It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 12/11/23

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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!

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Tuesday: Living PopUps

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Unveiling Memories and Creativity” by Will Hillenbrand, Author of The Voice in the Hollow

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

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Ricki

I am home with a sick kid, so I have to take today off. I am sorry! I will see you after our winter break with a massive book roundup!

Kellee

This is my week off, but I’ll be back next week with a reading roundup! You can learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

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Tuesday: Educators’ Guide for Airi Sano, Prankmaster General: New School Skirmish by Zoe Tokushige, Illustrated by Jennifer Naalchigar

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Museum Mysteries” by K.H. Saxton, Author of The A&A Detective Agency: The Fairfleet Affair

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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!

 Signature andRickiSig

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 11/27/23

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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!

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We had a fall break last week!

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Ricki

I am sorry that I need another week to get my book list together. I read a lot! I am so excited about the books I received at the NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) National Conference and the ALAN (Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of NCTE) Workshop.

Kellee will be back next Monday with a normal roundup.

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Tuesday: Educators’ Guide to Promise Boys by Nick Brooks

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “3 Activities to Help Children Meet Challenges Successfully” by Elizabeth Godley, Author of Rock, Scissors, Paperbag

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!

 Signature andRickiSig

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 11/6/23

Share

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!

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Tuesday: Discussion Guide for Futureland: Battle for the Park by H.D. Hunter

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

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Kellee

Today is my day off from IMWAYR, but you can learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my  read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison is one of the very few books that I haven’t read on the top banned books lists. I decided I needed to change that. It is a powerful book, and it is absolutely absurd that this book is being banned. I really appreciated the lawn theme. It made me very reflective.

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Ricki

I am reading books for NCTE! More soon!

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Tuesday: The Night Raven (The Moonwind Mysteries #1) by Johan Rundberg

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “The Powerful Nature of Graphic Memoirs” by Claire Lordon, Author of One in a Million

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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!

 Signature andRickiSig

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 10/23/23

Share

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!

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Tuesday: Apart, Together by Linda Booth Sweeney & Ariel Rutland

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “There’s a World of Inspiration Out There” by Karah Sutton, Author of The Song of the Swan

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

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Kellee

Today is my day off from IMWAYR, but you can learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

Adult

 

I fell hard into the Emily Henry ferver. After reading and enjoying Book Lovers a couple of weeks ago, I decided to read her other three popular novels. I’ve always enjoyed romance and love watching people fall in love, so I just kept going. Needless to say, it’s been a busy week of romance. I don’t typically read adult novels, but this was a fun splurge. I think I’ll go back to YA, middle grade, and picture books now.

I’ve noticed it is very popular for people to rank the order of which they enjoy Emily Henry’s novels. I suppose I’ll play along, but I found them to be quite similar to each other. Anyways, here is my order of enjoyment with the carats that people on the internet are using:

Beach Read > Book Lovers > People We Meet on Vacation > Happy Place

To be perfectly honest, though, I am unclear about the impassioned defense and rating of the books on the internet because all four were enjoyable. The first two ranked higher for me because I loved the literary theme. The third was not as exciting for me because I am not much of a traveler, but I did enjoy the friends-to-lovers theme. The fourth ranked lowest to me because I hate break-up novels (not a spoiler–the novel starts with a breakup), but I did love the bond between the friends! All four were a pleasure to read, and I can see why people love this author.

Middle Grade

I couldn’t have been more excited by this author collaboration. Kekla Magoon and Cynthia Leitich Smith are two of the best authors writing today, and I was very eager to start the Blue Stars series. It lived up to my (very high) expectations! This is a series that will be very popular among kids. After I finished it, I gave it to my own three children, and they sat in the corner (or on the couch) and didn’t get up until they’d read it cover to cover! I recommend getting your hands on this book, Mission One: The Vice Principal Problem.

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I am really enjoying the beauty of Eagle Drums by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson.

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Tuesday: Mascot by Charles Waters and Traci Sorell

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Cats vs. Dogs” by Paul Meisel, Author of Boom!

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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!

 Signature andRickiSig

Up In Flames by Hailey Alcaraz

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Up In Flames
Author: Hailey Alcaraz
Published: October 3, 2023 by Viking

Summary: Gorgeous, wealthy, and entitled, Ruby has just one single worry in her life—scheming to get the boy next door to finally realize they’re meant to be together. But when the California wildfires cause her privileged world to go up in flames, Ruby must struggle to find the grit and compassion to help her family and those less fortunate to rise from the ashes.

At eighteen, Ruby Ortega is an unapologetic flirt who balances her natural aptitude for economics with her skill in partying hard. But she couldn’t care less about those messy college boys—it’s her intense, brooding neighbor Ashton who she wants, and even followed to school. Even the fact that he has a girlfriend doesn’t deter her . . . whatever Ruby wants, she eventually gets.

Her ruthless determination is tested when wildfires devastate her California hometown, destroying her parents’ business and causing an unspeakable tragedy that shatters her to her core. Suddenly, Ruby is the head of the family and responsible for its survival, with no income or experience to rely on. Rebuilding seems hopeless, but with the help of unexpected allies—including a beguiling, dark-eyed boy who seems to understand her better than anyone—Ruby has to try. When she discovers that the fires also displaced many undocumented people in her town, it becomes even more imperative to help. And if she has to make hard choices along the way, can anyone blame her?

In her powerful debut novel, Mexican American author Hailey Alcaraz chronicles a riveting portrait of transformation, resilience, and love with an unlikely heroine who, when faced with unforeseen disaster, surprises everyone, especially herself.

Review: This book reminds us all that we are imperfect, and we won’t always make the right choices. Ruby’s story is set in a backdrop of the California wildfires. The book includes richly realized themes, and I particularly appreciated the ways in which Author Hailey Alcaraz interrogated the intersections of race and class. I was invested in Ruby’s story and rooting for her from the beginning to end. She is certainly flawed (as we all are), and she felt very real to me. I really enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it. (The audiobook is excellent!)

Tools for Navigation: Teachers might have students map some of the many themes of this book, considering how they are integrated within the text and the lessons they teach readers.

Discussion Questions: 

  • How would you describe Ruby? What qualities does she have that are positive? What qualities might she work on? What lessons does she learn?
  • How does the setting shape the story? How might the text be different if the setting was different?
  • How are Ashton, Remy, and Charlie different? How does Ruby’s relationship with each help us understand her more?

Flagged Spreads/Passages: She understood that some things required more than sheer willpower. Some things—the important things, the hard things, the things that defined you as a person—required patience and trust and listening, too (p. 370, Advanced Reader Copy, and the quote may change).

Read This If You Love: Realistic Fiction, Romance, Social Justice Stories

Recommended For: 

RickiSig

**Thank you to Aubrey at Penguin Young Readers for providing a copy for an honest review**

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 10/9/23

Share

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!

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Tuesday: Frankie and Friends: Breaking News by Christine Platt, Illustrated by Alea Marley

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “No Easy Answers: Using A Twist of Magic to Make a Tough Topic Accessible” by Jessica Vitalis, Author of Coyote Queen

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

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Kellee

Today is my day off from IMWAYR, but you can learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads. 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

I just finished Hailey Alcaraz’s Up In Flames. This book gave me so much to think about! I am reviewing it this Thursday.

I will read anything that Cynthia Leitich Smith writes. This book is captivating in the way that it blends genres of realistic fiction, horror, and mystery. This is the perfect book to get your hands on right now for Halloween.

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Ricki

I just received Blue Stars: The Vice Principal Problem by Kekla Magoon and Cynthia Leitich Smith, Illustrated by Molly Murakami. I am excited to read it!

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Tuesday: The Uninhabitable Earth (Adapted for Young Readers): Life After Warming by David Wallace-Wells

Thursday: Up In Flames by Hailey Alcaraz

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Big Problems and Small Fascinations” by Olivia A. Cole, Author of Where the Lockwood Grows

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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!

 Signature andRickiSig

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 9/25/23

Share

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!

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Tuesday: Educators’ Guide for Last Gate of the Emperor by Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel Makonnen

Thursday: Recent, High Interest, Engaging Graphic Novels Your Elementary and Middle School Students Will Love

Friday: Author Guest Post: “Delicious Details” by Caroline Hickey, Author of Ginny Off the Map

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

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Kellee

Today is my day off from IMWAYR, but you can learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

Picture Books

I read some delightful pictures books this week.

Mary’s Idea by Chris Raschka is a lovely tribute to Mary Lou Williams and is artistically very beautiful!

The Digger and the Butterfly by Joseph Kuefler is a great book for a preschool classroom. It shows the phases of the butterfly and has diggers, too!

We Are Starlings by Robert FurrowDonna Jo Napoli, and Marc Martin is a beautiful story with gorgeous words and illustrations.

A Smart, Smart School by Sharon Creech and Anait Semirdzhyan is fun! I love the critique on test-taking. This book is best for kids 3rd grade and up, and I think it will make them laugh!

The Book is Banned by Raj Haldar and Julia Patton is hysterical! Adult readers will giggle, too.

Young Adult

Invisible Son by Kim Johnson. I won’t ever forget Andre’s story. He is a character that readers will root for. I felt incredibly frustrated by his situation, and the story reflects the real-life circumstances of so many young people in the US. Kim Johnson has such powerful writing, and her stories are unflinchingly honest. I highly recommend this one.

Adult

Book Lovers by Emily Henry. This is a sweet romantic story. I’d heard it was very good from a few of my students. It is a delightful book that made me smile often—a rom com!

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Ricki

 

  • Reading with my ears: Harvest House by Cynthia Leitich Smith
  • Reading with my eyes: King Cheer by Molly Horton BoothStephanie Kate Strohm, and Jamie Green (Illustrator)
  • Reading to my children: The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels by Beth Lincoln, (Illustrated by Claire Powell)

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Tuesday: There Was a Party for Langston by Jason Reynolds, Illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey & Jarrett Pumphrey

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Introducing Young Readers to Historical Fiction” by Deborah Hopkinson, Author of The Adventures of Trim

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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!

 Signature andRickiSig