Tag Archives: youth fiction

School Stories: Booked and Spirit Week Showdown

Posted on September 10, 2016 by Katy K.

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 Katy K.

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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Diversity on the Shelf – June Update

Posted on July 8, 2016 by Katy K.

#DiversityontheShelf Challenge Update – 4 #ownvoices book, 3 more diverse reads, for kids, teens & grown-ups. Continue reading →

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Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Posted on June 23, 2016 by Katy K.

This book was showered in honors last year, including a Newbery honor and an Odyssey honor for audio production for children.  A great audiobook involving music, magic and history was one I didn’t want to miss. Echo by Pam Muñoz … Continue reading →

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The Exiles by Hilary McKay (series)

Posted on April 27, 2016 by Katy K.

It was almost exactly three years ago that Charlotte, commenting on my review of Saffy’s Angel, suggested that I try The Exiles as well.  I thought at the time that this book might be fantasy, thus explaining why so many … Continue reading →

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Fish in a Tree

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Katy K.

This book came recommended to me by my good friend and colleague Mrs. M., who told me that it would make me cry, but that it would be worth it.  I have lots of thoughts about it! Fish in a … Continue reading →

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The Gaither Sisters Series

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Katy K.

My friends have been raving about this series since the first book came out, but I waited until the whole series was out to dive in. One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia. Amistad/HarperCollins, 2010. It’s 1968, and 10-year-old Delphine is … Continue reading →

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Murder is Bad Manners

Posted on August 25, 2015 by Katy K.

I’m pretty sure that I first heard about this one from the Book Smugglers – Ana living in England could of course read this before me here in the U.S. Brandy at Random Musings of a Bibliophile and Karen at … Continue reading →

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The Penderwicks in Spring

Posted on August 23, 2015 by Katy K.

I’ve been reading the Penderwicks since the very beginning, so naturally I had to read their latest adventures. The Penderwicks in Spring by Jeanne Birdsall. Read by Susan Denaker. Random House, 2015 It’s been ten years since The Penderwicks first … Continue reading →

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Blackbird Fly

Posted on August 19, 2015 by Katy K.

I don’t read very much contemporary realistic fiction, but when Brandy posted about a middle grade book with a Filipina protagonist a while back, I actually exclaimed out loud and went to track it down right away. This turns out … Continue reading →

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