy K.

My library purchased this book when it was named a Cybils finalist in January this year.  I was trying to read all the middle grade speculative fiction finalists, of course, as it was the first year in awhile I hadn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments