Author Archives: Kasey

About Kasey

Reads things. Writes things. Fluent in sarcasm. Willful optimist. Cat companion, chocolate connoisseur, coffee drinker. There are some who call me Mom.

Review: Sorceline by Sylvia Douyé and Paola Antista

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Sorceline by Sylvia Douye and Paola Antista

Sorceline (Sorceline #1)
Sylvia Douyé
Illustrated by Paola Antista
Andrews McMeel Publishing
Published on May 17, 2022

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About Sorceline

Welcome to the Island of Vorn, where mythical creatures roam free and only the brightest students are invited to study them. In Book 1 of this riveting new middle grade graphic novel series, a gifted young cryptozoologist-in-training must learn to tame powerful beasts—including her own inner demons.

For as long as she can remember, Sorceline has had a knack for the study of mythical creatures. Now a student at Professor Archibald Balzar’s prestigious school of cryptozoology, … Continue reading →

Review: The Gray by Chris Baron

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The Gray by Chris Baron cover shows a boy's face in the foreground with flat gray smoke or clouds covering part of his face. A few houses and a river fill the background scene.

The Gray
Chris Baron
Feiwel & Friends
Published June 13, 2023

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About The Gray

The Gray is a sensitively told middle grade story from Chris Baron about living with anxiety and finding ways to cope.

It’s been a tough year for Sasha―he’s been bullied at his middle school and his anxiety, which he calls the Gray, is growing. Sasha’s dad tells him to “toughen up”―and he does, but with unfortunate, hurtful results. His parents and therapist agree … Continue reading →

Review: Always Isn’t Forever by J. C. Cervantes

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Always Isn't Forever by J. C. Cervantes cover shows a girl lying on the deck of a boat in the sun next to a boy lying on the deck of the boat, but it looks as though his half of the image is underwater.

Always Isn’t Forever
J. C. Cervantes
Razorbill
Published June 6, 2023

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About Always Isn’t Forever

Best friends and soul mates since they were kids, Hart Augusto and Ruby Armenta were poised to take on senior year together when Hart tragically drowns in a boating accident. Absolutely shattered, Ruby struggles to move on from the person she knows was her forever love.

Hart can’t let go of Ruby … Continue reading →

Review: The Byways by Mary Pascual

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The Byways by Mary Pascual cover shows a large keyhole shaped opening with a golden cat walking past, its shadow filling the bottom of the opening.

The Byways
Mary Pascual
Sparkpress
Published June 6, 2023

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About The Byways

Neurodivergent high school student CeeCee Harper has a temper, and a reputation for trouble. Angry at the rumors and afraid she’ll never fit in, she makes a wrong move—and lands in the Byways, a world of alleys, magic, and forgotten people . . . some that aren’t even human. And if she doesn’t escape quickly, CeeCee learns, she’ll be trapped for good.

Searching for a way out, she gets lost among monsters, drug … Continue reading →

Review: The Hunt for the Hollower by Callie C. Miller

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The Hunt for the Hollower by Callie C. Miller cover shows a girl holding a glowing scepter in the foreground. A boy reaches for her from above and behind her. A girl and boy stand back to back in the upper left background.

The Hunt for the Hollower
Callie C. Miller
Aladdin Books
Published June 13, 2023

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About The Hunt for the Hollower

In this riff on Arthurian legend, a wizardess who is still mastering her powers goes on an epic quest to save her brother from an evil wizard in this middle grade magical adventure perfect for fans of Adam Gidwitz and Amanda Foody!

The great wizard Merlyn prophesied that his seventh … Continue reading →

Review: Everyone Wants to Know by Kelly Loy Gilbert

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Everyone Wants to Know by Kelly Loy Gilbert cover shows a girl and boy standing back to back. She faces the camera.

Everyone Wants to Know
Kelly Loy Gilbert
Simon & Schuster
Published June 13, 2023

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About Everyone Wants to Know

This ripped-from-the-tabloids young adult drama by the critically acclaimed author Kelly Loy Gilbert about a girl’s famous-for-being-famous family fracturing from within as their dirty laundry gets exposed.

The Lo family sticks together. That’s what Honor has been told her whole life while growing up in the glare of the public eye on Lo and Behold , the reality show about her, her four siblings, and their parents.

Their show may … Continue reading →