It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 10/16/23

Share

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!

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Tuesday: The Uninhabitable Earth (Adapted for Young Readers): Life After Warming by David Wallace-Wells

Thursday: Up In Flames by Hailey Alcaraz

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Big Problems and Small Fascinations” by Olivia A. Cole, Author of Where the Lockwood Grows

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

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Kellee

Middle Grade

  • Scout is Not a Band Camp by Jade Armstrong: I am so glad we read this for my teacher book club. I can completely understand Scout’s obsession with an author and wanting to do anything to meet them. Also, Scout’s navigation with friends in middle school is SO realistic; I think middle school readers of all different types will connect with her.
  • Mascot by Charles Waters & Traci Sorell: I will be reviewing this book soon!
  • Don’t Check Out This Book! by Kate Klise, Illustrated by M. Sarah Klise: My friend, Shannon, recommended this book to me when the recent attack on books started, and I am so glad she shared it with me. I loved the multi-format, with articles, letters, memos, etc., which sometimes doesn’t lend itself to buying into a story as much, but that is not the case for this book. It is a great story about why libraries and books are important.
  • No Such Thing As Perfect by Misako Rocks!: Perfection is something that so many of us at one point or another strive for, but it is something that no one can be, including Emma who must figure out how to make it through as she navigates not being the best at something she loves. Luckily, her friends, and her new pet, are there for her. I also loved that this wasn’t just a normal sequel to Bounce Back, but was a companion, but we do get to see Lilico and how she is doing.
  • Unicorn Boy by Dave Roman: What a fun, odd, silly, adventurous graphic novel!! Brian’s new unicorn horn is more than just a horn, and it leads to a whole adventure, including needing to save his kidnapped friend Avery who was sucked into another realm by shadow creatures. With a fun cast of characters, including a talking muffin and talking black cat, Brian must go save his best friend!
  • Magic Girls: Kira and the (Maybe) Space Princess by Megan Brennan: Inspired by Sailor Moon, Brennan’s Magic Girl series is about Kira who wants to be a Magic Girl so badly when a mysterious Catacorn shows up and may be able to help her with her goal.

Young Adult

  • The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming (Adapted for Young Adults) by David Wallace-Wells: I reviewed this last Tuesday.
  • Yacqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass Adapted by & Illustrated by Mel Valentine Vargas, Novel by Meg Medina: When I read this novel by Meg Megina, I was affected so deeply, (I reviewed it in 2014) and I think this adaptation into a graphic novel truly does what the novel did and has now made the story more accessible. This story looks at what bullying does to someone, which is a heartbreaking story and this reissue of the story will bring light to this topic again, which is one that isn’t delved into as thoughtful as this book in many other books. And Vargas’s adaptation is so well done–the abridged story still captures the prose novel’s underlying feeling and the illustrations are so well done, bringing the effect of bullying to light in a different way than a novel without images can. This is graphic novel is superb.
  • Cress (Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer: I am obsessed with this series! I cannot tell you much about this book in particular because it is book #3 of the series, but I will tell you that our new character, Cress, is based on Rapunzel.

Picture Books

  • Ethan and the Strays by John Sullivan, Illustrated by Hatem Aly: I love Ethan! His heart is huge and seeing this story through his eyes will only make the reader’s heart fill. And the message of trap-neuter-release for strays is one that I do not think is in any picture book, so I am so glad it exists now in this sweet book!
  • Pass the Baby by Susanna Reich, Illustrated by Raúl Colón: What a sweet story about the love that happens around a new baby but also all of the exhaustion of a family gathering, especially with that new baby. With great rhythm, the text will be so fun to read out loud, and with Colón’s fun and beautiful illustrations, this book will be a great read aloud.
  • Fungi Grow by Maria Gianferrari, Illustrated by Diana Sudyka: What a wonderful combination of nonfiction and verse! The illustrator and author worked perfectly together to bring this book that has everything you’d want in a children’s nonfiction picture book: Fun text to read, lots of information, and beautiful illustrations.
  • How This Book Got Red by Margaret Chiu Greanias, Illustrated by Melissa Iwai: I need everyone that does not understand inclusivity and representation. It is told in a cute, cuddly red panda way, but has a very serious message that is so important. Oh, and the illustrations are perfect for the tone! Please read this book with all of the kids and maybe a bit loudly so some adults who need to hear it hear it, too.
  • The North Wind & The Sun: A Fable Retold by Philip Stead: With Stead’s sweet illustrations and poignant message surrounding perseverance and hope, this charming picture book of 3 sister’s journey as fall turns to winter is one that kids will love looking at and adults will love reading.
  • Beulah has a Hunch!: Inside the Colorful Mind of Master Inventor Beulah Louise Henry by Katie Mazeika: I did not know about Beulah before this book, but we all should! What an amazing inventor! There are so many things that she is part of that we still use today, and this is all without any support and having to go against all of the gender norms surrounding her. Oh, and the illustrations are wonderful, too! I am so glad that this book is out there, and do not miss out on the back matter which delves even more into her life!
  • The Wishing Machine by Jonathan Hillman, Illustrated by Nadia Alam: This picture book has so many layers, all of which readers will connect with, including a look at ending traditions, the unease of change, spreading kindness, how people are home not a place, and a low socioeconomic status leading to different housing. I loved seeing this story through the eyes of a child, because it shows how kids can find magic, even in truly tough situations; however, the story doesn’t make light of anything, even with the magical aspects. Mixed with colorful and playful illustrations, many readers will enjoy this book.

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; I’ll see you next week!

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Kellee

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Tuesday: Apart, Together by Linda Booth Sweeney & Ariel Rutland

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “There’s a World of Inspiration Out There” by Karah Sutton, Author of The Song of the Swan

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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!

 Signature andRickiSig

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 10/9/23

Share

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!

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Tuesday: Frankie and Friends: Breaking News by Christine Platt, Illustrated by Alea Marley

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “No Easy Answers: Using A Twist of Magic to Make a Tough Topic Accessible” by Jessica Vitalis, Author of Coyote Queen

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

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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. 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

I just finished Hailey Alcaraz’s Up In Flames. This book gave me so much to think about! I am reviewing it this Thursday.

I will read anything that Cynthia Leitich Smith writes. This book is captivating in the way that it blends genres of realistic fiction, horror, and mystery. This is the perfect book to get your hands on right now for Halloween.

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Ricki

I just received Blue Stars: The Vice Principal Problem by Kekla Magoon and Cynthia Leitich Smith, Illustrated by Molly Murakami. I am excited to read it!

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Tuesday: The Uninhabitable Earth (Adapted for Young Readers): Life After Warming by David Wallace-Wells

Thursday: Up In Flames by Hailey Alcaraz

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Big Problems and Small Fascinations” by Olivia A. Cole, Author of Where the Lockwood Grows

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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!

 Signature andRickiSig

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 10/2/23

Share

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!

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Tuesday: There Was a Party for Langston by Jason Reynolds, Illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey & Jarrett Pumphrey

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Introducing Young Readers to Historical Fiction” by Deborah Hopkinson, Author of The Adventures of Trim

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

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Kellee

Middle Grade

  • Unicorn CrossingUnicorn for a Day, and Unicorn of Many Hats by Dana Simpson: Phoebe and her Unicorn books are just such a pleasure to read! They are funny and sweet, and I just can only find joy when reading them. I’m excited for the new one (Unicorn for a Day) to be out soon!
  • Super Boba Cafe by Nidhi Chanani: Chanani’s graphic novel is unlike any other I have ever read! What starts as a sweet story about a granddaughter visiting her grandmother for the summer, turns into something so unexpected; I think most readers will be quite surprised by the turn of events!
  • Continental Drifter by Kathy Macleod: Many readers will connect with the author in this memoir about trying to figure out where exactly she fits in. Kathy has connections to two different places, two different races, and struggles with fitting in either place or with either race. So many have this same experience and will find connections with Kathy! And it is told in a way that any middle schooler will connect with, even if they’re not exactly dealing with the same situation as Kathy.
  • Above the Trenches by Nathan Hale: I am so excited about a new Hazardous Tales book, so I was honored that I got to read it early! This newest book brings us back to World War I, but this time it is looking at how flight changed the war and the pilots that were part of the first military in the air. Told with gruesome truth mixed with the hangman’s humor, Nathan Hale does it again.

Young Adult

  • Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang, Illustrated by LeUyen Pham: The title promises a love story, and the one the reader is given is just so heartwarming! Both characters are flawed but you cannot help rooting for them to figure out how to be together because it is obviously the right thing and they need each other.
  • Demon Slayer Vol. 7 and Vol. 8 by Koyoharu Gotouge: It is always an adventure with Tanjiro as he travels with the Demon Corps, and these two volumes didn’t disappoint as they were filled with an epic battle though also filled with a very sad loss.
  • Call Me Iggy by Jorge Aguirre, Illustrated by Rafael Rosado: I loved this graphic novel about connecting present life with the history of one’s family and how that all affects identity. It also looked at how one event and one person can change the trajectory of your life!
  • The Infinity Particle by Wendy Xu: This graphic novel was an unexpectedly intense and deep sci-fi story about what makes someone (something?) deserve autonomy as well as what makes someone human. The story was entertaining yet moving, and it kept me reading as I rooted for Clem and Kye to figure out their future. As we begin to jump into the world of AI in our contemporary world, the questions asked in this book are ones that will need to be answered in the future.
  • The Lunar Chronicles #2: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer: The Lunar Chronicles continue being quite epic! I cannot tell you much about this one because it is the sequel to Cinder and I don’t want to spoil it, but I will tell you that more characters are added which gives Cinder quite the entourage to help her on her adventure.

Picture Books

 

  • The Light Within You by Namita Moolani Mehra, Illustrated by Kamala M. Nair: The starred review from Publishers Weekly really summarizes the beautify of this book: ★“Nair’s jewel-toned illustrations, sprinkled with dots of light, reinforce the text’s essential themes and its core bond between two family members who share a special connection and light each other up.” This beautiful picture book both takes us on Diya’s celebration of Diwali but also her journey to come to terms with her new home. Her wise grandmother is a beacon of light, just like so much of this book. Readers will definitely feel lit up from the inside after finishing this book.
  • Ganesha’s Great Race by Sanjay Patel, Illustrated by Emily Haynes: A retelling of a famous Hindu story which invites readers to get to know the Hindu gods of the story and embrace the message found within the book. The fun race between siblings with a sweet theme and colorful illustrations all lend themselves to a book that readers will have such a fun time reading.
  • I Want 100 Dogs by Stacy McAnulty, Illustrated by Claire Keane: This book is a great look at realistic expectations as well as becoming a pet owner. McAnulty does a great job of keeping humor in this story while also teaching the reader about making realistic expectations, especially when it comes to pets, and the colorful, cartoonesque illustrations bring the silliness and sweetness to life.
  • 10 Cats by Emily Gravett: I am a sucker for books about cats, and the cats in this one are just so cute! The art is realistic and all the cats have such great personalities. Also, this book is more than just a simple counting book, as it seems at first glance. Gravett does a wonderful job adding subtle complexity through her artwork which will lead to the book being interactive, almost like a spot-the-difference and seek-and-find book. Through the illustrations, Gravett also adds in a lesson in secondary and primary colors!

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 week isn’t my week for an IMWAYR post; I’ll see you next week!

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Kellee

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Tuesday: Frankie and Friends: Breaking News by Christine Platt, Illustrated by Alea Marley

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “No Easy Answers: Using A Twist of Magic to Make a Tough Topic Accessible” by Jessica Vitalis, Author of Coyote Queen

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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!

 Signature andRickiSig

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 9/25/23

Share

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!

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Tuesday: Educators’ Guide for Last Gate of the Emperor by Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel Makonnen

Thursday: Recent, High Interest, Engaging Graphic Novels Your Elementary and Middle School Students Will Love

Friday: Author Guest Post: “Delicious Details” by Caroline Hickey, Author of Ginny Off the Map

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

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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

Picture Books

I read some delightful pictures books this week.

Mary’s Idea by Chris Raschka is a lovely tribute to Mary Lou Williams and is artistically very beautiful!

The Digger and the Butterfly by Joseph Kuefler is a great book for a preschool classroom. It shows the phases of the butterfly and has diggers, too!

We Are Starlings by Robert FurrowDonna Jo Napoli, and Marc Martin is a beautiful story with gorgeous words and illustrations.

A Smart, Smart School by Sharon Creech and Anait Semirdzhyan is fun! I love the critique on test-taking. This book is best for kids 3rd grade and up, and I think it will make them laugh!

The Book is Banned by Raj Haldar and Julia Patton is hysterical! Adult readers will giggle, too.

Young Adult

Invisible Son by Kim Johnson. I won’t ever forget Andre’s story. He is a character that readers will root for. I felt incredibly frustrated by his situation, and the story reflects the real-life circumstances of so many young people in the US. Kim Johnson has such powerful writing, and her stories are unflinchingly honest. I highly recommend this one.

Adult

Book Lovers by Emily Henry. This is a sweet romantic story. I’d heard it was very good from a few of my students. It is a delightful book that made me smile often—a rom com!

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Ricki

 

  • Reading with my ears: Harvest House by Cynthia Leitich Smith
  • Reading with my eyes: King Cheer by Molly Horton BoothStephanie Kate Strohm, and Jamie Green (Illustrator)
  • Reading to my children: The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels by Beth Lincoln, (Illustrated by Claire Powell)

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Tuesday: There Was a Party for Langston by Jason Reynolds, Illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey & Jarrett Pumphrey

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Introducing Young Readers to Historical Fiction” by Deborah Hopkinson, Author of The Adventures of Trim

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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!

 Signature andRickiSig

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 9/18/23

Share

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!

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Tuesday: Educators’ Guide for The Rumor Game by Dhonielle Clayton & Sona Charaipotra

Thursday: Dear Unicorn by Josh Funk, Illustrated by Charles Santoso

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Create Your Own Dragons: Fantastical Creatures Shaped by the Natural World” by Kacy Ritter, Author of The Great Texas Dragon Race

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

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Kellee

  • Marvellers #2: The Memory Thieves by Dhonielle Clayton: I worry sometimes about book 2 of a series, but this one did not disappoint. I am so glad that we got to go back to the Arcanum with Ella where we get to know more about the magic of her world and  join her and her friends on another adventure to save the world!
  • Wildfire by Breena Bard: This graphic novel does a great job of combining a story that is so timely about a middle schooler losing her home because of a wildfire with lessons about climate change; by the end of the book, anyone reading will want to make a difference in this world!
  • Star Wars: The Mandalorian: The Manga Vol. 1 by Yusuke Osawa: This manga is a retelling of The Mandalorian series, and I loved revisiting the story. I’ll definitely be looking for the next book in the series to follow Mando and Grogu’s adventures.
  • Insomniacs After School Vol. 2 and Vol. 3 by Makoto Ojiro: By the end of book one, we didn’t know much about our two main characters, so I really enjoyed getting to know them both more through these two volumes. This manga is perfect for any fans of slice of life with a dash of crush.
  • Cinder by Marissa Meyer: Cinder is a reread for me because I want to read the rest of the series. I still very much agree with 2013 Kellee who reviewed this book about how great the worldbuilding is; I am so glad I can now continue the series!
  • Demon Slayer Vol. 6 and Vol. 7 by Koyoharu Gotouge: I am finally getting into this series and may understand why so many people like it. I still have trouble with all of the characters, but I have a list now to help me remember and that has definitely allowed me to enjoy it more. I look forward to continuing the series to see what Tanjiro is up to!


  • The Welcome Home by Amy June Bates: This book will be so much fun to read aloud to kids! There are so many opportunities to ask for prediction questions, the animals the couple get are just so silly, and the illustrations are just superb! Additionally, the topics of longing, companionship, and family all are easily relateable. It also easily lends itself to opportunities for writing after reading!
  • The Mermaid With No Tail by Jessica Long, Illustrated by Airin O’Callaghan: Through a story of a mermaid, Jessica Long definitely shares with her readers the importance of following your passions and how differences are our powers. The story also was influenced by the author’s life, which is shared in the back matter. I just love this celebration of Long’s (well, Tatiana the mermaid’s) life!
  • What is Hope? by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic, Illustrated by Kelsey Buzell: This book is just beautiful. I read it a few times, and it truly gave me goosebumps. I want to read it with kids and talk to them about hope. Hope is such an important emotion but is also complex, and this text delves into all of that. It also lends itself so easily into being a mentor text for students to create their own “What is ____?” book or poem.
  • A Walk in the Wood by Nikki Grimes, Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney & Brian Pinkney: This book made me cry. The combination of Nikki Grimes’s brilliant words, the artwork by father/son Jerry & Brian Pinkney, the loss of Jerry Pinkney, and the message of place just pulled so many emotions out of me. Oh, and the notes in the back. Just so much emotion. Also, I would love to see kids be inspired by the boy’s story and Grimes’s words and write their own poems and create their own illustrations about animals and nature.

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

It is my week off–see you next week!

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Kellee

 

  • Reading: The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming by David Wallace-Wells, Unicorn Crossing: Another Phoebe and her Unicorn Adventure by Dana Simpson, and Above the Trenches by Nathan Hale
  • Listening: Lunar Chronicles #2: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
  • Listening with Trent: Consider the Octopus by Nora Raleigh Baskin & Gae Polisner

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Tuesday: Educators’ Guide for Last Gate of the Emperor by Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel Makonnen

Thursday: Recent, High Interest, Engaging Graphic Novels Your Elementary and Middle School Students Will Love

Friday: Author Guest Post: “Delicious Details” by Caroline Hickey, Author of Ginny Off the Map

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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!

 Signature andRickiSig

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 9/11/23

Share

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!

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Tuesday: If You Meet the Devil, Don’t Shake Hands by Sylvia Whitman

Friday: Student Voices: Book Recommendations from Anja K., Meghan K., & Teresa Z., 7th graders, and Silvia S., 8th grader

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Teaching the Next Generation about September 11th” by Jacqueline Jules, Author of Smoke at the Pentagon: Poems to Remember

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

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Kellee

It’s my week off! To learn more about any of the books I’m reading, check out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

Adult

I read Abraham Verghese’s The Covenant of Water. This book is a pretty intimidating one for many—it’s almost 800 pages long. My goodness, though, it is unforgettable. The story follows multiple generations of the same family—from 1900 to 1977. A condition plagues the family: In almost every generation, at least one family member dies from drowning. This is particularly difficult because they live on the Malabar coast in South India. The writing is absolutely captivating. I never read Cutting for Stone, and now I am going to get it. I am so glad I read this book.

I read I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy in a day. The topics in this book are difficult to digest—Jennette McCurdy details her experiences as a child actor and the pain within her relationship with her mother. I absolutely recommend this book, but it’s a tough one to read, for sure.

I am not in love with the title of this book: How to Hug a Porcupine: Negotiating the Prickly Points of the Tween Years by Julie A. Ross. However, it’s a great book about parenting tweens, and I feel like I gained a lot of helpful tips as a parent for future years. A lot of this book reflects my philosophy of building relationships with children, but there were a lot of parenting moments that helped me in different ways than when I was teaching this age level.

Middle Grade

I enjoyed reading The Reptile Room (A Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket with my kids.

Picture Books

  • The Book from Far Away by Bruce Handy, Illustrated by Julie Benbassat—This wordless picture book is great for fans of Aaron Becker. It pairs a child who is human with a child from another planet, and it teaches the power of sharing.
  • The Museum of Nothing by Steven Guarnaccia—This book made me giggle! It’s literally about a museum of nothing. This book will activate kids’ imaginations!
  • The Ogre in the Hall by Céline Sorin, Illustrated by Pascal Lemaître—A great book for kids who are afraid of the dark (or going to the bathroom in the middle of the night). The ogre is very sweet.
  • Taco Falls Apart by Brenda S. Miles, Illustrated by Monika Filipina—A great book that teaches the connection of thoughts and behavior/actions.

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Ricki

  • Reading with my eyes: Invisible Son by Kim Johnson
  • Reading with my ears: Book Lovers by Emily Henry
  • Reading to my children: The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels by Beth Lincoln, (Illustrated by Claire Powell)

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Tuesday: Educators’ Guide for The Rumor Game by Dhonielle Clayton & Sona Charaipotra

Thursday: Dear Unicorn by Josh Funk, Illustrated by Charles Santoso

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Create Your Own Dragons: Fantastical Creatures Shaped by the Natural World” by Kacy Ritter, Author of The Great Texas Dragon Race

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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!

 Signature andRickiSig

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 9/4/23

Share

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!

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Tuesday: Pigeon Private Detectives #1: The Case of the Missing Tarts by Christee Curran-Bauer

Thursday: Saints of the Household by Ari Tison

Friday: Student Voices: Author Spotlights from Kamari L., 8th grader, and Hala B. & Trinity P., 7th graders

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “After the Little House Books” by Susan Lynn Meyer, Author of A Sky Full of Song

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

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Kellee

Middle Grade

  • The Partition Project by Saadia Faruqi: Oh man, readers. You have a special book waiting for you in the future. I am just such a fan of Faruqi’s way of intertwining history and contemporary stories in Yusuf Azeem, and The Partition Project is another example of her brilliance. In this story, which will pair beautifully with Night Diary (which gets a shout out), we both traverse Maha’s school and family story but also her Dadi’s recollection of the Partition.
  • Stuntboy, In-Between Time by Jason Reynolds, Illustrated by Raúl the Third:  Like the first one, I listened to the audio of this series which just takes it do another level, in my opinion. It is so fun to hear how the story is produced! I then look at the illustrations, and I get all of the experience. If you loved the first Stuntboy, this sequel is a great continuation of Portico’s story.

Manga


  • Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear Vol. 3-6 by Kumanano & 029, Illustrated by Sergei: This series is just so wholesome yet also full of action, humor, and great little stories. I love Yuna, her soft spot for kids & their needs, and her epicness! I highly recommend this series, specifically to fans of Sword Art Online
  • Spy Family Vol. 6-9 by Tatsuya Endo: I am so sad that I am done with all of the Spy Family mangas that are out! I love this odd, little family and their adventures. Definitely a favorite manga series!

Picture Books

  • The Young Teacher and the Great Serpent by Irene Vasco, Translated by Lawrence Schimel, Illustrated by Juan Palomino: This is a story about the passion of a teacher, the enthusiasm of students, the reality behind a legend, and the love of a community. On top of the beautiful story are illustrations that bring the setting and story to life.
  • On the Edge of the World by Anna Desnitskaya, Translated by Lena Traer: This memoir is a perfect ladder between picture book memoirs and graphic memoirs because it is a picture book structured like a graphic novel. On top of this ladder opportunity, the book has allusions to The Hobbit, examples of chronological steps, options to discuss geography, and the use of morse code. All of these lead to a book that needs to be read with/by kids!
  • Building a Dream: How the Boys of Koh Panyee Became Champions by Darshana Khiani, Illustrated by Dow Phumiruk: This story of determination, based on a true story from the late 1980s, will tug at heart strings, cause readers to cheer, and connect with so many. Soccer (football) is such a beloved sport in much of the world, I know that so many will be excited to read this underdog story of these amazing children.
  • The Brand-New, Never-Used, Perfect Crayons by Leanne Hatch: “Beauty in imperfection” is such an important lesson to learn. There is so much pressure on our kids for perfection, and this story speaks of how perfection doesn’t always lead to the outcome that you want and that reaching a goal can be messy but is worth it. It is so clever how the story is told because it makes it less didactic than other books with the same theme, and the illustrations are just so colorful–matches the crayon main characters!

Young Adult

  • Heat Wave by TJ Klune: I am so glad I went back to this series and finished it up. What an epic conclusion on all fronts!

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 from IMWAYR–see you next week!

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Kellee

  • Rereading: Marvellers #2: The Memory Thieves by Dhonielle Clayton
  • Rereading (listening): Cinder by Marissa Meyer
  • Listening (with Trent): Consider the Octopus by Nora Raleigh Baskin & Gae Polisner

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Tuesday: If You Meet the Devil, Don’t Shake Hands by Sylvia Whitman

Friday: Student Voices: Book Recommendations from Anja K., Meghan K., & Teresa Z., 7th graders, and Silvia S., 8th grader

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Teaching the Next Generation about September 11th” by Jacqueline Jules, Author of Smoke at the Pentagon: Poems to Remember

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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!

 Signature andRickiSig