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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!
It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week […]
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!
It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover the next “must-read” book!
Kellee and Jen, of Teach Mentor Texts, decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too.
We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.
Wednesday: Hazardous Tales: Raid of No Return by Nathan Hale with an Educator Guest Post
Thursday: Review and Giveaway!: Who Eats Orange? by Dianne White
Giveaway open until Wednesday!
Friday: Picture Book 10 for 10: Our 4-Year-Olds Share Their Current Ten Favorite Books
**Click on any picture/link to view the post**
Kellee
Whoa! Last week was our planning week before students start today, and it was REAL! Which means, that other than over the weekend, not a lot of reading was done. Back to the school year!
I checked out every Vet Volunteers e-book that my library has, and I really love them. They’re like that healthy food that is your comfort food–they are great books that make me so happy when I read them.
The Duck, Duck, Porcupine! books by Salina Yoon are HILARIOUS! I’m so glad that these are Trent’s book of choice this week!
Ricki
My son and I are running out of Sara Varon books that we haven’t read! This one is called Bake Sale and is from 2011. It was delightful. We love reading Varon’s books. They are funny, and the characters make us smile.
The sixteen hours of this audiobook were purely magical. Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone is worth the hype. It is a stunning story on its own, but it also connects to the stories of our contemporary world. This one offers much to discuss in the classroom.
My toddler loved Who Eats Orange? by Dianne White. The illustrations pop off of the page, and it integrates the learning of colors and animals beautifully. I particularly like how the author didn’t use the typical animals that we see in picture books. This made the reading very exciting.
Kellee
I’m so sad! I have 2 of 8 parts left in my Dumplin’ audiobook, but it is going to return tomorrow, and I don’t think I’ll be done. I’ve requested it again, but I am #3 on 2 copies… I guess I’ll listen to a short audiobook while I wait to get it back. I am also continuing the two series I’ve been reading: Heroes of Olympus and Vet Volunteers.
Ricki
My older son and I are still reading The Super Life of Ben Braver. We are having so much fun reading it. We read three chapters per night, and occasionally, we check out a chapter in the morning.
I am reading The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani. So far, it is excellent.
Tuesday: Teaching Tuesday: Small Things to Build Community and Rapport in Your Classrooms
Wednesday: Book Tour with Review and Giveaway!: It’s Show and Tell, Dexter! by Lindsay Ward
Thursday: It’s Your First Day of School, Busy Bus! by Jody Jensen Shaffer
Friday: Blog Tour with Reviews and Teaching Tools: Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse by Marcy Campbell & Corinna Luyken
Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “How a love of language and travel influenced The Magic of Melwick Orchard” by Rebecca Caprara
Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!
and
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!
It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week […]
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!
It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover the next “must-read” book!
Kellee and Jen, of Teach Mentor Texts, decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too.
We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.
Wednesday: The Kid’s Awesome Activity Book by Mike Lowery
Thursday: Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed
Friday: Maximillian Villainous by Margaret Chiu Greanias
**Click on any picture/link to view the post**
Kellee
We are back to a pretty regular schedule here at the Moye house which means that there is more consistent reading time at bedtime.
- We finished Lucy by Randy Cecil as a family. It is such a wonderful introduction to multiple story lines, prediction, and inferring.
- We then moved on to a couple of new Pete the Cat early readers (Trent loves them!). Pete is a star in my house right now!
- Trent also pulled out a couple of books we love but haven’t read in a while: Super Jumbo by Fred Koehler and I Want to be a Lion Tamer (or a Vet… or a Zookeeper… or a Safari Guide…) by Ruby Brown.
- Lastly, Trent is pretty in love with space (his room has a moon and glow in the dark stars, and he has an astronaut outfit), so when I received A Place for Pluto by Stef Wade, I knew I had to sit down and read it with him, and he loved it as much as I thought he would! It is so good!
- Finished The Son of Neptune, and I can see why my students love this series! I am very looking forward to reading the next book.
- Something Rotten by Heather Montgomery is a book like no other that I’ve ever heard of or seen! It is a nonfiction text, told in really engaging narratives, about roadkill and what it can teach us about animals. It is so fascinating!
- Sadie by Courtney Summers was a book that Haley, of Teachers Who Read, told me to start as soon as possible, so I found it on Netgalley, and I got reading. WOW! I read this YA novel in less than 48 hours while working–that means something. It is told in podcast transcript and first person narrative, alternating. The story focuses on Sadie, a young teen who has run away to find the murderer of her sister, and the podcast that is trying to find her and solve the mystery.
- Jefferson’s Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley was FASCINATING! My teacher friend recommended it to me, and I am so glad she did. I devoured the book while also reading information on Monitcello.org and other websites. I learned so much! It really gives history a voice.
Ricki
Hi, all. I am so sorry I have to bow out this Monday. I hope you have a great week.
Kellee
Still chugging along with Dumplin’ and the Vet Volunteers series. We’ll see if I get to anything else with preplanning next week.
Tuesday: Student Voices: Visual Reflections on School Shootings by Two of Kellee’s 2017-18 Middle School Students
Wednesday: Hazardous Tales: Raid of No Return by Nathan Hale with an Educator Guest Post
Thursday: Who Eats Orange? by Dianne White
Friday: Picture Book 10 for 10: Our 4-Year-Olds Share Their Current Ten Favorite Books
Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!
and
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!
It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week […]
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!
It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover the next “must-read” book!
Kellee and Jen, of Teach Mentor Texts, decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too.
We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.
Monday: Special Announcement: 2018 Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award Finalists
Tuesday: Student Voices: Book Wishes by Ten of Kellee’s 2017-18 Middle School Students
Wednesday: The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
Thursday: Our Solar System by Arthur John L’Hommedieu
Friday: Daring Dreamers Club #1: Milla Takes Charge by Erin Soderberg
**Click on any picture/link to view the post**
Kellee
Back to work part time this last week, but it was super fun: A SUMMER BOOK CLUB! For 4 days, a group of 20 students I spent time reading, talking about, and celebrating The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya and Martí’s Song of Freedom by Emma Otheguy including having a party and virtually visiting with Pablo Cartaya:
I also did find some reading time:
- Eavesdropping on Elephants is Patricia Newman’s upcoming title, and it is so good, so I’ll definitely be reviewing it for you!
- Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers is just as good as you’d expect a Melissa Stewart book to be. I loved the focus on the underdog animals.
- In the car, Trent and I found some new audiobooks on Hoopla to read to us while we drive to school: Pete the Cat and the Bad Banana and Babysitting Mode by Sarah Hernandez.
- I can’t stop reading Laurie Halse Anderson’s Vet Volunteers series. I love them! Great stories, fascinating characters, and wonderful animal lessons.
- What Girls are Made of by Elana K. Arnold is a book that I am so glad exists. It has so much that needs to be talked about that isn’t. It reminds me of Forever for modern day. And the Author’s Note at the end of the book is one of my favorite things ever written.
I have been binging on (mostly middle grade) graphic novels this week, and they are all must gets! I posted them above in order of age appropriateness. Peter and Ernesto is an early reader graphic novel where Hey, Kiddo is young adult. The Cardboard Kingdom and Mr. Wolf’s Class are for primary and up while The Cobalt Prince and Raid of No Return are for late elementary and up. But they are all must reads and must gets if you teach the ages listed above.
Ricki
The family and I are spending some end-of-the-summer time together this weekend, so I decided to take a weekend break from the blog. I hope you all are enjoying some summer fun!
Kellee
- Still reading The Son of Neptune. It is a big book and with rotating other books through while reading it, it is taking a while.
- I started listening to Dumplin’ this week. Too soon to have an opinion.
- Trent, Jim, and I are reading Lucy by Randy Cecil, and I am loving this family reading time!
Later Today: Special Announcement: 2018 Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award WINNER!
Tuesday: Student Voices: The Struggles of Writer Wannabes by Two of Kellee’s 2017-18 Middle School Students
Wednesday: The Kid’s Awesome Activity Book by Mike Lowery
Thursday: Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed
Friday: Maximillian Villainous by Margaret Chiu Greanias
Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!
and
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!
It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week […]
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!
It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover the next “must-read” book!
Kellee and Jen, of Teach Mentor Texts, decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too.
We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.
Tuesday: Student Voices: Top Ten Author Lists by Two of Kellee’s 2017-18 Middle School Students
Wednesday: Joining Book By Book’s Big Book Summer Challenge
Thursday: Hedgehog Needs a Hug by Jen Betton
Friday: Running on the Roof of the World by Jess Butterworth
**Click on any picture/link to view the post**
Kellee
I am trying to get as much reading done as possible before school officially starts on August 6th because I know that the first month or so of school means very little reading, so I have read whenever I had a chance (and being on vacation really helped!).
- Laurie Halse Anderson’s Vet Volunteer series is becoming a favorite! I love learning about the different animals and also getting to know each character.
- The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora is my summer book club choice. The book club starts today and lasts through Thursday, and we will be doing a lot of reading and some fun activities as well as virtually visiting with the author on Thursday.
- One of my promises to my students is that I would read more Rick Riordan books. I read and loved the Percy Jackson and Red Pyramid series, so Heroes of Olympus was next. First I had to reread The Lost Hero then I could move onto the ones I hadn’t read yet.
- Amina’s Voice is a special middle grade novel about finding your voice in the midst of hate.
- Amal Unbound reminded me so much of Sold, and I am so happy a middle grade story like this exists. Told in conjunction with other books that share stories stories that give windows into people that may be different than us, our world is going to be such a better place!
- I’ll be reviewing Milla Takes Charge this week!
- Ghost Boys is another book that I think will help change this world. We must honor the Ghost Boys out there and tell this story! I may just make this the first read aloud this year!
- I am so excited to present with David Levithan at a roundtable on complexity at NCTE about his Newest Every Day novel, so I went back to reread the first book in preparation of the rest of the series. In this reread, I found myself even more fascinated by A’s story, and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.
- I plan on reading the whole Every Day series, so when I saw there was a prequel short e-book for Every Day, I knew I had to read it when I was done with Every Day. I look forward to book #2 and #3 and see where A’s story goes!
- Joseph Bruchac is on my #mustreadin2018 list, and I was so happy to see that my library had this short story available in Hoopla! I love Bruchac’s story of finding strength and overcoming bullying.
- Twig by Aura Parker: First, make sure to check out the end pages–so great! This story is about Heidi who no one notices at first, but with the help of a teacher she learns how to be seen. Interesting to be paired with community building and an insect unit.
- Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery by Sandra Neil Wallace: While in Washington D.C. visiting the Museum of American Art, I saw this book and picked it up right away because I love the artist and the author. The story did not disappoint! What a fascinating look at Ernie Barnes and how he made an impact on art.
- Henri’s Scissors by Jeanette Winter:
- We’re reviewing The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson this week. Make sure to stop by to learn more about this amazing book!
- Twinkle Twinkle Little Star: I Know Exactly What You Are by Julia Kregenow, PhD: Written to the tune of the Twinkle, Twinkle nursery rhyme, this version builds so much astronomy knowledge along the way and is still so much fun to sing 🙂
“Fusing atoms in your core:
hydrogen, helium, carbon, and more.
With such power you shine far,
twinkle, twinkle, little star.”
I know my future astronaut is going to LOVE this book! A wonderful way of combining the familiar with the fascinating! - One Snowy Day by Diana Murray: A cute counting book that focuses on snow day activities. For my preschooler who is obsessed with seeing snow and always loves counting books, I am sure he is going to love this one!
- Little Whale by Jo Weaver: I loved the combination of a feel-good message about family & mothers mixed with the nonfiction aspect of whale migration. Oh, and the illustrations are BEAUTIFUL!!!! (Make sure to notice the tone in the final spread!)
- I Walk with Vanessa: A Story about a Simple Act of Kindness by Kerascoët: Ricki knew I was going to like this book so much that she read it to me over Google Hangouts, and within minutes of her doing so, I had ordered it. It is going to be paired with Each Kindness on my first day.
- Hedgehog Needs a Hug by Jen Betton: Ricki also read this to me because I haven’t been able to get it yet, and it is so wonderful! A great story mixing acceptance and animal defenses.
- Never Satisfied: The Story of the Stonecutter by Dave Horowitz: A fun retelling of a well-known traditional story about how we are all more important than we realize.
- Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code: A Navajo Code Talker’s Code by Joseph Bruchac: Navajo Code Talkers should be part of common knowledge. They are heroes. And this picture book biography of Chester Nez is a wonderful introduction or enrichment of this knowledge.
Ricki
I reread #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women (Edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale). This collection really speaks to me, and I’ve decided to use pieces of it in my class next semester.
I also read Never Satisfied: The Story of the Stonecutter by Dave Horowitz. I laughed when I saw that Kellee read it. This happens to us quite often. I agree that it was a fun retelling.
As Kellee shared above, we had a bit of a love-fest. We read books to each other over Google Hangouts. I said, “Do you have Dreamers? I really want to read that book.” Conveniently, she did! It was everything I’d hoped for and more. 🙂
Kellee said, “Have you read What Can a Citizen Do?” I said no. She said, “I am reading it to you aloud. Hang on.” This is a great book. I don’t think there is too young of an age to teach citizenship, and this book is a wonderful resource for teachers. It’s very teachable.
Kellee
- I am currently listening to What Girls Are Made Of by Elana K. Arnold. I am more than half way through, and wow–this is like Forever for a new generation.
- I am also currently reading The Son of Neptune. For some reason Heroes of Olympus, even though it is a great adventure, just goes slower for me than the Olympian series.
- Trent and I are reading Peter and Ernest: A Tale of Two Sloths by Graham Annable together. I love that he is just laughing and laughing at this book.
I also have this awesome pile of graphic novels waiting for me!
Ricki
My son and I are on a quest to read every book available by Sara Varon. We’ve read Odd Duck, Robot Dreams, and New Shoes. If you haven’t checked out these graphic novels, they are absolutely fantastic. We reserved this one in the library and made a special trip to pick it up.
I am still reading There There by Tommy Orange. The book is very heavy, so I have been taking it a piece at a time.
Tuesday: Student Voices: Book Wishes by Ten of Kellee’s 2017-18 Middle School Students
Wednesday: The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
Thursday: Our Solar System by Arthur John L’Hommedieu
Friday: Daring Dreamers Club #1: Milla Takes Charge by Erin Soderberg
Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!
and
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!
It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week […]
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!
It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover the next “must-read” book!
Kellee and Jen, of Teach Mentor Texts, decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too.
We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.
Tuesday: Student Voices: Advice for Picking Books by Four of Kellee’s 2017-18 Middle School Students
Wednesday: Masterpiece Robot and the Ferocious Valerie Knick-Knack by Frank Tra
Friday: I Say OOH You Say AAH by John Kane
**Click on any picture/link to view the post**
Kellee
Yesterday was a travel day for me, so I just didn’t get a chance to do today’s post. I’ll catch up with you all next week 🙂
Ricki
Hi, all! I just returned from a vacation with family (extended and immediate) in Steamboat Springs. It was wonderful! I had great intentions of reading bloggers’ IMWAYR posts last Monday, but I was trapped in a room with a toddler who didn’t like his pack ‘n’ play. I apologize for being off the grid, but every time I tried to open my computer, he woke up.
We checked out the Steamboat Springs library. It’s a good one if anyone is ever in the area. We read a few dozen books, and I feature my favorites below!
*Drawn Together by Minh Le is absolutely stunning. This one will be a solid contender for the Caldecott this year. The story and illustrations are absolutely beautiful. This book is a must read.*
Say Zoop! by Hervé Tullet was just as entertaining as the other books that he’s created. I liked how this book focused on having readers say things aloud. Tullet is very clever!
Red Again by Barbara Lehman is a wordless picture book follows the journey of a boy who finds a book. I like how the book looped at the end of the text to show how stories continue on and on forever.
I love Mac Barnett, and I love Jon Klassen, so it wasn’t surprising that I loved Square. This duo creates magical stories.
My son picked up The Dog that Nino Didn’t Have by Edward van de Vendel. It’s a quiet book that feels very ethereal. I was enthralled with the lyrical language, and I enjoyed it. The book is odd, and it is quite philosophical. I suspect folks either love or hate this one, which always offers space for great conversations!
I have seen others rave about Little Fox in the Forest by Stephanie Graegin, but I got my hands on it at the library. This is a beautifully illustrated, wondrous picture book. It reminds me of Journey by Aaron Becker. Readers will be whisked away by the magic of this one. If you haven’t checked it out yet, I recommend this book!
My youngest son loves diggers and loves dogs, so he was thrilled to find Dalmation in a Digger by Rebecca Elliot. The sound effects make this a fun read-aloud, particularly for toddlers and preschoolers.
Ricki
I have three hours left (out of sixteen hours) in this audiobook. Can you tell that I am savoring it? It’s everything I hoped it to be and more. If you haven’t read it yet, I recommend Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone.
I’ve recruited my whole family to read There There by Tommy Orange. We are Native, so we enjoy reading about other Native experiences. This one is climbing in popularity, and I am loving it thus far. Even my less-than-thrilled-to-read-books relatives are raving about it.
Tuesday: Student Voices: Top Ten Author Lists by Two of Kellee’s 2017-18 Middle School Students
Wednesday: Joining Book By Book’s Big Book Summer Challenge
Thursday: Hedgehog Needs a Hug by Jen Betton
Friday: Running on the Roof of the World by Jess Butterworth
Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!
and
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!
It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week […]
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!
It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover the next “must-read” book!
Kellee and Jen, of Teach Mentor Texts, decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too.
We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.
CONGRATULATIONS Jennifer B. for winning our giveaway for Two Truths and a Lie: Histories and Mysteries!
Tuesday: Student Voices: Top Ten Book Lists by Four of Kellee’s 2017-18 Middle School Students
Thursday: Alone Together by Sarah Donovan
Friday: A Possibility of Whales by Karen Rivers
**Click on any picture/link to view the post**
Kellee
Have you read everything Eliot Schrefer has written? I have, and I cannot tell you enough to go get his books if you haven’t read them. His newest, coming out in September, is another brilliant book, and I need to tell you how unique and thought provoking it is! Fans of his and new Schrefer readers will not be disappointed.
Well, here is some honesty: TV has been my entertainment recently. I am reading some phenomenal books, but Orange is the New Black (just started it and have watched 2 seasons since summer started!), Big Brother, Masterchef, So You Think You Can Dance, and, unfortunately, The Bachelorette (when Jim decides to turn it on) are what my brain wants to do. I’ve also found some amazing love in coloring and LEGO building which has been great for my mindset. I still read some every day, but I am not finishing a book a day as I always hoped. And I’ve had some work to do most days since summer has started, so it is what it is. And you know what? This is reality, and I think that is my brain telling me that it needs a thinking break when I’m not working.
Ricki
Have a wonderful week! I am spending time with family this week; see you next week!
Kellee
I just don’t know what I am going to finish, so you’ll have to check back with me later 🙂
Tuesday: Student Voices: Advice for Picking Books by Four of Kellee’s 2017-18 Middle School Students
Wednesday: Masterpiece Robot and the Ferocious Valerie Knick-Knack by Frank Tra
Thursday: You Choose: A New Story Every Time – what will YOU CHOOSE? by Nick Sharratt and Pippa Goodhart
Friday: I Say OOH You Say AAH by John Kane
Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!
and
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!
It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week […]
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!
It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover the next “must-read” book!
Kellee and Jen, of Teach Mentor Texts, decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too.
We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.
Congratulations to Lisa M. for winning the Goodbye Brings Hello Giveaway!!!
Last Week’s Posts
Wednesday: Review, Teaching Guide, and Giveaway!: Two Truths and a Lie: Histories and Mysteries by Ammi-Joan Paquette and Laurie Ann Thompson
GIVEAWAY ENDS ON 7/5!
Don’t forget to enter!
Thursday: Atlas of Imaginary Places by Mia Cassany
Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “The Uh…. Game” by Mark Morrison, Author of TwoSpells
**Click on any picture/link to view the post**
Last Week’s Journeys
Kellee
ALA Annual is an amazing experience! As educators, librarians, or just book lovers, if you ever have a chance to go I highly recommend getting the exhibitors pass then going to award ceremonies. Here are some of the authors & illustrators I met/saw and photos from the Newbery/Caldecott/Legacy Award Ceremony:
[Each set of four upper then bottom, left to right] Neal Shusterman, Jarrod Shusterman, Kate Dicamillo, Christian Robinson, Eliot Schrefer, Ally Condie & Brendan Reichs, KA Holt, J.C. Cervantes, Jay Coles, Daniel José Older, Renee Watson, Elana K. Arnold, Josh Funk, Shawn Harriss, Alice Faye Duncan, Gregory Christie, Celia C. Pérez, Fred Koehler, Yuyi Morales, Nathan Hale, Pablo Cartaya, Gabe Soria, Keir Graff, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Travis Jonker, Sarah McGuire, Mark Oshiro, Patricia Newman, Legacy Award Winner Jacqueline Woodson, Caldecott Medal Winner Matthew Cordell, and Newbery Medal Winner Erin Entrada Kelly
I also got to see some of my favorite people: Jason Lewis, Alyson Beecher, and Michele Knott (and others who I didn’t get photos with!)
Inspired by Freedom in Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherford, Michele and I walked to Congo Square in New Orleans. (Click on any of the images above to make them larger.)
Over the last two weeks, I finished reading:
- Two Truths and a Lie: Histories and Mysteries by Ammi-Joan Paquette and Laurie Thompson: Check out my review!
- Vet Volunteers book 2 & 3 were lots of fun because each book is from a different point of view, so the readers get to know each character. I’m waiting on book 4 to be available at my library.
- Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson is phenomenal. I don’t know why it took me so long to read it; what a great look at the twisted world of boy teenage years and trying to be a “normal” family.
- I LOVED LOVED LOVED Anger is a Gift by Mark Oshiro, and I was so happy to meet him at ALA and be able to gush at him all of the love I have for his book. It is one of those books that is hard to describe and a lot happens, but I never felt like it was bogged down; it just felt like truth.
- Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo is a companion to Raymie Nightingale, but it definitely stands on its own two feet. Although I really liked Raymie, I know some who did not, but I just cannot see anyone not liking Louisiana’s. Her voice and story is all the DiCamillo perfection you could want.
- Running on the Roof of the World by Jess Butterworth is a survival and adventure story about two teens escaping from Tibet to India after the military take over of their village. It is not getting enough love–pick it up and help me spread it!
Trent and I read:
- Little Lost Bat by Sandra Markle is a sad then sweet tale filled with interesting information about bats.
- Tales of Sasha: The Big Secret by Alexa Pearl is the first in the series about a horse that feels different than everyone else in her herd.
- I Say Ooh You Say Aah by John Kane is a HILARIOUS interactive picture book like Don’t Touch This Book or Press Here.
One thing I love about conferences is being able to visit publishers and read their picture books. Above are all the ones I finished, and I would have to say they are wonderful! However, there are definitely some favorites:
- Must buy: Dreamers by Yuyi Morales & Drawn Together by Minh Le
- Almost must buys; definitely must read: We Don’t Eat our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins, A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin, The Princess and the Pitstop by Tom Angleberger, World Make Way edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins, Rock ‘n’ Roll Soul by Sophia Verde, The 5 O’Clock Band by Trombone Shorty
- Must read: T. Rex Time Machine by Jared Chapman, The Dreamer by Il Sung Na, Hello Hello by Brendan Wenzel, Potato Pants! by Laurie Keller, The Very Last Castle by Travis Jonker, Pearl by Molly Idle
- Should read: I Hate My Cats (A Love Story) by Davide Cali, Maze Quest by Travis Nichols, Everything & Everywhere by Marc Martin, The Kiddie Table by Colleen Madden, Harrison P. Spader Personal Space Invader by Christianne C. Jones
Ricki
I absolutely love The Wall in the Middle of the Book by Jon Agee.
My review: Sometimes, the invisible generates a fear that becomes greater than us. We focus so much on Othering that we neglect to recognize that the other side of that wall might offer something safe and good… something magnificent. Worse, we focus so intently on our fear of what might exist in the other side of the wall that we fail to see the very real danger we face. This book is extraordinarily well-written. It can be read as a fantastical story, or it can be imagined in beautifully metaphorical ways. Is the story about a knight and an ogre, or is it about the raging xenophobia that exists in our country? Readers can decide for themselves.
Sonia Sotomayor’s Turning Pages was fascinating. I learned a lot about her. She’s a remarkable woman, and I feel grateful to have this nonfiction picture book in my collection.
This Week’s Expeditions
Kellee
I’m currently reading Orphaned by Eliot Schrefer and Unicorn Rescue Society #2: The Basque Dragon by Adam Gidwitz, and I’m loving them both! I have no idea what I am going to read next–we’ll see! As always, I have a huge summer reading pile that I have hardly touched, and I (as reading coach) start working part time on 7/16, so I do not have very much time left in my summer……….
Ricki
I am still reading the same three books as last week. I’ve been working on some writing, so I got behind on my reading. 🙂
Anger is a Gift by Mark Oshiro is my upstairs, bedtime book.
The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani is my downstairs, kids-are-napping book.
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi is my audio book for cleaning, cooking, and driving. It’s 16+ hours long, and I’m a third of the way through. I need a longer commute!
Upcoming Week’s Posts
Tuesday: Student Voices: Top Ten Book Lists by Four of Kellee’s 2017-18 Middle School Students
Wednesday: Books That Feature Immigrants and Refugees: Understanding Experience through the Power of Story
Thursday: Alone Together by Sarah Donovan
Friday: A Possibility of Whales by Karen Rivers
So, what are you reading?
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