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!

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

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: When Beavers Flew: An Incredible True Story of Rescue and Relocation by Kristen Tracy, Illustrated by Luisa Uribe

Friday: Student Voices: Book Editorials from Cooper T. & Trinity P., 8th grade, and Talia N., 7th grade

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “On Writing the Unexpected Narrator” by Jordan Kopy, Author of Theodora Hendrix and the Monstrous League of Monsters

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

Kellee

Hi 🙂 This is my 2nd IMWAYR this month that I’m taking off as my summer vacation comes to a close (I go back to work 8/1–can you believe it?!?!?!), but 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 of IMWAYR–see you next week!

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

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: Cross-Curricular Discussion Guide for Above the Trenches by Nathan Hale

Thursday: Wagnificent by Bethanie Murguia

Friday: Student Voices: Opinion Editorials from Connor A., 7th grade, and Aditi S. & Leticia Z., 8th grade

Sunday: Author Guest Post & Giveaway!: “Crafting Multi-dimensional Characters” by A. Kidd, Author of Yasuko and the Dream Eater

**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 am mildly embarrassed to share that I have fallen into a deep dark pit of romances, but I really enjoyed Abby Jimenez’s The Friend Zone. Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Frost and Starlight was my least favorite of the four that I’ve read thus far, but I am reading the fifth, and it is off with a bang. I’ve been hooked back in.

The young adult books that I read were wonderful. Byron Graves’ Rez Ball is a well-written, powerful story of one boy’s grief over the death of his brother. He attempts to follow in his brother’s basketball footsteps. Sports lovers will really enjoy this book, but it’s accessible to all readers. There’s a perfect balance of basketball and character/plot. Kim Johnson’s The Color of a Lie is a historical fiction and an absolutely phenomenal read. I won’t spoil anything, but I am going to review this book in the next couple of weeks. I loved it.

Ricki

I am currently reading Thirsty by Jas Hammonds. I’m halfway through the book and really enjoying it.

 

Tuesday: When Beavers Flew: An Incredible True Story of Rescue and Relocation by Kristen Tracy, Illustrated by Luisa Uribe

Friday: Student Voices: Book Editorials from Cooper T. & Trinity P., 8th grade, and Talia N., 7th grade

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “On Writing the Unexpected Narrator” by Jordan Kopy, Author of Theodora Hendrix and the Monstrous League of Monsters

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: Invisible Isabel by Sally J. Pla, Illustrated by Tania de Regil

Friday: Student Voices: Book Lists from Sarah S., 7th grade, and Lucy S., Isabela M., & Hala B., 8th grade

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Living a Multicultural Life: A Book List” by Kara H.L. Chen, Author of Asking for a Friend

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

Kellee

Summer is for reading!!! 📖💙
And since I haven’t posted an IMWAYR in 4 weeks, I have quite a few books to share!

Picture Books/All Ages

• The Quacken by Justin Colón, Illustrated by Pablo Pino: A silly, scary book of fun! It is a good introduction to spooky because it isn’t too scary and is definitely humorous. Kids are going to find this book laugh out loud funny during read alouds! (And make sure to spend time looking at the illustrations during the read aloud because it adds even more to the experience.) It would be even extra awesome to read on a camping trip!
• Somewhere In Between by Laan Cham: Sometimes two people you really love can not agree on something and are too stubborn to listen to each other and are too blinded by ignorance, so some even ground and common sense are needed to help them see the light. In Cham’s book, this is where Pink comes in. She loves Fireball and Snowball and their worlds, as will the reader, but it is Pinkland that saves the day. I loved how the author utilized this fun narrative to lead to conversations about conflict resolution and compromise; it will lead to some wonderful conversations! (IG: @laan.cham)
  • Example of the colorful and fun illustrations:
• My Neighbor Totoro Film Comic: All-in-One Edition by Hayao Miyazaki: If you are a Totoro fan, then this is for you because it takes the movie stills and turned it into an all-in-one comic. Just as beautiful and wonderful as the movie.

Middle Grade

• The Hotel Balzaar by Kate DiCamillo: I have been lucky enough to write educator/discussion guides for quite a few of Kate DiCamillo books, and I have loved them all, but The Hotel Balzaar is definitely a favorite. The way that Kate DiCamillo intertwines stories and fits them all into a puzzle was beautiful. I highly recommend this one, and it is going to make an awesome read aloud/class novel!
• Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #7 (Raid of No Return), #8 (Lafayette!), #9 (Major Impossible), #10 (Blades of Freedom), and #11 (Cold War Correspondent) by Nathan Hale: One of my first teaching guides was for a bunch of graphic novels published by Abrams, including the Hazardous Tales series, and I have been a HUGE fan ever since I read them then, and I was lucky enough to be asked to continue the guide, so I reread #7-#11 to create the guide. Every time I read a Hazardous Tales book, I am blown away by how Nathan Hale balances the narrative, history, and humor. They are brilliant.
• Alterations by Ray Xu: I reviewed this a couple of weeks ago 🙂
• Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Peterson: After listening to Stuck by Jennifer Swender with Trent, he wanted to read the book that the main character had read, so we listened to Bridge to Terabithia next so he could experience what Austin did. Trent liked the book, but we both agreed that while it was well written and a good story, it is definitely a story of its time.
• You Are Here: Connecting Flights edited by Ellen Oh and written by Linda Sue Park, Erin Entrada Kelly, Grace Lin, Traci Chee, Mike Chen, Meredith Ireland, Mike Jung, Minh Le, Ellen Oh, Randy Ribay, Christina Soontornvat, and Susan Tan: This book was not only a great collection of connected short stories that I truly enjoyed listening to, it is a commentary about the racism and bias that southeast Asians face, specifically since COVID.
• Cat’s Cradle #3: Suri’s Dragon by Jo Rioux: Suri’s adventure continues in book 3, and I have to say that this one may be my favorite. We learn more backstory, there is an awesome giant AND dragon, and still all the characters and action that you loved from books 1 & 2.
• Invisible Isabel by Sally J. Pla: I reviewed this last week 🙂
• Button Pusher by Tyler Page: What took me so long to read this book?!?!?!? What an almost perfect graphic novel. It is a great memoir looking at the middle grade years and the changes in friends, school, and life in general that kids face, AND it brilliantly includes nonfiction spreads about ADHD to help connect the story with what we know about ADHD and neurodivergency today.
• Marcus Makes a Movie by Kevin Hart with Geoff Rodkey: This book is HILARIOUS but also a great story (and the audiobook is narrated by Kevin Hart which makes it even better)! Trent and I laughed out loud multiple times while reading, but it is more than just a funny book–it is a story about grit and meeting a goal you set for yourself and overcoming a past traumatic event.

Young Adult

• Frankly in Love by David Yoon: I can definitely see why this book was compared to John Green’s books because it has the same wit, intelligence, and romance while also addressing a more complex issue, in this case parent/cultural expectations. It was a pleasure to read (though one part of the romance really made me mad!), and I recommend it to anyone who loves young adult romance.
• Twenty-Four Seconds from Now… by Jason Reynolds: Oh man, folks. You all have a Jason Reynolds romance in your future!!! He has told a story about two teens in love in a unique narrative format which allowed us all to experience the love of Neon and Aria.
• Here Lies a Vengeful Bitch by Codie Crowley: This book had so many layers and was so messed up and was suspenseful and horrific. If the premise sounds like something you’ll like, then you definitely will.
• Cinderella is Dead by Kaylynn Bayron: I was quite intrigued by this look at Cinderella’s world after her death and a look at the “true” Cinderella story. The evil in this book was palpable and the kick buttness of Sophia was exceptional. The book is about taking down the tyrannical patriarchy, in this case, a very evil king that is more devastating than he even seems at the beginning. And there are some twists and surprises along the way that kept me reading.

To learn more about any of these books, click on any title/image to go to the book’s Goodreads page or check out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

This is my week off–see you next week!

Kellee

Other than two books I am reading for a teaching guide, I am currently focusing on reading books by authors who are coming to the ALAN 2024 workshop in November.

 

Tuesday: Cross-Curricular Discussion Guide for Above the Trenches by Nathan Hale

Thursday: Wagnificent by Bethanie Murguia

Friday: Student Voices: Opinion Editorials from Connor A., 7th grade, and Aditi S. & Leticia Z., 8th grade

Sunday: Author Guest Post & Giveaway!: “Crafting Multi-dimensional Characters” by A. Kidd, Author of Yasuko and the Dream Eater

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: Discussion Guide for Totally Psychic by Brigid Martin

Saturday: Sofia’s Kids’ Corner: You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao

Sunday: Author’s Guest Post: “How to Read a Horse” by Amy Novesky, Author of If You Want to Ride a Horse

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

Kellee

This is my week off from IMWAYR, but I’ll be back next week. 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 away this week. Will share what I’ve been reading when I return.

 

Tuesday: Invisible Isabel by Sally J. Pla, Illustrated by Tania de Regil

Friday: Student Voices: Book Lists from Sarah S., 7th grade, and Lucy S., Isabela M., & Hala B., 8th grade

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Living a Multicultural Life: A Book List” by Kara H.L. Chen, Author of Asking for a Friend

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: Alterations by Ray Xu

Thursday: Exclusion and the Chinese American Story by Sarah-Soonling Blackburn

Friday: Student Voices: Author Reflections from Susana N., 7th grader, and Meghan K. & Ricardo D., 8th graders

Sunday: Author Interview: Q&A with Rhonda Roumani and Nadia Roumani, Authors of Insha’Allah, No, Maybe So

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

Kellee

Hi 🙂 I am going to take off a couple of IMWAYRs this month as a summer vacation, but 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!

 

Tuesday: Discussion Guide for Totally Psychic by Brigid Martin

Saturday: Sofia’s Kids’ Corner: You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao

Sunday: Author’s Guest Post: “How to Read a Horse” by Amy Novesky, Author of If You Want to Ride a Horse

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: Discussion Guide for The Lilies by Quinn Diacon-Furtado

Thursday: Sofia’s Kids’ Corner: They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

Friday: Student Voices: Favorite Characters from Dhivya R., Hajirah Q., & Omayma H., 7th grade, and Azuri, 8th grade

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Guide Them like Lighthouses to the Shores of Success” by Preston Norton, Author of The House on Yeet Street

**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

Middle Grade

I am so excited to share the Race to the Truth series book Exclusion and the Chinese American Story by Sarah-Soonling Blackburn this Thursday!

I adored Wagnificent: The Adventures of Thunder and Sage by Bethanie Murguia and will be reviewing it in a couple of weeks!

Adult

I have been wanting to read Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano for a long time. When I saw it on the bestseller shelves at Barnes & Noble, I snagged it. This book felt like an epic story in the way that it spanned decades. The sisterhood bond in the book took my breath away. It’s unforgettable.

I don’t ever read the backs of books or the book summaries. If a publisher or friend recommends a book or I like the author, I just start reading. I thought this book was going to be young adult because it was by Nicola Yoon, but it is her debut adult novel. It is sort of like The Stepford Wives meets Get Out. I felt extremely uncomfortable reading this book, and I think it will give readers a lot to talk about. There were portions that felt anti-Black, but when I was reading these sections, I felt like Yoon did this very intentionally to make her point. I think this comes across in a way that feels incredibly painful to read. I am looking forward to unpacking this book with a colleague in the next week to hear her thoughts. I need to think through this one, and I must admit that I am still thinking through this and need more time to process the book’s purpose.

Ricki

Reading in Print: The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Listening on Audio: The Color of a Lie by Kim Johnson.

Tuesday: Alterations by Ray Xu

Thursday: Exclusion and the Chinese American Story by Sarah-Soonling Blackburn

Friday: Student Voices: Author Reflections from Susana N., 7th grader, and Meghan K. & Ricardo D., 8th graders

Sunday: Author Interview: Q&A with Rhonda Roumani and Nadia Roumani, Authors of Insha’Allah, No, Maybe So

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