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!

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Exploring The Inciting Incident: Using Objects as Inspiration and Ignition for Young Writers” by Brigit Young, Author of Banned Books, Crop Tops, and Other Bad Influences

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

Kellee

Picture Books

• An Adventure for Lia and Lion by Al Rodin: Rodin’s illustrations are pure pieces of art. It did not surprise me to read in his bio that he studied art at Cambridge because each page stands on its own as a piece of art. And along with the art, is an imaginative journey with two headstrong characters who find that you can be friends despite both wanting to be leaders.
• Where to Hide a Star by Oliver Jeffers: I loved this new BOY story. It was a fun adventure which tied together other Jeffers books and promotes the the idea of love, sharing friends, and letting go of those you love when you need to. Another Jeffers classic!
• Emilio Sloth’s Modern Manners by Renée Ahdieh, Illustrated by Alea Marley: Emilio Sloth is ADORABLE and is a great teacher when it comes to manners, including greeting others, listening, accepting differences, and making friends. Emilio would be a great way to start a school year or refresh on reminders of manners, all with illustrations that could make anyone smile.

Middle Grade

• A Two-Placed Heart by Doan Phuong Nguyen: A Two-Placed Heart is a story of the struggles and joys that come with immigrating to the United States as well as the gap age can be when one sibling remembers the country they were born and the other doesn’t. This story is about two sisters, their different journeys, but also their love for one another. I can see why the author chose to write this book in verse. The figurative language, rhythm, and lyrical feel adds to the emotions our narrator feels.
• Spirit Sleuths: How Magicians and Detectives Exposed the Ghost Hoaxes by Gail Jarrow: Oh man, I LOVED this book. Anyone who says nonfiction is boring has to grab this one and give if a try. This book is the story about the history of spiritualism (mediums, psychics, etc.) and how Harry Houdini as well as other magicians and private investigators debunked fake mediums all over the world. It was just fascinating to learn about the treachery and diabolical actions of people pretending to speak to the dead.
• Big Tree by Brian Selznick: This is a very unique and special book. Originally written as a screenplay for Spielberg that was put to the side because of COVID, Big Tree is the story of two seeds starting during the crustaceous period through today. It shows how the natural world is all connected and is based on fascinating science. And, of course, the story is accompanied by Selznick’s BEAUTIFUL pencil drawings.

Young Adult

• The Immeasurable Depth of You by Maria Ingrande Mora: This book is hard to summarize, but it isn’t hard to review. It is an important addition to books about mental health; it definitely was a hard read, because the topic is hard, but it is also real (even though there is a ghost) and moving.
• A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal: This book is for all of you fantasy, historical, romance fans who want heists and romance and underground conmen. I mean, the cover itself shows you the vibe of the book, and it holds up.
• Promises of Gold by José Olivarez: This book of poetry is about love. But it is not full of love poems. It is about familial love and friend love and self love and romantic love and love of a country and love of life. This anthology of poems truly does fulfill its promise of gold.

 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; see you next week!

Kellee

I’m currently reading quite a few books, which is not like me, but it is working for me right now.

• Reading:
  • An Outbreak of Witchcraft: A Graphic Novel of the Salem Witch Trials by Deborah Noyes, Illustrated by M. Duffy
  • Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White
  • The White Guy Dies First: 13 Scary Stories of Fear and Power edited by Terry J. Benton-Walker
• Listening to:
  • The Lies We Conjure by Sarah Henning
  • Amari and the Despicable Wonders by B.B. Alston (with Trent)

Tuesday: Bound to Dream: An Immigrant Story by Charles Ghigna, Illustrated by Anna Forlati

Sunday: Author’s Guest Post: “All in the Family” by Sarah Everett, Author of The Shape of Lost Things

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: Drawn Onward by Daniel Nayeri, Illustrated by Matt Rockefeller

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “A Deep Dive into Summer Love: Bringing Characters to Life” by Robby Weber, Author of What is This Feeling? 

**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 think I’m close to reaching the end of Abby Jimenez’s books–ha! I finished this series by reading Yours Truly and Just for the Summer. They were both great. 🙂

Ricki

I am currently reading Real Americans by Rachel Khong.

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Exploring The Inciting Incident: Using Objects as Inspiration and Ignition for Young Writers” by Brigit Young, Author of Banned Books, Crop Tops, and Other Bad Influences

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!

Thursday: Sofia’s YA Book Nook: Five Survive by Holly Jackson

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Encouraging Kids’ Curiosity” by Sarah Albee, Author of Bounce! A Scientific History of Rubber

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

Kellee

Picture Book

• The Most Beautiful Winter by Cristina Sitja Rubio, Translated by Vincent Lal: I love when picture books are narrative then tie in information through the back matter, and that is just what this fun and delightful picture book does. Through Badger’s winter story, we learn about animals in his forest and how they spend the winters. Interesting, sweet, and overall a great read.
• Narwhal: Unicorn of the Arctic by Candace Fleming, Illustrated by Deena So’Oteh: Candace Fleming is brilliant! She is able to tell us a story of a narwhal’s life so lyrically and engaging while also teaching us about these amazing animals–it truly is just as majestically done as narwhal’s are. And don’t miss the back matter! (And the illustrations?!?! BEAUTIFUL!)
  
• Little Ghost Makes a Friend by Maggie Edkins Willis: What a sweet fall/Halloween book with a little bit of spookiness and a lot of heart. The book can be read as just a fun Halloween/fall read or as a focus on social emotional learning and friendship. All with super cute illustrations!
• Bounce!: A Scientific History of Rubber by Sarah Albee, Illustrated by Eileen Ryan: Who knew that rubber is so fascinating?!?! I loved the way Albee rotates between the narrative history of rubber and the science of rubber. It truly is so mind-blowing in general how this substance has made such an impact on history and science.

Middle Grade

• The Legend of the Last Library by Frank L. Cole: What would happen in the future if the written word has all disappeared and all stories and knowledge are owned by one company? This book answers that question. Filled with dystopian drama and adventure, I didn’t want to put it down!
• Are You Nobody Too? by Tina Cane: This book in verse about a Chinese student who is struggling with a post-COVID school change and figuring out her identity and trajectory. I loved the homage to Emily Dickinson (“Are You Nobody?” is my favorite of her poems as a reader and to teach), and verse was the perfect format for Emily’s story.

Young Adult

• Chronically Dolores by Maya Van Wagenen: This book is able to tell a really complicated story in a way that is engaging, funny, important, and just a great read. The main character ended her school year with a horrendously embarrassing event, caused by her chronic illness, so she turns to a “How to make friends” group where she meets Terpsichore, another incoming freshman who is struggling to get her mother to see her as more than just her autism diagnosis. This mixed with friendship and family dynamics make it so that something is nonstop happening in the book and hard to stop reading.
• Running Mates by Emily Locker: This teen friendly rom-com finds our main character, who is a die hard liberal, meeting an All-American boy (and Young Republican) through collegiate track training. It is a look at if opposites can truly attract or if there are sides that are too far apart. A modern-day Romeo & Juliet story that I found heartwarming and endearing.

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

P.S. I have now read 45 of 71 authors who are attending ALAN! I am so proud of my progress!

Ricki

This is my week off; I’ll update you all next week!

Kellee

• Reading: The Immeasurable Depth of You by Maria Ingrande Mora
• Listening: A Two-Placed Heart by DoanPhuong Nguyen

Tuesday: Drawn Onward by Daniel Nayeri, Illustrated by Matt Rockefeller

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “A Deep Dive into Summer Love: Bringing Characters to Life” by Robby Weber, Author of What is This Feeling? 

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: I, Too, Am Here by Morgan Christie, Illustrated by Marley Berot

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Young-Adult Fiction as a Means to Teach the Unteachable” by Ian X. Cho, Author of Aisle Nine

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

Kellee

 This is 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 was at the National Indian Education Association’s annual conference (it was wonderful!). I am trying to catch up with emails and work, so I will share what I read next time!

Thursday: Sofia’s YA Book Nook: Five Survive by Holly Jackson

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Encouraging Kids’ Curiosity” by Sarah Albee, Author of Bounce! A Scientific History of Rubber

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 Light of Home: A Story of Family, Creativity, and Belonging by Diana Farid, Illustrated by Hoda Hadadi

Thursday: Sofia’s YA Book Nook: The Canyon’s Edge by Dusti Bowling

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Tackling My Own Book’s Educators’ Guide” by Anna Olswanger, Author of A Visit to Moscow

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

Kellee

Picture Books

• Lost by Bob Staake: Bob Staake is a genius when it comes to writing wordless picture books. His ability to use art to create narratives full of emotions is one of the best in the space. Lost is no different. In the story you will follow a young girl as she searches for her cat and deals with many different obstacles and feelings along the way. The book is just so smart and just a joy to read!
• I Worked Hard on That! by Robyn Wall & A.N. Kang: Wall and Kang’s book is a great introduction to the world of creative thinking, perseverance, and growth mindset. Through the spiders journey, readers will see that beautiful things happen if failure does not make you give up. (And shout out to orb spiders!)

Middle Grade

• • On the Block: Stories of Home edited by Ellen Oh:  This anthology from We Need Diverse Books is one of my favorites I’ve read yet. I loved the wide representation in the book, how it all took place in the apartment building, and the stories intertwine but can also stand alone. And no wonder it was amazing–look at that list of authors that contributed! (I’m lucky enough to have been asked to write the educators’ guide for it, so keep an eye out!)
  • Pearl by Sherri L. Smith, Illustrated by Christine Norrie: What a fascinating look at an experience during WWII that I had not truly thought about. Amy is a 13-year-old Japanese American girl growing up in Hawaii when she goes to Japan to visit her family and is unable to return because of the start of the US’s entrance to the war. The author and illustrator do a great job showing how Amy is torn between the two places and is truly stuck in a situation that no one could prepare for.
  • The Shadow Prince & The Longest Night in Egypt by David Anthony Durham: This adventurous duology is about Ash, a boy who is competing to become the protector of Egypt’s prince, who finds himself surrounded by competitors that seem to be stronger and better than him and facing situations filled with demons and evil gods that he doesn’t know if he is prepared for. This series was hard to stop listening to when I got where I was going, and I had to start book two as soon as I finished the first one.

Young Adult

• • Go Home by Terry Farish & Lochan Sharma: This book was a tough read for me because of the (very real) hatred that Samir and his family face in their New Hampshire town because of their immigration status. His family is refugees and looking to have a good life, but Gabe and other racists in the town do not want them there. Told in two points of view (one written by Farish and one by Sharma), we get to see how the hatred looks from Samir’s eyes and Gabe’s girlfriend’s eyes.
  • Shackled: How Two Corrupt Judges Defiled Justice, Made Millions, and Harmed Thousands of Children by Candy J. Cooper: WHOA! It is so hard to believe that something like this would happen but this very true story of two judges purposefully sending children to a for-profit juvenile center just to make money is a very real story. This is a great example of a book to show someone who doesn’t think nonfiction is a good read–I couldn’t put it down!
  • Huda F Cares? by Huda Fahmy: I love Huda (both the author and character)! This one also has an overlap for me because her family comes to visit Disney World, which I know pretty darn well. This second book about Huda is as funny and heartfelt as the first–these are must reads.
  • Sync by Ellen Hopkins: Ellen Hopkins is back with her raw stories that bring to light the lives of kids that are often not talked about. In Sync, we meet twins separated in the foster system who both face challenges that no child should have to face. The book was so tough to read at times, but like all of Hopkins’s books, it is done truthfully, respectfully, and beautifully.

 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–see you next week!

Kellee

• • Reading: The Legend of the Last Library by Frank L. Cole
  • Will start listening to today: Chronically Dolores by Maya Van Wagenen

Tuesday: I, Too, Am Here by Morgan Christie, Illustrated by Marley Berot

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Young-Adult Fiction as a Means to Teach the Unteachable” by Ian X. Cho, Author of Aisle Nine

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 Curse of the Dead Man’s Diamond by Christyne Morrell

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Why Comedy Can Help Open Up Difficult Discussions” by Kate Weston, Author of Murder on a Summer Break

**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’ve been dabbling a lot in adult books lately. I’ll return to my beloved YAL and middle grade soon, and it seems to be a phase.

 

I absolutely adored Kristin Hannah’s The Women. It is one of the best books that I have ever read. It tells the story of the women who served during the Vietnam War. I know this one is rolling around in a lot of lists, but if you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it!

 

I saw It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover, and that inspired me to want to read the book. Then I read the sequel, It Starts with Us. I appreciate the way Hoover deals with some of the important topics in this book. I don’t want to give any spoilers.

 

I really enjoy Abby Jimenez’s writing. I just finished Part of Your World. The book highlights the small town feeling in a way that made me very happy.

Ricki

I am listening to Casey McQuiston’s Red, White, and Royal Blue. It’s about two diplomats who fall in love (I assume, based on the cover.)

Tuesday: The Light of Home: A Story of Family, Creativity, and Belonging by Diana Farid, Illustrated by Hoda Hadadi

Thursday: Sofia’s YA Book Nook: The Canyon’s Edge by Dusti Bowling

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Tackling My Own Book’s Educators’ Guide” by Anna Olswanger, Author of A Visit to Moscow

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

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

Kellee

Picture Books

• Fast Cheetah, Slow Tortoise: Poems of Animal Opposites by Bette Westera, Translated by David Colmer, Illustrated by Mies van Hout: These compare and contrast poems are great mentor texts to teaching kids about these types of poems! I would love to see these poems read as a read aloud then students create their own poems about two opposite animals.
• Leena Mo, CEO by Deena Shakir, Illustrated by Nez Riaz: This book is a story of innovation, teamwork, success, and dreams, all with acrylic illustrations that perfectly accompany the story and make it come to life! I loved Leena’s story of invention, seeing the growth of her business, and how inspiring she became to others. It is truly a call to action–dream big, and you can do it!
• I Want to Read All the Books by Debbie Ridpath Ohi: This book is a love letter to all kinds of books, their ability to entertain and teach, and to all those who love all of them. I loved Hana, her questions, and her solution to the innumerable amount of books there are to read. This book make me so happy!

 Middle Grade

• The Curse of the Dead Man’s Diamond by Christyne Morrell: I will review this tomorrow!

Young Adult

• Celestial Monsters (Sunbearer Trials #2) by Aiden Thomas: I have waited since book one to read this one!!!! I can’t tell you too much about book #2 because you have to know how #1 ends, but I will tell you that I loved the conclusion of this duology. (And for those of you that missed my posting about Sunbearer Trials, I said: High fantasy is also a genre I enter into tentatively, but I am so glad I jumped right into this one because this became one of my favorite reads so far this year. The way I described it to my students is that it is an older and more diverse version of The Hunger Games combined with Percy Jackson. I listened to this one, and I didn’t want to leave my car because I wanted to know what happened next to Teo, our protagonist and underdog in the Sunbearer Trials.) I LOVE this series!
  • Oh! And Aiden Thomas is my Tuesday keynote at the ALAN Workshop; I am so ecstatic to hear him.
• The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky by Josh Galarza: I starting listening to this book the day before it was announced that it was on the 2024 National Book Award Longlist, and now I understand why. Brett’s voice emanates out of the book and straight into your heart. I wanted to give Brett a hug and be his friend the entire book. This book is tough but also tender. (Trigger warning: Disordered eating)

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 update you all next week on my reading!

Kellee

• Go Home by Terry Farish & Lochan Sharma
• The Shadow Prince by David Anthony Durham

Tuesday: The Curse of the Dead Man’s Diamond by Christyne Morrell

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Why Comedy Can Help Open Up Difficult Discussions” by Kate Weston, Author of Murder on a Summer Break

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