Tag Archives: youth fantasy

11 Girl-Led Read-alouds for 4/5 Grade

Posted on May 27, 2016 by Katy K.

Not so long ago, I got into a conversation with my son’s teacher about boys and books and how often our culture sends them the message that it’s not OK for them to read books about girls.  She was definitely … Continue reading →

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A Plague of Bogles by Catherine Jinks

Posted on May 16, 2016 by Katy K.

This is me catching up with series – a wonderful import from Australia that deserves more notice. A Plague of Bogles. City of Orphans Book 2 by Catherine Jinks. Read by Mandy Williams. Listening Library, Random House, 2015. Published in … Continue reading →

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Secrets of the Dragon Tomb

Posted on April 25, 2016 by Katy K.

I’m sure I first heard about this book through Stephanie Burgis’s Livejournal page – and I’m glad I did, because steampunk on Mars is right up my alley.  This book made it to my Top 10 Middle Grade Fantasies That … Continue reading →

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Top 10 Middle Grade Fantasies That Make Me Laugh out Loud

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Katy K.

It’s Tuesday! And once again, those friends to book lovers everywhere over at the Broke and the Bookish have come up with another great theme, perhaps in honor of April being National Humor month. There is nothing like a funny … Continue reading →

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Top 12 Middle Grade Fantasies for Diverse Readers

Posted on April 13, 2016 by Katy K.

Top 10 Tuesday is hosted by the good folk at the Broke and the Bookish.  The theme this week is “Top 10 Books for X”. It’s been two years since the start of the #WeNeedDiverseBooks campaign brought everyone’s attention to … Continue reading →

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A Pocket Full of Murder

Posted on February 20, 2016 by Katy K.

A Pocket Full of Murder by R.J. Anderson. Simon and Schuster, 2015. Isaveth is trying her hand at baking spells from her mother’s old recipe. If she gets them right, they’ll be better quality than the factory-made spells, and she … Continue reading →

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Moon Rising, Valiant, and The Toymaker’s Apprentice

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Katy K.

There are only a few more weeks until the Cybils winners will be announced!  I’ve been reading finalists in other categories trying to prepare, and I’ll try to get reviews of those up soon.  In the meantime, here are more … Continue reading →

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The Forgotten Sisters and Nomad

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Katy K.

I always have the best of intentions about reviewing all my Cybils books as I read them – but I’m still behind.  Here are a couple more middle grade fantasy books from my December reading, both sequels in beloved series. … Continue reading →

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Ones that got away: 10 favorite 2015 MG Spec Fic books

Posted on January 8, 2016 by Katy K.

Cybils judges are allowed to put a maximum of seven books on the shortlist (otherwise it isn’t a short, manageable list.) Here’s what the middle grade speculative fiction committee picked this year: Bayou Magic by Jewell Parker Rhodes Castle Hangnail by Ursula … Continue reading →

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Twofer: I’m with Cupid and Shadows of Sherwood

Posted on December 27, 2015 by Katy K.

I’m with Cupid by Anna Staniszewski. Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2015. Marcus and Lena are middle school-aged matchmaker and soul collector, with both the strengths and the weaknesses to fit these skills.  Lena likes life to be neatly organized, enjoys being able … Continue reading →

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