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2023 Reading List

2023 Reading List

2023 Reading List

This is the list of books I’m planning to read in 2023. Check back as I update this list often! Just about every week, I add new books I’ve accepted for review or titles I can’t resist, as well as squeeze in a few backlist titles where I can.

Some of the backlist titles on this list are books I’ve already read and written up my review for, but my calendar has been so… well, booked… that I’ve had to wait to post about them. There are some great titles on here that I can’t wait to share my reviews about.

This year, I’m breaking up my list into four categories:

Young Adult Fiction (12 and … Continue reading

Best Middle Grade Books from 2021

Best Middle Grade Books of 2021

Best Middle Grade Books from 2021

Well. 2021 was certainly a mixed year for me. It had a really rough start, not a great middle, and a painful and chaotic end. But, it also had some really great books!

Maybe it feels silly to think that the books were one of the brightest spots in the year, but to be honest, they kinda were? I mean, some other good things happened, too, and I have a lot to be grateful for, but the books… those are one of the best gifts from this past year to me.

2021 was a good year for me particularly for middle grade books. When I first started blogging, I only … Continue reading

Review: Birdie’s Billions by Edith Cohn

Birdie's Billions by Edith Cohn

Birdie’s Billions
Edith Cohn
Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books
Published December 14, 2021

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Birdie’s Billions

For as long as eleven-year-old Birdie can remember, it’s always been just her and her mom, which means there’s not a lot of extra money to spend on things like new clothes and batons from the fancy gymnastics store. Still, they always find a way to make ends meet. Then Birdie makes one silly mistake that has a big consequence: Mom loses her job. Now things are more dire than ever, and Birdie knows it’s up to her to fix it.

When Birdie discovers a huge stash … Continue reading

2021 Reading List

2021 Reading List

2021 Reading List

Here is my complete 2021 Reading List. This list shows all the books I’ve currently agreed to review plus whatever random backlist titles I managed to fit in.

You’ll also find links to the reviews for these books as I post them as well as a link to add them to your Goodreads lists or buy them on Amazon (those are affiliate links– free for you to use while generating support for my blog).

Check back again as I update often!

Fiction

Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli

Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli

Review Continue reading

Middle Grade 2020 Holiday Gift Guide

2020 Middle Grade Holiday Gift Guide

Middle Grade 2020 Holiday Gift Guide

I don’t think I’ve ever done this before, but this year I wanted to post a giant list of recommended titles for the holiday season. Whether you’re looking for stories to fill the weeks at home between school days or filling your shopping bag with gifts for those you love, these titles are among my favorites and the ones I most highly recommend from books published this year. I’ve divided this holiday gift guide into sections so hopefully the list is less overwhelming. If I’ve posted a review of the book, you’ll see a link to next to the publication date.

Without further ado, here are the books I recommend for the 8-12 year old reader in your life … Continue reading

14 Middle Grade Debut Books You Need to Read This Year

14 Middle Grade Debut Books

Debut Authors Need Your Help

Middle grade debut books often face more challenges than subsequent books by established writers, and that’s never been more true than this year. Beginning last spring, concerns about COVID-19 meant not only school closures, but author visits, book fairs, book signings, book cons, summer library and bookstore programs– major things authors do to promote their books– were canceled.

Here’s something you can do to help. Read through this list. Add titles to your Goodreads shelf using the links below. If your budget allows, purchase a couple of the books on this list through any of the buy links. (Amazon, Book Depository and Indiebound links are affiliate links.)

At the bottom of the list, I’ve posted a quick ideas … Continue reading