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!
Thursday: Sofia’s YA Book Nook: Five Survive by Holly Jackson
**Click on any picture/link to view the post**
Kellee
Picture Book
- The Most Beautiful Winter by Cristina Sitja Rubio, Translated by Vincent Lal: I love when picture books are narrative then tie in information through the back matter, and that is just what this fun and delightful picture book does. Through Badger’s winter story, we learn about animals in his forest and how they spend the winters. Interesting, sweet, and overall a great read.
- Narwhal: Unicorn of the Arctic by Candace Fleming, Illustrated by Deena So’Oteh: Candace Fleming is brilliant! She is able to tell us a story of a narwhal’s life so lyrically and engaging while also teaching us about these amazing animals–it truly is just as majestically done as narwhal’s are. And don’t miss the back matter! (And the illustrations?!?! BEAUTIFUL!)
- Little Ghost Makes a Friend by Maggie Edkins Willis: What a sweet fall/Halloween book with a little bit of spookiness and a lot of heart. The book can be read as just a fun Halloween/fall read or as a focus on social emotional learning and friendship. All with super cute illustrations!
- Bounce!: A Scientific History of Rubber by Sarah Albee, Illustrated by Eileen Ryan: Who knew that rubber is so fascinating?!?! I loved the way Albee rotates between the narrative history of rubber and the science of rubber. It truly is so mind-blowing in general how this substance has made such an impact on history and science.
Middle Grade
- The Legend of the Last Library by Frank L. Cole: What would happen in the future if the written word has all disappeared and all stories and knowledge are owned by one company? This book answers that question. Filled with dystopian drama and adventure, I didn’t want to put it down!
- Are You Nobody Too? by Tina Cane: This book in verse about a Chinese student who is struggling with a post-COVID school change and figuring out her identity and trajectory. I loved the homage to Emily Dickinson (“Are You Nobody?” is my favorite of her poems as a reader and to teach), and verse was the perfect format for Emily’s story.
Young Adult
- Chronically Dolores by Maya Van Wagenen: This book is able to tell a really complicated story in a way that is engaging, funny, important, and just a great read. The main character ended her school year with a horrendously embarrassing event, caused by her chronic illness, so she turns to a “How to make friends” group where she meets Terpsichore, another incoming freshman who is struggling to get her mother to see her as more than just her autism diagnosis. This mixed with friendship and family dynamics make it so that something is nonstop happening in the book and hard to stop reading.
- Running Mates by Emily Locker: This teen friendly rom-com finds our main character, who is a die hard liberal, meeting an All-American boy (and Young Republican) through collegiate track training. It is a look at if opposites can truly attract or if there are sides that are too far apart. A modern-day Romeo & Juliet story that I found heartwarming and endearing.
You can always learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.
P.S. I have now read 45 of 71 authors who are attending ALAN! I am so proud of my progress!
Ricki
This is my week off; I’ll update you all next week!
Kellee
- Reading: The Immeasurable Depth of You by Maria Ingrande Mora
- Listening: A Two-Placed Heart by DoanPhuong Nguyen
Tuesday: Drawn Onward by Daniel Nayeri, Illustrated by Matt Rockefeller
Sunday: Author Guest Post: “A Deep Dive into Summer Love: Bringing Characters to Life” by Robby Weber, Author of What is This Feeling?
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
The Legend of the Last Library sounds interesting, all stories being owned by one company sounds like a nightmare! I was happy to discover there’s a kidlit focus of It’s Monday and this is my first time joining for it! Not everything in my post is kidlit so I hope it’s okay but I love reading MG & YA from time to time 🙂
Hello!
You all have so many great titles posted today! I loved The History of Rubber – fascinating! I cannot wait to see Daniel Nayeri’s new creation – I’m a big fan.
Have a great week!
Jennifer