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!

Wednesday: A Cheeky Reading List of Hilarious Picture Books About Butts from Sourcebooks Kids

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Teaching the Next Generation About September 11th” by Jacqueline Joyce, Author of Smoke at the Pentagon

**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

It’s back to school, and I am very busy! I will update about my books next time!

Wednesday: Sofia’s YA Book Nook: Guard Your Heart by Sue Divin

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Empathy and Gratitude Through Immigration Stories” by Nazanin Agange Ford, Author of My America Blooms

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: “The Child Who Feels Different: What They Need from Adults in the Room” by Dr. Nahal Delpassand, Author of The Seasons of Little Tree

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

Kellee

Picture Books

• Underwearwolf by Gideon Sterer, Illustrated by Charles Santoso: This book has so much going for it! 1) Underwear is a guarantee pick up. 2) A tad bit scary because he’s a werewolf–that’ll be loved! 3) An adventure with some humor; that’s everyone’s favorite! In addition, the illustrations are perfect for the story!
• How to Train Your Evil Robot by Joy McCullough, Illustrated by Eduardo Medeiros: I am going to get this book for my middle schoolers, and it is great for primary too! It is a graphic novel-esque picture book with a diabolical robot who wants to take over the world but has a young girl who is not going to let it. Throughout the story, the reader learns more and more about AI. This primer is perfect for getting kids thinking and learning about AI.

• So Many Questions: Abuelita Becomes a US Citizen by Belen Medina, Illustrated by Heidi Moreno: This older picture book is a great companion to social studies because it talks about citizenship and has all of the questions on the citizenship test. Readers who are from immigrant families or young kids who are close to their grandparents will also connect with Anita’s focus on helping her abuelita.
• The Upside Down Girl by Keith Negley: Why is the upside down girl in love with being upside down? What is her secret?? That is going to be THE TALK of every class/kids that read this book! And I loved the colorful and extra sillies within the illustrations.

• Horizontal Crocodile by Scott Rothman, Illustrated by Brian Won: This would be so much fun to read aloud. Don’t worry, it isn’t too looooooooooong. 🐊 (You’ll get it once you read it.) Readers will love crocodile and his antics while he prepares to see his friend who promises a change. This will also help kids who are nervous about change or friends they haven’t seen in a while. Also, what a great way to talk about horizontal and vertical!
• Our Favorite Day of the Week by Ashley Franklin, Illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell: I want to read this with kids so badly and then have them tell me their favorite day of the week using this as a mentor text! Also, the different days of the week truly highlight how everyone’s family and culutre are different. And I loved the little bit of back matter.

• Sabrina Sue: The Epic Aventure by Priscilla Burris: Sabrina Sue loves an adventure and this time she isn’t alone! This book is not just a fun adventure story, it is a great start for a conversation about facing changes, risks, and differences.
• Hairy and Scary! by Jan Thomas: This is a silly rhyming book; I can definitely see why more than one has been made. These would be great for early ed while rhyming is being taught! (This one also shows not to judge someone by their looks.)

Middle Grade

• The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys & Steve Sheinkin: I listened to this book with Trent, and I think the best compliment is that as soon as he finished this, he went to go read Enigma Girls by Candace Fleming to learn more and has put Bletchley Park on our list of things to do in London. Sepetys and Sheinkin combined their forces to tell a story that tackled the code breaking Bletchley Park in a way that middle grade readers will connect with.

Middle Grade/Young Adult

• White House Secrets: Medical Lies and Cover-Ups by Gail Jarrow: I have come to realize that I am a big fan of Jarrow’s nonfiction; I need to read more than just this and Spirit Slueths because I’ve loved them both. This book exposed presidental medical secrets that were kept from the masses from President Wilson’s stroke or JFK’s need to be medicated to just walk. I was fascinated and couldn’t put the book down.
• Lovely One: A Memoir Adapted for Young Adults by Ketanji Brown Jackson: I listened to Jackson’s memoir about her childhood up through her appointment on the Supreme Court. It was inspiring to hear how she got to where she was.
• The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur: A Graphic Novel Based on a True Story by Allan Wolf, Illustrated by Jose Pimienta: I did not know anything about this anomaly (I guess it wasn’t really national news because there was a lot going on at that time). Wolf and Pimienta do a great job telling and showing this story in a way that keeps you reading because you just have no idea what will happen next.

• Manga Biographies: Charles M. Schulz – The Creator of Snoopy and Peanuts by Yuzuru Kuki: I love Snoopy and Peanuts, so I was excited to read this biography, and it did not disappoint. Learning about Charles “Sparky” Schulz really puts Peanuts into perspective and made me love it even more.
• Science Comics: Deep-Sea Creatures: Adapting to the Abyss by Mike Lawrence: Every time I read one of these, I remind myself how much I enjoy them. The editors and authors do a great job in making sure the graphic novels are entertaining and educational (this book calls it edutainment). This one took us to the twilight zone of the ocean to learn about deep sea “monsters.”
• The Unofficial Alcatraz Handbook: A Complete Guide to the Most Often Asked Questions About “The Rock” by Kristen Tracy, Illustrated by Anika Orrock: What is it with Alcatraz that makes us all so fascinated?! Whatever it is made it so I devoured this book. It is written by a past tour guide who shares the top questions she was asked when working and all the answers to these questions. The questions range from escapes to Al Capone to gardening to protests.

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!

• I’m currently reading The Wicked King by Holly Black
• I’m currently reading Coming Home by Brittney Griner & Michelle Burford

Wednesday: A Cheeky Reading List of Hilarious Picture Books About Butts from Sourcebooks Kids

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Teaching the Next Generation About September 11th” by Jacqueline Joyce, Author of Smoke at the Pentagon

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!

Wednesday: Educators’ Guide for The Metamorphosis of Bunny Baxter by Barbara Carroll Roberts

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “The Facts About Creating Fiction” by Amy Fellner Dominy, Author of Monster Down Deep

**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’ll be back to reading more young adult books now that the semester is starting! But for now, I read a few more adult novels.

Adult

I had been seeing a lot of praise for The Book of Lost Hours by Hayley Gelfuso, and it was a wonderful read. I particularly liked the way the author interpreted time travel.

Obviously, The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett has been mentioned everywhere. I listened to all 29 hours. It reminded me a lot of The Help in the writing style (not surprising because it is the same author!). I liked it a lot. It definitely has a White gaze element to it, but I find that interesting to ponder as I read. I really appreciate how Stockett builds character and teaches me a bit about history. The book was highly engaging!

Adult Romance

Annabel Monaghan’s Summer Romance is a rom-com with lots to smile about. I really liked it. The last third is a lot of romance. I liked the build up in the first two-thirds best. A great book, overall!

I love sports romances, and Anna McCallie’s Abby Offsides did not disappoint. I am married to a soccer player, so I loved the soccer references! This one doesn’t disappoint.

I pulled this one right off the table at a bookstore when I was visiting family. As I was checking out, another woman had the same book in her hand and told me the first one was incredible. I didn’t even realize this was a book two! Meghan Quinn’s Just For the Plot is a sports romance—although there aren’t a lot of sports in it. It’s mainly about the relationship between a man and his sister’s best friend. The sister’s best friend is eight years his senior, and he has had a crush on her since he was 16 years old. I couldn’t put this book down. It’s very fun and kept my interest from cover to cover. I’ll likely be following this series!

I have one more book in the GoodReads challenges to do before September 15, so I’ll be perusing those titles tonight!

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “The Child Who Feels Different: What They Need from Adults in the Room” by Dr. Nahal Delpassand, Author of The Seasons of Little Tree

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on other linked blogs. If you post about your Monday post, tag the post 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!

Wednesday: Sofia’s YA Book Nook: The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

Friday: Student Voices: Negative Effects from Oscarie C. and Rutva P.

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Activities with Adventures in the City of Stories” by Emma Otheguy, Author of Adventure in the City of Stories

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

Kellee

Picture Books

• Have You Ever Seen a Ghost by Daniel Kwan & Julia Pott, Illustrated by Sean Lewis: I loved that this book is in 2nd person with the reader being talked to by the narrator. Because of this, it is a perfect read aloud to allow kids to be part of the story. In addition to it being fun in this way, it also addresses social anxiety in such a sweet way with soft illustrations the match the personality of the ghost.
• Lots and Lots of Ocelots: A Skip Counting Book by Vicky Fang, Illustrated by Angel Chang: What a perfect book for a primary classroom! It mixes all sorts of types of skip counting with fun animal facts. And the illustrations are so coloful and full of personality! Also, the backmatter is so math supportive. This will be a must get for teachers who teach this level of math.
• Sunrise Sail by Charles Trevino, Illustrated by Maribel Lechuga: First, what a fun story of a young boy and his sail with a grandfather figure! Its a perfect day for the two of them, and I loved going on the adventure with them, highlighted by the beautiful illustrations. Then to add to this book, the author wrote the entire book using alliteration using the letter S! How fun would it be to read this?! And then ask kids to write their own alliteration story!!

Middle Grade

• Whale Eyes: A Memoir About Seeing and Being Seen by James Robinson, Illustrated by Brian Rea: This memoir is so unique; I like how he structured it to help the reader feel and not just read. Also, when combined with his short videos on his website, the book takes on such a powerful purpose.
• Oppenheimer and the Atomic Bomb adapted by Eric Singer from a book by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin: I haven’t seen the movie about Oppenheimer yet, so I did not know what a roller coaster this would be. Oppenheimer was brilliant and the trajectory of his story was much sadder than I thought it would be. The book definitely makes you think and shows you some behind-the-scene information about our government and horrific mistakes they make.
• The Daughter of Aushwitz: The Girl Who Lived to Tell Her Story by Tova Friedman: I had not read a memoir about life in a concentration camp from the point of view of child before and this perspective definitely brings the Holocaust into even a more despicable view. It was heartbreaking to read about her time in Aushwitz; this is a must get for students because it being a memoir takes the emotional impact to a whole new level.
• Malcolm Lives!: The Official Biography of Malcolm X for Young Readers by Ibram X. Kendi: Malcolm X’s life it tumultuous. Kendi’s biography of him makes it accessible to younger readers who are interested in learning about him and his anti-racist views (and how he got there from his original points of view).
• See It to Be It: Eleven Champions Leading Women’s Sports Today by Billie Jean King and Liz Robbins: I loved learning about these eleven women and how the women’s sports world is evolving. I cannot wait to put this in my school library to share with readers.

And 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 catch you up next time I post!

Kellee

• I’m currently reading Spirit Sleuths: How Magicians and Detectives Exposed the Goast Hoaxes by Gail Jarrow then I will start The Wicked King by Holly Black.
• I am not sure what I am going to start listening to as I just finished my audiobook.

Wednesday: Educators’ Guide for The Metamorphosis of Bunny Baxter by Barbara Carroll Roberts

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “The Facts About Creating Fiction” by Amy Fellner Dominy, Author of Monster Down Deep

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on other linked blogs. If you post about your Monday post, tag the post 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!

Wednesday: Fatal Glitch: Camp Zero and Let’s Play a Game by Erin Entrada Kelly and Eliot Schrefer

Friday: Student Voices: The Power of Books from Mina Y. and Mily R.

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “The Magical Science of Graphic Novels” by Matthew Manning, Author of The Spark Experiment

**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 unable to post this week but hope you have a great reading week!

Exciting news!: Our teen blogger, Sofia, has a new Instagram page! You can follow her here!

Wednesday: Sofia’s YA Book Nook: The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

Friday: Student Voices: Negative Effects from Oscarie C. and Rutva P.

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Activities with Adventures in the City of Stories” by Emma Otheguy, Author of Adventure in the City of Stories

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on other linked blogs. If you post about your Monday post, tag the post 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!

Wednesday: Sofia’s YA Book Nook: We’re a Bad Idea, Right? by K. L. Walther

Friday: Student Voices: Beauty in Life Op Eds from Maya D. and Samanta F.

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Ancient Setting, Modern Issues (Carefully Concealed)” by Anthony Peckham, Author of Children of the Black Glass Series

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

Kellee

Picture Books

• Beatrice and the Nightingale by Patricia Newman, Illustrated by Isabelle Follath: I don’t know how I missed this release from Patricia Newman, but I am so glad that she shared it with me at ALA. It is a nonfiction picture book about a cellist who duets with a nightingale. I loved learning about Beatrice Harrison as a cellist and her time exploring music with nature. I am a fan of all of Newman’s books and this one didn’t disappoint!
• Christian’s Soccer Superpowers by Christian Pulisic, Illustrated by Marta Kissi: A perfect book to read aloud with the World Cup just wrapping up because it combines soccer and a great lesson about confidence. And it is written by a player many kids may know!
• Monsters are the Worst! by Alex Willan: Another great addition to this series! As always, Willan’s artwork is so colorful, expressive, and fun and his story is silly yet because, as always, what seems like the worst are actually pretty awesome! Anyone a fan of the series will love this one!
• Landing in a New Pond by Marisa Ramel, Illustrated by Jennifer Doehring: A great book for libraries and classrooms for three purposes: 1) for a child who has moved recently; 2) for lessons about ducks and migration; 3) someone struggling with connecting with their sibling. And with realistic yet colorful and fun illustrations, readers will connect with the characters and the story.

Middle Grade

• Einstein the Penguin by Iona Rangeley: The cover and title of this book sucked me in right away and then finding out that it also has mystery and a great side cast of characters made it even better! I do agree with some reviews that say that the book does try to include a lot of plot into its 200 pages, but I think the author does it well to give readers an introduction to our main characters in a way that is more multi-dimensional. The book reminds me a bit of Paddington, and I think that kids who like that kind of humor and pacing will love this book.
• Follow the Water: The Unbelievable True Story of a Teenager’s Survival in the Amazon by Ellen Cochrane: I did not know this story before reading this book and it IS truly unbelievable. In 1971, Juliane is in a plane crash in the middle of the Amazon and survives and is able to, after almost 2 weeks, survive! The story as a survival story which makes it very engaging and the author also obviously did a lot of research because the book is filled with information as well. I was enthralled by this book!
• The Endless Game by J.D. Amato, Illustrated by Sophie Morse: When Fred moves to a new town, he worries it will be just the same as all of the other towns he’s lived in, but he learns quickly that Lakeside, IL is different because the entire town is taking part in a giant game of capture the flag that has been going on for generations! Through this game, Fred finds a place in town like he never has before and his summer becomes more epic than he could have ever imagined. This graphic novel was so much fun and unique–well worth the read and kids will enjoy it.
• The Amazing Generation: How to Choose Fun and Freedom in a Screen-Filled World by Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price: I was fascinated by the idea of The Anxious Generation so when I heard there was a middle grade version, I knew I wanted to read it, and I am glad I did (and I listened to it with Trent!). We are still talking about this book. It was written in a way that leads to respect, not obedience, and explains why setting boundaries around screens is something that is worth talking about and exploring. So well done; I hope kids will pick it up!

• At Last She Stood: How Joey Guerrero Spied, Survived, and Fought for Freedom by Erin Entrada Kelly: This is more than just a biography of Joey Guerrero–it is also about the history of Hansen’s disease and Philippines’ part in World War II. I am so, so, so glad I read it. Joey is a force that all people should know about and the history in the book is unfortunately not taught in our eurocentric history curriculum. And since it is Erin Entrada Kelly, you know it is written beautifully, including how she included informational sidebar/inserts throughout the fill in knowledge gaps. A truly exceptional book.
• Greta Ever After by Melissa Dassori: I am always happy to come across a new fairy tale, and Greta Ever After is just that! Greta has ambition and goals, but she feels like she is struggling to move towards them, so when an opportunity to manipulate the situation in her favor occurs, she guiltily takes part whcih starts a tumbling of bad choices. Then add in a magical clock and companion who gives Greta a choice she may not be able to turn down, and now we have ourself a modern-day fairy tale. I usually struggle with magical realism, but I think the author did a good job intertwining it. I also thought it was clever how the authro incorporated Greta’s love of journalism into the structure of the book.
• Scat: The Incredible Science of Wildlife Poop by Anita Sanchez: Trent and I listened to this audiobook and it was much more scientific and informative than I could have imagined. Scat is a HUGE part of the environment and because of the taboo over it, it isn’t talked about, so it was interesting to learn about its part in nature.
• The Sixth Extinction (Young Readers Adaptation): Which Species will go the Way of the Dinosaurs and Which will Survive? by Elizabeth Kolbert: This is a heavy book. A scary book. A too-real book. I learned so much while reading it; it is a book that will stick with me for a long time. I think that everyone should read it, or its full length version. It truly teaches us about our planet’s history and the danger of its present and possibilities of the future. Brilliant.

• A World Without Summer: A Volcano Erupts, A Creature Awakens, and the Sun Goes Out by Nicholas Day, Illustrated by Yas Imamura: Day’s Mona Lisa book is one of my favorite nonfiction books, so when I found out that his next book is about a volcano, I was sold right away. Then it won all sorts of ALA awards, so I knew that it was going to be as well done, and I was not disappointed. Like Mona Lisa, Day does a fantastic job of telling a story about something (a volcanic eruption) and sharing how it was part of a much bigger picture than it seems at first. In this case, the volcanic eruption leads to Frankenstein–want to know how? Read this fascinating book!
• The Six (Young Readers Edition): The Untold Story of America’s First Women Astronauts by Loren Grush with Rebecca Stefoff: I did not know this history as much as I thought. I knew about Sally Ride and the shuttle program, but I did not know about the six first women astronauts, the sexist barriers they fought through, and how much the six led to huge changes at NASA. The book was very detailed and interesting and actually quite suspenseful. An intriguing read.
• Building 903 by Lois Lowry: I need to talk to someone about this book. I don’t really want to review it too much because I think it is a book that everyone who reads it will experience differently. If you are a Lois Lowry fan, dystopian reader, or anti-book banning, you should give it a try.

• Sole Survivor by Norman Ollestad and Brendan Kiely: This is a true story that doesn’t seem true. Like Follow the Water, it is a story about a young person that survives a plane crash and is the sole survivor–this time the crash was at the top of a snow covered mountain. Because Norman Ollestad is one of the co-writers of the book (and the main character), the book is in first person which really sucks the reader in. It is another unbelievable story that is so hard to put down until you know how he makes it!
• Witch Hunt: The Cold War, Joe McCarthy, and the Red Scare by Andrea Balis and Elizabeth Levy, Illustrated by Tim Foley: I think the Cold War and the Red Scare are things that happened and unless you lived it, you don’t really understand fully what happened. This book takes you back and helps you experience it. The authors did a fantastic job having different primary sources while also including their explanations and thoughts. And the structure was so smart! It was chunked with quotes and information shared and then their explanations–it made it very easy to follow. It was such a fantastic job that this book gave me quite a bit of anxiety because there are terrifying similarities to modern-era.
• Earthrise: The Story of a Photograph That Changed the Way We See Our Planet by Leonard S. Marcus: It is fascinating that a photograph truly did change the way humans saw Earth, and this book takes the reader through the history of the photograph and what it came to mean. Through the story, the history of Apollo was also shared. Combined with The Six, I received a great space education.

• Living Light: Conserving Bioluminescent Plants and Animals by Stephen Aiken: Bioluminescence is so interesting! This is a traditionally structured nonfiction book filled with so much information that kids will really gravitate to because, well, glowing things are cool! I loved learning about how bioluminescence is helping with cancer research!
• Diamond Fever!: A True Crime Story in the Wild West by Steve Sheiken, Illustrated by Jon Chad: I am loving these nonfiction books that are so interesting and suspenseful that you can’t put them down! This one tells the story of a supposed diamond mine found in the west during the height of the gold rush. The story includes trickery and adventures and is told in a snarky way, all that keeps the reader wanting to figure out how it all went down. Just a wild story!
• Cracking the Code: The Human Quest to Uncover Secrets by Rachel Kehoe, Illustrated by Meegan Lim: This was a very cool book that shared so many different tales of codes being cracked–from coded letters to ciphers to the enigma machine to even looking at our DNA as a code. With each “case” covering a couple of spreads, the book keeps you reading and engaged.

Young Adult

• The Cruel Prince by Holly Black: I can definitely see why this book is loved. I mean, it is Holly Black’s brilliant writing combined with her well-established faerie world with a new story following a mortal in the magical world. Jude is easy to love and despise, which makes it more fun to keep reading about her, and her journey in the book truly went in ways I didn’t see coming. I am interested in hearing who everyone things the cruel prince is though–I don’t think the answer is as easy as it seems. I will definitely have to read more of this series.

Adult

I finished my Freida McFadden/thriller journey in early July. I finished 23 McFadden books and the Alibis Collection, which includes 6 short stories including 1 by McFadden. It was a fun side quest, and it really got me back in the reading habit!

And 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 share what I read next week.

Kellee

I actually don’t know what I am going to read now! My audiobook expired on Hoopla, so I am waiting until August to start reading it again, and I am not sure what physical book I’ll pick up as I just finished The Cruel Prince–we’ll see!

Wednesday: Fatal Glitch: Camp Zero and Let’s Play a Game by Erin Entrada Kelly and Eliot Schrefer

Friday: Student Voices: The Power of Books from Mina Y. and Mily R.

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “The Magical Science of Graphic Novels” by Matthew Manning, Author of The Spark Experiment

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on other linked blogs. If you post about your Monday post, tag the post 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: Finding Your Book from Raegen B. and Palin S.

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Fun With Math: Math Tie-Ins” by Liana Grey, Author of Mira’s Baking Adventures

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

Kellee

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

Ricki

Young Adult

I absolutely loved All the Noise at Once by Deandra Davis. I listened to it and then had my entire family listen to it. This book has strong appeal to adolescents with varied interests because of the content it covers. Beyond mature language, it doesn’t include any content that felt inappropriate for my youngest son, either, so even my 7-year-old listened to it. It’s definitely a YA book, but all three of my sons (and my partner) loved it. There are so many good life lessons for readers of all ages.

I really appreciate Andrew Joseph White’s books, and I really liked The Spirit Bares Its Teeth. I must admit that the grotesque content isn’t typically my thing, but the writing is stunning. White has a true talent for creating complex, thought-provoking novels.

Adult

Ever since I read Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green, I’ve been sliding facts about tuberculosis into conversations. I really, really liked this book.

I probably should have read Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler a long time ago, but I never got to it. I was so happy to see it on one of the current lists for the GoodReads reading challenges. What a phenomenal book! Now I understand why it is so widely taught!

Adult Romance

It wouldn’t be an update if I didn’t share a romance book! I really enjoyed Emily Giffin’s Love You More which is about reconnecting with first loves and the realities of growing apart from childhood connections.

You can learn more about what I’ve been reading on my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Wednesday: Sofia’s YA Book Nook: We’re a Bad Idea, Right? by K. L. Walther

Friday: Student Voices: Beauty in Life Op Eds from Maya D. and Samanta F.

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Ancient Setting, Modern Issues (Carefully Concealed)” by Anthony Peckham, Author of Children of the Black Glass Series

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on other linked blogs. If you post about your Monday post, tag the post with #IMWAYR!

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