Tag Archives: youth fiction

Monthly Book Round-Up Middle Grade-Adult: May 2025

My brief thoughts of the 15 books I read in May – from middle grade to adult, including lots of fantasy, some romance, and one deeply thoughtful nonfiction title. Continue reading

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Middle School Betrayals: A Field Guide to Broken Promises and A Split Second

A Field Guide to Broken Promises and A Split Second are two moving stories of middle school girls blindsided by betrayals from friends and sometimes family, each with a slight speculative twist Continue reading

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Monthly Book Round-Up Middle Grade-Adult: April 2025

My brief thoughts of the 14 books I read in April, including three re-reads of beloved books. Continue reading

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Historical, Lists, Middle Grade, nonfiction, Print, Realistic, Romance, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Exploring Grief and Growth in ‘The Trouble with Heroes’

Here’s a moving story in verse that includes mountains, blisters, many varieties of chocolate-chip cookies, and finding the space for the main character to reevaluate and come to terms with his deceased first responder father as the pure hero that other people see him as and the more complicated person he was in real life. Continue reading

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Exploring Queer Joy in ‘The Queen Bees of Tybee County’

When I got an email asking if I’d like to take a look at a middle grade book from a founding Drag Queen Story Hour Queen and Asian-American, the answer was an enthusiastic yes! This is a sparkling and heartwarming … Continue reading

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Guest Post: Author Nancy McCabe on the inspiration for her new MG book, Fires Burning Underground

Join me for a guest post by Nancy McCabe on the inspirations for her new middle grade novel, Fires Burning Underground. Continue reading

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Monthly Book Round-Up Middle Grade-Adult: March 2025

My brief thoughts of the 16 books I read in March – so many books I loved! Continue reading

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Historical, Lists, Middle Grade, nonfiction, Print, Realistic, Romance, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Exploring Grief in Renée Watson’s All the Blues in the Sky

Grief comes whether we want it to or not, and All the Blues in the Sky by Renee Watson is a beautiful and sensitive verse exploration. Continue reading

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BLOG TOUR! Keep It Like a Secret by John David Anderson

“Keep It Like a Secret” by John David Anderson is a touching tale of sibling bonds tested by family turmoil. As Morgan tries to bring his family together, he joins his sister Claire on an unexpected adventure, revealing hidden secrets and strengthening their bond. This heartwarming story skillfully balances light-hearted moments with deeper emotional themes. Continue reading

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My Top 12 Posts #9 – Bud, Not Buddy and The Mighty Miss Malone

In celebration of my 20th blogiversary, I’m reblogging the posts that have gotten the most views in the time they’ve been published. Here we have #9, a post that has gotten regular hits every year since I published it in … Continue reading

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