Tag Archives: youth fantasy

Hour of the Bees

Posted on March 21, 2017 by Katy K.

I’m celebrating Latin@ books this week, today with lyrical and leisurely middle grade fantasy Hour of the Bees by Lindsay Eagar. Continue reading →

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Shadow Magic by Joshua Khan

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Katy K.

The winner of this year’s Middle Grade Speculative Fiction Cybils Award! Shadow Magic by Joshua Khan. Disney-Hyperion, 2016. Young Thorn, after a series of events gone wrong that are slowly disclosed to the reader, is up for sale as a … Continue reading →

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Evil Wizard Smallbone

Posted on February 17, 2017 by Katy K.

Today, a review of a Cybils Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction finalist. The Evil Wizard Smallbone by Delia Sherman. Candlewick, 2017. Nick Reynaud’s life has been harsh since his mother died, leaving him in the hands of his uncle and cousin Jerry, … Continue reading →

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Me and Marvin Gardens and Ninja Librarians: The Sword in the Stacks

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Katy K.

Here are two recent middle grade books that I was inspired to read by Kidlitcon, as both of these authors were there. Me and Marvin Gardens by Amy Sarig King. Arthur A. Levine Books, January 31, 2017. I received this … Continue reading →

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Rebellion of Thieves

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Katy K.

Rebellion of Thieves. Robyn Hoodlum Book 2 by Kekla Magoon. Bloomsbury, 2016. The adventures of Robyn Hoodlum, a Robin Hood for a dystopian future which began in Shadows of Sherwood continue!  Robyn’s done a great job of spreading awareness of … Continue reading →

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3 Middle Grade Fantasies: the Left-Handed Fate, Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, When the Sea Turned to Silver

Posted on December 19, 2016 by Katy K.

The Left-Handed Fate by Kate Milford. Illustrated by Eliza Wheeler. Henry Holt, 2016. It’s a little hard for me to review this books in part because of how deeply I fell for it.  The year is 1812, and Lucy, the … Continue reading →

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War: The Lost Heir and Guts and Glory: WWII

Posted on November 17, 2016 by Katy K.

My Cybils audiobook listening continues with two middle grade books about war, one fantasy with dragons and one historical. Continue reading →

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2 Diverse Audiobooks -The Inquisitor’s Tale & Momotaro: Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters

Posted on November 16, 2016 by Katy K.

In which I review two action-packed, Cybils-nominated middle grade audiobooks, The Inquisitor’s Tale by Adam Gidwitz and Momotaro: Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters by Margaret Dilloway Continue reading →

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4 Mostly Fantasy Children’s Classics

Posted on October 12, 2016 by Katy K.

Here are four classic children’s books that I explored recently – the first two on audio with my children. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien. Narrated by Barbara Caruso.  Print Atheneum, 1971. Audio Recorded Books, … Continue reading →

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Escape from Wolfhaven Castle. The Impossible Quest 1.

Posted on August 24, 2016 by Katy K.

This is the first book of a five book fantasy series from Australia, each of them short enough not to be overwhelming to new readers, while still having enough depth of plot and character not to be underwhelming to struggling or reluctant middle grade readers. Continue reading →

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