Tag Archives: youth fiction

The Other Side of the River by Alda P. Dobbs

Posted on September 23, 2022 by Katy K.

This freshly imagined story of an immigrant girl, taking off from the author’s grandmother’s story, is filled with determination, hard-won joy, as well as hope and humor. Continue reading →

How to Be Brave by Daisy May Johnson

Posted on August 24, 2022 by Katy K.

Here’s a smart, modern British boarding school story, packed with humor, friendships, footnotes, bravery and British baked goods. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged adventure, boarding school, Mystery, school fiction, youth fiction | 2 Comments

Maizy Chen’s Last Chance by Lisa Yee

Posted on August 12, 2022 by Katy K.

A city girl explores her Chinese-American roots and gets to know her grandparents and the small Minnesota town her ancestor made home in this funny and heartwarming story. Continue reading →

Posted in Books | Tagged Asian-American, Chinese-American, Minnesota, restaurants, youth fiction | 3 Comments

Pepper’s Rules for Secret Sleuthing by Briana McDonald

Posted on August 12, 2022 by Katy K.

I have finally gotten around to reading my daughter’s absolute favorite mystery book. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Middle Grade, Mystery, Print | Tagged LGBTQ, Mystery, youth fiction | Leave a comment

Those Kids from Fawn Creek, Answers in the Pages, and Zia Erases the World

Posted on July 29, 2022 by Katy K.

Here are shorter reviews of three more books I checked out for the #MGReadathon. Continue reading →

Posted in Middle Grade | Tagged censorship, depression, LGBTQ, mental health, Middle Grade, middle school fiction, youth fantasy, youth fiction | Leave a comment

5 Stories of Adventure & Change

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Katy K.

Here’s a mix of books from the past couple of years, all sharing an element of change and adventure. Continue reading →

Posted in Lists, Middle Grade, Reviews | Tagged African-American, Asian-American, California, Middle Grade, music, New York City, Oregon, youth fiction | 1 Comment

3 More Cybils Middle Grade Fiction Finalists

Posted on April 6, 2022 by Katy K.

Onwards with my reading of this year’s Cybils middle grade fiction finalists with reviews of Thanks a Lot, Universe by Chad Lucas, A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus and Linked by Gordon Korman! Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Historical, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged Canada, Colorado, Cybils, England, Jewish, LGBTQ, Middle Grade, world war ii, youth fiction | 2 Comments

3 Cybils Middle Grade Fiction Finalists

Posted on February 25, 2022 by Katy K.

Here are three more outstanding books in my read-through of 2021 Cybils Finalists – Finding Junie Kim by Ellen Oh, Many Points of Me by Caroline Gertler, and Violets are Blue by Barbara Dee.
Continue reading →

Posted in Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged Asian-American, bullying, Cybils 2021, Korean-American, middle school fiction, New York City, youth fiction | 5 Comments

Interview with Joy Jones

Posted on October 8, 2021 by Katy K.

I have a treat for you today, my friends – an interview with author Joy Jones, in honor of the paperback release of her book, Jayla Jumps In. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged African-American, author interview, Joy Jones, Middle Grade, Washington D.C., youth fiction | 2 Comments

The Power of Kindness: Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls and Flight of the Puffin

Posted on July 5, 2021 by Katy K.

In both the fantasy Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls by Kaela Rivera and the realistic story Flight of the Puffin by Ann Braden, kindness is the secret power that wins the day. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged Ann Braden, deserts, heartwarming, homelessness, Kaela Rivera, Latinx, LGBTQ, Mexican-American, Vermont, youth fantasy, youth fiction | 6 Comments