IMWAYR

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

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. 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!

Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee 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

Vicky R.

for winning a copy of Frozen Wild!

Last Week’s Posts

 

   

Tuesday: Ten Wishes We’d Ask the Book Genie to Grant Us

Wednesday: Little Tree by Loren Long

Thursday: Blog Tour and Review! One Word from Sophia by Jim Averbeck

Friday: Happy birthday, Mercy Watson! Review and Giveaway!: Mercy Watson and Deckadoo Drive Books by Kate DiCamillo

Giveaway open until Friday!

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “Why Read (And Write) Fantasy” by Dorothy Winsor, Author of Finders Keepers

 Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: I am doing better at balancing reading, blogging, and life, so I am happily reading more which makes my soul happy! I think I just needed to get into the swing of the new year and my new schedule at school. This week I read a novel, a graphic novel, an early chapter book, and four picture books!

First, I read the four monster books we will be reviewing on Friday. I love monsters in general (Monsters, Inc. is one of my favorite movies!), and these four very different monster books were so much fun to read. I also read Baba Yaga’s Assistant which I am reviewing this week. The third book I read was A Wilcox and Griswold Mystery: The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake by Robin Newman and illustrated by Deborah Zemke. I want to read more of Wilcox and Griswold’s books! They are a fun duo, and the book is filled with humor and puns.

Last, but definitely not least, I read the second book in Roland Smith’s Peak series, The Edge, and it was as good, if not better, than the first! Peak finds himself in Afghanistan on a charity climb, but it definitely does not go the way they have it planned. The suspense just built and built throughout the book–so good!

Ricki: This week, I read Gena/Finn by Hannah Moskowitz and Kat Helgeson. I like Hannah’s description of the book on Goodreads: “Once upon a time I met my best friend through fandom, and we wrote a book about two girls who meet their best friend through fandom.” The book is told entirely in blog posts, chats, texts, letters, etc., and I thought it was executed very well. Like Kellee, I also read the four monster picture books (see below) that we will be reviewing on Friday. They were all very fun, and my son loved them.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: I am currently reading my last book for my ALAN panel: The Lost Tribes by Christine Taylor-Butler. It is an interesting mix of science fiction and history/archaeology.  After I finish the books for my panel, I have a pile of Women Who Broke the Rules to read, and I cannot wait! Additionally, I ordered the second book in Hook’s Revenge and the third book in The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates series because I just love them both so much (and the authors are just rock stars!).

Ricki: This week, I’ll be continuing to read adult nonfiction bestseller Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. It is excellent, but I am so troubled by the text that I take frequent breaks. I will also be starting Surviving Santiago by Lyn Miller-Lachmann.

Upcoming Week’s Posts

   

Tuesday: Scariest Topics

Wednesday: Baba Yaga’s Assistant by Marika McCoola

Thursday: Monstrous Fun by Travis Nichols

Friday: Reviews and Giveaway! Monster Books from Sterling Children’s Books

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “Games to Battle Writer’s Block” by Madelyn Rosenberg, Author of How to Behave at a Dog Show and Nanny X Returns

 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 hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. 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!

Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee 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 Author Duos We’d LOVE to See Write a Book Together

Wednesday: Review, Author Q&A, and Giveaway!: Frozen Wild by Jim Arnosky

Giveaway open until Wednesday!

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “The Power of One” by Mark Rouman, Author of The Tank Man’s Son

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

 Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: I read three MUST READ picture books this week. Little Tree by Loren Long is a book that has so many levels, and we’ll have a full review this week. I actually went to the book store to read Lenny & Lucy by Philip C. Stead and Waiting by Kevin Henkes because I had heard so many good things about them during my hopping around on Mondays. They did not disappoint. Both, like Little Tree, are so deep yet so simple, beautiful, and are going to be favorites of so many!

I also finished Undertow by Michael Buckley. Undertow has such an interesting concept. Mer-people have begun living on the beaches of Coney Island, and Americans, instead of trying to understand, have fought and banished them; however, as Undertow starts, we learn they are trying to integrate the schools. Lyric is our protagonist and has a secret that makes this integration dangerous for her. Her adventure through Undertow definitely held my attention!

Ricki: I read two great books for my ALAN Workshop panel: Burn, Baby, Burn by Meg Medina. I simply love Meg and everything she writes. This book was a thriller/mystery that kept me guessing through the entire book. There were several scenes that I was frightened. Moreover, this book would be very valuable for readers to learn more about domestic violence. This one comes out in March 2016.

I also loved Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings by Margarita Engle. This memoir (written in verse) is a beautiful text in which Engle describes her childhood experiences and the pull of her two cultures. I loved, loved, loved the beautiful descriptions of Cuba and got lost in the gorgeous language of this one.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: I started Peak today (Sunday), and I plan on finishing it this week. I then will be reading The Lost Tribes by Christine Taylor-Butler and Baba Yaga’s Assistant by Marika McCloud. I also have a bunch of monster picture books and four of the Women Who Broke Rules books to read.

Ricki: This week, I want to start Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. I’ve heard it is incredible (from about five people!), and I like to dapple in adult books occasionally. I also want to start Gena/Finn by Hannah Moskowitz and Kat Helgeson. It’s written entirely in texts, chats, and blog posts.

Upcoming Week’s Posts

 

 

Tuesday: 10 Wishes We’d Ask the Book Genie to Grant Us

Thursday: Review and Blog Tour! One Word from Sophia by Jim Averbeck

Friday: Happy birthday, Mercy Watson! Review and Giveaway!: Mercy Watson and Deckadoo Drive Books by Kate DiCamillo

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “Why Read (And Write) Fantasy” by Dorothy Winsor, Author of Finders Keepers

 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 hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. 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!

Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee 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

MARY K.

for winning a copy of Zack Delacruz

Last Week’s Posts

 

Tuesday: Books I’d Recommend to Students  if they Like _____.

Thursday: Blog Tour!: Last-But-Not-Least Lola and the Cupcake Queens by Christine Pakkala

Friday: Blog Tour!: Roar! by Julie Bayless

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “What’s in a Name?” by Royce Leville, author of The Book of Names

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

 Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: This week’s reading quantity is lower than last week, but the quality is not. I finished Hook’s Revenge by Heidi Schulz, and I was so glad I went along on that adventure! This book was my final book for my Bridging the Gender Divide: Humor and The Art of Engaging All Readers NCTE panel. I am so excited!

Ricki: I finished two INCREDIBLE books this week. First, I finished up Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future. It is both literary and engaging, and I was reminded as to why I love A.S. King so much. I was fortunate to receive an ARC of Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. Wow, wow, wow! I was awake until 4am this morning because I couldn’t put it down. I know publishers prefer that we review books no earlier than a month before their publication date, so I will have to tie my hands to my chair to prevent this.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: Now I am on to reading the books for my ALAN panel “Keeping ‘Em on the Edge of Their Seat.” First up is Undertow by Michael Buckley. I just started, but I am intrigued so far.  After Undertow, I have the other books from the authors on my panel to read then I plan on rereading Eleanor and Park in preparation for the Walden Award panel at NCTE. I cannot believe how close the conference is!!!

Ricki: Kellee, how smart you were to post your panelists as your Fall TBR list! I am in the same boat as Kellee, but I don’t have a fancy link to my ALAN Workshop panel authors. This week, I am going to start with Meg Medina’s Burn, Baby, Burn. You can see the full workshop program here.

Upcoming Week’s Posts

 

Tuesday: Ten Author Duos We’d LOVE to See Write a Book Together

Wednesday: Review, Author Q&A, and Giveaway!: Frozen Wild by Jim Arnosky

Sunday: Author Guest Post! by Mark Rouman, Author of The Tank Man’s Son

 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 hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. 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!

Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee 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

ERIC W. 

for winning a copy of Sloth Slept On

and

BETH P. 

for winning a copy of The Trouble with Ants!

Last Week’s Posts

  

Tuesday: YA Text Recommendations for Bestselling Adult Texts

Wednesday: Review and Author Interview!: Ebola: Fears and Facts by Patricia Newman

Friday: Review and Giveaway!: Zack Delacruz: Me and My Big Mouth by Jeff Anderson

Giveaway open until Friday!

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

 Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: Thank you all so much for all the kind words last week! We had a wonderful visit with my mother, and I miss her so much!

Over the last 2 weeks, I’ve had quite a variety of reading. I read one middle grade novel, Zack Delacruz, which I reviewed on Friday, one early chapter book, Last-But-Not-Least Lola and the Cupcake Queens, which we’ll review Thursday, one MG/YA nonfiction text, Jump Back, Paul which I’m reviewing on Wednesday, one nonfiction picture book, Frozen Wild by Jim Arnosky which I’ll review next week, and two fiction picture books, Interstellar Cinderella by Deborah Underwood and Cock-A-Doodle Oops! by Lori Degman both of which will be reviewed in the near future. They are all very different, but all very much worth reading.

Trent has become quite a voracious reader. I have a post planned later in October to give an update of all of his favorite books, but I thought I’d give a minor update today since I haven’t talked about his reading in a while. This last week we read a few new board books, and they were all a hit:

• Don’t Push the Button! by Bill Cotter, a super fun interactive book that Trent finds hilarious
• If I Had a Tail! by Jeane Cabral Schlatter, a flap book with a fun guessing game
• Llama Llama Nighty Night by Anna Dewdney, another Llama Llama book to add to Trent’s collection
• National Geographic Little Kids Look & Learn: Things that Go, Trent’s new favorite things are vehicles which meant this book was right up his alley
• Elmo’s World: First Flap-Book Library, Trent loves Sesame Street (especially Elmo), so these are definitely a favorite
• My Big Truck Book, My Big Train Book, and My Big Dinosaur Book by Roger Priddy, this series is a full of bright pictures that are labeled, and Trent loves to sit and look through them

Ricki: I also read and enjoyed the early chapter book, Last-But-Not-Least Lola and the Cupcake Queens. I finished Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta Hammond (full review to come soon). I find myself paraphrasing sections frequently, which means it is a good book. And then I did the Ricki thing where I started six books that I am excited about (see below).

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: I started Hook’s Revenge by Heidi Schulz Saturday, and I am truly enjoying it so far! Jocelyn Hook would really love The Terror of the Southlands, and I think any of you that loved The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates, you will love Hook’s Revenge as well. I also have the four novels for my ALAN panel that I need to read, so I plan on starting one of them when I finish Hook’s Revenge.

Ricki: I am loving the audio of The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine. What a treasure! I am also enjoying Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings by Margarita Engle. This is a memoir in verse, and it is quite lovely. I am too early in the others to say more, but I will report back soon.

Upcoming Week’s Posts

 

Tuesday: Books I’d Recommend to Students  if they Like _____.

Thursday: Blog Tour!: Last-But-Not-Least Lola and the Cupcake Queens by Christine Pakkala

Friday: Blog Tour!: Roar! by Julie Bayless

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “What’s in a Name?” by Royce Leville, author of The Book of Names

 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 hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. 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!

Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee 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

Jill the Owl 

for winning a copy of Ghostlight by Sonia Gensler!

Last Week’s Posts

 

Tuesday: Fall TBR List

Thursday: Review and Giveaway!: Sloth Slept On by Frann Preston-Gannon

Giveaway open until Wednesday!

Friday: Review, Author Guest Post, and Giveaway!: The Trouble with Ants by Claudia Mills

Giveaway open until Friday!

Sunday: Author Guest Post! “Teaching Kids Empathy Through Story” by Natasha Sinel, Author of The Fix

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

 Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: I am writing this on Friday because my mom is in town, and I am not sure if I will have time to blog Sunday evening. Please excuse me this week from IMWAYR, and I will update next week with my reading. I also apologize for not commenting on blogs this week, but happy reading to you all this week!

Ricki: This week, I read Like Water on Stone by Dana Walrath. It is a beautiful book in verse that is set in the Ottoman Empire during the 1910s. The point of view alternates with each poem, so I came to understand many perspectives of the family depicted in the text. I learned a lot about this horrific genocide and think this book would be excellent in literature circles.

This Week’s Expeditions

Ricki: I am all over the place with the types of texts I am reading. Like most of you (I suspect), I never discriminate based on the age level of the text. For PD, I have been enjoying Zaretta Hammond’s Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain. I am learning a lot from this text. For younger readers, I  plan to read Last-But-Not-Least Lola and the Cupcake Queens by Christine Pakkala this week. And lastly, within YAL, I am almost finished with A.S. King’s Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future.

Upcoming Week’s Posts

  

Tuesday: YA Text Recommendations for Bestselling Adult Texts

Wednesday: Review and Author Interview!: Ebola: Fears and Facts by Patricia Newman

Friday: Review and Giveaway!: Zack Delacruz: Me and My Big Mouth by Jeff Anderson

 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 hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. 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!

Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee 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

BRET B.

FOR WINNING A COPY OF YOUR ALIEN

Last Week’s Posts

 

Tuesday: Top Ten Villains

Friday: Blog Tour with Review, Author Guest Post, and Giveaway!: Ghostlight by Sonia Gensler

Giveaway open until Friday!

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “An Element of Fun: A Teacher’s Reflection” by Melissa Polyakov, Author of Mr. Fact and Miss Opinion

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

 Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: I have figured out that for now my reading limit is about one novel a week. I keep on trying to read more, and I will try to work my way up from that, but for now, that is going to be my reading speed 🙂 This week, my novel was Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate. I am so excited for its book birthday this week, and I am even more excited to review it on Wednesday.

Ricki: This week, I was very fortunate to pass my dissertation proposal defense. 🙂 In effect, the first half of the week was spent preparing for the defense, and the second half was spent writing the IRB forms. So I am empty handed. I am sorry I failed you! (Kellee, don’t yell at me for apologizing.)

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: This week I need to finish The Trouble with Ants by Claudia Mills to review on Friday. I also want to finally start Hook’s Revenge, and I am reviewing Zack Delacruz next week, so I will need to read that as well. I also plan on reading Ebola: Fears and Facts by Patricia Newman and Sloth Slept On by Frann Preston-Gannon for future reviews.

Sadly, I didn’t get done with Read Between the Lines this week, so I am going to miss the chat on Wednesday, but if you have read the book, join my informal book club friends on Twitter for #RBtLChat at 9PM on Wednesday.

Ricki: I plan to read five books for the panel I am moderating at the ALAN Workshop. The panel focuses on increasing the number of diverse books in publishing. I am lucky enough to be working with five awesome authors. See below for more information about the panel!

Upcoming Week’s Posts

 

Tuesday: Fall TBR List

Friday: Review and Author Guest Post!: The Trouble with Ants by Claudia Mills

Sunday: Author Guest Post! “Teaching Kids Empathy Through Story” by Natasha Sinel, Author of The Fix

 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 hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. 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!

Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee 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.

It’s Monday! What are you reading? has a new button! Make sure to grab it and update your blog post.

CONGRATULATIONS

CRISTEN K.

FOR WINNING A COPY OF THAT’S (NOT) MINE!

Last Week’s Posts

 

Tuesday: Top Ten Bookish Pet Peeves

Thursday: Review and Giveaway!: Your Alien by Tammi Sauer

Giveaway open until Wednesday!

Sunday:  Author Guest Post: “Space: The Next Frontier in Children’s Books?” by Christopher Peter, Author of Danny Chaucer’s Flying Saucer

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

 Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: This week I read a SUPER CREEPY book. Now, I am quite sensitive to ghost stories and other horror things, but the book must be super good if it is affecting my dreams. I cannot wait to share Ghostlight with you on Friday. I also read Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale, Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon by Kate DiCamillo, and Sparky and Tidbit by Karthryn O. Galbraith for last Friday’s post. I think I can blanketly say that I enjoy everything that Shannon Hale and Kate DiCamillo write.

Ricki: This week, I started by reading a book about potty training (Oh Crap!). The author made me laugh, and I feel as prepared as I could be! I also read several picture books with Henry. We read Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall every night. I’ve mentioned this book on the blog before, but I continue to love the depth to this book. Every time I read it, I think critically about the world. Henry is also obsessed with the Playtown series by Roger Priddy. These are my favorite lift-the-flap books and are great for young kids.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: This week I hope to read Hook’s Revenge by Heidi Schulz, Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate, or Read Between the Lines by Jo Knowles. I want (need) to finish all three of these by the 23rd (or at least two of them), so I need to read as much as I can this week. I am very much looking forward to all of them.

Ricki: I am loving A.S. King’s Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future. Next, I am excited to read Like Water on Stone by Dana Walrath. I’ve heard it is incredible.

Upcoming Week’s Posts

 

Tuesday: Top Ten Villains

Friday: Blog Tour with Review, Author Guest Post, and Giveaway!: Ghostlight by Sonia Gensler

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “An Element of Fun: A Teacher’s Reflection” by Melissa Polyakov, Author of Mr. Fact and Miss Opinion

 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