IMWAYR

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop co-hosted by Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts which focuses on sharing books marketed for children and young adults. 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.

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: Nic Blake and the Remarkables #1: The Manifestor Prophecy by Angie Thomas

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

Kellee

It’s my week off! I’ll be back next Monday! To see what I’ve been reading, check out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

I am embarrassed to say that it took me this long to read Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe. I was number 127th on the wait list at the library, and I decided to wait patiently. It was well worth the wait. This is a powerful book, and I am better for having read it.

I really enjoyed Garvey’s Choice: The Graphic Novel by Nikki Grimes, Illustrated by Theodore Taylor III. I really connected with this book and felt like many of Garvey’s interests and thoughts reflected my own. I can’t wait for my son to read this one.

Ricki

• Rereading: Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (I am teaching it as part of a week that my students and I are discussing addiction.)
• Reading: The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera
• Listening: Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Thursday: Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

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?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop co-hosted by Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts which focuses on sharing books marketed for children and young adults. 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.

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: Student Voices: Christina Diaz Gonzalez’s Visit to Kellee’s Middle School

Thursday: Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese-American by Laura Gao

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

Kellee

• Nothing Interesting Ever Happens to Ethan Fairmont by Nick Brooks: What would you do if you found an alien in your town? Ethan Fairmont is faced with that question which drives the entire rest of the book. My favorite part was Ethan’s scientific mind and how he uses it to deal with all the situations that he faces in the book. I also loved the friendship in the book as it felt real because it showed true up and downs.
• New From Here by Kelly Yang: This book starts in January 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic begins and goes through early March. I didn’t realize how much reading about COVID would bring back terrible memories, but it definitely did. Luckily, the book was written very well and the Wei-Evans kids were fantastic which made it a fine companion as I revisited such a tough time.
• Nic Blake and the Remarkables #1: The Manifestor Prophecy by Angie Thomas: I’m reviewing this on Tuesday!
• We Deserve Monuments by Jaz Hammonds: This novel is written so well; specifically when it comes to character development. I loved meeting them all while Avery explores her new home, new friends, new school, new dreams, and, specifically, the generational family trauma that is all new to her.

  

• Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story by Sarah Meyer: This graphic memoir that takes us through Sarah’s inability to fit in, the racist bullying and remarks she faced, and the rage that all of this brings. But it also shows hope. And as a avid artist, which she explores in the graphic novel as well, the artwork is superb.
• Wings of Fire Graphic Novel #3: The Hidden Kingdom by Tui T. Sutherland: This story takes us into the RainWing kingdom and shows the struggles that Glory, and the rest of the dragonets of the prophecy, face.
• Mermaid Scales and the Town of Sand by Yôko Komori: This manga starts with Tokiko’s move to a coastal town as her parents deal with a divorce. Tokiko’s only memory of her last visit to the town is that she was saved by a merman when she almost drowned; this memory drives her draw to the ocean but these strange memories are not helpful as she is trying to find a home in the new town. I was a fan of Tokiko, and the artwork sets the quiet tone with purely beautiful art.
• Sho-Ha Shoten! Volume 1 by Takeshi Obata: This first volume of this slice of life manga puts a stage fright comedian on a journey to finally use his skills on the stage. There are definitely some laugh out loud moments and a definitely theme of going for what you love versus what is expected.
• Insomniacs After School Volume 1 by Makoto Ojiro: Another slice of life manga that doesn’t much get into the story in this first volume. In it you meet the two insomniacs who find friendship around their struggles. I look forward to seeing what happens next.
• Helck Volume 1 by Nanaki Nanao: Vermilio cannot believe that the front runner for the new Demon Lord is a human, even if Helck is a human who says he hates humans. The rest of the book questions this situation and takes us through different trials as the trials for the Demon Lord throne continues.

To learn more about any of these books, check out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

This is my week off; see you next week!

Kellee

• Reading: Just finished Nic Blake and about to go to the Florida Future Problem Solvers State Competition, so I am not sure how much reading time I’ll have, so we’ll see!
• Listening: A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus
• Listening with Trent: Amari and the Great Game by B.B. Alston

Tuesday: Nic Blake and the Remarkables #1: The Manifestor Prophecy by Angie Thomas

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?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop co-hosted by Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts which focuses on sharing books marketed for children and young adults. 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.

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: Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He Was Eight

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Every Child Needs Space to Play” by Mark Angelo, Author of Can We Play Baseball, Mr. DeMille?

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

Kellee

This is my week off! To learn more about any of these books, check out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

A Thing Called Snow by Yuval Zommer is about two animals who are searching for snow. It’s a sweet book that my almost 4-year-old really loved.

I am so mad I didn’t know about this book sooner. It’s really cool! Milo’s Museum by Zetta Elliot tells the story of a child named Milo who doesn’t see herself in the museum, so she creates her own.

Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring by Kenard Pak is a beautiful story about the changing of seasons.

I reread Promise Boys by Nick Brooks to teach it to my class last week. They absolutely love it, and so do I!

Ricki

I am reading Squire by Nadia Shammas and Sara Alfageeh. I am excited because I’ve heard it is great!

Tuesday: Student Voices: Christina Diaz Gonzalez’s Visit to Kellee’s Middle School

Thursday: Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese-American by Laura Gao

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?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop co-hosted by Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts which focuses on sharing books marketed for children and young adults. 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.

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: Global by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin, Illustrated by Giovanni Rigano

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

Kellee

• Julieta and the Diamond Enigma by Luisana Duarte Armendáriz: What a fun early middle grade mystery book! Julieta is a character who is easy to love, it was great to explore Paris with her, I was fascinated by all of the art and mythology that were discussed, and it was fun trying to figure out the culprit!
• The Midnight Children by Dan Gemeinhart: I have read every book by Dan Gemeinhart, and it is so fascinating how different they all are and how wonderful they all are. This one was steeped in magical realism but was all about finding your family, even if they aren’t by blood, and learning to find the confidence in yourself to stand up to bullies.
• Global by Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin, & Giovanni Rigano: I reviewed this last week!
• How to Heal a Gryphon by Meg Cannistra: In a world where magic is real and mythical creatures exist, Giada finds herself in the most important fight of her life–one against the witches underground to save her brother. Through this journey, she also hopes to show that her passion is just as important as tradition.
• Cat’s Cradle: The Mole King’s Lair by Jo Rioux: The second book in this trilogy picks up where the first left off with Suri venturing to the Monster’s Cradle with Caglio and Byron, but they’ve run out of money and provisions and must figure out how to survive. They learn that what you see is not always what it seems in this adventurous graphic novel that puts Suri’s taming to the test.

To learn more about any of these books, check out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

This is my week off; I’ll share what I’ve been reading next week!

Kellee

• Reading: Nothing Interesting Ever Happens to Ethan Fairmont by Nick Brooks
• Listening: We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammons
• Listening with Trent: Amari and the Great Game by BB Alston
• Reading because Trent recommended it: Wings of Fire The Graphic Novel #3: The Hidden Kingdom by Tui T. Sutherland

Tuesday: Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He Was Eight

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Every Child Needs Space to Play” by Mark Angelo, Author of Can We Play Baseball, Mr. DeMille?

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?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop co-hosted by Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts which focuses on sharing books marketed for children and young adults. 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.

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: Ring of Solomon by Aden Polydoros

Thursday: Blog Tour, Giveaway, and Author Guest Post!: “Let Nonfiction Sing” by Margarita Engle, Author of Destiny Finds Her Way: How a Rescued Baby Sloth Learned to be Wild

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

Kellee

I am off this week! To learn more about any of these books, check out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

My book club chose this (adult) book (What My Bones Know), and I thought it was a powerful memoir. Stephanie Foo shares how her abuse as a child led to C-PTSD (complex post-traumatic stress disorder). I learned a lot from her story.

Everyone’s been talking about this (also adult) book (The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab), so I had to try it! I enjoyed it, but I felt like it was really long. It felt a bit repetitive in parts (but I suppose that’s the point of the story!).

I loved The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by Isaac Blum. It reminded me so much of my childhood! I liked the first three-quarters the most, and then there’s a turn in events, and I kind of hoped it hadn’t taken that direction. That said, I loved every minute of this book!

Ricki

I am going to be rereading Promise Boys by Nick Brooks because my class is reading it! I’ve linked my previous review!

Tuesday: Global by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin, Illustrated by Giovanni Rigano

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?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop co-hosted by Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts which focuses on sharing books marketed for children and young adults. 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.

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: Educators’ Guide for The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton

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

Kellee

Graphic Novels/Mangas

• School Trip by Jerry Craft: The third book in the New Kid series does not disappoint, as the group goes to Paris! Although everyone is excited to go to Paris, it ends up being trickier and with bumps that were unexpected. It also looks at how identity changed depending on your setting.
• Clock Striker Vol. 1 by Issaka Galadima, Frederick L. Jones, and Saturday AM: The first book in a sci-fi manga series where a young girl finds herself as a sidekick to a legendary warrior, called a SMITH, which leads to one adventure after another.
• Junior High by Tegan and Sara Quin, Illustrated by Tillie Walden: Two sisters navigate everything about junior high together in this graphic novel, from crushes to friendship.
• Demon Slayer Vol. 3, 4, 5 by Koyoharu Gotouge: I can definitely see why student love this series. It is hard to predict, full of nonstop action, and lead by unexpected heroes.
• Garvey’s Choice: The Graphic Novel by Nikki Grimes, Illustrated by Theodore Taylor III: Grimes’s beautiful verse about Garvey’s life as he combats expectations versus passions combined with Taylor’s illustrations brings this story to a whole new level. I loved how it was done.
• Saving Sunshine by Saadia Faruqi, Illustrated Shazleen Khan: Such a sweet story about bickering siblings that have to find common ground while on vacation, mostly once they have the same mission.
• Wings of Fire Graphic Novel #2: The Lost Heir by Tui T. Sutherland, Illustrated by Mike Holmes: The more I read this series, the more I don’t know what is truthful and what is a lie. So much is going on! I hope book 3 clears it up.
• In Limbo by Deb JJ Lee: This was tough to read because of the struggles Deborah has with her mental health in middle school, but I am so glad that Deb is telling her story to normalize the emotions that she had. Additionally, the illustrations are wonderful and there is more to the story than meets the eye.

Middle Grade/Middle School

 

• The Boy in the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf: This early middle grade novel is a great introduction to the refugee crisis and how kindness can change the world.
• Airi Sano, Prankmaster General: New School Skirmish by Zoe Tokushige, Illustrated by Jennifer Naalchigar: A new illustrated novel with humor and lessons that will be great for early middle grade readers who gravitate towards books like Dork Diaries. Underneath the humor, silliness, and hijinks, is a great lesson about figuring out who you are in a new place.
• Across the Desert by Dusti Bowling: Dusti Bowling never disappoints me. Jolene knows that her friend is in trouble but no one believes her, so she goes on a journey, as you guessed it–across a desert, to save her. The suspense is real!
• Ring of Solomon by Aden Polydoros: I will be reviewing this tomorrow!
• Beast and the Bethany by Jack Meggitt-Phillips, Illustrated by Isabelle Follath: This is one of Trent’s books for Battle of the Books and we listened to it together. It is full of dark humor and a young girl that changes a small part of the world; it is great for fans of Lemony Snicket or Roald Dahl.
• The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera: What happens if Halley’s Comet took a turn and was coming for Earth? Petra is told that she’ll be put in cryosleep until they reach their new settlement, but when she wakes up, she learns that the truth is MUCH more complicated than the escaped Earthlings were told.
• The Lion of Mars by Jennifer L. Holm: Trent is a member of his Battle of the Books team, and this is his favorite book that he’s read so far, so I knew I had to pick it up; I can definitely see why he loves it! Holm’s book shows what it would be like to live on Mars in a settlement while life and tensions continue on Earth.
• More Awesome Asian Americans: 20 Citizens Energize America by Phil Amara and Oliver Chin, Illustrated by Juan Calle: Although I haven’t read the first in this series yet, I now want to–it was wonderful to learn about all of these innovators. And I am a fan of the mix of who is represented: from actors, athletes, singers, and authors to inventors, chefs, botanists, lawyers, and more! Even those who were not new to me, much of what I learned was new to me.

Young Adult

• Three Drops of Blood by Gretchen McNeil: This book is different than the McNeil #murdertrending series, but it definitely has as much suspense! The first half of the book sets the stage and it takes a little bit to get to the action (and blood!), but stick with it, and you will not be disappointed.
• The Black Queen by Jumata Emill: Nova is the first Black homecoming queen at her high school and on the night she is crowned, she is murdered. In this book, told in dual points of view (Nova’s best friend and the girl accused of murdering her) takes you through the investigation into the racially charged town that led to the tragic death.
• The Murder Game by Carrie Doyle: While there is no game in this book and I’m baffled by the title, everything else about it kept me reading. It keeps you guessing and trying to find clues all the way to the end when everything comes together.
• We Were Kings by Court Stevens: With only days to save her mom’s best friend from the death penalty, Nyla decides to investigate the murder she was convicted for herself. The clues just keep coming and when it all is revealed… whoa!

Picture Books/Early Readers

• Invisible Things by Andy J. Pizza and Sophie Miller: This is such a cool book! It is a fun and fascinating way of looking at the world around us that will lead to many discussion and revisits! It truly shows what is magical about our world!
• Henry, Like Always by Jenn Baily, Illustrated by Mika Song: I loved revisiting Henry in this chapter book! Henry (the picture book) was honored by the Schneider Award Committee while I was on it, so I am already a big fan of this sweet boy.
• Sunny and Oswaldo by Nicole Melleby, Illustrated by Alexandra Colombo: I loved the message of this book! Oswaldo shows us that everyone deserves love, especially when recovering from trauma, even if they don’t act the exact way you think they should. This story of a cat shared this message in such a lovely way!
• The Sky is Not the Limit by Jérémie Decalf: I love the combination of beautiful verse, amazing illustrations, and space information. Decalf’s book will lead to any reader to want reread it and then learn more about Voyager 2.
• Bitsy Bat, School Star by Kaz Windness: Bitsy has trouble fitting in but she reminds herself and her classmates that she is a star just the way she is while also highlighting what makes each of the characters special. It was a nice way to share a neurodivergent character with readers.

To learn more about any of these books, check out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

See you next week!

Kellee

Reading: Wings of Fire The Graphic Novel #3: The Hidden Kingdom by Tui T. Sutherland, Illustrated by Mike Holmes; Global by Eoin Colfer & Andrew Donkin, Illustrated by Giovanni Rigano; and The Midnight Children by Dan Gemeinhart

Listening: We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds

Tuesday: Ring of Solomon by Aden Polydoros

Thursday: Author Guest Post by Margarita Engle, Author of Destiny Finds Her Way: How a Rescued Baby Sloth Learned to be Wild

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?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop co-hosted by Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts which focuses on sharing books marketed for children and young adults. 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.

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 Don’t Care by Julie Fogliano, Illustrated by Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal

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

Kellee

I’m off this week; I’ll see you next week for my update 🙂

To learn more about any of books I read, check out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

I had to take the week off. I’ll return in two weeks!

Tuesday: Educators’ Guide for The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton

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