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**

   

Tuesday: Ten Books We Picked Up on a Whim and Enjoyed

Wednesday: Blog Tour, Giveaway, and Review!: Bubonic Panic by Gail Jarrow
Giveaway open until Tuesday! It’s a great nonfiction text!

Thursday: Poptropica: Mystery of the Map by Jack Chabert

Friday: Agent Darcy and Ninja Steve in Tiger Trouble by Grant Goodman

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “Taking the Fear out of Shakespeare” by Stephanie Kate Strohm, Author of The Taming of the Drew

Congratulations to Kimberly G. for winning the Bucky and Stu vs. The Mechanical Man Giveaway!

 Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee

Also, lit circles/book clubs are starting to come to a close in the classroom (some students chose to take 3 weeks and other chose to do 4 weeks), so I have started finishing some of the books I was reading with my students.

My groups reading Flight #116 is Down! by Caroline B. Cooney originally wanted to do it over 4 weeks, but on Wednesday we were talking about the cliffhanger on the end of the page they chose to stop at, and they all decided they wanted to finish before Friday. It is quite a suspenseful and well put together book.

The Boy Who Saved Baseball book always wanted to read it in 3 weeks, and they all finished it in just over 2 because they wanted to know the end so badly. It was much deeper than just a baseball book, and I loved the end. My only complaint was the 3 boys who were reading the book like to read the end of books first (ACK!), so they spoiled stuff for me before I got there.

The Red Kayak group was one of my 3 week groups, and they were very jealous of me rereading other books with groups and not theirs. I did remember the basic premises of their book, but not enough to ask specific questions, so they asked me to read it. I brought it home Wednesday night and devoured it. It was the first time I’ve read it since I was a mom, and it is a whole different point of view!

Undercurrents‘s group is not finishing until this upcoming week, but I couldn’t remember how it ended, and I just couldn’t wait, so I finished reading it on Saturday (as soon as I could!). Willo Davis Roberts really knows how to put together a mystery!

I also was able to squeeze in my two library books, both third books from series that I love!

Finally, because I’ve been reading the lit circle/book club books, I realized I was a bit behind on the books I needed to read for review, so also read the books that I am reviewing this week. You can read about my thoughts of them later this week!

Ricki

I’ve had a busy week, but I was able to read the ARCs of some incredible picture books. All of these books are published by Penguin and will be available in August-September. I recommend all five highly and will be posting a full review of each a bit closer to their publication dates. It will be hard to hold out that long! I’ve listed them below in the order they will be published.

My Friend Maggie by Hannah E. Harrison hit me right to the core. I read it aloud to several family members who were visiting, and they were all in tears. It is a story that includes themes of friendship, strength, and bullying. I’ll be reading this one to my pre-service teachers, for sure.

The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles by Michelle Cuevas is a quiet book that will be lovely to use in classrooms. The teaching possibilities are endless for this text. When I closed the cover, I couldn’t help but sit in solitude for a few minutes. Even my toddler was utterly silent during and after the reading. It leaves much to think about.

Dear Dragon is the second book by Josh Funk that I have read, and I have fallen in love with his writing. He makes learning and reading very accessible to kids. I can imagine the giggles from students as this book is read aloud. Teachers won’t have to think very hard to find ways to integrate this text creatively in the classroom. I am excited for this one to come out!

The Water Princess by Susan Verde is a stunning story set in Africa. It connects with so many books that are taught in classrooms today (e.g. A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park). I would love to read this book to kids to increase their awareness of the world and to connect them to this beautiful story.

I’ve read Shy by Deborah Freedman at least 12 times since I received it two days ago. My son absolutely loves the story. When my husband walked him upstairs to bed, he didn’t even make it to the top of the stairs before he requested his reading choices for the night, “Race car books and Shy, please.” The book features a character who is Shy and who is unable to say hello to a yellow bird. I won’t give anything away, but this is a book that will teach many lessons to readers (and not just the shy ones!).

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee

I still have three lit circle/book club books that I am reading:

  

I am almost done with Kingdom Keepers, but I am hardly into Heir Apparent and Peak (I have not been keeping up with them–for shame!), but I hope to chug through them this week. After I am done with these, I have no idea what I am going to read! I may jump into John David Anderson’s Ms. Bixby’s Last Day.

And I’m still reading Touching Spirit Bear with my 2nd period.

I’m still currently listening to Grimm’s Fairy Tales from Listening Library, and each story is from a different AMAZING narrator–I’m loving it!

Ricki 

Tonight, I am going to start Doodle Adventures. It looks like it will be very entertaining.

I am still loving The Memory of Things. I spent the week working on a manuscript, so I spent my nights writing rather than reading. But I really miss this one and can’t wait to read more.

I am excited to start listening to Grimm’s Fairy Tales from Listening Library!

Upcoming Week’s Posts

 

Tuesday: Ten Books We Feel Differently About After Time Has Passed

Wednesday: Boyds Mills Press Nonfiction Picture Books

Thursday: Dump Truck Duck by Megan E. Bryant

Friday: Doodle Adventures: The Search for Slimy Space Slugs! by Mike Lowery

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
Julie M.
for winning a copy of Invisible Fault Lines!

Last Week’s Posts

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

 

 

Tuesday: Ten Favorite Book Titles

Wednesday: Review and Author Interview!: Camp Rolling Rills series by Stacy Davidowitz

Thursday: Review and Giveaway!: Bucky and Stu vs. the Mikanikal Man by Cornelius Van Wright
Giveaway open until Thursday!

Friday: Rescued by Eliot Schrefer

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “Science Fiction and Science Fact: World-building in The Riven Chronicles” by Amalie Howard

 Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee

I was able to finish two of the seven books I was reading last week! (Though I added on two more!)

First, I finished Hidden by Helen Frost for my faculty book club last Friday. The beginning of Hidden really just sucks you in like not many books can. There is no tip toeing around, it just jumps right in. I also love how clever Frost was in putting in a secret message within her vignettes.

I also finished listening to Masterminds by Gordon Korman, and I am waiting on the edge of my seat for book 2 to be available at my library; however, I just found out book 3 doesn’t come out until March 2017 which makes me so sad! I cannot tell you much about the book without giving things away, but it is so good that when I told my husband the spoilery premise of the book, he said we should buy the movie rights!

Ricki

I got a little bit crazy this week. Henry and I spent a lot of time in bookstores and libraries (see picture below).

I absolutely love Sherman Alexie’s first picture book, Thunder Boy Jr. I pre-ordered it out of excitement. It’s a darling story about a boy who wants to have a different name from his father. There are a lot of great lessons in this book.

Kobi Yamada’s other picture book (What Would You Do with an Idea?) is one of my favorite picture books, so I was thrilled to see What Do You Do with a Problem? in the bookstore. It is very similar to the first book but the theme is a bit different. I’d love reading this with students. The lesson is just as important as the first book.

I’ve never read Audrey Penn’s The Kissing Hand. Wow! I am so glad I decided to pick up this book. I imagine many of you will comment that you loved this book, too. What a wonderful story that will be very helpful to me when I parent.

Bob the Artist is a cute story by Marion Deuchars. Bob is teased for his skinny legs, so he decides to get creative. I would love to use this book to talk about bullying or to introduce an art unit.

A Fire Truck Named Red was a nice story by Randall de Sève. My son didn’t like how only the beginning and ending pages were in bright colors, and I think the story was a bit old for him. I think we will try this one again in a couple of years.

I enjoyed the illustrations of Jack E Levin and Norma R. Levin’s My Dog Spot. This is a great book for dog lovers, and I think kids will enjoy it. There isn’t a strong message, but you can’t go wrong with a book about dogs!

Whose Story Is This, Anyway? is a fun story by Mike Flaherty. The story includes all of the components that intrigue my son: pirates, kitties, aliens, dinosaurs, knights. You really can’t go wrong! We’ve read this book numerous times, and there always seems to be something new to look at.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee

I am still reading too many books for me! I am proud of myself that I am not getting them confused; however, I am struggling with remembering character names. The up side is that they are all so good!

First, I am reading Touching Spirit Bear with my 2nd period. We just got to a pretty gruesome part which, of course, my students loved!

I am also reading Flight #116 is Down, Boy Who Saved Baseball, Undercurrents, and Kingdom Keepers with book clubs in my other two reading classes. I have read them all, but I realized it’d been too long, so I didn’t feel like I could discuss with them, so I decided to read along with them. I’m following their reading schedule. The other books my students chose to read, but I am not reading because I remember them well enough to discuss are Endangered by Eliot Schrefer, Peak by Roland Smith, Red Kayak by Priscilla Cummings, and Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde.

Lastly, I am still reading Unicorn vs. Goblins though it has been put on the side burner for a bit because I am trying to keep up with the others.

Additionally, I started listening to the new audiobook for Grimm’s Fairy Tales from Listening Library which has narrators like Jim Dale and Katherine Kellgren, and I am liking it even more than when I’ve read them.

Ricki 

I am absolutely loving Bubonic Panic by Gail Jarrow, and I will be finishing it by tomorrow. I look forward to sharing it on Wednesday! I have a few other books in the works, but I will share more next week!

Upcoming Week’s Posts

 

Tuesday: Ten Books We Picked Up on a Whim and Enjoyed

Wednesday: Blog Tour, Giveaway, and Review!: Bubonic Panic by Gail Jarrow

Thursday: Poptropica: Mystery of the Map by Jack Chabert

Friday: Agent Darcy and Ninja Steve in Tiger Trouble by Grant Goodman

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
Kristy P.
for winning Curiosity House: The Screaming Statue by Lauren Oliver and H. C. Chester!

Last Week’s Posts

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

 

Tuesday: Childhood Characters We’d Love to Revisit as Adults

Wednesday: From Kellee’s (Huge) Library Pile Part Eleven: Nonfiction Picture Books

Thursday: Review, Signed Hard Copy Giveaway, and Author Interview: Invisible Fault Lines by Kristen-Page Madonia
Giveaway open until Wednesday!

Friday: Blog Tour, Author Guest Post, and Review!: Cici Reno #MiddleSchoolMatchmaker by Kristina Springer

Sunday: Author Guest Post! by Beth Vrabel, Author of Camp Dork

 Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee

I did finish two new picture books when Trent, Jim, and I went to the library this week. It was nice to be reading something other than Trent’s favorites that we read every night. Fetch and Nest by Jorey Hurley seem like simple books at first, but the beautiful artwork with a carefully chosen word within a cycle can lead to great conversation.  I also read Bucky and Stu which we’ll be reviewing this week.

Ricki

Henry and I spent some an hour in the bookstore, catching up on books we have missed. I grabbed Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin first. Several mom friends said their picky eaters now eat tacos because they read this book. It is such a funny story, and Henry ate tacos that night!

We’ve been nabbing all of the Llama Llama books by Anna Dewdney from libraries these last two months. Henry made me reread them all at the bookstore. The only one we’d missed (not pictured) was Nellie Gnu and Daddy Too. I think that might be my favorite because the father reminds me of my husband. Henry’s favorite is Llama Llama Mad at Mama. I’ll try not to be offended at that choice. Ha ha!

What is it about the Clifford the Big Red Dog series by Norman Bridwell? As a child, I loved these books. As an adult, I see them as a bit more simplistic than I remembered. That said, my son’s love for them makes me love them, too. The concept of a huge dog is just so silly for kids, I think. We read the above two Clifford books and enjoyed them very much. Henry’s favorite scene is when Clifford’s family jumps out of the birthday cake.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee

I am a bit all over the place with my reading this week because I am reading three different books for three different reasons and listening to an audiobook. I actually should be reading a fourth and fifth also… Let me explain.

First, I am reading Hidden by Helen Frost for my faculty book club that meets on Friday. I am almost done, and it has one of the best suspenseful beginnings of any book I’ve read.

I also start book clubs (lit circles) in my class, and there are a few books that were chosen that I need a refresher on. I started Flight #116 is Down by Caroline B. Cooney first because I haven’t read it since middle school, but I also need to pick up The Boy Who Saved Baseball by John H. Ritter and Undercurrents by Willo Davis Roberts because I haven’t read them in about a decade.

And I did start reading Unicorn vs. Goblins because I just think the Phoebe and Heavenly Nostril books are so hilarious!

Lastly, I am listening to Masterminds by Gordon Korman, and the mystery is all coming to light–so good!  And I have a feeling that as soon as I am done with #1, I’ll want to read #2. Thank goodness my library has the audio of it also!

Ricki 

I am halfway through The Memory of Things by Gae Polisner, and I love it! I just turned in my grades, so I should have a bit more time to free read this week!

Upcoming Week’s Posts

 

Tuesday: Ten Favorite Book Titles

Wednesday: Review and Author Interview!: Camp Rolling Rills series by Stacy Davidowitz

Thursday: Review and Giveaway!: Bucky and Stu vs. the Mikanikal Man by Cornelius Van Wright

Friday: Rescued by Eliot Schrefer

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: Bookworm Delights

Wednesday: Animal Planet’s Ocean Animals and Polar Animals

Thursday: Blog Tour, Authors Interview, Character Q&A, Giveaway, and Review!: Curiousity House: The Screaming Statue by Lauren Oliver and H.C. Chester
Giveaway open until Wednesday!

Friday: Cody and the Mysteries of the Universe by Tricia Sprinstubb

Sunday: Author Guest Post! “Reading the Middle Grade Mind” by Sally Barlow-Perez, Author of The Unintended Runaways

 Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee

This week I had a much more successful reading week. It felt great to have a good reading week!

First, finished the two Camp Rolling Hills books:

I’ll be reviewing these books next week, but I recommend them both for middle school. I love how the campers seem like real middle schoolers.

I also finished my audiobook of The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.

Oh. My. Goodness. What a phenomenal book! Everyone says how great it is, and everyone is not lying.  It reminded me of a Ruta Sepetys novel because you can tell the author did her research but also made sure to focus on her brilliant story. The audiobook is well done also; I can still hear Ada’s voice. It was heartbreaking yet uplifting. And what a fascinating point of view to tell a WWII story from!

And I dove into my library pile of nonfiction picture books that I have been recommended (All their photos are below because I’ll be reviewing them all this week!).

Ricki

Invisible Fault Lines by Kristen-Paige Madonia kept me guessing! From the very first page, I wondered what happened to the narrator’s father. About halfway through, I realized that it didn’t matter what happened to him because this was a story about character. I enjoyed this one very much and am looking forward to sharing more on Thursday!

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee

Two of my favorite early reading series have new books, and they finally arrived from the library, so I am so excited to read them, and they are first on my TBR for the week.

I also started a new audiobook: Masterminds by Gordon Korman. This book is on my #mustreadin2016 list because many of you loved it, and so far I am really enjoying it. I can tell something big is about to happen!

Ricki 

I think I might get started on The Memory of Things by Gae Polisner. I was excited to receive it on NetGalley and look forward to it!

Upcoming Week’s Posts

 

Tuesday: Childhood Characters We’d Love to Revisit as Adults

Wednesday: From Kellee’s (Huge) Library Pile Part Eleven: Nonfiction Picture Books

Thursday: Invisible Fault Lines by Kristen-Page Madonia

Friday: Blog Tour, Author Guest Post, Giveaway, and Review!: Cici Reno #MiddleSchoolMatchmaker by Kristina Springer

Sunday: Author Guest Post! by Beth Vrabel, Author of Camp Dork

 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
BRENDA
FOR WINNING A COPY OF THE MECHANICAL MIND OF JOHN COGGIN!

Last Week’s Posts

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

 

 

Tuesday: Books That Will Make You Want to Make a Difference

Wednesday: Earth Day Reads: Gaia Warriors by Nicola Davis & 31 Ways to Change the World by 4,386 Children, We Are What We Do ©, and YOU!

Thursday: Teeny Tiny Toady by Jill Esbaum

Friday: Future Problem Solvers: Kellee’s FPS Journey (so-far)

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “Possible Impossibilities: Magic and the Middle-Grade Reader” by I.J. Brindle, author of Balthazar Fabuloso in the Lair of the Humbugs

 Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee

This week was not a very successful reading week. I read every day but not for as long as I wanted to, so I just didn’t finish anything. I did go to see Steve Martin and Martin Short though! If you have a chance, don’t miss it!

Ricki

I’ve finished most of the coursework for my classes, so my pleasure reading is much more open now! Phew! Once I get the Spring grading done, I will feel even more accomplished!

The Nest by Kenneth Oppel was a creepy book. I loved every minute of it and highly recommend it!

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely. What a fabulous book. I am so glad that it is so well-loved by other readers. I listened to the audio, and it smacked me in the face. I’ll be adopting this book for curriculum.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee

I’m currently reading:

Camp Rolling Hills by Stacy Davidowitz which is a drama-filled summer camp story.

I’m also listening to The War that Saved my Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley which I wish I could listen to always.

My plan this week is to finish Camp Rolling Hills and hopefully its sequel also. Happy reading this week!

Ricki 

I’ve been savoring Invisible Fault Lines by Kristen-Paige Madonia. I look forward to reviewing it next week. It’s excellent.

Upcoming Week’s Posts

 

Tuesday: Bookworm Delights

Wednesday: Animal Planet’s Ocean Animals and Polar Animals

Thursday: Blog Tour, Authors Interview, Character Q&A, and Review!: Curiousity House: The Screaming Statue by Lauren Oliver and H.C. Chester

Friday: Cody and the Mysteries of the Universe by Tricia Sprinstubb

Sunday: Author Guest Post! “Reading the Middle Grade Mind” by Sally Barlow-Perez, Author of The Unintended Runaways

 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

 

Tuesday: Exclusive Reveal!: Teaching Guide for Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo

Wednesday: National Parks Week: A Weird and Wild Beauty by Erin Peabody & National Geographic’s National Parks Guide U.S.A.

Thursday: Blog Tour and Review!: Monster Needs to go to School by Paul Czajak

Friday: Blog Tour, Character Interview, Giveaway, and Review!: The Mechanical Mind of John Coggin by Elinor Teele
Giveaway open until Thursday!

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “Picture Books: Better Than Teddy Bears” by Dawn Marie Hooks, Author of Sarah and her Twirling Toes

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

 Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: I love the weeks when I don’t know what I am going to read because there is just endless possibilities!

First, I went to Netgalley and perused the graphic novels, and I was so excited to get the chance to read Ben Hatke’s upcoming Mighty Jack. It’ll be a must buy when it comes out–my students are going to love this fractured retelling. I also read the third Lumberjane graphic novel. I love this series! It is unique and fun and fantastical.

Then I finished listening to The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John. This is a over-the-top but such a silly read. (I went to book talk it to my students and cannot find it though! I hope it shows up, or if it walked, I hope the kid who took it loves it.)

Finally, I finished reading two middle grade novels (both which I’ll review soon). Cody and the Mysteries of the Universe by Tricia Sprinstubb is just as special as the first one in the series. I love Cody and the awesome cast of characters in her book. I also read Cici Reno #MiddleSchoolMatchMaker by Kristina Springer which is a new tween series that my 6th and 7th grade girls are going to love!

Ricki: I read several picture books this week. I enjoyed Monster Goes to School by Paul Czajak. Readers who love There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly will love the board book version by Pam Adams. It is very cleverly depicted with cutouts and illustrations. I also adored Ten Little Kisses by Russell Julian. My aunt bought it for me because it is a favorite amongst the students she reads to with her therapy dog. I also finished Curiosity House: The Screaming Statue by Lauren Oliver and H. C. Chester. This was a fun book that reminded me a bit of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: This week, I once again don’t know what I am going to read! I did start listening to The War that Saved my Life on Thursday, and I wish I could sit in my car and just listen to it. So heartbreakingly good so far. I’m about to go to bed, so I won’t pick up a new book tonight, but I will update you on what I get to read next week 🙂

Ricki: I am halfway through both All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely, Invisible Fault Lines by Kristen-Paige Madonia, and The Nest by Kenneth Oppel. All three are fantastic and very different from each other. This adds spice (and happiness) to my life! The semester is nearing a close, so I feel lucky that I will have more time to read more.

Upcoming Week’s Posts

 

 

Tuesday: Books That Will Make You Want to Make a Difference

Wednesday: Earth Day Reads: Gaia Warriors by Nicola Davis & 31 Ways to Change the World by 4,386 Children, We Are What We Do ©, and YOU!

Thursday: Teeny Tiny Toady by Jill Esbaum

Friday: Future Problem Solving Program

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: Possible Impossibilities: Magic and the Middle-Grade Reader by I.J. Brindle, author of Balthazar Fabuloso in the Lair of the Humbugs

 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

  

 

Tuesday: Ten Bookish People You Should Follow On Twitter/Facebook

Wednesday: Blog Tour and Review!: The Slowest Book Ever by April Pulley Sayre

Thursday: Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins

Friday: #mustreadin2016 Spring Update

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “Giving Writing a Try” by Andrea Young, Author of Finny and the Boy from Horse Mountain

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

 Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: My reading week has not been very successful. It was a super busy week, and I just couldn’t find as much reading time as I’d hoped. I am ALMOST done with The Mechanical Mind of John Coggins, and I hope I am done by the time that this goes live. I also read Monster Needs to Go to School. Both books are going to be reviewed this week 🙂

Ricki: I was at the AERA conference this week. It’s a convention for people to present their latest research. For those of you who go to NCTE, the sessions are similar, but all of the presentations require uploads of full research papers, so it is a bit more formal. They do panel sessions, symposiums, roundtable discussions, and poster presentations. I enjoy listening to the research and like how it is different from NCTE, in many ways. That said, I am a die-hard NCTE gal, and I always miss my NCTE family while I am at AERA. I found a few NCTE/ALAN folks, and we had a nice, warm embrace and excitedly talked about this year’s NCTE conference. I went to a really cool session that critiqued LGBTQ and disability policies in schools, and I also attended two rockstar sessions about enacting social justice in the classroom. I am pumped to integrate these ideas into my syllabus.

I read Lenny & Lucy by Philip C. Stead. What an interesting, quirky book! I’d love to hear what you all thought about it. Because of the nature of planes (turn technology on…turn technology off) and my ever-going nausea, I had to flip between an audiobook, paper book, and e-book. Therefore, I didn’t finish any of the three YA books I read this week.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: I am still listening to The Terrible Two, and it is quite entertaining! After I finish John Coggins, I am not sure what I am going to pick up next–I’ll let you know what I chose next week!

Ricki: I am listening to All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely, reading Curiosity House: The Screaming Statue by Lauren Oliver and H. C. Chester on my Kindle, reading Invisible Fault Lines by Kristen-Paige Madonia on my computer, and reading George by Alex Gino on paper. I like to make my life as complicated as possible. I will say that all four books are excellent. 😉

Upcoming Week’s Posts

 

Tuesday: Exclusive Reveal!: Teaching Guide for Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo

Wednesday: National Parks Week: A Weird and Wild Beauty by Erin Peabody & National Geographic’s National Parks Guide U.S.A.

Thursday: Blog Tour and Review!: Monster Needs to go to School by Paul Czajak

Friday: Blog Tour, Character Q&A, Giveaway, and Review!: The Mechanical Mind of John Coggin by Elinor Teele

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “Picture Books: Better Than Teddy Bears” by Dawn Marie Hooks, Author of Sarah and her Twirling Toes

 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!

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