IMWAYR

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: My Towering Tree by Janna Matthies, Illustrated by Ashley Wolff

Thursday: Sofia’s YA Book Nook: Into Thin Air by Kellie M. Parker

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Challenging the Myths and Misrepresentations of ADHD in Children’s Books” by Ashley Hards, Authors of Hannah Edwards: Secrets of Riverway

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

Kellee

It’s my week off! You can always learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

I enjoyed The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez. Her stories make my heart feel full.

I read The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. I see the argument/premise of his book, but I found it to be a bit too alarmist. Because it is so strongly worded, I know it is selling really well. I know that there’s been some disagreement among scholars about this text, so I’ll be intrigued to read more of that scholarship.

Ricki

I am doing a large content analysis on young adult literature, so I am not able to read much (ironic, right?). It’s taking up all of my time because I am reading so much scholarship!

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Web of the Spider in the Classroom” by Michael P. Spradlin, Author of Rise of the Spider

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

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: Bear’s Big Idea by Sandra Nickel, Illustrated by Il Sung Na

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Living the Questions” by Abdi Nazemian, Author of Desert Echoes

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

Kellee

Picture Books

• Bookie & Cookie by Blanca Gómez: What a creative idea for a story! I loved that there are two friends who live on different pages of the book and travel between the two sides. I don’t know if there are any other picture books like this, but I think it is so clever. And the message of the book is so important. It is going to be the perfect read aloud.
• Cookie Time by Jessie Sima: Jessie Sima does it again! Her books are always so much fun and more than meets the eye. This one is the same–it is a mix of sentimental family moments and time travel! It is sweet and silly. Another unexpected picture book that leads to a wonderful reading experience.
• Clack, Clack! SMACK!: A Cherokee Stickball Story by Traci Sorell, Illustrated by Joseph Erb: The onomatopoeias and action within this book keep the reader wanting to continue to see how everything pans out, and Vann is a character who you can’t help but root for. I also loved the information about stickball and the Tsalagi language that is found in the back matter.
• The Goblin Twins and The Goblin Twins: Too Hard to Scare by Frances Cha, Illustrated by Jaime Kim: These are perfect addition to Halloween read aloud time! The books aren’t too scary, but have a spooky feel, and they both have a great message that make them more than the normal Halloween book. And that they are based in Korean myths that is new to me was so fascinating, so is an opportunity to share about Dokkaebi. (Also, like often with duo characters, there is the opportunity for compare & contrast!)

Middle Grade

• Whatever After: Liar Liar by Sarah Mylnowski: This is the 16th book in this series, and I have loved them all. It is always fun to see how the author is going to twist a classic tale, this time Pinocchio.

Young Adult

 

• This Ravenous Fate by Hayley Dennings: If you like vampire, time period, romance novels with a touch of old timer gangster feels, you are going to love this book!
• How to Lose a Best Friend by Jordan K. Casomar: This book made me feel SO MANY EMOTIONS. I got SO mad, you should have heard me venting to my library clerk. You know a book is good when you are gossiping about it like it is real life. It truly kept me reading–I had to know what was going to happen (and if it was going to make me more angry!).
• Unbecoming by Seema Yasmin: This was a dystopian book about the lack of access to abortion that switched to a contemporary book when Roe vs. Wade is overturned. The story is so real and scary with characters who readers will adore.

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 is my week off–I’ll see you in two weeks!

Kellee

• Dance of the Starlit Sea by Kiana Krystle
• Celestial Monsters by Aiden Thomas

 

Tuesday: My Towering Tree by Janna Matthies, Illustrated by Ashley Wolff

Thursday: Sofia’s YA Book Nook: Into Thin Air by Kellie M. Parker

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Challenging the Myths and Misrepresentations of ADHD in Children’s Books” by Ashley Hards, Authors of Hannah Edwards: Secrets of Riverway

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

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: Clouds in Space: Nebulae, Stardust, and Us by Teresa Robeson, Illustrated by Diāna Renžina

Sunday: Author’s Guest Post: “Why I Write About Messy Teens–And Why We Should Honor the Mess Inside All of Us” by Jen Ferguson, Author of A Constellation of Minor Bears

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

Kellee

It’s my week off! You can always learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

I am spending time with family this Labor Day weekend. I’ll return in two weeks!

Tuesday: Bear’s Big Idea by Sandra Nickel, Illustrated by Il Sung Na

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Living the Questions” by Abdi Nazemian, Author of Desert Echoes

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

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: The Shape of Things: How Mapmakers Picture Our World by Dean Robbins, Illustrated by Matt Tavares

Saturday: Sofia’s Kids’ Corner: The Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Serving Students with Service” by Gayle Forman, Author of Not Nothing

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

Kellee

Picture Books

• Who’s Writing this Story?! by Robin Newman, Illustrated by Deborah Zemke: I love fractured fairy tales and the idea of breaking the 4th wall, and this book combines the two. What a fantastic read–it will be loved by many because of its humor, its look at the writing process, and its uses in the classroom/discussions.
• We Are the Builders! by Deepa Iyer, Illustrated by Romina Galotta: I love this book showing all the different aspects of a successful community as well as how many accepting places there are for so many different people. I love the author’s social change ecosystem map that was shared in the backmatter, and I can’t wait to see how it is used by so many educators and parents to look at HOW WILL YOU CHANGE YOUR COMMUNITY?
• The Boy and the Elephant by Freya Blackwood: I’m so glad this beautiful wordless Australian picture book is being published here as its main question is one that American children definitely need to consider. The boy’s despair is palpable through the illustrations but so is his hope.  Kirkus is so right: “A contemplative look at finding your place in a busy world.” Gorgeous, in so many ways.
  • Look at these beautiful interiors!
      

Middle Grade

• The Beautiful Game by Yamile Saied Méndez: In this soccer (futbol) focused book, Mendez looks at the gender binary; what it means to be a talented young girl athlete, particularly as the athletes get older and co-ed becomes less societally acceptable; and how puberty and periods affects all who deal with them. Any reader who loves soccer and realistic fiction around strong female characters will want to pick up this book.
• The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner: Kate Messner’s return to middle grade novels is another amazing novel in verse! I am so lucky to have gotten an early look at this 2025 book; it is definitely a must read! I can’t tell you much more yet, but I will say that it is a book that will appeal to all types of readers and was a joy to read.
• New Disney Comic Collections from Papercutz — Phineas and Ferb Classic Comic Collection 1 by Scotter Peterson & The New Adventures of Turning Red: Besties 4Ever by Sloane Leong: These comic collections are going to find so many fans who love the shows they are based on. I was excited to see new stories in both that kept true to the characters of both.

Young Adult

• A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology edited by Dhonielle Clayton: What a variety of short stories! All the stories are speculative, meaning it includes both science fiction and fantasy, and take on a fantastical story that will suck the reader right in. Just like any anthology, I had favorites, but I think they all were worth the read. (I was lucky enough to be asked to write a teaching guide for this anthology, and I had such a great time writing it!)
  • Authors: Samira Ahmed, Jenni Balch, Libba Bray, Dhonielle Clayton, Zoraida Córdova, Tessa Gratton, Kwame Mbalia, Anna-Marie McLemore, Tochi Onyebuchi, Mark Oshiro, Natalie C. Parker, Rebecca Roanhorse, V. E. Schwab, Tara Sim, and Nic Stone
• And Then There Was Us by Kern Carter: Centered around 18-year-old Coi, she finds herself facing uncertainty in her mental health and life after her estranged mother dies. Although this book was tough to read as it details child abuse and emotional trauma, I found that going through the healing and forgiveness process Coi tackles in the book was worth it.

You can always learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

It is my week off; I’ll update you next week.

Kellee

 

• Reading: How to Lose a Best Friend by Jordan K. Casomar
• Listening to: This Ravenous Fate by Hayley Dennings

**Once I finish these two books, I’ll have read 38 of the authors coming to the 2024 ALAN workshop, of which I am President!**

Tuesday: Clouds in Space: Nebulae, Stardust, and Us by Teresa Robeson, Illustrated by Diāna Renžina

Sunday: Author’s Guest Post: “Why I Write About Messy Teens–And Why We Should Honor the Mess Inside All of Us” by Jen Ferguson, Author of A Constellation of Minor Bears

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

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!

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “A Walk in Nature: Science for the Very Young” by Julie Downing, Author of Hello, Sun

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

Kellee

It’s my week off! You can always learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

Adult

  

I really appreciated this book, The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters. There were so many parallels between the characters and my own family. After reading this, I sent a copy each to my mom and aunties.

I have been making my way through some contemporary romances lately, and The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez was very enjoyable to read. I listen to this one as I fall asleep, and there were many, many times I extended the sleep timer.

I have officially finished this romantasy series with the fifth book: A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas. I am glad I read it—I’d heard about it a lot. It was a fun ride.

Adult Reread

Tommy Orange’s new book just came out, so I wanted to reread There There before I dove into the next one. It was just as good as I had remembered it to be!

 

Tuesday: The Shape of Things: How Mapmakers Picture Our World by Dean Robbins, Illustrated by Matt Tavares

Saturday: Sofia’s Kids’ Corner: The Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Serving Students with Service” by Gayle Forman, Author of Not Nothing 

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

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: Stay Angry, Little Girl Inspired by Madeleine L’Engle, Illustrated by Michelle Jing Chan

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Integrating Storytelling with Science Education” by Serene Chia, Author of Mommy, Mommy, Where is the Moon?

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

Kellee

I cannot believe that it is already back to school time! My students start today 😲
To all educators, I hope your year starts off (and continues to be) wonderful!

Picture Books

• Kingdoms of Life by Carly Allen-Fletcher: As soon as I finished this book, I texted my 6th grade life science PLC head because this fits right in with the lesson that I collaborated with them on last year. It does a great job of sharing all of the kingdoms of life, including colorful illustrations and lots of interesting, informative, and fun information!
• Missy and Mason: Missy Wants a Mammoth by Pam Vaughan: Mason can’t seem to get Missy to understand that she can’t have a mammoth as a pet, and it is hard to squash her excitement, but he knows he has to get Missy to understand. Or does he?! This is such a fun book to talk about pet responsibilities, extinction, and authors inclusion of silliness.

Middle Grade

• Lola Reyes is so not Worried by Cindy L. Rodriguez: I am so lucky to have been able to write the teaching guide for this fun new middle grade magically realistic novel about cursed worry dolls, mental health, and family changes.
• Find Her by Ginger Reno: Ginger Reno is coming to the 2024 ALAN Workshop, so I was so excited to read Find Her, and it did not disappoint. It is so multi-faceted. First and foremost it was about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). We learn early on that Wren’s mother has been missing for 5 years with no leads. The author then also intertwines everything else about Wren’s life as she learns to continue to navigate a world where her mom is not there. I loved dynamics of Wren’s family, especially her grandmother Elisi. My other favorite character is Brantley who is the perfect friend for Wren and Wren is the perfect friend for him. And also within the book is a story of bullying, abuse, and animal abuse. It is a huge feat to fit so much into one book, but the author did a fantastic job, and I couldn’t put down the book.
• PetWizards by Kirk Scroggs: This silly graphic novel is psychedelic in so many ways–colors, characters, plot, silliness. It is all just an all out fun graphic novel filled with everything that middle grade students are going to love.
• Coyote Queen by Jessica Vitalis: After reading Jessica Vitalis’s author guest post, I knew I wanted to read Coyote Queen, and I am so glad I finally did. There are not enough books about children who struggle day to day either when it comes to home security, family stability, food stability, or domestic abuse, like Fud does. But I am so happy that this book, despite everything, has hope, though not too unrealistic.

Young Adult

All of these YA books are by authors that are attending the 2024 ALAN Workshop, and I’m even more excited for them after reading their newest works!

• Not Like Other Girls by Meredith Adamo: I knew I was going to love Jo after reading the publisher’s pitch about this book, but this book was much more about mental health/trauma and a mystery than I thought it was going to be, and that made the book even better! Although it is a tough read, it is well done and important.
• The Art Thieves by Andrea L. Rogers: This book blew me away. It is hard to explain the book or summarize it without giving away anything, but I highly recommend it.
• Better Must Come by Desmond Hall: Deja and Gabriel’s story ends up being a thriller with Jamaican life as the backdrop. I do not know of another book like this for young adults, and I love that it is written now for the readers who need to see themselves and for others to hear this story. Readers are going to enjoy this intense read!
• They Thought They Buried Us by NoNieqa Ramos: I am a sucker for books at boarding schools, as you know, and here is another one, but it is unlike anything else I’ve ever read. Like The Art Thieves, I can’t tell you very much, but I can share that Yuiza, one of the few students of color at Our Lady of Perpetual Mercy, knows something is wrong, but it is even worse than she can imagine. The story is full of trauma and gaslighting and mystery and questioning and definitely an analogy for our society. (You know this book got me because I kept having to tell my sister about what was happening because it was blowing my mind.)
• Thirsty by Jas Hammonds: There are not a lot of books that look at unsafe, peer pressured, and excessive drinking that comes often times comes with older teens’ lives, but Hammonds tackles it so well in this book while also looking at the pressure and exclusion that comes with prestigious organizations. I read this book so quickly; I had trouble putting it down!
• The Judgement of Yoyo Gold by Isaac Blum: This book is a roller coaster of emotions. Yoyo is the perfect Jewish daughter for her rabbi father in her Orthodox Jewish community. But her eyes are opened overtime of transgressions and hypocrisies in her community, and it is just time before these small notices begin to change her and make her question herself and her life. I, as an outsider of this community, learned a lot about their religion and traditions while also going along for Yoyo’s journey of self discovery.

You can always learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

This is my week off; see you next week!

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “A Walk in Nature: Science for the Very Young” by Julie Downing, Author of Hello, Sun

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

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!

Friday: Student Voices: The Impact of School Libraries from Juliet D., 7th grade, and Leticia R. & Lauren Q., 8th grade

Sunday: “Tackling the Blank Page with the WHY Method” by Christine Virnig, Author of A Bite Above the Rest

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

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

I sadly have to take this IMWAYR off; I’ll update you on my reading in a couple of weeks.

Tuesday: Stay Angry, Little Girl Inspired by Madeleine L’Engle, Illustrated by Michelle Jing Chan

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Integrating Storytelling with Science Education” by Serene Chia, Author of Mommy, Mommy, Where is the Moon?

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