IMWAYR

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover the next “must-read” book!

Kellee and Jen, of Teach Mentor Texts, decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too.

We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Last Week’s Posts

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

 

 

Monday PM: Special Announcement!: All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely Wins the 2016 Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award | Finalists: All the Bright Places by Jennifer Nevin, Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman, Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Pérez, and Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin

Tuesday: What a Beautiful Morning by Arthur A. Levine

Wednesday: Picture Books 10 for 10: Ten Must-Have Picture Books for the Secondary Classroom

Thursday: The Memory of Things by Gae Polisner

Friday: Still a Work in Progress by Jo Knowles

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “The Pressure to Rhyme” by Tammi Sauer, Author of Mary Had a Little Glam

 Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee

Well, this week back has been… a week. The kids start on Monday, so I know that will remind me why I go through all of this stress, but right now it seems excessive. I preface with this because, well, I didn’t finish anything this week. I’ll share below what I am reading.

Ricki

I absolutely loved Kids of Appetite by David Arnold and look forward to writing the full review. As I said in a previous post, it is a bit like The Outsiders, but the crew is older. Also, it has some mystery to it. This one comes out in September, and I suspect we will be hearing about it a lot. I think it will be a favorite for readers.

I absolutely loved Knockout Games by G. Neri. I put it on my #mustreadin2016 list because I never got around to reading it. I never knew what the knockout games were until I read this book, and I feel like I was in the dark. Someone that I knew was a victim of the knockout game, and this made me want to learn more about it. G. Neri’s writing is very engaging—I felt physically ill when I listened to some of the sections. I listened to the audio, which I recommend, but I also think this would be great to read in print form, too.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee

Now that I am back at school, I can listen to audiobooks on a regular basis now–yay! The first one I chose was Upside Down Magic: Sticks and Stones because I loved the first audiobook, and I’ve been waiting to listen to the second. I’m almost done, and I find it as thought-provoking yet funny as the first.

When I read The Cursed Child, I realized I hadn’t read a lot of Rowling’s other stories like Fantastic Beasts, Quidditch, and her Pottermore writing, so I decided I need to fix that. I only haven’t finished this because of time because if I had the time, I would have devoured this humorous Rowling text.

After I finish Fantastic Beasts and before I move onto Quidditch, I am going to read Bruce Hale’s newest in preparation for a future review. I love Hale’s work, so I am sure I’ll enjoy this one.

Ricki 

I have been focusing some future research on Muslim/Islamic literature, and I Love I Hate I Miss My Sister by Amélie Sarn will be my fifth book that I read to prepare for the research. So far, I really enjoy it. It’s about two sisters living in France who share very different religious values. We learn from the very beginning that one of the sisters is dead. I’ll be finished with this one next week because it is short, and I am deeply engaged!

Upcoming Week’s Posts

 

Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday: Diverse Books I Wish More People Would Read to Build Understanding and Empathy

Wednesday: National Geographic’s 125 Wacky Roadside Attractions

Thursday: Selfies in the Wild by C.L. Murphy

Friday: The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles by Michelle Cuevas

Sunday: Author Guest Post

 So, what are you reading?

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? From Picture Books to YA!

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover the next “must-read” book!

Kellee and Jen, of Teach Mentor Texts, decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too.

We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

CONGRATULATIONS,
MICHELE,
for winning a copy of Coyote Moon!!!

Last Week’s Posts

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

   

Tuesday: Ten Books We’d Buy Right This Second If Someone Handed Us A Fully Loaded Gift Card

Wednesday: Student Survey: Are Classroom Libraries Beneficial?

Thursday:  Pirasaurs Attack Tour!: Preview of Pirasuars by Josh Funk

Friday: Top Checked Out Books by Kellee’s Middle School Readers (2015-2016)

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: An interview by Anna Olswanger, the author of Greenhorn, with Tom Whitus, the director who adapted her book to film

 Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee

As promised last week, I couldn’t resist reading the new Harry Potter book.

I didn’t know what to expect from The Cursed Child, but I hoped to be swept back into Harry’s world, and I was not disappointed. Although reading a screenplay is so different from reading a novel, by the end of the first Act, I was all in and couldn’t stop reading. I love that the play explores the character’s weaknesses and love and friendship. I love that the play is accessible for those who may not have read the other books. I love that I could go visit Hogwarts again. I love that Scorpius is such a wonderful person. I love that the story is still about goodness and strength and hope.

The Marvels by Brian Selznick was my Big Book of Summer (hosted by Sue at Book by Book). Brian Selznick is brilliant at what he does. He has perfected the ability to intertwine the magic of wordless picture books with prose. Each of Selznick’s books that have mixed wordless pictures with prose have been set up differently (Hugo Cabret used pictures to enhance the story, Wonderstruck told one story in words and one in pictures), and Marvels was no different. The first 400 pages of the book are a tragic story of a world famous family of actors starting in the 1700s. We are then transported to the 1990s and meet Joseph who has run away to try to find a place where he is accepted. About halfway through Joseph’s story you learn how the words and pictures connect, but it isn’t until the end until each story is concluded. Beautiful!

I love taking Trent to the library and letting him pick out his own books to bring home and read. These were his choices from the last time that we went. We’ve had them for a few weeks, and he has been browsing them and reading them to himself, but this week we sat down and read them all together. I love how engaged he gets with books (well, the ones he likes) now. He asks so many questions! In I’m Not Sleepy by Jonathan Allen he was trying to distinguish between the owls and the woodpecker then between the mom owl and the dad owl. In Hello, World! he said every translation of “Hello!” that I said. Emma by Paola Opal and One Sheep, Blue Sheep by Thom Whiley were a lot of counting and colors. And Time to Build by Kate Riggs took the longest because he was so interested in every tool it talked about as well as what a tree house was.

We also got some new books! Trent definitely is the happiest when playing with cars, trucks, or trains (or talking about them or reading about them), so we got some new books that he loves as much as I hoped he would. First were two train books. Trainbots Miranda Paul was introduced to me at ALA, and I knew he would love it. We read this at the ENT on Thursday. Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo by Kevin Lewis was inspired by Chelsea Clinton. I not only love the story she told about it, but I also knew Trent would love to read it and make the train noises. We also got two truck books. How to Track a Truck by Jason Carter Eaton became an instant favorite. It is about tracking a truck to become your pet. It is so clever, and I love the illustrations by John Rocco. With Any Luck I’ll Drive a Truck by David Friend is a truck fans dream! These two books are must haves if you have (a) vehicle-obsessed kid(s) like mine.

Ricki

It’s a good thing you have Kellee this week! I spent the week transcribing my interviews for my dissertation. I am really excited that I am almost done with this stage. I’ve spent over 100 hours transcribing this summer, so my head is full of good information that I am excited to report about multicultural young adult literature. 🙂 I did make some progress on several of the books I am reading, but I didn’t finish any!

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee

It preplanning at school, so I am not sure how much I am going to get read, but I will start listening to audiobooks on the way to work again. I am not sure what one I am going to start with.

I do hope to at least finish Jedi Academy: A New Class by Jarrett J. Krosoczka because I’ve started it and am loving it so far (though it made me realize that I only read #1 of the original Jeffrey Brown series!). I just recently watched the newest Star Wars movie, so everything is fresh in my mind 🙂

Ricki 

My GOODNESS this book (Knockout Games) is good. I started listening to it on audio. I am about 3/4 of the way through, and I am hooked. This is my first G. Neri book, and it won’t be my last.

I am savoring Kids of Appetite by David Arnold. It is such a fabulously written book. I am really looking forward to writing a full review.

Henry and I made it halfway through The Tale of Desperaux by Kate DiCamillo. I think I may have hit a roadblock with him because he wants more pictures. He promises me that we can read more tonight, but 2.5-year-olds aren’t exactly consistent. Cross your fingers for me.

Upcoming Week’s Posts

Monday PM: Special Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award Announcement!

Tuesday: What a Beautiful Morning by Arthur A. Levine

Wednesday: Picture Books 10 for 10: Ten Must-Have Picture Books for the Secondary Classroom

Thursday: The Memory of Things by Gae Polisner

Friday: Still a Work in Progress by Jo Knowles

Sunday: Author Guest Post

 So, what are you reading?

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? From Picture Books to YA!

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover the next “must-read” book!

Kellee and Jen, of Teach Mentor Texts, decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too.

We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

CONGRATULATIONS,
KATIE,
for winning the Journey prize pack!!!

Last Week’s Posts

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

   

Tuesday: Ten Things Books Have Made Us Want To Learn More About

Wednesday: Blog Tour with Review and Giveaway!: Coyote Moon by Maria Gianferrari

GIVEAWAY open until tomorrow!

Thursday: The Dino Files: A Mysterious Egg by Stacy McAnulty

Friday: Bea Garcia: My Life in Pictures by Deborah Zemke

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “Jackie Robinson Overcomes” by Geoff Griffen, Author of Brooklyn Bat Boy

 Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee

Well, I made up for my amazing reading week while I was on vacation by being a reading bum this week. While I still read every day, I did not finish many. I think part of the issue was I read a book with a parent’s death then I started another one with another parent’s death, and I just couldn’t get into it. I finally decided to put it aside, and I will pick it up again later. The book is tremendously beautiful, but I just can’t deal with the mourning again.

Truth or Dare by Barbara Dee  begins with us learning that Lia’s mother has recently passed away and that change along with trying to find her identity in middle school are really really making Lia struggle with finding where she fits in. I look forward to reviewing this one because I think it’ll have many middle school fans.

Rutabaga The Adventure Chef: Feasts of Fury is the book I picked up to help me get out of the bit of a slump that I mentioned above. I love Rutabaga, and I love how he uses his cooking to get out of so many odd situations.

Ricki

I had a longer drive and was able to finish The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten. This is a wonderful book, and I am excited to use it in an upcoming NCTE presentation. The themes are richly realized, and the characterization is beautifully done.

Henry really enjoyed Let’s Play by Hervé Tullet. After we finished, he shouted, “Again!” and we had to flip to the front cover and read it again. Hervé Tullet’s creativity is beyond my comprehension. He is so clever! I enjoy his first book the most, but this one will certainly be a favorite in my house!

Welp, this week, we officially read every Frog and Toad story in these series books. We read one story at each naptime and one story at each bedtime. I am nervous for tomorrow’s nap. When Henry finds out we are out of Frog and Toad stories and may have to repeat one, he is going to be an unhappy camper.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee

The last week of summer!!! 🙁
I, of course, would love to read a billion books, but I also have things to do to get ready for the new year. I’m sad that my reading until 2am in the morning time is ending until my next break, but I am also excited to start a new year with my students!

After Ratabaga, I started another fun graphic novel: Razzle Dazzle Unicorn by Dana Simpson. If you follow UR, you know that I love this series!

So, I have so many decisions to make about what to read this week! Do I dive into the new Harry Potter or do I read more of my #mustread books that I brought home with me this summer?! I don’t know!!! Trent and I went to the release party for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I haven’t been able to start it yet, and I think I am going to have it jump over all my TBR and be the next book I pick up!

Ricki 

I am halfway through David Arnold’s Kids of Appetite. This book comes out in September and going to be a real hit—especially with those who love The Outsiders. I look forward to sharing more about this book.

I just started listening to Knockout Games by G. Neri, and it makes me sick to my stomach. The action is very well-written, and I can’t stop listening!

Upcoming Week’s Posts

 

Tuesday: Ten Books We’d Buy Right This Second If Someone Handed Us A Fully Loaded Gift Card

Wednesday: Student Survey: Are Classroom Libraries Beneficial?

Thursday:  Pirasaurs Attack Tour!: Preview of Pirasuars by Josh Funk

Friday: Top Checked Out Books by Kellee’s Middle School Readers (2015-2016)

Sunday: Author Guest Post!

 So, what are you reading?

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? From Picture Books to YA!

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover the next “must-read” book!

Kellee and Jen, of Teach Mentor Texts, decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too.

We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Last Week’s Posts

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

 

 

Tuesday: Ten Books Set Outside the United States

Wednesday: National Geographic Kids Ocean Animals: Who’s Who in the Deep Blue by Johnna Rizzo

Thursday: My Friend Maggie by Hannah E. Harrison

Friday: Review and Giveaway!: Journey Trilogy by Aaron Backer

GIVEAWAY open until Thursday!!

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “Teaching Was a Lot More Than Following a Lesson Plan” by P. E. Yudkoff, Author of Packing Evil

 Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee

I have had a reading-tastic two weeks! One of the things I love the most about vacations are the amount of reading time I get!

On the plane to DC, I was able to read these three chapter books, and I am looking forward to reviewing them this week 🙂

   

Once I was in DC, while Jim was at his conference, I went to Kramerbooks & Afterwords which is not only a very lovely independent book store, but it is a bar and restaurant as well. While there, I chatted with patrons and workers and read the above picture books. All ones that I had been looking forward to reading for a while. All of them were so good!

I loved to finally read the sequels of Red and The Day the Crayons Quit. They were both very different than the first ones. Almost more fun than philosophical, but both are definitely 5 star reads.

The Book with no Pictures and This is not a Picture Book would be perfect read aloud and discussion companions.

Both Flora and the Peacocks and The Night Gardener are so visually beautiful! While Thunder Boy, Jr. is so thought provoking.

Adam Rubin is quickly becoming a favorite silly picture book author, and Robo-Sauce and Secret Pizza Party are just as much fun as Dragons Love Tacos. Super Jumbo is another fun one to add to the list! All three have good messages also.

Finally, I had the guts to pick up The Thank You Book. The final Elephant & Piggie book. I am so sad that E&P are over. They are perfect picture books, and the finale was the perfect final book for them.

I also was able to read these 4 books while there. These were four very different books, but all good in their own right:

Jo Knowles’s Still a Work in Progress is a perfect addition to middle grade realistic fiction! I will definitely be reviewing this one further for you all.

Both Where are You Going Baby Lincoln? may be my favorite Deckawoo Drive books. Baby Lincoln has been a secondary character who hasn’t yet been able to share her voice; however, DiCamillo changes that with this book when she finally stands up to Eugenia and goes on a journey. A Necessary Journey.

Juana & Lucas is a early chapter book that takes place in Columbia and is a wonderful diverse addition.

Emma G Loves Boyz is going to be loved in my classroom library. It is a book written for my boy-obsessed middle school girls.

On the plane from DC to Orlando then the 10 hour drive to Baton Rouge (to visit my parents), I finished these four books. Wow. I don’t know if I could find four different books to read in less than 24 hours:

Lucy & Andy Neanderthal is an interesting new graphic novel by Jeffrey Brown, the author of Jedi Academy. It is a mix of humorous Neanderthal adventures with scientific facts about Neanderthals.

Risking Exposure is one that I cannot wait to review and share more about. It is an interesting and different look at Hitler Youth.

The Pirate Pig is another fun early chapter book with a, as the title suggests, a pirate pig. Julie, the pig, can find treasure and is in danger of being kidnapped by those that want to take advantage of her.

Through the Woods is a weirdly, creepy, odd yet beautiful horror, short story graphic novel anthology. Fans of Scary Stories will enjoy these.

   

While we were in Baton Rouge, we couldn’t bring all of Trent’s books (and for some reason he has not wanted to read the ones he did decide to bring), so thankfully iPads have some really great book apps. Trent loves The Monster at the End of this Book and Another Monster at the End of This Book apps (they are interactive and Grover/Grover & Elmo read to you) and the Disney book apes (Storytime & Story Central).

In Baton Rouge, I had a lot less time to read as we were quite busy and Trent was clinging to me like a marsupial (that is what I get for going away fro 5 days), so I only finished The Summer I Saved the World…in 65 Days is our faculty book club’s second summer selection, and it is a perfect summer read! I love the message of good winning in the end! This book will be a great read for middle schoolers, especially those trying to fit in or deciding how to proceed as a teenager.

Ricki

My husband is preparing the house for the new baby this week (bolting furniture, painting, etc.). So I am whisking the toddler away with relatives and won’t have internet access this Sunday or Monday. I hope to have some good updates for you!

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee

I brought a huge bag of books with me to Baton Rouge to read, and since I didn’t get to any of them, I am going to choose one from there.

I did start Be Light Like a Bird which is a book of grief. I hope it gets happier or at least has some closure because it is super sad and a mess right now.

Ricki 

On a positive note, Henry and I have reached Chapter Six of The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. I am in utter disbelief that he is allowing me to read a chapter book to him each night and am crossing my fingers that we can make it until the end! I’d appreciate any suggestions of similar chapter books (a couple of pictures here and there and consistently short, 4-5 page chapters). I would love to keep the chapter book trend going after we finish this one! I am hoping for a book that isn’t an early/easy reader but is similar to The Tale of Despereaux.

Upcoming Week’s Posts

 

Tuesday: Ten Things Books Have Made Us Want To Learn More About

Wednesday: Blog Tour with Review and Giveaway!: Coyote Moon by Maria Gianferrari

Thursday: The Dino Files: A Mysterious Egg by Stacy McAnulty

Friday: Bea Garcia: My Life in Pictures by Deborah Zemke

Sunday: Author Guest Post!

 So, what are you reading?

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? From Picture Books to YA!

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover the next “must-read” book!

Kellee and Jen, of Teach Mentor Texts, decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too.

We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Last Week’s Posts

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

 

Tuesday: Ten Bookish Facts About Us

Wednesday: Please Be Nice to Sharks: Fascinating Facts about the Ocean’s Most Misunderstood Creatures by Matt Weiss

Thursday: Blog Tour with Review!: Ah-Choo by Lana Wayne Koehler and Gloria G. Adams

Friday: Modern Immigrant Experience in Fiction Picture Books: Tía Isa Wants a Car by Meg Medina & A Piece of Home by Jeri Watts

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “Building Stories with Words” By John E. Stith Author of Deep Quarry, Manhattan Transfer, and others

 Last Week’s Journeys

For those of you who tried to comment last week, we apologize for the hassle. Our spam filter decided to block and delete all comments. We appreciate that you stopped by and are very sorry we couldn’t respond. We’ve installed a new spam filter and are hoping it is a bit kinder. 🙂

Kellee

Happy reading this week, everyone! I am taking this week off to spend some time with my family. I’ll update you next week on what I’ve been reading.

Ricki

I’ve started a research project about Muslim/Islamic YAL. I’ve learned so much and am really enjoying myself. This book, If You Could Be Mine by Sara Farizan, was absolutely fantastic. It is set in Iran and about two teenager girls who are in love. Obviously, a major theme is forbidden love. I know very little about Iran, so the setting and culture were particularly interesting to me.

Henry and I started with some nonfiction and read 125 Wacky Roadside Attractions, a National Geographic book. I liked how we could look at attractions both in the United States and abroad. Now I have a lot of countries I want to visit!

And as usual, Henry and I read about fifty picture books, but all were re-reads for me. 🙂

This Week’s Expeditions

Ricki 

I’ve got about an hour left of my audio book, The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten. I’ve loved it and plan to use it in an NCTE presentation I am doing.

Henry and I are trying something new. We are attempting to read a chapter book at night (one with very few pictures) after his picture books. Tonight was the first chapter of The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, and besides constantly kissing my cheek as I read the first four pages, he seemed to be paying attention. He’s 2.5, so I know I might be pushing my luck here. Cross your fingers for me!

Upcoming Week’s Posts

 

Tuesday: Ten Books Set Outside the United States

Wednesday: National Geographic Kids Ocean Animals: Who’s Who in the Deep Blue by Johnna Rizzo

Thursday: My Friend Maggie by Hannah E. Harrison

Friday: Review and Giveaway!: Journey Trilogy by Aaron Backer

Sunday: Author Guest Post!

 So, what are you reading?

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? From Picture Books to YA!

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover the next “must-read” book!

Kellee and Jen, of Teach Mentor Texts, decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too.

We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Last Week’s Posts

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

      

Tuesday: Ten Books We Enjoyed That Have Under 1000 Ratings On Goodreads

Wednesday: Animal Planet Animal Atlas

Thursday: All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

Friday: Recently Loved Picture Books: The Knowing Book by Rebecca Kai Dotlich, Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer, Hoot and Peep by Lita Judge, & A Big Surprise for Little Card by Charise Mericle Harper

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “An Enterprising Young Reader” by Steve Hockensmith, Co-Author of Nick and Tesla’s Solar-Powered Showdown

 Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee

I love the summer! It is more than just having time off; I love that I can stay up super late and read! It is the time of the day that I work and read the best!

This last week, I read all of the picture books that I am reviewing this week. I also read:

The Great Pet Escape by Victoria Jamieson was so much fun! It reminds me a bit of Secret Life of Pets, but it is the secret life of school pets. And Jamieson’s illustrations are perfect for the story!

I was also able to finish my reread of The Lions of Little Rock and the activity/presentation I am working on with Ricki. I am very proud of it; I look forward to sharing it closer to NCTE 🙂

Along with Klassen’s Hat Trilogy finale, the finale of Becker’s Journey Trilogy is one that many readers have been waiting for. And you will not be disappointed! I’ll be blogging about the whole trilogy soon–I can’t wait to share with you how much I loved it!

We have a new favorite in our reading rotation: Busy Builders, Busy Week by Jean Reidy. Construction worker animals plus trucks and machinery equals a win for my two year old!

  

I also had time to fit in some really phenomenal informational nonfiction texts which we will be reviewing soon.

Finally, I read two graphic novels. First, GHOSTS by Raina Telgemeier!!! I was so excited to read Raina’s newest book. It is very different than her others; however, it is just as thoughtful and well done. I also read the second Poptropica graphic novel which continued the first adventure.

Ricki

I’ve always wanted to read Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel. It was published in 2007, yet I see it referenced all of the time. It was marketed as an adult book, but many young adults read it because most of the story takes place in childhood to young adulthood. Now I completely understand why people love it. It may just rank up there as one of my favorite graphic novels. Despite the fact that it is an older text, I am going to write a full review for it. I have so much to share!

 

Ask Me No Questions by Marina Budhos has also been on my list for quite some time. It is about two sisters who travel with their parents to Canada because they are undocumented and fear they will be deported. When they are turned away, they are shocked that their father is then arrested at the border for their expired visas. The two sisters try to pull together to get their father free. I learned a lot and appreciated the author’s note at the end.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee

I have assessment writing on Monday and Tuesday, so I am worried about having a bit less time for reading; however, I hope to fit a ton of reading into the rest of the week. I’m not sure what I am going to pick up yet–I will let you know!

Ricki 

I am still continuing with my project that requires me to become more familiar with literature that features Muslim characters. I have a stack of books in my bedroom and am not sure which one I will read next! I kind of like the thrill of scanning the stack and just picking at random!

Upcoming Week’s Posts

 

Tuesday: Ten Bookish Facts About Us

Wednesday: Please Be Nice to Sharks: Fascinating Facts about the Ocean’s Most Misunderstood Creatures by Matt Weiss

Thursday: Blog Tour, Author Guest Post, and Review!: Ah-Choo! by Lana Wayne Koehler and Gloria G. Adams

Friday:  Modern Immigrant Experience in Fiction Picture Books: Tía Isa Wants a Car by Meg Medina & A Piece of Home by Jeri Watts

Sunday: Author Guest Post!

 So, what are you reading?

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? From Picture Books to YA!

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover the next “must-read” book!

Kellee and Jen, of Teach Mentor Texts, decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too.

We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

CONGRATULATIONS
Jana E. 
for winning a copy of Ms. Bixby’s Last Day!!

Last Week’s Posts

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

   

Tuesday: Jobs for People Who Love Books

Wednesday: National Geographic’s Awesome 8

Thursday: Burning by Danielle Rollins

Friday: Whose Story Is This Anyway? by Mike Flaherty

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “When You’re Not ‘The Pretty One'” by Rose Mannering, Author of Roses: The Tales Trilogy, Book 1

 Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee

First, I must talk about the American Library Association Annual Conference & Exhibition. As you all may know, I am a faithful attender of the NCTE conference and ALAN workshop in November; however, I have never been to another big conference until ALA which was held this year here in Orlando from June 23rd-June 28th. Because I am not a librarian and I could only attend on the weekends, I only had the exhibitors pass as well tickets to the Coretta Scott King breakfast and the Newbery, Caldecott, and Wilder banquet. Having an exhibitor pass meant that I was able to hang around all day and just meet authors, get books, and hear about new books. I was in heaven! At NCTE, I am usually pretty busy, so I spend only a couple of hours there a day; however, at ALA, I was there for 6 or so hours each day! Here are some collages of the authors I saw:

Authors/Illustrators: Meg Medina, Matt de la Pena, Tim Federle, Ben Clanton, G. Neri, Jenni Holm, Adele Griffin, Fred Koehler, Ben Hatke, EM Kokie, Dana Simpson, Bryan Hollier, Mo Willems, Laurie Keller, Dan Santat, Augusta Scattergood, Mike Maihack, Kate Messner, Jon Klassen, Don Tate, Chris Barton,  Bill Konigsberg, Alex Gino, Kevin Henkes, Laura Dronzek, Kwame Alexander, Christian Robinson, Sean Qualls, Rita Williams-Garcia, Duncan Tonatiuh, Tom Angleberger, Cece Bell, Rafael Lopez, Jon Klassen, Raina Telgemeier, Grace Lin, Kwame Alexander, Jordan Sonnenblick, Donalyn Miller with Travis Jonker, Adam Gidwitz, Lynda Mullaly Hunt, & Ben Clanton

I also had the amazing opportunity to attend the Coretta Scott King & Virginia Hamilton Award breakfast and the Newbery, Caldecott, & Wilder Award banquet where I heard some of the most powerful speeches I’ve ever heard. Christian Robinson, Ilyasah Shabazz, Jason Reynolds, Brendan Kiely, Rita Williams-Garcia, Jerry Pinkney, Sophie Blackall, and Matt de la Pena touched my heart and soul through their beautiful words.  I cannot even start to share all the amazing quotes and speeches, but there are some different ways to see them. First, on Twitter search #csk16, #alaac16, and you will find quotes. Also, you can access some of the speeches here or here.

  

Now to what I’ve read over the last two weeks!

Probably one of the most anticipated picture book releases of the year, We Found a Hat by Jon Klassen is the finale of his Hat Trilogy and is just perfect. I am not going to spoil anything, but I really think that Hat fans will love this one just as much.

 

I love these stories of strong young ladies going after their passion no matter what! I love powerful girl books, and these both definitely fit that bill!

I read The Great Greene Heist because it was on my #mustread list; however, after finishing, I couldn’t let go of Jackson Greene and his antics, so I grabbed the sequel right away. I love Gang Greene. They are smart and thoughtful, but I am also really happy they are not my students.

Gracefully Grayson is another #mustread book, I devoured it in one sitting. I love this story of identity, truth, friendship, fear, and love. I did find it interesting that it and George both had theater as part of their story. Also, I found the adult reactions so interesting in both!

Although I find Dave Barry very funny, I think I am definitely not the demographic for this one. It was a bit over the top and far fetched. I also had trouble with some of the stereotypical descriptions and assumptions within the story. However, it is on our state list for this upcoming school year and I plan on reading all 15, so I look forward to discussing this with my students.

As soon as I got this, I just couldn’t help myself! I love Sharon Creech’s work, and this is no exception. It all revolves around a cow. An ornery, wonderful cow that helps a girl find home, a woman find closure, a boy share a passion, and a family settle down. Fans of any Creech work, though especially Love that Dog, will love her word play and imagery in this novel in verse/vignettes.

Ricki

I finished reading Jonathan Todre and Sarah Higinbotham’s Human Rights in Children’s Literature for a review for an academic journal. It is a fascinating text that integrates human rights law and children’s rights with children’s literature. It inspired me to want to do more research in the field of human rights.

I also read Maria E. Andreu’s The Secret Side of Empty. It is a book about a senior in high school who has grown up in America her whole life and has hidden the fact she is an undocumented immigrant. I learned so much about the struggles that undocumented immigrants face. It is a great read.

Ah-Choo is a cute picture book by Lana Wayne Koehler and Gloria G. Adams. It is about a boy who wants to find a pet that won’t make his sister sneeze!

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee

I have so many books to choose from!

Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier was one of my most exciting acquisitions from ALA, so I definitely am going to read it. Other than that, I am going to pull from my bag of #mustread books, ALA books, and my stat list books depending on how I am feeling.

I am also working on an NCTE presentation with Ricki, and I am using Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine as an example text, so I plan on rereading it this week and working on the presentation.

Ricki 

I am working on a new project, which involves me reading a few dozen books that feature Muslim/Islamic teenagers. I am not sure which book I will start first, but I am excited to begin!

On a side note, I am looking for recently published books (or soon to be published books) that promote themes of advocacy and activism. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to leave them in the comments section!

Upcoming Week’s Posts

 

 

Tuesday: Ten Books We Enjoyed That Have Under 1000 Ratings On Goodreads

Wednesday: Animal Planet Animal Atlas

Thursday: All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

Friday: Recently Loved Picture Books: The Knowing Book by Rebecca Kai Dotlich, Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer, Hoot and Peep by Lita Judge, & A Big Surprise for Little Card by Charise Mericle Harper

Sunday: Author Guest Post!

 So, what are you reading?

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