IMWAYR – Page 27 – Unleashing Readers

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 8/29/22

August 29, 2022 by Kellee

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: Guest Post: Classroom Uses for One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia, A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus, Planet Earth is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos, Shooting Kabul by N.H. Senzai, and The Dreamer by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Thursday: Guest Post: Guest Post: Classroom Uses for Front Desk by Kelly Yang, Indian No More by Charlene Willing McManis with Traci Sorell, Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar, Mary and the Trail of Tears by Andrea L. Rogers, and Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani post

Saturday: Blog Tour and Guest Review from our 8 Year Olds!: My Pet Feet by Josh Funk

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “In Praise of the Standalone Book” by Stacy Nockowitz, Author of The Prince of Steel Pier

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

Kellee

The Red Umbrella by Christina Diaz Gonzalez: WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG TO READ THIS BOOK?! I am so glad that The Bluest Sky coming out and Christina coming to visit my school in February finally pushed me to read this book I’ve owned for years. It is definitely one of my favorite middle grade historical fiction books ever. It is engaging, informative, realistic, heart wrenching, and heart filling; in other words, everything you want a historical fiction book to be. And again, I learned more from this book about history than I did about Cuban history in any history class. I am now a smarter human.
The Bluest Sky by Christina Diaz Gonzalez: And my Cuban history knowledge grew even more with this book which is a companion to The Red Umbrella but in a way that makes them both standalones but with a secret connection. The Bluest Sky, which comes out next week, is another historical fiction masterpiece by Gonzalez which once again tells us a moving story within the context of engaging history.
When You Look Like Us by Pamela N. Harris: I am so glad I put this book on my #mustreadin2022 list because I don’t know if I would have picked it up otherwise, and I am so glad I did! The book was different than what I expected–it was less contemporary realistic fiction and more crime & mystery realistic fiction. Fans of crime-focused fiction will really like this book that follows a brother on a search to find a missing sister that no one else is looking for.

Scritch Scratch by Lindsay Currie: Woof! This book was scary! It is definitely going to find some fans in my middle school as I always have kids looking for ghost and scary stories. What I liked the most about the book (because I am not a huge fan of scary in general usually) was the history aspects–I enjoyed learning about tragedies in Chicago.
Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte, illustrated by Ann Xu: Trent read Measuring Up and when he finished said that he thought I would really like it because “it is like those cooking shows you watch.” And he was right! A great finding identity away from what others expect of you graphic novel mixed with a cooking show!
Stella by McCall Hoyle: Trent and I listened to this story about a dog that is more than anyone expected. It is a true tribute to rescue and service dogs within a story filled with humor, lots of feelings, suspense, and love.

To learn more about any of these books, check out my 2022 Goodreads Challenge page or my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

It is Kellee’s week for a long post, so I’ll be back next week!

Kellee

Reading: Trex by Christyne Morrell & Cat + Gamer Vol. 2 by Wataru Nadatani
Listening: Just Dance (Whatever After #15) by Sarah Mlynowski

Tuesday: When You Take a Step by Bethanie Deeney Murguia

Thursday: Guest Post: Classroom Uses for Jo Jo Makoons by Dawn Quigley, Length of a String by Elissa Brent Weissman, Melissa by Alex Gino, and Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina

Saturday: Guest Post: Classroom Uses for New Kid by Jerry Craft, Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga, Stella Díaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez, and From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

Sunday: Author Guest Post by Laurel Solorzano, Author of The Land of Fake Believe

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? #IMWAYR 8/22/22

August 28, 2022August 22, 2022 by Ricki

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

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.

Happy reading!

Tuesday: Review and Giveaway!!: A Dream of Birds by by Shenaz Patel, Illustrated by Emmanuelle Tchoukriel, and Translated by Edwig-Renée Dro
Giveaway closes this evening!

Thursday: Guest Post: Classroom Uses for All Thirteen by Christina Soontornvat, Astronaut-Aquanaut by Jennifer Swanson, Call and Response by Veronica Chambers, She Persisted: Claudette Colvin by Lesa Cline-Ransome, and History Smashers: Women’s Rights to Vote by Kate Messner

Saturday: Guest Post: Classroom Uses for Latinitas by Juliet Menendez, Lost in the Antarctic by Tod Olson, On the Horizon by Lois Lowry, and Stamped adapted by Sonja Cherry-Paul

Sunday: Author Guest Post by Vanessa Garcia, Author of What the Bread Says: Baking with Love, History and Papan

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

Kellee

Hi!! It is Ricki’s week for a long post, so I’ll update next week 🙂 But as always, you can learn more about what I’ve been reading by checking out my 2022 Goodreads Challenge page or my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

Well, my reading is kind of a mess! I start school on Tuesday and of course I spent hours designing a new bitmoji classroom. I am going to combine this section with the currently reading section because I have many books going on right now. Two finished and many substantially in progress. I like to read a lot of books at the same time. Just me? 😉

I finished Kacen Callender’s Lark & Kasim Start a Revolution, and you need to stop everything and read this book. Seriously, right now. It is so good.

I can’t wait for this book to come out in two days! My Pet Feet by Josh Funk is so creative! Check out our 8-year-olds’ review tomorrow!

I am listening to Black Enough, which is edited by Ibi Zoboi. The stories are fantastic, and I keep thinking about how well they’d fit into instructional units. I love that the collection emphasizes the diversity within diversity.

I have read a good amount of Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon. I just finished the story that could be described as the beginning of something new. Ahh, it was so good!

My son and I are reading Healer of the Water Monster by Brian Young. It is so, so good. We rotate reading chapters, and it has offered so much to talk about.

Saturday: Blog Tour and Guest Review from our 8 Year Olds!: My Pet Feet by Josh Funk

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “In Praise of the Standalone Book” by Stacy Nockowitz, Author of The Prince of Steel Pier

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 8/15/22

October 29, 2022August 15, 2022 by Kellee

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

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.

Happy reading!

Tuesday: Student Voices: Insights from Karina D., Emma Y., Nour B., Maria F., Bianca C., and Anabella S.

Thursday: Guest Post: Classroom Uses for Astronuts by Jon Sciezska, El Deafo by Cece Bell, Jukebox by Nidhi Chanani, One Dead Spy by Nathan Hale, and Squish: Super Amoeba by Jennifer L. Holm

Saturday: Guest Post: Classroom Uses for Stargazing by Jen Wang, The Party by Sergio Ruzzier, Twins by Varian Johnson, and When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Finding ‘HOME’ in Poetry” by Dianne White, Author of Look and Listen

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

Kellee

This was my first week back with students! YAY! When the kids show up, it reminds me why I do this intense job–because I love working with them!

Delirium by Lauren Oliver is on my #mustreadin2022 list because a student asked me to finish the series (I’d only read book 1), and this week I did–and it is the epitome of dystopian rebellion and romance! When I finished I jumped right into the short stories which gave some nice insight to the in-betweens of some of the books and thoughts of other characters; however, I must let Lauren Oliver know that I NEED a story or a book for what happens next!

Cat + Gamer Vol. 1 by Wataru Nadatani: I bought this manga for Trent because cats, video games, and books are his three favorite things, and I am happy to say that this is his first manga and he loved it! He gave it to me as soon as he was done and told me I had to read it. It is so cute; I love finding all ages mangas to share with my students and now Trent!
Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart: This is a series that many people are always surprised to learn I hadn’t read, so I fixed that by listening to book one, and I can see why people love it so much: quirky characters, mystery that keeps you on your toes, and brilliant children! I have book 2’s audiobook on hold, and I look forward to reading it.

The Disappearing Mr. Jacques by Gideon Sterer, illustrated by Benjamin Chaud: I love interactive picture books, and this is unlike any that I have read before! Readers will love Mr. Jacques and his tricks and all of the fun and games that come with his story. And the illustrations bring it all to life to transfix readers!
Little Mole Goes to School by Glanys Nellist, illustraed by Sally Garland: Perfect for a back to school book! It looks at the importance of differences in friends as well as the feeling of anxiety–both of these are perfect for our littles starting school, so Little Mole will be a character and a book that many will relate to and love! (And make sure to check out the back matter where the animal species are discussed and there is advice from a child therapist to help with anxious kids.)

To learn more about any of these books, check out my 2022 Goodreads Challenge page or my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

I’ll be back next week! 🙂

Kellee

With just finishing my audiobook and my series, I have to figure out what to read next! I’ll probably dip into my #mustreadin2022 list but who knows?!

Tuesday: A Dream of Birds by by Shenaz Patel, Illustrated by Emmanuelle Tchoukriel, and Translated by Edwig-Renée Dro

Saturday: Guest Post: Classroom Uses for Latinitas by Juliet Menendez, Lost in the Antarctic by Tod Olson, On the Horizon by Lois Lowry, and Stamped adapted by Sonja Cherry-Paul

Sunday: Author Guest Post by Vanessa Garcia, Author of What the Bread Says: Baking with Love, History and Papan

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 8/8/22

August 23, 2023August 8, 2022 by Kellee

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

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.

Happy reading!

Thursday: Warrior Princess: The Story of Khutulun by Sally Deng

Saturday: Guest Review: Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly, Illustrated by Laura Freeman

Sunday: Author Guest Post by Mary Batten, Author of Life in Hot Water: Wildlife at the Bottom of the Ocean

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

Kellee

Teen

Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From by Jennifer De Leon: I really, really, really liked this book, and I don’t see why there hasn’t been more hype around it. I loved the characters, the story, the evolution, and definitely the theme. Beautifully written with real representation.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart: I can see why this book is so popular–the characters are pretentious yet interesting enough that you are intrigued and you have to figure out the truth behind all of the terrible. I know lots of people said they figured it out; I didn’t, so the reveal worked for me. I look forward to reading the prequel.
Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart: This one was harder for me to get into. It reminded me of Memento the movie in that you never knew what was true and what wasn’t and the sequence just wasn’t right. This one didn’t work for me as well, but I am glad I read it!

Middle Grade

The Nerdy Dozen by Jeff Miller: I can see why students like this book–it is full of action and keeps you on the edge of your seat!
The Million Dollar Race by Matthew Ross Smith: I ended up really liking this book! It is just written really well, and I loved the characters–you just cannot help but rooting for them all!
Fenris & Mott by Greg Van Eekhout: This is a newly released book that all of my elementary and middle school educators will want to get for their classroom or library! Van Eekhout takes the reader on a heart-stopping adventure full of Norse mythology, including the potential for the mythological pup, Fenris, to eat the entire world. Mott is a character that readers will connect with and the friendships found within the pages are unique and heartwarming. I cannot wait to share this book with students!

Teen Manga

Your Lie in April Vol. 1 by Naoshi Arakawa: Always looking for new manga for my library, and this is one a friend recommended. It is a slice of life story that has a sad premise but also has hope. I have a feeling it gets sadder as the series goes along though…
Penguin & House Vol. 1 by Akiho Ieda: YAY! An all ages manga! I am so happy my friend Shannon is as into finding mangas for the school library as I am. This one is just so silly and charming–I mean it is a brilliant penguin and a blockhead guy in silly antics!

Adult

By the Book by Jasmine Guillory: I loved this Beauty and the Beast retelling with an editorial assistant and a past-prime bad boy who is supposed to be writing a memoir. Kept the essence of the fairy tale but got rid of all the cringe parts.

To learn more about any of these books, check out my 2022 Goodreads Challenge page or my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

It is Kellee’s week to share a long IMWAYR post, and she’s taking next week, too; I will update you all on my reading in a couple of weeks!

Kellee

Delirium (Delirium, #1) Hooky The Mysterious Benedict Society (The Mysterious Benedict Society, #1) Stella

Reading: Delirium by Lauren Oliver & Hooky by Míriam Bonastre Tur

Listening to: The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart & Stella by McCall Hoyle

Tuesday: Student Voices: Insights from Karina D., Emma Y., Nour B., Maria F., Bianca C., and Anabella S.

Saturday: Guest Post: Classroom Uses for Stargazing by Jen Wang, The Party by Sergio Ruzzier, Twins by Varian Johnson, and When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

Sunday: Author Guest Post by Dianne White, Author of Look and Listen

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 8/1/22

August 6, 2022August 1, 2022 by Ricki

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

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.

Happy reading!

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

Tuesday: Student Voices: Recommendations by Anna Liz R., Brielle P., Ava G., Chase S., and Silvia S.

Thursday: Guest Post: Classroom Uses for Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott, Magnificent Makers: How to Test a Friendship by Theanne Griffith, Polly Diamond and the Magic Book by Alice Kuipers, and Sisters of the Neversea by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Saturday: Guest Review: The Bad Seed by Jory John, Illustrated by Pete Oswald

Sunday: Author Guest Post by Kerry L. Malawista, Author of Meet the Moon

Kellee

Hi! I am unexpectedly out this week, so Ricki is covering for me! As always, you can learn more about what I’ve been reading by checking out my 2022 Goodreads Challenge page or my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

The Coquíes Still Sing by Karina Nicole González is a picture book about the rebuilding of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. It offers readers a window into the devastation of the hurricane and shares the power of community and togetherness.

Warrior Princess: The Story of Khutulun by Sally Deng is a creative nonfiction text that shares what we know about the life of Khutulun, great-great granddaughter of Genghis Khan. I absolutely loved this book, and I am going to review it in full this Thursday!

I read the middle grade graphic novel Sunny the Shark by Remy Lai with my sons. They loved it, and we read the book in one sitting. It teaches kids about the whitetip shark, pilot fish, and water pollution. It’s laugh out loud funny, and we loved it.

My sons and I read Ride On by Faith Erin Hicks. This is a middle grade graphic novel that I think would also be appreciated by young adult readers (and adult readers, of course!). It reminds readers of the great emotions that come with friendship—falling out with friends, meeting new friends. This was the book I needed in middle school.

Ricki

I am reading Ibi Zoboi’s (edited collection) Black Enough. I’ve read three of the stories so far, and they were all fantastic!

Thursday: Warrior Princess: The Story of Khutulun by Sally Deng

Saturday: Guest Review: Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly, Illustrated by Laura Freeman

Sunday: Author Guest Post by Mary Batten, Author of Life in Hot Water: Wildlife at the Bottom of the Ocean

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 7/25/22

July 25, 2022 by Kellee

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

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.

Happy reading!

Tuesday: Student Voices: Thoughts on Characters from Ana T., Katie S., Eva S., and Gabriela C.

Thursday: Guest Post: Classroom Uses for Concealed by Christina Diaz Gonzalez, Last Gate of the Emperor by Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel David Makonnen, Maya and the Robot by Eve Ewing, and The Last Last-Day-of-Summer by Lamar Giles

Saturday: Guest Review: There’s Only One You by Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook, Illustrated by Rosie Butcher

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

Kellee

Ricki

I finished Watch Us Rise by Renée Watson and Ellen Hogan. It is a powerful book, and I loved the discussion it offered for intersectionality. I also appreciated the book’s interrogation of body image and body weight and critiques of feminism. I highly recommend this one.

Ricki

I haven’t decided what my next book will be. I am thinking I will read Parachutes by Kelly Yang. A friend recommended it. 🙂

Tuesday: Student Voices: Recommendations by Anna Liz R., Brielle P., Ava G., Chase S., and Silvia S.

Saturday: Guest Review: The Bad Seed by Jory John, Illustrated by Pete Oswald

Sunday: Author Guest Post by Kerry L. Malawista, Author of Meet the Moon

and

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 7/18/22

August 23, 2023July 18, 2022 by Kellee

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

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.

Happy reading!

Tuesday: Student Voices: Favorite Reads from Derrick T., Gavin Z., Kyan V., Leticia R., and Reed R.

Thursday: Guest Post: Classroom Uses for Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell; Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o; The Crown by Derrick Barnes; The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson; Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds; and You Matter by Christian Robinson

Saturday: Guest Review: Why? by Nikolai Popov

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

Kellee

Huda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy: I love this webcomic turned graphic novel, and it is so funny–Huda’s humor is ON POINT. My past student, Basma, who shared how important books with Muslim representation are to her as a Muslim woman here on Unleashing Readers, stated on her review, “This book is a fantastic story of figuring out who you are and how you fit into the world. From a representation standpoint, it’s exactly what I was looking for. To be seen, not only as a Muslim woman, but as a someone who’s struggled with their identity and where they fit.”
Hunter X Hunter by Yoshihiro Togashi: This manga was given to me by a past student because it is their favorite anime, and I can see why! Gon is amazing and the supporting characters are characters. I can definitely see why this story is loved.
Almost American Girl by Robin Ha: This was an intense and beautiful graphic memoir that is just so easy to connect with and is accessible. It is such an important story for kids to see themselves in or learn about others with similar stories to Robin.

The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen: The beautiful way the author weaves Tíên’s story and fairy tales is just breathtaking; the inclusion of the fairy tales really moved along Tíên’s story in a way I hadn’t seen in a book before. Oh, and the art is GORGEOUS!
Moving Target and Return Fire by Christina Diaz Gonzalez: I am so excited that Christina Diaz Gonzalez is going to be our author for this upcoming school year, so I am working on reading all of her books (I already LOVED Invisible and Concealed). This series is one that it going to be an easy sell to students because it has so much adventure, action, and mystery! I can’t wait to book talk it! I think fans of Spy School, Alex Rider, and City Spies are going to definitely want to dive head first into this duology.

Trent and I have been adding back in bedtime reading in addition to our 20 minute family reading time, and here are the books that he chose to read this last week:

I’m Worried by Michael Ian Black, illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Who’s Like Me? by Nicola Davis, illustrated by Marc Boutavant
It’s Not the Three Little Pigs by Josh Funk, illustrated by Edwardian Taylor
Unicorn Christmas by Diana Murray, illustrated by Luke Flowers

To learn more about any of these books, check out my 2022 Goodreads Challenge page or my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

This is Kellee’s week to write the long IMWAYR post, so I’ll be back next week.

Kellee

Some of the books I read this week were on my #MustReadin2022 list, so I was able to check some more off! This upcoming week, I am trying to read some more of my of them though I also have some more rom coms that I want to read! We’ll see what I feel like 🙂

Tuesday: Student Voices: Thoughts on Characters from Ana T., Katie S., Eva S., and Gabriela C.

Saturday: Guest Review: There’s Only One You by Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook, Illustrated by Rosie Butcher

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