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: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
**Click on any picture/link to view the post**
Kellee
Middle Grade
- The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie: This was a re-read for me and was just as good the second time! We read this for my teacher book club and because Lindsay Currie is coming to my school TODAY! If you are interested in escape room mysteries with great friendship building, this book is perfect for you!
- Unplugged by Gordon Korman: I listened to this one with Trent, and Gordon Korman never disappoints. This one, about a wellness camp that is more than what it seems, kept you guessing throughout.
- Root Magic by Eden Royce: This historical, magical, fantasy book about Jez and her twin Jay who are Gullah people living on an island off of South Carolina. Root Magic is magical but is about more than that; it is about culture, family, grief, racism… it keeps you reading and thinking!
Young Adult
- Heist Royale by Kayvion Lewis: The sequel to Thieves’ Gambit was just as good as the first one! I can’t tell you much about it as it gives away the ending of the first book, but I will say that this one does not disappoint–a solid duology!
- Breakout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon: I love these super author group books, and I am glad that they dipped their toe into thriller because all of these brilliant minds come together and make a twisty, unexpected, wild ride of a book!
- Deep Water by Maren Stoffels: This vacation is more than what Vesper realized–it is a re-education camp where she, along with others, have to face their past choices, even if it leads to someone not returning home. Trent chose this to listen to as we drove home from Fort Lauderdale and, like many thrillers, there is more to it than the summary makes it seem.
Picture Books
- Ripples by Katie Yamasaki: What stood out to me in this book is the imagery within the words that are accentuated in the illustrations. That along with the beautiful message of figurative ripples that can be sent into the world with positivity and good decision making. As the description of the book says, this book “is a nuanced, lyrical celebration of our connections to each other and the environment. With electric, eye–catching illustrations, Ripples reminds us of the value of care and the ways we can perform it—for each other, and for the world around us.”
- The Boy with Big, Big Energy by Britney Winn Lee, illustrated by Jacob Souva: I loved that the author and illustrated chose to share the boy’s energy as a positive–both in words and illustrations. He is literally glowing! There are those who don’t understand his energy, but it is clear in the book that his energy is special, and the boy definitely learns to see it as his power, not his problem. And man, what a wonderful male parent example in this book; it was very special! What a wonderful book to show to our hyperactive, ADHD, and neurodivergent kids that there is power in their differences. I have not read the others in this series, but I definitely do now.
- How a Bear Became a Book: The Collaboration That Created Winnie-the-Pooh by Annette Bay Pimental, illustrated by Faith Pray: I am excited to review this picture book on Wednesday; please come visit UR then to see all my thoughts!
- Loops by Jashar Awan: Jashar Awan truly knows how to put magic into a picture book! With illustrations that you know are Awan’s, conversational and humorous storytelling, a bit of active learning, and toss in a bit of silly, and you have Loops. And I love all of the meanings of loops in the book, too! I highly recommend this–it will be a great read aloud for kids as they move into “big kid” territory which can be scary and exciting.
- Enough to Share by Mary Helen Berg, illustrated by Sue Todd: I adore Sue Todd’s traditional hand-carved linocut technique, and it is perfect for this picture book that celebrates environmental conservation. In the story, following Spirit Bear (a Kermode bear) and Sea Wolf (aka marine wolves), we learn how they, along with other creatures including humans, affect the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia, Canada. I also thank the creators for the back matter, including acknowledging the importance of Spirit Bears for First Nations people, including the Gitga’at and Kitasoo Xai’xais people who share the land of the setting.
Adult
I have been sucked in by Freida McFadden’s thrillers and have read 3 of them already!
And you can always learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.
Ricki
This my week off; I will update you next week!
Kellee
- Reading: Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
- Listening: 11/22/63 by Stephen King
Wednesday: How a Bear Became a Book: The Collaboration That Created Winnie-the-Pooh by Annette Bay Pimental, illustrated by Faith Pray
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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