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

3/10/24

This week's round up of middle grade fantasy and sci fi from around the blogs (3/10/24)

Here's what I found this week, please enjoy and let me know if I missed anything!  I had good intentions to read and review lots this past week, which got derailed when I found out I would not just be getting my kid home from college this week, but lots of friends too, so instead of reading I cleaned and decluttered...

The Reviews

Closet of Dreams, by Mark Ukra & Tara Mesalik MacMahon, at Mark My Words: 

Creepy Creations, by Jennifer Killick, at Sifa Elizabeth Reads  

 Ferris, by Kate DiCamillo, at Cracking the Cover, Fuse #8, and Log Cabin Library

The Girl in the Window, by Lindsey Hobson, at Faith Elizabeth Hough

 Goblin Monday (Goosebumps: House of Shivers #2), by R.L. Stine, at megsbookrack

Greenwild: The World Behind the Door, by Pari Thomson, at V's View from the Bookshelves 

Grimmworld: The Witch in the Woods, by Michaelbrent Collings, at Always in the Middle…  and Melissa's Bookshelf

Magicalia: Race of Wonders by Jennifer Bell, at Little Blog of Library Treasures

Magic Beyond the Mark, by Emily Swiers, at Independent Book Review

Mind Over Monsters, by Betsy Uhrig, at Bookworm for Kids 

Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time, by PJ Davis, at Mark My Words  

Over Sea, Under Stone (The Dark is Rising, #1), by Susan Cooper, Bookshelf Fantasies

Twice Upon A Time, by Michelle Harrison, at Valinora Troy

The Whisperwicks, by Jordan Lees, at Chris Soul

Winston Chu vs. the Whimsies, by Stacey Lee, at  BookstrovertReviews

Wrath of the Rain God (Legendarios Book 1), by Karla Arenas Valenti, at Mark My Words


Authors and Interviews

Katherine Marsh (Medusa) "On The Double Standards As An Author", at The Nerd Daily

Rajani LaRocca (Sona and the Golden Beasts)  "How to Grow Your Career as an Author" at Literary Rambles: 

Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson  (Eagle Drums) "When Mystery and Mythology Collide" at Writer's Digest 

Kate DiCamillo (Ferris), at AP News


Other good stuff

Here's the Wild Robot trailer, courtesy of 100scopenotes.com

3/3/24

This week's round up of middle grade sci fi and fantasy from around the blogs (3/3/24)

 Hi all, here's what I found this week!  Let me know if I missed anything.

The Reviews

Bumps in the Night, by Amalie Howard, at Ms. Yingling Reads

 Daughters of the Lamp, by Nedda Lewers, at Islamic School Librarian

Dread Wood: Creepy Creations, by Jennifer Killick, at Scope for Imagination

Dreamstalkers: The Night Train, by Sarah Driver, at Bellis Does Books and Books Up North

Fright Bite, by Jennifer Killick, at  Sifa Elizabeth Reads 

Impossible Creatures, by Katherine Rundell, at Mark My Words

Juniper Harvey and the Vanishing Kingdom, by Nina Varela, at Cannonball Read

Lia Park and the Missing Jewel, by Jenna Yoon, at Kiss the Book

Lili Gray and the World's Most Embarrassing Superpower, by Ada Loewe, at Mark My Words

Medusa by Katherine Marsh, at The Adventures of Library Girl

Paper Dragons: The Fight for the Hidden Realm, by Siobhan McDermott, at Courtney Reads Romance 

Pirates of Darksea, by Catherine Doyle, at Book Craic

The Princess Protection Program, by Alex London, at Baroness' Book Trove and Cannonball Read 

The Selkie's Daughter, by Linda Cotta Brennan, at Faith Elizabeth Hough

 Sona and the Golden Beasts, by Rajani LaRocca, at Steph's Story Space  

Too Many Interesting Things Are Happening to Ethan Fairmont, by Nick Brooks, at Charlotte's Library

The Unicorn Legacy-Tangled Magic, by Kamilla Benko, at Always in the Middle… 


Authors and Interviews

 Meredith Davis (Beneath the Swirling Sky) at Cynthia Leitich Smith


Other Good Stuff

 'Kiranmala And The Kingdom Beyond' To Be Adapted As Animated TV Show (deadline.com)

2/25/24

this week's round-up of middle grade sci fi and fantasy from around the blogs (2/25/24)

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

The Reviews

The Book of Three, by Lloyd Alexander, at Semicolon 

Bumps in the Night, by Amalie Howard, at Jenjenreviews

The Clockwork Crow, by Catherine Fisher, at Pages Unbound

Crystal Shadows: Gripping New Blood, by R.J. Parker, at Pages and Paws

Daughters of the Lamp, by Nedda Lewers, at Cracking the Cover

The Doll Twin, by Janine Beacham, at Valinora Troy

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

Ferris, by Kate DiCamillo, at Ms. Yingling Reads

Fox Snare (Thousand Worlds #3), by Yoon Ha Lee, at Charlotte's Library

Haunted Holiday, by Kiersten White, at Puss Reboots 

Lei And The Fire Goddess, by Malia Maunakea, at Kiss the Book

The Lightcasters (Umbra Tales 1), by Janelle McCurdy, at Mark My Words 

Medusa, by Katherine Marsh, at Cracking the Cover

The Princess Protection Program, by Alex London, at Ms. Yingling Reads

The Unicorn Legacy: Tangled Magic, by Kamilla Benko, at  The Story Sanctuary

The World Beyond the Door, by Pari Thomson, at Sifa Elizabeth Reads

Two at The Book Search--The Princess Protection Program, by Alex London, and The Five Impossible Tasks of Eden Smith, by Tom Llewellyn


Other Good Stuff

Check out the middle grade category of the 2023 Bram Stoker Awards® Final Ballot for great mg horror recs!



2/18/24

this week's round-up of middle-grade sci fi and fantasy from around the blogs (2/18/24)

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

The Reviews

The Bellwoods Game, by Celia Krampien, at Mark My Words

Billy and the Giant Adventure, by Jamie Oliver, at Bookworm for Kids

 A Bite Above the Rest, by Christine Virnig, at Mark My Words

The Bravest Warrior in Nefaria, by Adi Alsaid, at   PBC's Book Reviews 

Conjure Island, by Eden Royce, at Mark My Words

The Demon Sword Asperides, by Sarah Jean Horwitz, at Mark My Words

Dread Detention, by Jennifer Killick, at Ms. Yingling Reads

Elf Dog & Owl Head, by M.T. Anderson, at Kiss the Book

Fair Bay, by Eleanor Frances Lattimore, at Charlotte's Library

Fairy vs. Wizard, by Jenny McLachlan, at V'sViewfromtheBookshelves 

The Grace of Wild Things, by Heather Fawcett, at Mark My Words

Island of Fire (Unwanteds #3), by Lisa McMann, at J.R.'s Book Reviews  

Juniper Harvey and the Vanishing Kingdom, by Nina Varela, at Mark My Words

The Last Saxon King, by Andrew Varga, at Pages Unbound

The Lovely Dark, by Matthew Fox, at Charlotte's Library

Monster Bite Back (Monster Hunting #2) by Ian Mark, at Twirling Book Princess

No Flying in the House, by Betty Brock, at Semicolon 

Not Quite a Ghost, by Anne Ursu, at Puss Reboots

Princess Protection Program. by Alex London, at Cracking the Cover and Log Cabin Library 

The Rhythm of Time, by Questlove and S.A. Crosby, at Mark My Words: 

The Secret of the Moonshard, by Struan Murray, at Book Craic

Shadow Fox, by Carlie Sorosiak, at Scope for Imagination

Shock the Monkey (The N.O.A.H. Files 2) by Neal Shusterman and Eric Elfman, at Mark My Words

The Song of the Swan, by Karah Sutton, at Ms. Yingling Reads

Time Travellers: Adventure Calling, by Sufiya Ahmed, at Scope for Imagination

The Whisperwicks: The Labyrinth of Lost and Found, by Jordan Lees, at Valinora Troy

Worst Broommate Ever (Middle School and Other Disasters 1) by Wanda Coven, at Mark My Words


Authors and Interviews

Talking Freedom Fire: A New Imprint Discussion with Kwame Mbalia, Tracey Baptiste, and Leah Johnson, at Fuse #8


Other Good Stuff

The winners of this year's Cybils Awards have been announced! Congratulations to The Grace of Wild Things, by Heather Fawcett, this year's Cybils Awards winner for Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction!


Congratulations to all the shortlisted books too--they are all wonderful.

The Bellwoods Game, by Celia Krampien

Conjure Island, by Eden Royce

The Demon Sword Asperides, by Sarah Jean Horwitz

The House of the Lost on the Cape, by Sachiko Kashiwaba, illustrated by Yukiko Saito, Avery Fischer Udagawa (Translator)

Juniper Harvey and the Vanishing Kingdom, by Nina Varela

The Rhythm of Time, by Questlove and S. A. Cosby

2/11/24

this week's round-up of middle grade fantasy and sci fi from around the blogs (2/11/24)

This week's roundup has a higher percentage of books in the first third of the alphabet than any other that I can recall.  Go abcdefgh for what it's worth.  And let me know if I missed your post.

The Reviews

Abeni's Song, by P Djèlí Clark, at Garik16's SciFi/Fantasy Reviews and Other Thoughts

Adventure Calling (Time Travellers #1), by Sufiya Ahmed, at Book Craic

Awake, by Christopher Krovatin, at Ms. Yingling Reads

Cameron and the Shadow Wraiths, by Mark Cheverton, at Bookworm for Kids

The Clockwork Conspiracy, by Sam Sedgman, at Sifa Elizabeth Reads and Book Craic

The Curse of Eelgrass Bog, by Mary Averling, at Charlotte's Library

Dangerous Allies (The Forgotten Five 4), by Lisa McMann, at Mark My Words

Evie's Ghost, by Helen Peters, at Charlotte's Library

The Eyes & The Impossible, by Dave Eggers, at Kiss the Book

 Fight for the Cursed Unicorn (Tiger Warrior #5), by Maisie Chan, at Book Craic

 Fox Snare, by Yoon Ha Lee, at Garik16's SciFi/Fantasy Reviews and Other Thoughts

Galaxy Gladiators: A Stellar Cadets novel, by C.M. Bilson, at Mark My Words

The Gatekeeper of Pericael, by Hayley Reese Chow, at Literary Titan

The House on the Hill, by Eileen Dunlop, at Staircase Wit

The Last Fallen Realm, by Graci Kim, at Kiss the Book

Rebel Undercover (The Forgotten Five 3), by Lisa McMann, at Mark My Words

The Secret of the Moonshard, by Struan Murray, at Scope for Imagination

Secrets of the Snakestone, by Piu DasGupta, at Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

The Umbrella Maker’s Son, by Katrina Leno, at Pages Unbound


Authors and Interviews

Deke Moulton (Don't Want to be Your Monster) at Fuse #8

Katherine Marsh (Medusa: The Myth of Monsters) at Watch Connect Read 

Nedda Lewers (Daughters of the Lamp), at MG Book Village

Siobhan McDermott (Paper Dragons: The Fight for the Hidden Realm) at Library Girl and Book Boy

Bob Doyle (The Fifth Hero: Escape Plastic Island) at From The Mixed Up Files


Other Good Stuff

The Best Children's Book Picks Feb 2024 UK Post - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books 

1/28/24

This week's round-up of middle grade sci fi and fantasy from around the blogs (1/28/24)

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

The Reviews

The Beasts of Knobbly Bottom: Attack of the Vampire Sheep, by Emily-Jane Clark, illustrated by Jeff Crowther, at Bellis Does Books  

The Beast of Skull Rock (Monsterious 4), by Matt McMann, at Mark My Words

Beastlands: Race to Frostfall Mountain, by Jess French, at Book Craic

The Boy Who Fell From the Sky, by Benjamin Dean, at Sifa Elizabeth Reads 

Cameron and the Shadow-wraiths: A Battle of Anxiety vs. Trust, by Mark Cheverton, at Mark My Words

A Council of Ghosts, by Ryan Harper Jones, at Dan's Sci Fi and Fantasy Blog

Emma and the Love Spell, by Meredith Ireland, at Ms. Yingling Reads and Always in the Middle… 

The Girl Who Couldn’t Lie, by Radhika Sanghani, at Scope for Imagination

Greenwild: The World Behind the Door, by Pari Thomson, at Pages Unbound

 Hag Storm, by Victoria Williamson, at Valinora Troy

Not Quite a Ghost, by Anne Ursu, at Ms. Yingling ReadsBlue Stocking Thinking, and A Foodie Bibilophile In Wanderlust

The School for Invisible Boys, by Shaun David Hutchinson, at Biblio Nerd Reflections

Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston, by Esme Symes-Smith, at Youth Services Book Review 

The Thirteenth Circle, by MarcyKate Connelly and Kathryn Holmes, at Ms. Yingling Reads 

Time after Time (Best Wishes #3), by Sarah Mlynowski and Christina Soontornvat, at Charlotte's Library

The War of the Heavenly Horses, by Roland Chambers, at Scope for Imagination

Wicked Marigold, by Caroline Carlson, at Mark My Words


Authors and Interviews

Anne Ursu (Not Quite a Ghost), at ReadWonder

Basil Sylvester and Kevin Sylvester (Night of the Living Zed), at MG Book Village

Shaun David Hutchinson (The School for Invisible Boys) at From The Mixed Up Files

MarcyKate Connolly and Kathryn Holmes (The Thirteenth Circle), at The Nerd Daily


Other Good Stuff

a fascinating look at how little MG sci fi is coming out in the first half of 2024, and many other very interesting things--Middle Grade Fiction by the Numbers for the First Half of 2024 (teenlibrariantoolbox.com)

1/14/24

This week's round-up of middle grade fantasy and sci fi from around the blogs

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


The Reviews

Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans, by Isi Hendrix, at  A Library Mama

The Drama with Doomsdays, by Scott Reintgin, at Kiss the Book

The Ever Storms (Wilderlore #3), by Amanda Foody, at Kiss the Book

Extra Normal, by Kate Alice Marshall, at Always in the Middle…  

Guardians of the Source: Gargoyles #1, by Tamsin Mori, at  Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

Harley Hitch Takes Flight, by Vashti Hardy, at Sifa Elizabeth Reads  

The Kingdom Over the Sea, by Zohra Nabi, at Sonderbooks and WOW Recommends

The Little Match Girl Strikes Back, by Emma Carroll and Lauren Child, at Kiss the Book

 Lulu Sinagtala and the City of Noble Warriors, by Gail D. Villanueva, at Ms. Yingling Reads

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

The Rise of the Legends, by Jake Zortman, at Mark My Words

Shinji Takahashi: Into the Heart of the Storm, by Julie Kagawa, at Kiss the Book

A Stranger Thing, by Ruth Tomalin, at  Charlotte's Library 

Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit, by Jesse Q. Sutanto, at The Story Sanctuary

Other Good Stuff

and finally, will a middle grade fantasy/sci fi book win the Newbery Medal this year?

The Puppets of Spelhorst, by Kate DiCamillo feels Newberyish to me, as does The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers.  Are there any you'd add?

"Greta Gerwig Is Approaching Her 'Narnia' Films With a Perfect Mix of Care and Terror" at themarysue.com






1/7/24

Welcome to the first MG sci fi/fantasy round up of 2024!  I hope we all have a lovely reading year (especially me because last year I read and reviewed less than I have since I started blogging....)

First--here are the finalists for the 2023 Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction Cybils Awards! Do consider joining in the fun next year if you haven't already.


The Reviews

The Bellwoods Game, by Celia Krampien, at Falling Letters

Crazy Creek, by Evelyn Sibley Lampman, at Charlotte's Library

The Creatures of Killburn Mine, by Dan Smith, at Scope for Imagination and Book Craic

The Curious Vanishing of Beatrice Willoughby, by G.Z. Schmidt, at Kiss the Book 

The Curse of Eelgrass Bog, by Mary Averling, at Ms. Yingling Reads

The Eyes and the Impossible, by Dave Eggers, at Heavy Medal 

Field of Screams, by Wendy Parris, at Twirling Book Princess

Fright Bite, by Jennifer Killick, at Scope for Imagination

Gone Wolf, by Amber McBride, Heavy Medal

Graysen Foxx and the Curse of the Illuminerdy, by J. Scott Savage and Brandon Dorman, at Cracking the Cover

Harley Hitch Takes Flight, by Vashti Hardy, at Scope for Imagination

The Invisible Spy (The Forgotten Five 2) by Lisa McMann, at Mark My Words

The Last Rose (Sisters Ever After), by Leah Cypess, at Kiss the Book

The School for Invisible Boys, by Shaun David Hutchinson, at Ms. Yingling Reads

Stitch, by Pádraig Kenny, at Book Craic

We Will Comfort Them (Time School #4), by Nikki Young, at Scope for Imagination

Two at A Library Mama--The Demon Sword Asperides, by Sarah Jean Horwitz, and The Dark Lord’s Daughter, by Patricia Wrede


Authors and Interviews

Mary Averling (The Curse of Eelgrass Bog), at  Literary Rambles

Linda Crotta Brennan (The Selkie's Daughter) at Teen Librarian Toolbox


Other Good Stuff

Mr Ripley's Children's Book Picks Jan 2024 UK

12/17/23

This week's roundup of mg sci fi/fantasy from around the blogs (12/17/23)

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


The Reviews

An Adventure Through the Togetherwood, by Sean Anderson, at Literary Potpourri 

The Eyes & the Impossible, by Dave Eggers, at Book Barmy

Gargoyles: Guardians of the Source, by Tamsin Mori, at Mrs Sydney's Famous World's Smallest Library

Goblin Monday (Goosebumps House of Shivers 2), by R.L. Stine, at Mark My Words

Graysen Foxx and the Curse of the Illuminerdy, by J. Scott Savage, at Log Cabin Library

Holly's Secret (Woodwalkers 3) by Katja Brandis, at Mark My Words

Juniper's Christmas, by Eoin Colfer, at Faith Elizabeth Hough

Last Exit to Feral, by Mark Fearing, at Ms. Yingling Reads

Lia Park and the Heavenly Heirlooms (Lia Park #2), by Jenna Yoon, at Kiss the Book

The Mossheart’s Promise, by Rebecca Mix, at Pages Unbound 

 The Quest of Danger (Once Upon a Tim 4) by Stuart Gibbs, at Mark My Words

The Secret Library, by Kekla Magoon, at YA Books Central

Three Tasks for a Dragon by Eoin Colfer, at A Library Mama

Two at Falling Letters--The Unfortunate Wish of Melony Yoshimura & The Last Hope in Hopetown

Three mini reviews at  Utopia State of Mind -- The Tale of the Gravemother by Rin Chupeco, The Destiny of Minou Moonshine by Gita Ralleigh, and Peril at Price Manor by Laura Parnum


Authors and Interviews


Gregory Slomba (The Deliverers Series), with series review, at The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow 

 Sam Thompson (Wolfstounge and The Fox's Tower), at KidLit TV

Igo Rab (Faery: the Tiend), at Fantasy-Hive

12/10/23

this week's roundup of mg sci fi/fantasy from around the blogs 12/10/23

Please let me know if I missed your post or a post about your book!


The Reviews

Champions of the Fox, by Kevin Sands, at Cracking the Cover

The Dark Lord's Daughter, by Patricia Wrede, at Ms. Yingling Reads

Hither & Nigh, by Ellen Potter, at Pages Unbound  

Hollowthorn, by Kalyn Josephson, at Ms. Yingling Reads 

The Ice Children, by M. G. Leonard, at Book Craic and Sifa Elizabeth Reads 

The Lumbering Giants of Windy Pines, by Mo Netz, at Mark My Words

No Way Out (Shadowhouse #3), by Dan Poblocki, at Puss Reboots

THE PUPPETS OF SPELHORST — Kate DiCamillo, at Rosi Hollinbeck

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

The Sky Over Rebecca, by Matthew Fox, at Teen Librarian Toolbox

The Thirteenth Circle, by MarcyKate Connolly and Kathryn Holmes, at  Mark My Words

The Wild Robot Protects, by Peter Brown, at proseandkahn

Worst Broommate Ever! by Wanda Coven, at Bookworm for Kids 

Two at  A Library Mama --Abeni’s Song and Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston |


Authors and Interviews

James Haddell (Tales of Truth and Treasure Book 4: Dagger, Spear and Sword), also with a review, at Scope for Imagination

12/3/23

this week's round-up of middle grade sci fi and fantasy from around the blogs (12/3/23)

an unusually short round-up this week...please let me know if I missed your post!

The Reviews

Amari and the Great Game (Supernatural Investigations #2), by B.B. Alston, at megsbookrack

The Beastly Baron of Beaux Bottom, by Jeremy Hullah, at Book Craic

Festergrimm (Legends of Eerie-On-Sea #4), by Thomas Taylor, at Log Cabin Library

Finney And the Secret Tunnel, by Jamie Lane Barber, at  Always in the Middle…  

The Little Match Girl Strikes Back, by Emma Carroll, at Ms. Yingling Reads 

Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Ruling the World, by Louie Stowell, at Twirling Book Princess

Omega Morales and the Curse of El Cucuym, by Laekan Zea Kemp, at Charlotte's Library

The Secret of the Ravens, by Joanna Cacao, at Ms. Yingling Reads

The Secrets of Splint Hall, by Katie Cotton, at Sifa Elizabeth Reads 


11/26/23

this week's round-up of middle grade sci fi and fantasy (11/26/23)

Morning all!  Here's what I found this week. As ever, let me know if I missed your post, and feel free to let me share if you have one for next week!

The Reviews

Amari and the Great Game, by B. B. Alston, at The Story Sanctuary

Beak to the Future (Two-Headed Chicken 2), by Tom Angleberger, at Mark My Words

Charmed Life, by Diana Wynne Jones, at Shiny New Books

City of Bones ( Bubba and Squirt), by Sherry Ellis, at The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow 

The Girl in White, by Linday Currie, at Twirling Book Princess

The Golden Key, by George MacDonald, at Faith Elizabeth Hough

The Ice Children, by M.G. Leonard, at Bellis Does Books 

The Impossible Girl, by Ashley White, at Log Cabin Library

The Incredibly Amazing and Magical Flying Chair, by Bob Schumaker and Nancy Machlis Rechtman, at Bookworm for Kids 

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

The Lost Library, by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass, at Ms. Yingling Reads

The Lucky Diamond, by Valinora Troy, at Carol Baldwin's Blog

 Nimbus, by Jan Eldredge, at Charlotte's Library

The November Witches, by Jennifer Claessen, at Sifa Elizabeth Reads 

The Queen of Thieves, by Johan Rundberg, at Mark My Words

The Secret Library, by Kekla Magoon, at Rosi Hollinbeck

Slumber of Silence (The Talisman #4.5), by Brett Salter, at Mark My Words

The Sky Over Rebecca, by Matthew Fox, at Ms. Yingling Reads

Stitch, by Pádraig Kenny, at Valinora Troy

World Weavers, by Sam Gayton, at Magic Fiction Since Potter

Two at A Library Mama--The Grace of Wild Things and Moongarden | 

Two at The Book Search--Juniper Harvey and the Vanishing Kingdom, by Nina Varela, and The Spirit Glass by Roshani Chokshi.


Other Good Stuff

Best Middle Grade Books 2023 | SLJ Best Books | School Library Journal



11/19/23

this week's round-up of middle grade fantasy and sci fi 11/19/2023

Hi all, here what I found this week!  please let me know if I missed your post/a post about your book. And please if you review a mg sci fi/fantasy book this week, feel free to let me know in advance!  What with Goodreads eliminating mg as an award category, MG authors can use all the love you can give them (and showing MG spec fic books love my main motivation for doing these round-ups instead of renovating, or even cleaning my house on Sunday mornings, or even evener, actually reading and reviewing myself), so review away and let me know!

The Reviews

The Dark Lord’s Daughter, by Patricia C. Wrede, at Pages Unbound

Darkness and Demon Song (Marius Grey 2) by M.R. Fournet, at Mark My Words

The Dreamatics, by Michelle Cuevas, at YA Books Central

The Invitation (Book 1 of Kepler62), by Timo Parvela and Bjorn Sortland, at Mark My Words

The Memory Thieves, by Dhonielle Clayton, at Sifa Elizabeth Reads  

The Midnight Switch, by Samuel J. Halpin, at BookMurmuration

The Nighthouse Keeper (Blight Harbor 2) by Lora Senf, at Mark My WordsMs. Yingling Reads, and Kiss the Book 

The Puppets of Spelhorst, by Kate DiCamillo, at SonderbooksMiss Cleveland is reading, and Magic Fiction Since Potter

Time After Time, by Sarah Mlynowski and Christina Soontornvat, at Ms. Yingling Reads

 We the Future, by Cliff Lewis, at  Charlotte's Library 

 The Whispering Walls (Shadowhall Academy #1), by Phil Hickes, at Scope for Imagination

Two at A Library Mama -- The Lost Library, by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass, and The House of the Lost on the Cape by Sachiko Kashiwabe, translated by Avery Fischer Udagawa


Authors and Interviews

Danny Weston (Postcards from Valhalla) at Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Books and Scope for Imagination

DaVaun Sanders (Keynan Masters and the Peerless Magic Crew) at Literary Rambles


Other Good Stuff

8 Baking Fantasy Books, at  A Library Mama

At Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books - Best Children's Book Picks November 2023 in the UK 

11/12/23

This week's round-up of middle grade sci fi and fantasy from around the blogs (11/12/23)

Good morning from Rhode Island!  Here's what I found this week--please let me know if I missed your post!

The Reviews

Camp Sylvania (Camp Sylvania #1), by Julie Murphy, at Jill's Book Blog

Emperor of the Universe Series, by David Lubar, at Ms. Yingling Reads

Field of Screams, by Wendy Parris, at Charlotte's Library

Glassborn, by Peter Bunzl, illustrated by Katarzyna Doszla, at Scope for Imagination

The Girl in the Window, by Lindsey Hobson, at Bookworm for Kids

The Haunted Mansion: Storm & Shade, by Claudia Gray, at Kiss the Book 

Impossible Creatures, by Katherine Rundell, at Book Craic

Into the Shadow Mist, by Christina Soontornvat, at Pages Unbound

November Witches, by Jennifer Claessen, at  Library Girl and Book Boy

Postcards from Valhalla, by Danny Weston, at Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books 

The Puppets of Spelhorst, by Kate DiCamillo, at A Kids Book A Day and The Book Nut (audiobook review)

RiverHome for the Holidays (The Adventures of Toby Baxter: Book 2), by Tim Wright, at Reading With Your Kids Podcast

Shades of Winter (Misfit’s Magic), by Fred Gracely, at  Mark My Words: 

The Song of the Swan, by Karah Sutton, illustrated by Pauliina Hannuniemi, at Log Cabin Library 

Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch by Rhianna Pratchett and Gabrielle Kent, illustrated by Paul Kidby, at Magic Fiction Since Potter

Wand, by Landra Jennings, at Always in the Middle…  

The Wolf-Girl, the Greeks and the Gods, by Tom Holland, illustrated by Jason Cockroft, at Magic Fiction Since Potter


Authors and Interviews

Esme Symes-Smith (Sir Callie and the Dragon’s Roost) at The Nerd Daily

Christopher Mackie (Cloudlanders) at Parrot Street Book Club

Kerstin Stanford (Escape from Portaliege: A Sam Harte Adventure) at The Worldshapers podcast

Jennifer Claessen (The November Witches) at Scope for Imagination


Other Good Stuff

"Epic Quests & Enchanted Worlds" at From The Mixed Up Files

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

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