Tag Archives: youth fiction

Mañanaland by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Posted on October 30, 2020 by

Pam Muñoz Ryan, the author of Esperanza Rising and Echo, returns with Mañanaland, a Cybils nominee that falls right on the border of realism and fantasy. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Daring Darleen, Queen of the Screen by Anne Nesbet

Posted on October 5, 2020 by

A silent movie action star finds adventure crossing over into her real life in Daring Darleen, Queen of the Screen by Anne Nesbet. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Historical, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

Posted on September 29, 2020 by

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 , , , , , , | 11 Comments

3 Tales of Kids Countering Prejudice with New Passions

Posted on September 16, 2020 by

Here are three stories of kids working against prejudice to find pride in who they are, as well as learning new skills along the way, with books by Nikki Grimes, Alyssa Zaczek, and Jewell Parker Rhodes. Continue reading →

Posted in Middle Grade, Print, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Summer and Winter: Stepping Stones and Midwinter Witch

Posted on September 8, 2020 by

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 →

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12 Middle Grade Books for Fans of Role-Playing Games

Posted on September 5, 2020 by

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 , , , , , | 6 Comments

Seventh Grade Switch: The First Rule of Punk and Roll with It

Posted on July 10, 2020 by

Here are two stories of two seventh-grade kids finding their way in new schools. The First Rule of Punk is a Pura Belpré honor book, and Roll with It is a 2019 Cybils finalist.   The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. … Continue reading →

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

Desk Tales: Front Desk and From the Desk of Zoe Washington

Posted on June 30, 2020 by

Two kids deal with friendships and take stands for social justice in stories that draw from real-life problems, Front Desk by Kelly Yang and From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks.   Continue reading →

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In the Dakotas: Apple in the Middle and Prairie Lotus

Posted on June 24, 2020 by

Here are two stories of girls growing up in the Dakotas – one modern and one in the past. Apple in the Middle by Dawn Quigley. NDSU, 2018. 9781946163073. Read from library copy. Dawn Quigley would have been one of … Continue reading →

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Malamander and Gargantis

Posted on June 3, 2020 by

Continuing on with important topics, Rosemary at Mom Read it put together a great list of anti-racism resources from multiple places, while author Shanna Miles put together list of Black Kids Living books, saying on Twitter “Buy a book about … Continue reading →

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