Tag Archives: youth fiction

Honor Books: Yonder by Ali Standish and Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Katy K.

Yonder by Ali Standish and Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango are two beautiful, reflective books that both won honors this year. Continue reading →

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3 2022 MG Fic Finalists: Attack of the Black Rectangles, Freewater, and Thirst

Posted on February 10, 2023 by Katy K.

I’m continuing my read-through of 2022 Cybils finalists with three more middle grade fiction titles – Attack of the Black Rectangles, Freewater (which also won the Newbery) and Thirst. Continue reading →

Posted in Historical, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Fast & Funny with Cookies & Cakes: Ben Yokoyama and Winnie Zeng

Posted on February 4, 2023 by Katy K.

Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Doom by Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr and Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend by Katie Zhao are two fast and funny chapter to middle grade books that are sure to keep kids reading. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

2 2022 Cybils MG Fic Finalists: Air and Jennifer Chan is Not Alone

Posted on January 26, 2023 by Katy K.

Here are my takes on two of the latest Cybils Middle Grade Fiction finalists – Air by Monica Roe and Jennifer Chan is Not Alone by Tae Keller. Continue reading →

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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 →

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

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 , , , , , , , | 1 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 , , , , , , , | 2 Comments