Review: Witchwood by Kalyn Josephson

Witchwood by Kalyn Josephson

Witchwood (Ravenfall #3)
Kalyn Josephson
Delacorte Press
Published October 1, 2024

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About Witchwood

The third book in the “spellbinding” (Kirkus Reviews) Ravenfall series follows Anna and Colin, two kids with supernatural powers, into the magical town of Witchwood, where local witches have gone missing—and Anna might be next.

Everything is changing at Ravenfall, the magical inn that best friends Anna Ballinkay and Colin Pierce call home. The leaves are turning golden, the air is as crisp as a harvest apple, and Anna’s older twin sisters are leaving for college… but at least Anna and Colin have finally reunited … Continue reading

Review: Shadow Apprentice by Linda Browne

Shadow Apprentice by Linda Browne

Shadow Apprentice (The Garrison Chronicles #1)
Linda Browne
Crooked Mile Media
Published May 8, 2024

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About Shadow Apprentice

FINALIST, THE WISHING SHELF BOOK AWARDS 2024

13-year-old Ermin is a gifted mechanic and the worst student at St. Anselm’s Training School for Orphans. She’s just failed her exams for the third time—something nobody’s ever done. Worse, Ermin’s been running her own repair business for money, something that’s expressly forbidden. If the headmistress finds out, Ermin will go to prison. Her future will be over before it’s even begun.

But that’s not her only secret.

Her best … Continue reading

Amazing Cat Books for Readers Ages 6 to 8

Amazing Cat Books for Readers Ages 6 to 8

Amazing Cat Books for Readers Ages 6 to 8

If you’re a returning reader on The Story Sanctuary, you will probably not be surprised to learn we are cat people around here. I have two cats at home for the sole reason that my husband will not permit us to have three. We love our boys. One came to us through our vet’s office, when someone brought in a litter of feral kittens. The other came to us through an animal shelter. They’re both sweet snuggly furballs. One is a pretty constant reading buddy to me, but both of them love to sit with my daughter and me for whatever we … Continue reading

Review: The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O’Neill

The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O'Neill

The Tea Dragon Society (The Tea Dragon Society #1)
Kay O’Neill
Oni Press
Published October 31, 2017

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About The Tea Dragon Society

From the award-winning author of Princess Princess Ever After comes The Tea Dragon Society, a charming all-ages book that follows the story of Greta, a blacksmith apprentice, and the people she meets as she becomes entwined in the enchanting world of tea dragons.

After discovering a lost tea dragon in the marketplace, Greta learns about the dying art form of tea dragon care-taking from the kind tea shop owners, Hesekiel and Erik. As she befriends them and … Continue reading

Review: Hungry Ghost by Victoria Ying

Hungry Ghost by Victoria Ying

Hungry Ghost
Victoria Ying
First Second
Published April 25, 2023

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About Hungry Ghost

A beautiful and heart-wrenching young adult graphic novel takes a look at eating disorders, family dynamics, and ultimately, a journey to self-love.

Valerie Chu is quiet, studious, and above all, thin. No one, not even her best friend Jordan, knows that she has been binging and purging for years. But when tragedy strikes, Val finds herself taking a good, hard look at her priorities, her choices, and her own body. The path to happiness may lead her away from her hometown and her mother’s toxic … Continue reading

Fabulous Early Middle Grade Graphic Novels

Fabulous Early Middle Grade Graphic Novels

Fabulous Early Middle Grade Graphic Novels

My littlest is seven, and quite a reader. Keeping up with her reading keeps me on my toes. Lately, her favorite kinds of books to read are graphic novels. We’ve discovered some adorable chapter book-length graphic novels, but she blows through those in a blink. I wanted to try to find some longer graphic novels for her, which meant looking through middle grade titles to find some that are well-suited to her age. The age range for middle grade books is eight to twelve, so this means looking for books geared toward readers at the younger end of that age spread.

A few books in this list are … Continue reading