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!
No posts last week, but I will shamelessly promote Trent’s post again 😁
Wednesday: Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He Was 11
**Click on any picture/link to view the post**
Kellee
It has been a LONG time since I’ve post!!! Here is what I’ve been reading since 2/9:
Young Adult
- The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II by Candace Fleming: After Candance Fleming won so many awards at the ALA Youth Media Awards, I knew I wanted to read more of her books because all I’ve read, I loved, and this one was no different. The way that Fleming is able to write a nonfiction narrative that sucks in the reader yet also so clearly educate the reader is brilliant. And just like her others I’ve read, I found myself sharing about what I learned because of how interesting it was. (P.S. Read this just to learn some Women’s HERstory that should be known!)
- What We Did to Survive by Megan Lally: What would you do to survive if you found yourself on a boat in the middle of the ocean? What if the worst case scenario happens? What are you willing to do?! This book puts the characters in a situation where that is the question, and they truly must decide how they are going to survive the peril they find themselves in. I actually could not put this book down!
- Lady Knight by Amalie Howard: This companion of Queen Bee is so very different than the first book! While still a romance in 1800s England, the focus is Zia’s fight to save her school and fight against “the man”–literally.
- Royal Heirs Academy and Royal Liars by Lindsey Duga: I picked up this duology because I saw the covers at the book store, read just a bit about it, and I knew I was going to love it. The premise is that four individuals, 3 heirs and a scholarship student, are put up against each other to fight to become the heir of their country. But man oh man was there more to it! And yes, you have to read both to figure everything out. But you will want to.
- Thieves’ Gambit by Kayvion Lewis: This was a reread for me because I want to read the second book in the series, and I liked this one enough to go back and reread so I could enjoy the sequel wholely. My original review stands, except for the part where I don’t have to wait for #2 anymore!: “Thieves’ Gambit was a twisty, turny heist book with a fantastic cast of characters and non-stop action. Oh, and I can’t forget about betrayal and romance! They’re in there, too. The only thing I didn’t like about the book was the ending because I now have to wait for book #2 to see what happens next!”
Middle Grade
- A Fishboy Named Sashimi by Dan Santat: Dan Santat’s newest graphic novel is just the correct mix of weird, funny, and endearing. In the vein of Pilkey, this Santat novel is going to find so many readers who adore that perfect combination.
- Which Is Worse: Animal Challenges? by Brady Barr: I saw this book in one of my science teacher’s classrooms, and I was intrigued and was not disappointed. Every questions lasts two spreads: the first asks the question with large images then the second answers the question. I had so much fun guessing then learning.
- Sneaks by Amy Tern: Amy Tern gives us a middle grade mystery that will suck in the reader, keep them guessing, and will also fill their heart. She does such a great job of creating a situation that gives us two protagonists that we’re rooting for as they navigate not only the mystery their trying to solve but the complicatons that just come with life. (I also was very lucky to be able to write the educators’ guide for this book; I will share it when it is published!)
Picture Books/Kid Lit
- Muslim Mavericks: The True Story of … Maysoon Zayid, the Girl Who Can Can by Seema Yasmin, Illustrated by Noha Habaieb: This early middle grade biography seems to be the first in a series that will focus on Muslim mavericks, and I love that we get to meet Maysoon Zayid in this one! Maysoon was told that her dreams were impossible as a Palestinian Muslim American with cerebal palsy, but Maysoon was not going to let anyone tell her she can’t when she knew she can. This is going to be a great addition to biography sections–put near the Who Was, She Persisted, and I am series and it’ll definitely find its reader.
- The Octopus by Guojing: I don’t even know how to describe the beauty of these illustrations; they are muted and calm but hold so much story, emotions, and a perfect ecology messages about humans’ impact on other living things, how helping animals is magical (literally in the book but figuratively in life), and how we can’t forget about the beauty that we can’t always see. And the book can be wordless because words are not needed; the illustrations hold all of that. Oh, and the cherries on the top? Good backmatter that is informative and brief enough for the audience, AND don’t forget to take off the dust jacket for some beauty!
- Planting Hope by Frederick Joseph, Illustrated by Paul Kellam: I really that the illustrator made this book full spreads and full color–the colors really make it! Also, the facial expressions are on point, truly emoting what the characters are thinking and feeling. These wonderful illustrations mixed with the the extended metaphor about hope and a full life equals a perfect book for so many situations, including the classroom/library to discuss prediction, theme, and character development.
- Beginning, Middle, and End by Jon Burgerman: Hilarious (yet simple) drawings that lend itself perfectly to the story that Burgerman is telling. It truly supports what the author’s biography says about the author: “Expressing creativity and fun is the key to [his] world. It is his belief that simple reactive acts can allow people to change not only their world but the world around them.” Also, while reading, I found myself wanting to be sitting with kids, so we could discuss questions like: Why the different shapes for the different parts? Is what they say about each of them correct? How does this connect to the plot diagram?
- Charlotte’s Web by E.B. Lewis: Trent wanted to read Charlotte’s Web since he hadn’t read it, and I am so glad that I listened to it with him because I got to experience this truly special children’s book again. It holds up.
Adult
- Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin: I can definitely see why this book made all of the lists when it came out–it is truly a special book! (I do think many people describe it wrong because I was told it was a book about a video game. It is not; it is a book about two people who truly affect each other’s lives in the most unexpected ways. It is a story about them.)
- Project Hail Mary by Any Weir: I read The Martian in one sitting and with the movie coming out, I decided to listen to Project Hail Mary, and I am so glad I did because I loved it. While I have mild complaints, I can wholeheartedly say that I recommend it–specifically listening to it. I promise. There is something specifically with this book that is better with audio.
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 next week!
Kellee
- Reading: Heist Royale by Kayvion Lewis
- Going to Re-Read: The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie (for school book club)
- Listening: Root Magic by Eden Royce (for my book club with Jewel)
- Listening with Trent: Unplugged by Gordon Korman
Wednesday: Student Voices: Christina Diaz Gonzlez’s Visit to Kellee’s Middle School
Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Planting the Seed: Why Sharing Stories with Diverse
Representation in Medicine and STEM Matters for Children” by Dr. Candicee Childs, Author of Cece’s Sour and Sweet Journey to Medical School
Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!
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