It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 1/15/24

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
For readers of all ages

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop we host which focuses on sharing what we’re reading. This Kid Lit version of IMWAYR focuses primarily on books marketed for kids and teens, but books for readers of all ages are shared. We love this community and how it offers opportunities to share and recommend books with each other.

The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. The Kid Lit IMWAYR was co-created by Kellee & Jen at Teach Mentor Texts.

We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up below, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs.

Happy reading!

 

Tuesday: Kellee’s 2023 Reading Round Up: Statistics, Favorite Reads, #mustreadin2023 End-of-Year Check In, & 2024 Reading Goals

Sunday: Guest Author Post: “Ways to get Middle-Grade Students Excited About Reading” by Sherry Ellis, Author of Bubba and Squirt’s City of Bones

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Kellee

Middle Grade

 

• Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George: I can see why this book was recommended to me! In this book, the castle is not only the setting but also a main character which is unlike any book I’ve ever read. I loved how the author truly made the castle a main character–it is so magical! That, along with the suspenseful story about Celie’s parent’s disappearance and the subsequent coup, makes this book a joy to read!
• Curveball by Pablo Cartaya, Illustrated by Miguel Díaz Rivas: After Elena hurts her knee, she has to look at what she actually enjoys versus obligations and because of this reflection she finds herself having a truly unexpected summer. Through this fun story, lessons are learned about friendship and imagination and all done in a way that is a quick and fun read with colorful illustrations.
• Tryouts by Sarah Sax: The second book in the Brinkley Yearbook series once again tells a story about figuring out your place. I loved that this book brought to light the sexism behind girls not being allowed to play baseball and does it while also sharing Al’s story of fitting in.
• Meesh the Bad Demon: The Secret of the Fang by Michelle Lam: Book two of Meesh the Bad Demon starts right where the first left off and finds Meesh once again needing to help save the world. I am a huge fan of Lam’s whimsical illustrations and her fantastical world is a fun one to revisit.
• We Are Big Time by Hena Khan, Illustrated by Safiya Zerrougui: This book was one of my favorite reads of 2023 (though it doesn’t come out until 2024). It was written after Hena Khan heard about an all-Muslim girls basketball team and interviewed some of the members. This true story inspired her to bring this book to life, and I am so glad! I loved the characters, the story, and the theme–it is such a well done book.
• Puzzled: A Memoir About Growing Up with OCD by Pan Cooke: OCD is often used as a joke and is completely misunderstood. I am a big fan of this forthcoming graphic novel because it truly puts what OCD truly is into the spotlight. The figurative use of puzzles throughout is so clever as well–I think many readers will like both the story and learning about Pan’s life.
• Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans: This book had always been explained to me as a teen secret agent book, but it is so much more than that–it is about teen superhero secret agents! I was enthralled so quickly, and I read book 1, 2, & 3 of this series, and I think I will definitely read more of the series as each book ends on the worst cliffhanger!!

Young Adult

 

• Flight 171 by Amy Christine Parker: This book was so different than what I thought! I assumed it was going to be a plane crash or hijack or something realistic, but OH MY GOODNESS it is about demons and death and lies and is full of suspense! I couldn’t put it down!
• The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes: I cannot imagine having to lying about myself all the time. Yamilet is living that lie and although she is sick of it, she doesn’t know how her truth fits into her life. This is the story of her figuring that out.
• Simone Breaks All the Rules by Debbie Rigaud: Simone has always had rules, but it is senior year, and she wants to finally be able to be her own person. Taking on this quest leads to a journey of self-realization filled with drama.
• Queer Ducks (And Other Animals) by Eliot Schrefer: What a fascinating read! And I loved the format with a mix of informational nonfiction, interviews, and comic; it made the book even more fun to read. Just so well done!
• They Wish They Were Us by Jessica Goodman: Full of gossip, cattiness, suspense, and mystery! (Although, the more I read about prep schools in YA books, the more I wonder how much is embellished versus how much is truly different at prep schools than public schools.)

To learn more about any of these books, click on any title/image to go to the book’s Goodreads page or check out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

This is my week off–see you next week!

Kellee

 

• Reading: They’ll Never Catch Us by Jessica Goodman
• Listening: The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson

Tuesday: Educators’ Guide for Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle

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!

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