Tag Archives: youth fiction

The Willow Falls series by Wendy Mass

Posted on April 12, 2017 by

Last year, my library started subscribing to a digital service called hoopla.  As I was browsing through the children’s audiobook selection, I found a 2009 Cybils finalist – from before I started following the Cybils, but had wanted to go … Continue reading →

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Stef Soto, Taco Queen

Posted on March 20, 2017 by

A rare upbeat but realistic view of middle great in Stef Soto, Taco Queen by Jennifer Torres. Continue reading →

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Towers Falling

Posted on February 23, 2017 by

I was interested to see what the author of Cybils finalist Bayou Magic would do with the topic of September 11, just recently far enough in the past for students to need to learn about it in school. Towers Falling … Continue reading →

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Two Naomis

Posted on February 13, 2017 by

Tomorrow is Cybils Day!  I’m still reading finalists at home and am happy to report that my daughter gave two thumbs up to Early Chapter Books Finalists Weekends with Max and His Dad by Linda Urban. Thanks once again to … Continue reading →

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#WNDB Wednesday: the Treasure of Maria Mamoun and Summer Showers

Posted on November 30, 2016 by

An island mystery – and cupcakes for the county fair. What could be better? The Treasure of Maria Mamoun by Michelle Chalfoun and Summer Showers. Cupcake Cousins Number 2 by Kate Hannigan. Continue reading →

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The Birchbark House and The Game of Silence

Posted on November 23, 2016 by

For the past 14 years, I have recommended this series to every family that’s come to me asking for something to read after reading the Little House books. This year, I finally started the series myself.  I am so glad … 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

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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Inside Out & Back Again

Posted on September 16, 2016 by

Thanhha Lai’s beautiful novel-in-verse tells the story of a girl’s journey from Vietnam to America. Continue reading →

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School Stories: Booked and Spirit Week Showdown

Posted on September 10, 2016 by

Booked by Kwame Alexander. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016. In Alexander’s second sports-and-life novel in verse after Newbury-winning The Crossover, middle schooler Nick loves soccer more than anything.  Except possibly his best friend Coby, now playing on a rival team, and … Continue reading →

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Diversity on the Shelf- July Update

Posted on August 21, 2016 by

My July reading included 5 mostly middle grade books by authors of color and three YA and adult books with main characters of color. Continue reading →

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