New middle grade fiction
I'm really excited that I get to be on the CYBILs judging panel again this year! Last year I did middle grade speculative (fantasy) fiction and this year I'm doing realistic fiction. It's such an awesome opportunity to get to read A LOT of books in a short amount of time! So, not to gloat, but Aaaand, that would be me doing the happy dance! The first book I read was already terrific! It's called "Once Upon a Princess" by Christine Marciniak. I'm going to tell you the truth, I was totally ready to hate this one. I have very little patience with things that are just pink and sparkly and after the first chapter, I was ready to kick it to the curb, but I persisted and man, was it worth it! It's about a princess (yes, pink and sparkly and silk gowns to start with but be patient!) who is ready to attend her first ball. She's only 12 a...