Tag Archives: youth fantasy

Just South of Home by Karen Strong

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Katy K.

Just South of Home by Karen Strong, a spooky summer story with ties to African-American history, was perfect vacation reading this year. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Magical Middle School: 12 Speculative Fiction School Stories

Posted on July 23, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are twelve tales of magic at middle school – you only wish your school were this exciting! Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Lists, Middle Grade, Sci-Fi | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

The Girl and the Witch’s Garden and Catalyst

Posted on July 21, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two new middle grade fantasies that appear light on the surface, but address serious issues underneath – The Girl and the Witch’s Garden by Erin Bowman and Catalyst by Sarah Beth Durst. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Sequels: The Jumbie God’s Revenge and Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two great middle grade speculative fiction sequels – The Jumbie God’s Revenge by Tracey Baptiste and Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe by Carlos Hernandez – the first of which is the selection for the current round of the Generations Book Club from the Brown Bookshelf. Continue reading →

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

3 Atmospheric Middle Grade Fantasies

Posted on June 12, 2020 by Katy K.

The clock is ticking on the #CybilsReadDown, so as I’ve once again been reading faster than I can review, I’m going to jump back to try to finish up some of the books that I read early on in quarantine.   … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Thief Knot by Kate Milford

Posted on June 5, 2020 by Katy K.

The Thief Knot by Kate Milford is a welcome return to the world of Greenglass House, an urgent mystery set in the last few days before school lets out for the summer. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Mystery, Print | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Beautiful Fantasies: Mulan: Before the Sword and A Wish in the Dark

Posted on May 21, 2020 by Katy K.

Here are two recent middle grade fantasies that both feature thoughtful main characters involved in epic adventures.  I’m reviewing them together because of that similarity, but hey, it’s Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, so if you’re still looking for a book to read to celebrate, both of these are excellent choices. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Challenges, Fantasy, Historical, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Enjoying What Is: Paladin’s Grace and Iron Hearted Violet

Posted on May 12, 2020 by Katy K.

It’s so easy to make things harder for ourselves by focusing on the way we think things should be, rather than the way things really are.  Here are two stories (Paladin’s Grace for adults, Iron Hearted Violet for kids) about … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Romance | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

The Chaos Curse by Sayantani DasGupta.

Posted on May 11, 2020 by Katy K.

So far (as usual), I’m doing a better job of keeping up with reading than reviewing for my #CybilsReadDown challenge.  I have Charlotte of Charlotte’s Library to thank for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of this again, though it came out … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Challenges, Fantasy, Format, Genre, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

The Bromeliad Trilogy by Terry Pratchett

Posted on April 27, 2020 by Katy K.

I have been deliberately reading Terry Pratchett’s prodigious work just one or two a year, saving them for hard times.  It felt like a pandemic definitely counts as time to pull out the comfort reads!  The Bromeliad Trilogy was first published 1989-1990. Continue reading →

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