Kellee – Page 63 – Unleashing Readers

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 3/7/22

March 7, 2022March 7, 2022 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop co-hosted by Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts which focuses on sharing books marketed for children and young adults. 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.

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: Wingbearer by Marjorie Liu, Illustrated by Teny Issakhanian

Thursday: This is (Not) Enough by Anna Kang, Illustrated by Christopher Weyant

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

Kellee

This week is UCF’s Spring Break and next is OCPS’s, so I am going to take a couple of weeks off for both Spring Breaks 🙂 Happy reading to everyone!

To learn more about any of the books I’m reading, check out my 2022 Goodreads Challenge page or my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

My oldest son and I finished Stamped (For Kids) by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi, Adapted by Sonja Cherry-Paul. This is such an important book, and I am glad for a version that is accessible to my son. It offered so many great conversations.

Yuyi Morales is easily one of the most talented authors/illustrators of picture books, and this book did not disappoint! If you haven’t read Bright Star yet, I highly recommend it. Review coming this Thursday!

Ricki

Kellee recommended I listen to Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green. So far, I love it!

I also have a book in every room in my house that I am reading, so I will try to highlight them all on different weeks to share the love!

Tuesday: Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas by Jeanne Walker Harvey, Illustrated by Loveis Wise

Thursday: Bright Star by Yuyi Morales

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

Wingbearer by Marjorie Liu, Illustrated by Teny Issakhanian

March 2, 2022March 1, 2022 by Kellee

Wingbearer
Author: Marjorie Liu
Illustrator: Teny Issakhanian
Published March 1, 2022 by Quill Tree Books

Summary: A young girl must stop a threat to her magical world in this epic graphic novel from New York Times bestselling author Marjorie Liu and remarkable debut illustrator Teny Issakhanian.

Zuli is extraordinary–she just doesn’t realize it yet. Raised by mystical bird spirits in the branches of the Great Tree, she’s never ventured beyond this safe haven. She’s never had to. Until now.

When a sinister force threatens the life-giving magic of the tree, Zuli, along with her guardian owl, Frowly, must get to the root of it. So begins an adventure bigger than anything Zuli could’ve ever imagined–one that will bring her, along with some newfound friends, face-to-face with an ancient dragon, the so-called Witch-Queen, and most surprisingly of all: her true identity.

This captivating middle grade graphic novel, the first of a series, is perfect for fans of the Amulet books and the Wings of Fire series.

Praise:

“Liu crafts a compelling, brave, and joyful protagonist in Zuli. [An] epic fantasy adventure with a classic feel.” –Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Deeply expressive. [Issakhanian’s] use of lush, vibrant colors gives each scene an ethereal glow.” –Booklist

“This fantasy graphic novel hits all the right notes of excitement, danger, and cool magical elements in one short volume.” -Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Wingbearer is one of the best graphic novels I have read this year. Whether you are a kid or an adult, there is a story (and a message) that will pull at your heart strings and make you want more. I can’t wait for the next volume to see how the rest of the adventure unfolds!” –Impulse Gamer

“Wingbearer by Marjorie M. Liu is a diverse story that emphasizes friendship, loyalty, conservation, spirituality, family, and the past with how it shapes the present and ultimately the future. These characters are sweet, naive, sassy, brassy and full of themselves. There is magic, adventure, and a journey that is as familiar as it is fresh. The story is cozy as we know these people from other stories, but there are fresh eyes, experiences, and influences.” –Cannonball Read

About the Creators:

Marjorie Liu is the New York Times bestselling author of the Monstress series, illustrated by Sana Takeda. She also writes for Marvel Comics, including Black Widow, X-23, and Astonishing X-Men. Marjorie teaches comic book writing at MIT, and divides her time between Boston, Massachusetts, and Tokyo, Japan.

Teny Issakhanian is an Armenian American illustrator, building worlds and stories as a storyboard artist and visual development artist in the entertainment industry. She has worked on a multitude of shows at animation studios including Walt Disney Animation Studios, DreamWorks Animation Television, Disney Television Animation, and the Jim Henson Company. Teny graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and the ArtCenter College of Design. She is based in Los Angeles.

Review: What a fantastical adventure! This new mythology is a great foundation for a new series. Zuli and Frowly make a wonderful pair to take us on this adventure with Zuli’s free spirit and Frowly’s grumpiness and hesitation they make a perfect duo! Then they meet other characters with traits that compliment theirs.

The colorful and movie-like illustrations move the action along and help suck the reader into the story. The setting is beautiful, and I adore the cast of creatures that Zuli meets along the way. Note to readers though: There is a cliffhanger which will make you craving the next book!

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: This book will definitely find fans of fantasy and graphic novel readers through school, classroom, and public libraries!

Discussion Questions:

Why is Frowly the perfect companion for Zuli?
What character along the way that Zuli meets do you think moved the plot along the most?
What mythical creature do you hope will be in the next book of the series?
Did you see the big reveal coming? Were there any clues along the way?

Flagged Passages:

Read This If You Love: Amulet series by Kazu Kibuishi, 5 Worlds by Mark Siegel, and other fantastical graphic novels

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Spark Point Studios for a copy for review!**

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 2/28/22

March 2, 2022February 28, 2022 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!

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.

Happy reading!

Tuesday: Just Harriet by Elana K. Arnold

Saturday: Sofia’s Kid’s Corner: The Friendship War by Andrew Clements

Sunday: Author Guest Post by Michael D. Beil, Author of The Swallowtail Legacy: Wreck at Ada’s Reef

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

Kellee

Stuntboy by Jason Reynolds, Illustrated by Raúl the Third: I listened to this book a while ago, and I never marked it as read (oops!), so I am happy to share it today. I love this new addition to the world of funny illustrated novels. AND it was a Schneider Family Book Award honor! Although I missed the illustrations, I do recommend the audiobook.
Pixels of You by Ananth Hirsh & Yuko Ota, Illustrated by J.R. Doyle: I really liked this sci-fi graphic novel; I reviewed it last week.
The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Green: This was a compilation of John Green’s podcast of the same name, and it was exactly what I needed. I love how John Green writes and narrates, so it already had that going for it. I also love learning while reading, and this book did that as well. I highly recommend it to all who want to be entertained but also learn more about this wild world we live in.
Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life by Rachel Renée Russell: I finally read a Dork Diary book! I had a student ask me why I read all the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books and not Dork Diaries, and I did not have an answer, so I grabbed the first one, and I can definitely see why they are loved. They are so accurate when it comes to middle school, funny when appropriate, and the illustrations are great also. I will definitely read the next one.
Miles Morales, Vol. 1: Straight Out of Brooklyn by Saldin Ahmed, Illustrated by Javier Garrón: I really liked this Miles Morales storyline! This first volume ended in a cliffhanger, so of course I will have to read more!

To learn more about any of these books, check out my 2022 Goodreads Challenge page or my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

I finished Meg-John Barker and Jules Scheele’s Queer: A Graphic History. I read this last month and forgot to post about it, and I just reread it because we are using it in a book group. This is a very accessible text and it a great primer for people interested in understanding queer theory.

Kellee

Reading to Review tomorrow: Wingbearer by Marjorie Liu, illustrated by Teny Issakhanian

Listening to: Calypso by David Sedaris

Ricki

I just downloaded this book because I saw Kellee liked it a lot! I abandoned an audiobook that I was listening to that was making me fall asleep every night. I am excited to start this new one!

Tuesday: Wingbearer by Marjorie Liu, Illustrated by Teny Issakhanian

Thursday: This is (Not) Enough by Anna Kang, Illustrated by Christopher Weyant

and

Author Guest Post: “Why are we learning about maps in English class? (and other just questions)” by Michael D. Beil, Author of The Swallowtail Legacy: Wreck at Ada’s Reef

February 27, 2022 by Kellee

“Why are we learning about maps in English class? (and other just questions)”

I know that I’m the minority here, but in my humble opinion, civilization as we know it began its final descent when swarms of satellites filled the sky and GPS replaced the paper maps that used to fill our glove compartments. In my teaching days, I was mildly concerned when more and more of my students (high school freshmen) were unable to tell time on the analog clock on my classroom wall. But when I realized that many of them had no idea of how to read a map, I was absolutely horrified. What would happen, I asked, if the power went out, or the satellites crashed, or hackers changed all of the street names?

I’ve been accused of being a bit of a Luddite, but that’s not really it. It’s not that I fear technology, it’s just that I love maps. And literary maps—usually found printed on a book’s endpapers—well, those are the best. Whether it’s Milo on the road from Dictionopolis to Digitopolis, or Frodo and Sam crossing the Dead Marshes, the voyage of the Goblin in We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea, or David Balfour wandering across Scotland in Kidnapped, there’s not much that I enjoy more than tracing characters’ paths across a map found in a favorite novel.

One of my favorite parts of writing The Swallowtail Legacy 1: Wreck at Ada’s Reef was drawing and redrawing the map of Swallowtail Island. The book starts off with the protagonist and her family arriving by ferry at the island, which is in western Lake Erie. It’s fictional, a composite of some islands that I’ve gotten to know over the years: Put-in-Bay, Mackinac, Nantucket, Carleton, Harker’s, and more. For instance, I’ve always loved the “no cars” aspect of Mackinac Island, so I made that part of Swallowtail (although golf carts are allowed).

The map of the island grew out of necessity; as I was writing, I needed to be able to see the buoy at Ada’s Reef where the fatal accident occurred so long ago. And when Lark and Pip ride their bikes out to Rabbit Ear Point at night to see if the light on the buoy is visible from Dinah Purdy’s porch (possibly a key piece of evidence in the case), I want readers to follow along on the map, to see the buoy for themselves, in a sense. I don’t have an Excel spreadsheet full of data to prove it, but I firmly believe that the kind of kid who does refer to the map is going to remember more details.

If you choose a book for a classroom read that has a map, I suggest creating a bulletin-board-size copy of the map (The easiest way to do it is to project it onto a big sheet of paper and trace it; get students to help transfer the details that you want to include.) Whenever I taught The Fellowship of the Ring, I had a big version of the map on a bulletin board and used different colored push pins to mark the progress of the members of the Fellowship—much more effective than having students trying to figure out where they were on the four part map that’s included in the book.

As an English teacher, one of my goals was to help my students be more careful readers. (I’m hardly alone here; there are more strategies for close reading than there are teachers, I think.) My own experience tells me that even kids who are good readers don’t always read very carefully. The classic short story, Richard Connell’s “The Most Dangerous Game,” which appears in lot of high school English textbooks (and is now in the public domain) provides the basis for one of my favorite assignments: draw a map of Shiptrap Island that shows where all of the key plot events occur. (A caveat: I’m not the only teacher to think of this, and student-created maps of the island can be found online.) The assignment works best as an in-class group project, with each group having to justify their decisions using the text for support.

Other times, when students were writing narrative essays about their neighborhood (inspired by Charles Dickens’s “sketches” of London life), they had to include a hand drawn map of their neighborhood with key locations from the essay indicated and captioned. It’s a great opportunity for artistic students, and those with an eye for detail, to shine, and, as an added bonus, the visual aids made grading the papers loads more interesting for me!

Published February 15, 2022 by Pixel + Ink

About the Book: In a time not long after the fifth extinction event, Edgar Award-nominated author Michael D. Beil came of age on the shores of Pymatuning Lake, where the ducks walk on the fish. (Look it up. Seriously.) He is the author of the Red Blazer Girls series, Summer at Forsaken Lake, Lantern Sam and the Blue Streak Bandits, and Agents of the Glass: A New Recruit. For reasons that can’t be disclosed until September 28, 2041, he now lives somewhere in Portugal with his wife and their two white cats, Bruno and Maisie. He still gets carsick if he has to ride in the back seat for long and feels a little guilty that he doesn’t keep a journal. For more on the author and his books, visit him online atMichaelDBeil.com.

About the Author: In a time not long after the fifth extinction event, Edgar Award-nominated author Michael D. Beil came of age on the shores of Pymatuning Lake, where the ducks walk on the fish. (Look it up. Seriously.) He is the author of the Red Blazer Girls series, Summer at Forsaken Lake, Lantern Sam and the Blue Streak Bandits, and Agents of the Glass: A New Recruit. For reasons that can’t be disclosed until September 28, 2041, he now lives somewhere in Portugal with his wife and their two white cats, Bruno and Maisie. He still gets carsick if he has to ride in the back seat for long and feels a little guilty that he doesn’t keep a journal. For more on the author and his books, visit him online atMichaelDBeil.com.

Thank you, Michael, for your guest post!

Just Harriet by Elana K. Arnold

February 22, 2022 by Kellee

Just Harriet
Author: Elana K. Arnold
Illustrator: Dung Ho
Published February 1st, 2022 by Walden Pond Press

Summary: From the award-winning author of A Boy Called Bat comes a new young middle grade series in the tradition of Ramona and Clementine, starring an unforgettable girl named Harriet.

There are a few things you should know about Harriet Wermer:

– She just finished third grade.

– She has a perfect cat named Matzo Ball.

– She doesn’t always tell the truth.

– She is very happy to be spending summer vacation away from home and her mom and dad and all the wonderful things she had been planning all year.

Okay, maybe that last one isn’t entirely the truth.

Of course, there’s nothing Harriet doesn’t like about Marble Island, the small island off the coast of California where her nanu runs a cozy little bed and breakfast. And nobody doesn’t love Moneypenny, Nanu’s old basset hound. But Harriet doesn’t like the fact that Dad made this decision without even asking her.

When Harriet arrives on Marble Island, however, she discovers that it’s full of surprises, and even a mystery. One that seems to involve her Dad, back when he was a young boy living on Marble Island. One that Harriet is absolutely going to solve.

And that’s the truth.

Praise:

“An engaging series opener about the power of truth to moor and free even the sulkiest of souls.” -Kirkus Reviews

“This series opener is a winner.” Publishers Weekly

“A gentle, slow-moving summer adventure that’s big on character growth.” -School Library Journal

An appealing chapter book for young readers.” -Booklist

About the Author: Elana K. Arnold is the author of critically acclaimed and award-winning young adult novels and children’s books, including the Printz Honor winner Damsel and the National Book Award finalist What Girls Are Made Of. Several of her books are Junior Library Guild selections and have appeared on many best book lists, including the Amelia Bloomer Project, a catalog of feminist titles for young readers. Elana teaches in Hamline University’s MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program and lives in Southern California with her family and menagerie of pets. You can visit her online at www.elanakarnold.com.

Review: When I first read the Bat books by Elana K. Arnold, I was so happy with the new edition to the reading ladder between early chapter books and solid middle grade, and Just Harriet fits solidly in there as well. Harriet is going to be loved the way that Ramona was loved by readers of the past (like me!). She is a bit sassy, super smart, quick witted, and full of curiosity. And her supporting cast of characters fill the background with joy -from her grandma, Nanu, to the owners of the ice cream parlor, Hans & Gretchen. Then add in the very special setting of Marble Island, and you have a special book that is going to find a bunch of happy readers! I can’t wait for more Harriet in the future.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation and Discussion Questions: Walden Pond Press has a Chapter-By-Chapter Guiding Questions and Discussion Points guide available!

Flagged Passages:

Read This If You Love: Ramona Quimby by Beverly Cleary, Bat series by Elana K. Arnold, Aven Green series by Dusti Bowling, Bink and Gollie series by Kate DiCamillo

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Walden Pond Press for providing a copy for review!**

Pixels of You by Ananth Hirsh and Yuko Ota, Illustrated by J.R. Doyle

February 27, 2022February 15, 2022 by Kellee

Pixels of You
Author: Ananth Hirsh and Yuko Ota
Illustrator: J.R. Doyle
Published February 8, 2022

Summary: A human and human-presenting AI slowly become friends—and maybe more—in this moving YA graphic novel.

In a near future, augmentation and AI changed everything and nothing. Indira is a human girl who has been cybernetically augmented after a tragic accident, and Fawn is one of the first human-presenting AI. They have the same internship at a gallery, but neither thinks much of the other’s photography. But after a huge public blowout, their mentor gives them an ultimatum: work together on a project or leave her gallery forever. Grudgingly, the two begin to collaborate, and what comes out of it is astounding and revealing for both of them. Pixels of You is about the slow transformation of a rivalry to a friendship to something more as Indira and Fawn navigate each other, the world around them—and what it means to be an artist and a person.

Praise:

“Ultimately a short but sweet story about two girls slowly falling in love. . .The art, however, is striking, with bold, stark colors; plays on light and dark; and disrupted frames depicting photos and extending emotional moments.”

Kirkus Reviews—

“The robot/human relationship serves as a reflection on managing cultural alienation, and the girls’ chemistry is well developed, building to a surprising, sweet conclusion. Hirsh and Ota’s story is a combination of broad narrative strokes and intimate moments, and Doyle’s manga-inspired, deliciously purple and pink illustrations float with ease through a near-future New York.”

School Library Journal

About the Creators: Ananth Hirsh and Yuko Ota are the Ignus Award winning team behind Lucky Penny, which won a Cybil Award, was a JLG selection, and received a starred review from PW. They live in Brooklyn. J.R. Doyle is an up-and-coming artist, creator of Knights-Errant, a successful web comic and Kickstarter project. They live in Brooklyn.

Review: This short but impactful graphic novel hits on so much! It is an interesting look at where our world may be going when it comes to AI and humans living side by side. It can be taken on the surface for what it is: a human dealing with the rise of AI and her own inclusion of an eye transplant and a human-presenting AI who is dealing with not fitting in anywhere. But it can also be discussed within the context of identity in general. There is one point where Fawn is trying to prove herself to Indira when two robot-presenting AI tell her that she isn’t better than them. This can definitely tie into so many trying to find their place when they are in between worlds.

I will say, my one criticism is actually what also may be one of its strengths: its length. I felt like there was so much unanswered in the story, specifically in the world building, but maybe we’ll have more in the future!

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: In addition to finding love from your sci-fi graphic novel fans, I’d love to see the premise for this world to be used as a creative writing prompt or even an exploratory essay about how the students would take the world or the commentary throughout that discusses bias could be used as a short research project or expository essay. Additionally, there are great aspects throughout that talk about photography, such as lighting, exposure, and setting.

Discussion Questions:

Why is Indira haunted by AI in her dreams?
What did Indira originally think about Fawn?
How does Fawn not fit in anywhere? How does that make her feel?
In the future, do you think AI and humans will be seen as equals?
How does photography bring Fawn and Indira together?
What did Indira realize after meeting Fawn’s parents?
Why does Fawn call her parents her parents even though AI wouldn’t have parents?

Flagged Passages:

Read This If You Love: Science fiction, graphic novels, Isaac Asimov’s robot short stories

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy for review!**

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 2/14/22

February 14, 2022 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!

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.

Happy reading!

Tuesday: Gender-Swapped Fairy Tales by Karrie Fransman & Jonathan Plackett

Sunday: Author Guest Post by Julie Mathison, Author of Elena the Brave

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

Kellee

The Rumor Game by Dhonielle Clayton & Sona Charaipotra: The authors of Tiny Pretty Things are back with another messed up look at the potential of wildness that can happen in high school, this time all around a rumor. Using multiple formats, including text messages and social media posts, they tell the story of how things can get out of control and change the lives of those involved.
Nubia: Real One by L.L. McKinney, Illustrated by Robyn Smith: Nubia is a new-to-me super hero! She is amazing! She can not only kick butt, but she is also a good person willing to fight for her friends and for social justice. I am overall a Marvel fan, but then I read something like this and DC is definitely giving Marvel a run for their money in my book.
Glitch by Sarah Graley: Trent got this book out from his school library and when he got done immediately told me I had to read it because it was one of the best graphic novels he had ever read, and I agree it was very good! It has so much that makes a graphic novel fun to read: action, humor, a twist, and colorful illustrations. All of this along with a very interesting video game-based story made for a fun read.
Cold War Correspondent by Nathan Hale: Nathan Hale is visiting my school on Friday!!!!! To prepare, I wanted to read his newest, so I had read them all before he came. I cannot wait though I also still have so much to do! This is probably one of my top Hazardous Tales books so far. I love learning new things, and the Korean War is definitely something I don’t know much about; I adored the new narrator–she is so kick butt, and it also included everything I love about the series: humor, history, truth.
Something is Killing the Children Vol. 1 by James Tynion, IV: I was trolling Hoopla looking for a new graphic novel to read when I came across this, and the title and cover immediately grabbed me. And rightfully so! The story is gruesome yet intriguing, and I will definitely be reading more!

Nina: A Story of Nina Simone by Traci N. Todd, Illustrated by Christian Robinson: I can definitely see why this book was honored by the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Committee. Christian Robinson is so talented with his collage–it is beautiful, invokes an emotional response, and is brilliantly done. Additionally, I am so glad that there is a picture book biography of Nina Simone! She should be talked about more, and I hope this book will help.
The Couch Potato by Jory John, Illustrated by Pete Oswald: The newest in this series is a great addition. Each book has a focus that is important for kids, and this one focuses on appreciating nature.
Oh Look, A Cake! by J.C. McKee: Quite a funny book in the vein of I Want My Hat Back.
The Snurtch by Sean Ferrell, Illustrated by Charles Santoso: This is a picture book that I read with Trent periodically because it addresses those big emotions that sometimes are hard to control that everyone deals with from time to time.

To learn more about any of these books, check out my 2022 Goodreads Challenge page or my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

Amidst a lot of article reading, I read this beautiful, wordless book Once Upon a Forest by Pam Fong. It’s magnificent, and I am looking forward to sharing it more fully this Thursday.

Kellee