Showing posts with label mg sff roundup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mg sff roundup. Show all posts

11/5/23

this week's round-up of middle grade fantasy and science fiction from around the blogs (11/5/23)

Here's what I found this week; nothing from me becuase of me still desperatly trying to finish outside work before winter, sigh.

The Reviews

Adventures of Takuan From Koto, by Ryu Zhong, at Bookworm for Kids

The Clockwork Conspiracy, by Sam Sedgman, at Scope for Imagination

Dogtown, by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko, illustrated by Wallace West, at A Kids Book A Day

Dragon Daughter, by Liz Flanagan, at Magic Fiction Since Potter

The Fall of the House of Tatterly, by Shanna Miles, at Ms. Yingling Reads

Finch House, by Ciera Burch, at A Kids Book A Day

Glassborn, by Peter Bunzl, at a Library Lady 

The Great Weather Diviner, by Andrew Dolberg and Rob Long, at Always in the Middle…

The Hunt for the Hollower, by Callie C. Miller, by Pages Unbound

Keynan Masters and the Peerless Magic Crew, by DaVaun Sanders, at Ms. Yingling Reads

Mermedusa, by Thomas Taylor, at Sifa Elizabeth Reads  

Odder, by Katherine Applegate, at proseandkahn

Once We Were Witches, by Sarah Driver, at Kiss the Book

The Puppets of Spelhorst, by Kate DiCamillo, at Faith Elizabeth Hough

A Ranger’s Guide to Glipwood Forest, by Andrew Peterson, at Mark My Words

Scariest.Book.Ever. by R.L. Stine, at Kiss the Book

Shadowhall Academy: The Whispering Walls, by Phil Hickes, at Book Craic

Spooky Stories of the World, by Wendy Shearer, illustrated by Teo Georgiev, at Ms. Yingling Reads

Tales to Keep You Up At Night, by Dan Poblocki, at Twirling Book Princess

The Taming of the Cat, by Helen Cooper, at Scope for Imagination

The Wild Robot Protects, by Peter Brown, at Miss Cleveland is reading… 

Two at The Book Search -- The Lost Library, by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass, and The Carrefour Curse by Dianne K. Salerni

Three at the New York Times--Jeanne DuPrau’s “Project F,” Patricia Forde’s “The Girl Who Fell to Earth” and Donna Barba Higuera’s “Alebrijes”


Authors and Interviews

 R. L. Stine (Scariest Book Ever) at People


10/29/23

This week's round-up of middle grade fantasy and sci fi from around the blogs (10/29/23)

Good morning all!  Here's what I gathered this week; please let me know if I missed your post!

The Reviews

Bite Risk, by S.J. Wills, at Valinora Troy

Coyote Queen, by Jessica Vitalis, at ReadWonder and Watch. Connect. Read.

Dogtown, by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko, illustrated by Wallace West, at Charlotte's Library

Ghost Rescue, by Jenny McLachlan, at Sifa Elizabeth Reads 

Grumbones, by Jenn Bennett, at Pages Unbound 

Hellaween, by Moss Lawton, at Ms. Yingling Reads

Hollowthorn, by Kalyn Josephson, at The Story Sanctuary and  It's All About the Book 

Just a Pinch of Magic, by Alechia Dow, at Ms. Yingling Reads

Kingdom of Dust by Lisa Stringfellow, at Watch. Connect. Read.

Mia and the Traitor of Nubis, by Janelle McCurdy, at Books Up North

The Midnight Switch, by Samuel J. Halpin, at Book Craic

Project F, by Jeanne DuPrau, at Ms. Yingling Reads

The Puppets of Spelhorst, by Kate DiCamillo, at Redeemed Reader

Shakti, by S. J. Sindu & Nabi H. Ali, at  Pages Unbound

Show Us Who You Are, by Elle McNicoll, at  Kiss the Book

Sixteen Souls, by Rosie Talbot, at Ms. Yingling Reads 

The Snow Girl, by Sophie Anderson, at Book Craic and My Book Corner

The Song of the Swan by Karah Sutton, at The Story Sanctuary and Charlotte's Library

The Spirit Snatcher, by Cat Gray, at Book Craic

The Witch-Stone Ghosts, by Emily Randall-Jones, at Magic Fiction Since Potter

Two dog stories at A Library Mama--Elf Dog and Owl Head, by M.T. Anderson, and The Eyes and the Impossible, by Dave Eggers

Two more at A Library Mama- Between Monsters and Marvels, by Alyssa Wishingrad, and Don’t Want to Be Your Monster, by Deke Moulton

Two at The Book Search--Creatures of the In Between, by Cindy Lin, and The Bellwoods Game, by Celia Krampien

Two at Ms. Yingling Reads -- Alex Wise vs. The End of the World Terry J. Benton-Walker, and Futureland: The Nightmare Hour (Futureland #2), by H.D. Hunter


Other Good Stuff

10 Enchanting Dungeons and Dragons Books for Kids (imaginationsoup.net)

Spooky Books for Halloween! - (mybookcorner.co.uk) and another great Halloween list at kellybyrd.com

Urusla Le Guin's absolutely charming Cat Wings series is being reissued!  via Cracking the Cover

The winners of the 2023 Ignyte Awards have been announced! Congratulations to Claribel Ortega!

Best in Middle Grade

for works intended for the middle grade audience
  • Ruby Finley vs. the Interstellar Invasion – K. Tempest Bradford (Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers)
  • The Last Mapmaker – Christina Soontornvat (Candlewick Press)
  • The Marvellers – Dhonielle Clayton (Henry Holt & Company)
  • WINNER: Witchlings – Claribel Ortega (Scholastic Press)
  • You Only Live Once, David Bravo! – Mark Oshiro (HarperCollins)

10/22/23

This week's round up of middle grade sci fi and fantasy from around the blogs (10/22/23)

Here's what I found, let me know if I missed your post!

The Reviews

The Cats of Silver Crescent, by Kaela Noel, at Mark My Words

The Deadlands: Survival (The Deadlands 3), by Skye Melki-Wegner, at Mark My Words

Deadly Deep, by Jennifer Killick, at Sifa Elizabeth Reads

Deephaven, by Ethan M. Aldridge, at Pages Unbound and Ms. Yingling Reads

The Ghost Job, by Greg Van Eekhout, at Always in the Middle… 

The Great Ghost Hoax (The Great Pet Heist #2), by Emily Ecton and David Mottram, at Kiss the Book

Grave Mistakes, by Kitty Curran, at  Geo Librarian

How Not to Be A Vampire Slayer, by Katy Birchall, at Ms. Yingling Reads

The Kingdom of Broken Magic, by Christine Aziz, at Book Craic

Lunar, by Chris Bradford, at Book Craic

Mahahaa, by Neil Christopher, at Mark My Words

Moongarden (Plotting the Stars 1), by Michelle A. Barry, at Susan Uhlig

The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow Jessica Haight and Stephanie Robinson, at Valinora Troy

The Secret of the Ravens, by Joanna Cacao, at Mark My Words

Sir Cumference and the 100 PerCent Goose Chase by Cindy Neuschwander and Wayne Geehan, at Sharon the Librarian

Slime Doesn’t Pay, by R.L. Stine, at Mark My Words 

Vivian Van Tassel and the Secret of Midnight Lake, by Michael Witwer, at Mark My Words

Welcome to Dead Town, Raven McKay, by Eibhlís Carcione, at Magic Fiction Since Potter

White House Clubhouse, by Sean O'Brien, at Ms. Yingling Reads

Two at A Library Mama--Finch House, by Ciera Burch, and Nightmare House, by Sarah Allen

Two at The Book Search--Three Tasks for a Dragon, by Eion Colfer, and  Dogtown, by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko

Other Good Stuff

"We Don't Talk About Harry Potter," by Dhonielle Clayton (publishersweekly.com)


the new WONKA Trailer at 100 Scopenotes

10/15/23

this week's round up of middle grade fantasy and sci fi from around the blogs etc. (10/15/23)

 Welcome to this week's round-up!  Please let me know if I missed your post.

first--today is the last day of public nominations for the Cybils Awards!  If you haven't yet shown love for a elementary/middle grade sci fi/fantasy book published in the US or Canada between Oct 16 2022 and Oct 15 2023, don't miss your chance!  I have gathered together a list of some of the books still waiting for your consideration--do visit and see if there's one you love and give it its chance to shine! And I've starred the books in this round-up that are eligible and haven't been nominated yet.  (There are of course lots of other worthy categories, from picture books to HS non fiction....)

The Reviews

Alex Wise vs. the End of the World, by Terry J. Benton-Walker, at Mark My Words

Bella Bright and the Ghost Game, by Carolyn Ward, at Scope for Imagination and Book Craic

The Bellwoods Game, by Celia Krampien, at Bookworm for Kids

Book Review: 'Percy Jackson: The Chalice of the Gods' (thecosmiccircus.com)

Coyote Queen, by Jessica Vitalis, at  Always in the Middle… 

*The Enchanted Life of Valentina Mejía, by Alexandra Alessandri, at The Banner

*Forever Twelve, by Stacey McAnulty, at Ms. Yingling Reads

The Grave Thief, by Dee Hahn, at Pages Unbound 

Ice Children, by M.G. Leonard, at Valinora Troy

Just a Pinch of Magic, by Alechia Dow, at Punk-Ass Book Jockey  

*Kelcie Murphy and the Hunt for the Heart of Danu, by Erika Lewis, at proseandkahn

*The October Witches, by Jennifer Claessen, at Sifa Elizabeth Reads

*Project F, by Jeanne DuPraa at Dede  (@professional_bookworm_dede) 

*The Puppets of Spelhorst, by Kate di Camillo, at Semicolon and Cracking the Cover

Scarewaves, by Trevor Henderson, at  Ms. Yingling Reads

Sky, by Holly Webb, at Book Craic

Three Tasks for a Dragon by Eoin Colfer, illustrated by  P.J. Lynch, at Mark My Words  and Cracking the Cover

Vivian Lantz's Second Chances, by Kathryn Ormsbee, at Charlotte's Library


Authors and Interviews

Shanna Miles (*The Fall of the House of Tatterly) at teenlibrariantoolbox.com

Alechia Dow (Just a Pinch of Magic) at teenlibrariantoolbox.com

Zana Fraillon and Bren MacDibble (The Raven’s Song) at Bellis Does Books (wordpress.com)

Sylvia Whitman (*If you Meet the Devil, Don't Shake Hands) at Smack Dab in the Middle

Sean O’Brien (*White House Clubhouse) at Literary Rambles:

Jessica Vitalis (Coyote Queen) on Telling the Truth: Sometimes You Have to Make It Up, at Cynthia Leitich Smith and an interview at From The Mixed Up Files

 Lisa Schmid (Hart & Souls), at From The Mixed Up Files


Other Good Stuff

Spooky Stories for Middle Grade Readers 2023 – Scope for Imagination

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books - Best Children's Book Picks October 2023 

10/8/23

this week's round-up of middle grade sci fi and fantasy from around the blogs is up! (10/8/23)

 Welcome to this week's round up!  Please let me know if I missed your post.

It's Cybils Awards nominating season--you have till the end of the day on October 15 to show love for your favorite Elementary/middle grade speculative fiction books! (and books in other categories too...)  I've put stars next the books in this week's round up that are eligible and haven't been nominated yet.  More great books needing nomination can be found at A Library MamaHere's where you go to show your book love!

The Reviews

*Bite Risk, by S.J. Wills, at Mark My Words

The Carrefour Curse, by Dianne K Salerni, at Pages Unbound

Coyote Queen by Jessica Vitalis, at Log Cabin Library

The Disappearing Diamond, by Glen Blackwell, at  Book Craic

Dogtown, by K.A. Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko, at Ms. Yingling Reads

*Forever Twelve (The Evers), by Stacy McAnulty, at Mark My Words

*The Ghost Job, by Greg Van Eekhout (with interview!), at Charlotte's Library

*It Found Us, by Lindsay Currie, at Geo Librarian

Just a Pinch of Magic, by Alechia Dow, by Punk-Ass Book Jockey 

*The Little Match Girl Strikes Back, by Emma Carroll, illustrated by Lauren Child, at Charlotte's Library

The Lost Library, by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass, at Staircase Wit and The Cosy Dragon

*Odwar vs. the Shadow Queen (The Intasimi Warriors), by Shiko Nguru, at YA Books Central

*Quest Kids and the Dark Prophesy of Doug, by Mark Leiknes,, at Cracking the Cover

 Read, Scream, Repeat, edited by Jennifer Killick, at Sifa Elizabeth Reads 

*Seagarden, by Michelle A. Barry, at Cracking the Cover 

Skrimsli, by Nicola Davies, at Magic Fiction Since Potter

The Taming of the Cat, by Helen Cooper, at  Book Craic

*Three Tasks for a Dragon, by Eoin Colfer, illustrated by P.J. Lynch, at Charlotte's Library

The Weather Well, by Vashti Hardy, at Scope for Imagination

*White House Clubhouse. by Sean O'Brien, at Charlotte's Library,  Always in the Middle and The Story Sanctuary

Three at Ms. Yingling Reads-  *Gone Wolf, by Amber McBride,  *Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans, by Isi Hendrix, and  *Mari and the Curse of El Cocodrilo, by  Adrianna.Cuevas,

Two at The Book Search: Nell of Gumbling, by Emma Steinkellner, and *The Mossheart's Promise, by Rebecca Nix

Authors and Interviews

Adrianna Cuevas (*Mari and the Curse of El Cocodrilo at  From The Mixed Up Files

Jessica Vitalis  (Coyote Queen) at Mr Schu Reads and MG Book Village

 Sinéad O’Hart  (The Silver Road) at Valinora Troy

Dianne K Salerni  (The Carrefour Curse) at Legit KidLit

Geri Halliwell (*Rosie Frost and the Falcon Queen) at Today

Other Good Stuff

"2023 Releases by Latine Authors Perfect for the Horror Season" with lots of great mg titles, at  A Kernel of Nonsense

How sci-fi books can help kids better understand science - UND Today

lovely wyverns of yesteryear (zoom in for wyvern goodness)!  Rare 1,000-Year-Old Brooch Goes on Display in England



10/1/23

this week's roundup of middle grade fantasy and sci fi from around the blogs (10/1/23)

Happy October!  Today is the first day of the Cybils Awards nominating period--nominating books is a great way to show love for them.  Eligible books are those published between Oct 16 2022 and Oct 15 2023;  I've starred the books in today's round up that are eligible.....as always, let me know if I missed your post!

The Reviews

*Alex Wise vs the End of the World by Terry J. Benton-Walker, at  Take Me Away…

Baby Unicorns (The Magical Unicorn Society #3), by Anne Marie Ryan, at Twirling Book Princess 

*Book of Screams, by Jeff Szpirglas,  and Steven B. Hughes,  (illus.). at Ms. Yingling Reads

Dragon Force – Infinity’s Secret, by Katie and Kevin Tsang, at Valinora Troy

Dreamweavers: Night of the Scary Fairies , by  Annabelle Sami, at  Book Craic

Eedoo: Book 1 (Eedoo Trilogy 1) by W.W. Rowe, at Mark My Words

In the Shadow of the Wolf Queen (Geomancer Book 1), by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, at Book Craic

Island of Whispers, by Frances Hardinge, illustrated Emily Gravett, at Magic Fiction Since Potter

*Kingdom Over the Sea, by Zohra Nabi, at A Library Mama

*The Lost Library, by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass, at Redeemed Reader

*Nightmare King, by Daka Hermon, at Ms. Yingling Reads

*Perfect Villains (Bad Princesses #1) by Jennifer Torres, at She's Got Books on Her Mind 

Podkin and the Singing Spear (The World of Podkin One-Ear #7), by Kieran Larwood, at  Book Craic

*Princess Betony and the Unicorn, by Pamela Freeman, illustrated by Tamsin Ainslie, at Log Cabin Library

*Rewind, by Lisa Graff, at Charlotte's Library

River of Crows (The Arcanium #1) by N.P. Thompson, at Mark My Words

*Scream for the Camera (Graveyard Girls #2), by Lisi Harrison and Daniel Kraus, at Bookworm for Kids 

*Serwa Boateng's Guide to Witchcraft and Mayhem, by Roseanne A. Brown, narrated by Soneela Nankani, at Sharon the Librarian (audiobook review)

The Silver Road, Sinéad O’Hart, at  Sifa Elizabeth Reads  

*Vivian Van Tassel and the Secret of Midnight Lake, by Michael Witwer, at The Miramichi Reader and  Bookworm for Kids

What Came From the Stars, by Gary D. Schmidt, at Redeemed Reader

Two at Ms. Yingling Reads--*Zombie Season, by Justin Weinberger, and *Arazan's Wolves (Ranger's Apprentice: The Royal Ranger, #6), by John Flanagan

Three more at Ms. Yingling Reads--*The Shape of Time, by Ryan Calejo,  *The Longest Night in Egypt (The Shadow Prince #2), by David Anthony Durham,  and *The Memory Thieves (The Marvellers #2), by Dhonielle Clayton

Two featuring indigenous tweens at SLJ--*Tiger Lily and the Secret Treasure of Neverland, by Cherie Dimaline, and *The Storyteller, by Brandon Hobson


Authors and Interviews

Peter Brown (The Wild Robot Trilogy) at The Yarn podcast


Other Good Stuff

Coming Soon(ish): The Wild Robot Animated Film, via  100 Scope Notes 

18 Zombie Books for Kids & Teens, at Literacious

9/17/23

This week's round-up of middle grade fantasy and sci fi from around the blogs (9/17/23)

Here's what I've found this week; please let me know if I missed your post!

Nominations for the Cybils Awards open October 1st!  Any kids/YA book published in the US or Canada between Oct 16 2022 and Oct 15 2023 is eligible.  There are lots of categories, including Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction; I've stared the reviews of eligible books in this week's round-up.  Anyone can nominate 1 book in each category--it's a great way to show book love.

The Reviews

*Beneath the Swirling Sky, by Carolyn Leiloglou, at Redeemed Reader

*Between Monsters and Marvels, by Alyssa Wishingrad, at Ms. Yingling Reads and The Story Sanctuary

*The Demon Sword Asperides, by Sarah Jean Horwitz, at Charlotte's Library

*The Dreamatics, by Michelle Cuevas, at Mark My Words

*The Fall of the House of Tatterly, by Shanna Miles, at Log Cabin Library

Hedgewitch, by Skye McKenna, at Laura's Bookish Life

Hush-A-Bye, by Jody Lee Mott, at  Kiss the Book 

Impossible Creatures, by Katherine Rundell, at Bellis Does Books  

Infinity's Secret, by Katie and Kevin Tsang, at Sifa Elizabeth Reads 

*The Lion of Lark-Hayes Manor, by Aubrey Hartman, at PBC's Book Reviews 

*The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass, at Kiss the Book and Completely Full Bookshelf

The Marvellers, by Dhonielle Clayton, at Puss Reboots 

The Night Raven (The Moonwind Mysteries), by Johan Rundberg, at Mark My Words

*Nugly, by N.C. Ross, at Ms. Yingling Reads

*Project F, by Jeanne DuPrau, at Mark My Words

Scareground, by Angela Kecojevic, at Scope for Imagination and Bookbugworld

The Secret of the Blood-Red Key, by David Farr, at Book Craic

Shiver Point: It Came From the Woods, by Gabriel Dylan, at Book Craic

*Skandar and the Phantom Rider, by A. F. Steadman, at Pages Unbound

Skrimsli, by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Jackie Morris (Illustrator), at Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books 

*Totally Psychic, by Brigid Martin, at She's Got Books on Her Mind 

*Whispering Pines: Extinction, by Heidi Lang and Kati Bartkowski, at Bookworm for Kids

The Whistlers in the Dark, by Victoria Williamson, at  The Inquisitive Newt, and Valinora Troy

Two at Ms. Yingling Reads:  *Nimbus by Jan Elderdge, and *Extinction (Whispering Pines #4) by Heidi Lang and Kati Bartkowski

Two more at Ms. Yingling Reads: *Camp Sylvania, by Julie Murphy, and *Serwa Boateng's Guide to Witchcraft and Mayhem, by Roseanne Brown


Authors and Interviews

Landra Jennings (Wand), at From the Mixed Up Files

E.M. Greville (*Raine in the Underlands: The Lorekeepers) at Just Kids' Lit

Claribel A. Ortega (*The Golden Frog Games), at PBS Books | Author Talk:

9/10/23

this week's round-up of middle grade fantasy and sci fi from around the blogs (9/10/23)

Here's what I found this week; please let me know if I missed your post!

The Reveiws

The Bravest Warrior in Nefaria, by Adi Alsaid, at Bookworm for KidsMark My Words and The Story Sanctuary

Bubba and Squirt's City of Bones, by Sherry Ellis, at Bookworm for Kids: 

Changeling (The Oddmire #1), by William Ritter, at  Eustea Reads 

The Cursed Moon, by Angela Cervantes, at Geo Librarian and Ms. Yingling Reads

Deephaven, by Ethan M. Aldridge, at The Story Sanctuary

Extra Normal, by Kate Alice Marshall, at Mark My Words

 Finch House, by Ciera Burch, at Charlotte's Library

It Found Us, by Linday Currie, at megsbookrack  and at Ms. Yingling Reads (with three other mini reviews)

Medusa, by Katherine Marsh, at Mark My Words

 Tapper Watson and the Quest for the Nemo Machine, by Claire Fayers, at  Book Craic 

two at Sifa Elizabeth Reads -- The Raven Riddle and The Weather Well, by Vashti Hardy


Authors and Interviews

 Roshani Chokshi (The Spirit Glass) at The Nerd Daily

 Claire Fayers (Tapper Watson and the Quest for the Nemo Machine) at Book Craic and Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books (mrripleysenchantedbooks.com)

 Lindsay Currie (It Found Us) at From The Mixed Up Files

Alysa Wishingrad (Bewteen Monsters and Marvels) at From The Mixed Up Files

 Ciera Burch (Finch House) at MG Book Village

Michael Witwer  (Vivian Van Tassel and the Secret of Midnight Lake) at The Nerd Daily


Other Good Stuff

10 Reasons I Love Middle Grade Spooky Books - From The Mixed Up Files

9/3/23

This week's round-up of mg sci fi and fantasy (9/3/23)

 Here's what I found this week, from before my computer crashed and I lost a lot of edits, including all the links I got from my customary google search. sigh.

I've put stars next to all the books that are eligible for this year's Cybils Awards, and if you want to read them all, and why would you not, come be an elementary/middle grade speculative fiction panelist this year!  Here's where you go to apply.

The Reviews

*Bad Grains (The Order of the Strawberry Circle #1), by Susanne Schmidt, at Mark My Words

Bridget Vanderpuff and the Ghost Train, by Martin Stewart, at Scope for Imagination

*Elf Dog and Owl Head, by M.T. Anderson, at Puss Reboots

*The Girl Who Fell to Earth, by Patricia Forde, at Mark My Words

*A Horse Named Sky, by Rosanne Perry, at Always in the Middle… 

Kid Christmas and the Claus Brothers Toy Store, by David Litchfield, at Scope for Imagination

*Lei and the Fire Goddess, by Malia Maunakea, at PBC's Book Reviews

*The Lost Library, by Rebecca Stead & Wendy Mass, at Cracking the Cover

Nightshade Revenge, by Anthony Horowitz, at Vicky's Never Ending TBR 

*Starboard, by Nicola Skinner, at Redeemed Reader

The Stupendous Sonny, by Ellie Clements, at Book Craic

Two at The Book Search--*Nimbus, by Jan Eldredge, and *The Dark Lord's Daughter, by Patricia C. Wrede

Six at Ms. Yingling Reads--

    *The Secret of the Dragon Gems, by Rajani LaRocca and Chris Baron

    *Tessa Miyata is No Hero, by Julia Abe

    *Extra Normal, by Kate Alice Marshall

    *West of the Sea, by Stephanie Willing

    *Totally Psychic, by Brigid Martin

    *Vivian Van Tassel and the Secret of Midnight Lake, by Michael Witwer


Authors and Interviews

Ciera Burch (*Finch House) at  From The Mixed Up Files

Rosanne Perry (*A Horse Named Sky) at From The Mixed Up Files

Kekla Magoon (The Secret Library) at Fuse #8

Wendy Mass & Rebecca Stead (*The Lost Library) at Fuse #8


Other Good Stuff

Artist: Known — Illustrator for 'A Wrinkle in Time' gets long-overdue credit | Endless Thread (wbur.org)


8/27/23

This week's round up of middle grade fantasy and sci fi from around the blogs (8/27/23)

Here's what I have this week; please let me know if I missed your post!

first--it's Cybils Time!  please consider reading Elementary/middle grade sci fi and fantasy with me this year (or applying for another category....).  It really is lots of fun, and I would love to welcome new folks!

The Reviews

Abeni’s Song, by P. Djèlí Clark, at Locus Online  

 Beadbonny Ash, by Winifred Finlay, at Charlotte's Library

Clarity Jones and the Magical Detective Agency, by Chris Smith, at Book Craic

Disconnected, by Riley Cross, at Carol Baldwin's Blog

Gossamer Summer, by H.M. Bouwman, at Mark My Words

Grayling’s Song, by Karen Cushman., at Pages Unbound 

Izzy Hoffman is Not a Witch, by Alyssa Alessi, at Mark My Words

Kevin the Vampire: A Most Mysterious Monster, by Matt Brown, at Valinora Troy

Mermedusa, by Thomas Taylor, at Vicky's Never Ending TBR 

 Molly and the Mutants (Far Flung Falls #2), by Eric Jon Slangerup, at Ms. Yingling Reads:

Read, Scream, Repeat, curated by Jennifer Killick, at Scope for Imagination

Rewind, by Lisa Graff, at Ms. Yingling Reads

Scariest. Book. Ever. (Goosebumps House of Shivers 1), by R.L. Stine, at Mark My Words: 

Terra Ultima: The Discovery of a Hidden Continent, by Raoul Deleo, at Library Girl and Book Boy

Too Many Interesting Things Are Happening To Ethan Fairmont, by Nick Brooks, at Bookworm for Kids

Totally Psychic, by Brigid Martin, at Cracking the Cover 

A War of Wizards by Margaret Storey, at Staircase Wit  

The Wrath of the Woolington Wyrm, by Karen Foxlee, at Book Craic

Yesterday Crumb and the Storm in a Teacup, by Andy Sagar, at  Laura's Bookish Life  

The Unsuper Adventures of Norma, by Mark Svartz, at  Log Cabin Library


Authors and Interviews

Patricia C. Wrede (The Dark Lord's Daughter) at Publishers Weekly 

Julie Abe (Tessa Miyata is No Hero) at Readers Digest

Emma Greville (Raine in the Underlands), at Kids' Book Review

Two at A Library Mama --  Ghosts, Toast, and Other Hazards, by Susan Tan, and Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind, by Misa Siguira |


Other Good Stuff

"Middle Grade Inspired by Folk & Fairy Tales" at Literacious

8/13/23

This week's round-up of middle grade fantasy and sci fi from around the blogs (8/13/2023)

 Here's what I found this week!  Please let me know if I missed your post.

The Reviews

Deadly Deep, by Jennifer Killick, at Scope for Imagination

 Estranged, by Ethan Aldridge, at Pages Unbound

Field of Screams, by Wendy Parris, at Ms. Yingling Reads 

The Fox’s Tower (Wolfstongue 2), by Sam Thompson, at  Mark My Words

Gallowgate , by K.R. Alexander, at Ms. Yingling Reads 

The Ghost Job, by Greg van Eekhout, at Mark My Words

Great Texas Dragon Race, by Kacy Ritter, at Cracking the Cover

The Girl in White, by Lindsay Currie, at Geo Librarian 

Hamra and the Jungle of Memories, by Hanna Alkaf, at PBC's Book Reviews 

 Hansel & Gretel, by Neil Gaiman, at Mark My Words:

The Ice Children, by M.G. Leonard, at Scope for Imagination

The Lost Library, by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass, ar Log Cabin Library

The McNifficents, by Amy Mckechnie, at Redeemed Reader

Meesh the Bad Demon, by Michelle Lam, at Vicky's Never Ending TBR 

Mia and the Traitor of Nubis, by Janelle McCurdy, illustrated by Ana Latese, at Book Craic

Mr Tiger, Betsy, and the Golden Sea Horse, by Sally Gardner, at Sifa Elizabeth Reads

Quest Kids and the Dark Prophecy of Doug, by Mark Leiknes, at Bookworm for Kids 

The Raven Throne, by Stephanie Burgis, at Cracking the Cover and The Story Sanctuary

Shiver Point: It Came from the Woods, by Gabriel Dylan, at Library Girl and Book Boy

Wider than the Sea, by Serena Molloy, at Valinora Troy

The Wrath of the Blob, by Dashe Roberts, at Book Craic

Two at The Breadcrumb Forest: Crookhaven: The Forgotten Maze, by J.J. Arcanjo, and Ember Shadows and the Lost Deserts of Time, by Rebecca King

Four at Ms. Yingling Reads:  Grumbones, by Jenn Bennett, The Raven Throne (The Raven Heir #2), by Stephanie Burgis, The Nameless Witch (Devouring Wolf #2), by Natalie C. Parker, and The Fury of the Dragon Goddess (Adventures of Sik Aziz #2), by Sarwat Chadda


Authors and Interviews

Elf Dog LaRue: A Guest Post by M.T. Anderson, at Fuse #8

Refe Tuma (Frances and the Werewolves of the Black Forest) at MG Book Village


Other Good Stuff

New in the UK, at Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books 

If you love reading mg sci fi/fantasy (which you probably are if you are reading this), you would love being a Cybils Awards panelist in the Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction category, and I, in my role of category chair, would love to welcome new folks! The Call for Judges begins on 8/21/2023 and runs through 9/8/2023.  Please let me know if you have any questions..

8/6/23

this week's round-up of middle grade fantasy and science fiction (8/6/2023)


Good morning, all!  Here's what I found this week; let me know if I missed your post!


The Reviews

Batu and the Search for the Golden Cup, by Zira Nauryzbai and Lilya Kalaus, at Always in the Middle…  Cracking the Cover, and Geo Librarian.

Dead Good Detectives Ghost Rescue, by Jenny McLachlan, illustrated by Chloe Dominique, at Book Craic

Elf Dog and Owl Head, by M.T. Anderson, at Semicolon 

 Elsetime, by Eve McDonnell, at Valinora Troy

The Eyes and the Impossible, by Dave Eggers, at Redeemed Reader

The Golden Frog Games, by Claribel A. Ortega, at Puss Reboots 

The Great Texas Dragon Race, by |Kacy Ritter, at Always in the Middle… The Story Sanctuary, and Ms. Yingling Reads

Hansel and Gretel, by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Lorenzo Mattotti, at Sharon the Librarian: 

The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall Book 1, by Ali Standish, at Mark My Words

Kelcie Murphy and the Hunt for the Heart of Danu, by Erika Lewis, at Cracking the Cover

The Last Elder King, by D.B. Collins, at YA Books Central

The Light Thieves Search for the Black Mirror, by Helena Duggan, illustrated by Katie Kear, at Book Craic and Vicky's Never Ending TBR 

The Sinister Secrets of Singe, by Sean Ferrell, at Mark My Words

Skellig 25th Anniversary Edition by David Almond, illustrated by Tom de Freston, at Magic Fiction Since Potter

The Spaces In Between (Exit 13 #2), by James Preller, illustrated by Kevin Keele, at Ms. Yingling Reads 

(Super Secret) Octagon Valley Society, by Melissa de la Cruz, at Mark My Words

Mr Tiger, Betsy, and the Sea Dragon, by Sally Gardner, at Sifa Elizabeth Reads 

A Vanishing of Griffins, by S.A. Patrick, at Log Cabin Library

Willodeen, by Katherine Applegate, at Book Craic


Authors and Interviews

Julie Abe (Tessa Miyata Is No Hero) at The Nerd Daily

Kacy Ritter (The Great Texas Dragon Race) at Mindy McGinnis

Katrina Leno (The Umbrella Maker's Son), at Smack Dab in the Middle

Wendy Parris (Field of Screams) at From The Mixed Up Files

Frantz Charles (New Watchers: The Dead Sea Scroll) at Literary Titan

7/30/23

This week's round-up of middle grade sci fi and fantasy from around the blogs (7/30/2023)

Morning all!  Here's what I found this week; let me know if I missed your post!

The Reviews

Alex Neptune: Monster Avenger, by David Owen, at Book Craic

The Area 51 Files, by Julie Buxbaum and Lavanya Naidu, at Kiss the BOOK

Batu and the Search for the Golden Cup, by Zira Nauryzbai, Lilya Kalaus, translated by Shelley Fairweather-Vega, at Log Cabin Library 

Bob vs the Selfie Zombies, by Andy Jones, at Twirling Book Princess

Brick Dust and Bones, by M.R. Fournet, at Ms. Yingling Reads

 Carnival of the Spider, by Kieran Larwood, illustrated by Sam Usher, at Book Craic

The Cat Half-Eleven, by Kevin Blakeslee, at Pages and Paws

The Chaos Monster (Secrets of the Sky), by Sayantani DasGupta, at Ms. Yingling Reads

The Destiny of Minou Moonshine, by Gita Ralleigh, at Scope for Imagination and Charlotte's Library

Devin Drake and the Family Secret, by R.M. Clark, at Bookworm for Kids

Finding Bear, by Hannah Gold, at Magic Fiction Since Potter 

A Game of Fox and Squirrels, by Jenn Reese, at Pages Unbound 

The Great Texas Dragon Race, by Kacy Ritter, at Pages Unbound 

Hansel and Gretel, by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Lorenzo Mattotti, at Twirling Book Princess

Into the Shadow Mist (Legends of Lotus Island #2), by Christina Soontornvat, at Ms. Yingling Reads

Interdimensional Explorers, by Lorraine Gregory, at Sifa Elizabeth Reads 

International House of Dereliction, by Jacqueline Davies, at Cracking the Cover

Kelcie Murphy and the Hunt for the Heart of Danu, by Erika Lewis, at Always in the Middle…  and Charlotte's Library

The Memory Thieves, by Dhonielle Clayton, at Mark My Words

Odwar vs. the Shadow Queen, by Shiko Nguru, at Mark My Words

The Puppets of Spelhorst, by Kate DiCamillo, at Mark My Words

The Storm and the Minotaur, by Lucy Strange, at Valinora Troy

Thomas Creeper and the Purple Corpse, by J.R. Potter, at  Bookworm for Kids 

Winnie Zeng Vanquishes a King (Winnie Zen #2), by Katie Zhao, at  Kiss the Book

Three at  A Library Mama--The Carrefour Curse by Dianne K. Salerni, The Rhythm of Time by Questlove and S.A. Cosby, and A Spoonful of Time by Flora Ahn


Authors and Interviews

 Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass (The Lost Library), at Publishers Weekly 

Erika Lewis (Kelcie Murphy and the Hunt for the Heart of Danu) at MG Book Village

Deke Moulton (Don't Want to be Your Monster) at From The Mixed Up Files

Eibhlís Carcione  (Welcome to Dead Town Raven McKay) at Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books 

Kate DiCamillo on The Yarn Podcast (Pt. 2) at 100 Scopenotes


Other Good Stuff

Tara Gilboy (Unwritten) shares "The best middle grade books for kids who love fairy tales" at Shepherd

7/23/23

this week's round-up of middle grade fantasy and sci fi from around the blogs (7/23/2023)

Here's what I found this week; let me know if I missed your post!

The Reviews

Abeni’s Song, by P. Djèlí Clark, at  Pages Unbound 

Arkspire, by Jamie Littler, at  Magic Fiction Since Potter

Book Review: The Blameless (The Blameless #1), by E.S. Christison, at GoodeyReads

Bob, by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead, illustrated by Nicholas Gannon, at Magic Fiction Since Potter

The Chaos Monster (Secrets of the Sky #1), by Sayantani DasGupta, at Cracking the Cover

ChupaCarter and the Haunted Pinata, by George Lopez and Ryan Calejo, at Mark My Words

The Curious Mysteris of Eli Marks, by John Gaspard, at  Always in the Middle…

The Great Texas Dragon Race,by Kacy Ritter, Log Cabin Library

Etta Invincible, by Reese Eschmann, at  Kiss the Book 

Into the Shadow Mist, by Christina Soontornvat, at Cracking the Cover 

The Legend of Greyhallow, by Summer Rachel Short, at Ms. Yingling Reads: 

Misfit Mansion, by Kay Davault, at Ms. Yingling Reads

Mr Tiger, Betsy, and the Blue Moon, by Sally Gardner, at  Sifa Elizabeth Reads

No One Leaves the Castle, by Christopher Healy, at Mark My Words

Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa, Julian Randall, at A Kernel of Nonsense

Rieden Reece and the Broken Moon (Rieden Reece #1), by Matt Guzman, at Mark My Words

Scarewaves, by Trevor Henderson, at Mark My Words

The Snow Girl, by Sophie Anderson, at Scope for Imagination

 A Spoonful of Time, by Flora Ahn, at Charlotte's Library

The Stupendous Sonny, by Ellie Clements, at Scope for Imagination

The Very Unfortunate Wish of Melony Yoshimura, by Waka Brown, at Ms. Yingling Reads: 

The Wonder Brothers,’ by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, illustrated by Steven Lenton, at Library Girl and Book Boy

Villains Academy, by Ryan Hammond, at Twirling Book Princess


Authors and Interviews

The Importance of Unimportant Books, a guest post by Darcy Marks (The Afterlife of the Party) at Teen Librarian Toolbox


Other Good Stuff

Here's the long list for the  new Oxford/Pushkin Children's Fantasy Prize!

7/16/23

this week's round-up of middle grade sci fi and fantasy from around the blogs (7/16/2023)

 Morning all.  Please enjoy this collection of mg sci fi/fantasy reviews etc. and let me know if I missed your post!

The Reviews

Arkspire, by Jamie Littler, at Scope for Imagination

Back to the Bright Before, by Katherine Nolte, at Faith Elizabeth Hough

The Eyes & the Impossible, by Dave Eggers, at Mark My Words: 

Gallowgate, by K.R. Alexander, at Geo Librarian.

The Housetrap by Emma Read, at Scope for Imagination and Book Craic

Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy, by Angie Thomasat Puss Reboots

One True Wish, by Lauren Kate, at Pages Unbound 

The Phantom Firefighter, by J.W. Jarvis, at Mark My Words

The Sea of Terror, by Stuart Gibbs, at Geo Librarian.

Sometime in Summer, by Katrina Leno, at  Charlotte's Library

The Song that Sings Us, by Nicola Davies, at Book Craic

Stinetinglers 2: 10 MORE New Stories From the Master of Scary Tales, by R.L. Stine, at  Mark My Words

Suzie and the Moon Bugs, by Katie and Kevin Tsang, at Sifa Elizabeth Reads

Tapper Watson and the Quest for the Nemo Machine, by Claire Fayers, at  Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books 

 The Time Tider, by Sinéad O’Hart, at Magic Fiction Since Potter: 

The Umbrella Maker's Son by Katrina Leno, at  Mark My Words: 

A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking, by T. Kingfisher, at Pages Unbound 

Three at Black and White Words and Pictures --The Demon Sword Asperides, by Sarah Jean Horwitz, Sal & Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez, and  The Lock-Eater, by Zack Loran Clark


Authors and Interviews

Jenna Yoon (Lia Park and the Heavenly Heirlooms) at MG Book Village

Kaela Rivera (Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls and Cece Rios and the King of Fears) at From The Mixed Up Files

 Refe Tuma (Frances and the Monster) at Literary Rambles (with giveaway)


Other Good Stuff

at Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books  UK Children's Book Picks July 2023 

7/9/23

this week's round-up of middle grade sci fi and fantasy from around the blogs (7/9/2023)

Morning all!  Here's what I found this week; nothing from me because I was off on vacation, but happily lots of other folks shared great books and authors!


The Reviews

Alebrijes, by Donna Barba Higuera, at Mark My Words

Arkspire, by Jamie Littler, at Vicky's Never Ending TBR 

Bob, by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead, at Susan Uhlig

City of Stolen Magic, by Nazneen Ahmed Pathak, at Bellis Does Books and Valinora Troy

The Great Texas Dragon Race, by Kacy Ritter, at Mark My Words

Grimwood, by Nadia Shireen, at Bookworm for Kids 

Haru, Zombie Dog Hero, by Ellen Oh, at Ms. Yingling Reads

The Horrible Bag of Terrible Things #1 (The Horrible Series), by Rob Renzetti, at Mark My Words:  

The House of the Lost on the Cape, by Sachiko Kashiwaba, at Bookworm for Kids

The Lovely Dark, by Matthew Fox, at Magic Fiction Since Potter

The Magic Hour, by David Wolstencroft, at Tom’s Book Corner 

Menacing Manor, by Kiersten White, at  Puss Reboots

Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston, by Esme Symes-Smith, at Miss Print 

Suzie Saves the Universe, by Katie and Kevin Tsang, at Sifa Elizabeth Reads

White House Clubhouse, by Sean O'Brien, at Mark My Words: 

You Can't Hide, by Dan Poblocki, at Puss Reboots


Authors and Interviews

Dianne Salerni (The Carrefore Curse) at From The Mixed Up Files

Kacy Ritter (The Great Texas Dragon Race) at Literary Rambles

‘You can’t write to make people love you’: Kate DiCamillo on the 20th Anniversary of Despereaux (Pt. 1) at  The Yarn Podcast 

Sarah Jean Horwitz  (The Demon Sword Asperides), at From The Mixed Up Files

7/2/23

This week's round up of middle grade sci fi and fantasy from around the blogs (7/2/23)

Happy July to us all!  Here's what I found this week; please let me know if I missed your post!


The Reviews

Between Monsters and Marvels, by Alysa Wishingrad, at Log Cabin Library

Conjure Island, by Eden Royce, at A Library MamaMs. Yingling Reads, and Charlotte's Library

Emba and the Beckoning Bones, by Jenny Moore, at Much To Do About Writing

The Extraordinary Adventures of Alice Tonks, by Emily Kenny, at Semicolon 

Fear Ground, by Jennifer Killick, at Vicky's Never Ending TBR

Flock Horror, by Jennifer Killick, at Sifa Elizabeth Reads 

Greenwild: The World Behind the Door, by Pari Thomson, at The Story Sanctuary

The Lake House, by Sarah Beth Durst, at Kiss the Book 

Lore Isle, by Jiin Kim, at The Miramichi Reader

The One and Onlys and the Case of the Robot Crow, by Doug Cornett, at Kiss the Book 

The Pawnshop of Stolen Dreams, by Victoria Williamson, at Green Reads Books 

The Polter-ghost Problem, by Betsy Uhrig, at Kiss the Book 

Quest Kids and the Dragon Pants of Gold, by Mark Leiknes, at Kiss the Book

Someone for Sasquatch, by Jeanne Moran, at Bookworm for Kids

Toby and the Silver Blood Witches, by Sally Doherty, at Book Craic and Good Night To Read

The Umbrella Maker’s Son, by Katrina Leno, at Jenjenreviews 

Utterly Dark and the Tides of Time, by Philip Reeve, at Magic Fiction Since Potter

Vivian Lantz's Second Chances, by Kathryn Ormsbee, at Ms. Yingling Reads

Wildsmith: Into the Dark Forest, by Liz Flanagan, at Read for Good

Wizkit: An Adventure Overdue, by Tanya J. Scott, at Mark My Words


Authors and Interviews

Katrina Leno (The Umbrella Maker's Son) at Writer's Digest

6/25/23

This week's round-up of middle grade fantasy and sci fi from around the blogs (6/25/2023)

Morning all!  Here's what I found this week; please let me know if I missed your post!

The Reviews

The Carrefour Curse, by Dianne K. Salerni, at Fuse #8

The Chaos Monster (Secrets of the Sky #1), by Sayantani DasGupta, at Mark My Words

Cloudlanders, by Christopher Mackie, at Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books 

Elvia And The Gift Of Passion (Tales By Moons-Light #3), by Ruby Ballard, at Gina Rae Mitchell

Fablehouse, by E.L. Norry, at Book Craic

Ghostlight, by Kenneth Oppel, at Kiss the Book

Grimwood, by Nadia Shireen, at Charlotte's Library: 

Henry Halifax and the Tutori’s Cloak, by Atlas Swift,  at Mark My Words

Lei and the Fire Goddess, by Malia Maunakea, at Ms. Yingling Reads

The Magic Hour, by David Wolstencroft, at Book Craic

Nayra and the Djinn, by Iasmin Omar Ata, at Mark My Words

Monster Camp, by Sarah Henning, at Mark My Words

Onyeka and the Rise of the Rebels, by Tọlá Okogwu, at Sifa Elizabeth Reads 

The Pawnshop of Stolen Dreams, by Victoria Williamson, at The Strawberry Post and Rosh's Reviews

The Rhythm of Time, by Questlove and S.A. Crosby, at Charlotte's Library

Saving Neverland, by Abi Elphinstone, at Vicky's Never Ending TBR 

The Scroll of Chaos, by Elsie Chapman, at Pages Unbound

The Secrets of the Stormforest (The Strangeworlds Travel Agency #3), by LD Lapinski, at Vicky's Never Ending TBR 

Toby and the Silver Blood Witches, by Sally Doherty, at Scope for Imagination

Warren the 13th and the Whispering Woods, by Tania del Rio, illustrated by Will Staehle, at Twirling Book Princess


Authors and Interviews

Jude Atwood (Maybe There are Witches), at From The Mixed Up Files


Other Good Stuff

Children's Book Picks UK - June 2023  at  Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books


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