Unleashing Readers

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 7/23/18

July 23, 2018 by Kellee

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.

Tuesday: Student Voices: Top Ten Author Lists by Two of Kellee’s 2017-18 Middle School Students

Wednesday: Joining Book By Book’s Big Book Summer Challenge

Thursday: Hedgehog Needs a Hug by Jen Betton

Friday: Running on the Roof of the World by Jess Butterworth

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

Kellee

I am trying to get as much reading done as possible before school officially starts on August 6th because I know that the first month or so of school means very little reading, so I have read whenever I had a chance (and being on vacation really helped!).

Laurie Halse Anderson’s Vet Volunteer series is becoming a favorite! I love learning about the different animals and also getting to know each character.
The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora is my summer book club choice. The book club starts today and lasts through Thursday, and we will be doing a lot of reading and some fun activities as well as virtually visiting with the author on Thursday.
One of my promises to my students is that I would read more Rick Riordan books. I read and loved the Percy Jackson and Red Pyramid series, so Heroes of Olympus was next. First I had to reread The Lost Hero then I could move onto the ones I hadn’t read yet.
Amina’s Voice is a special middle grade novel about finding your voice in the midst of hate.

Amal Unbound reminded me so much of Sold, and I am so happy a middle grade story like this exists. Told in conjunction with other books that share stories stories that give windows into people that may be different than us, our world is going to be such a better place!
I’ll be reviewing Milla Takes Charge this week!
Ghost Boys is another book that I think will help change this world. We must honor the Ghost Boys out there and tell this story! I may just make this the first read aloud this year!
I am so excited to present with David Levithan at a roundtable on complexity at NCTE about his Newest Every Day novel, so I went back to reread the first book in preparation of the rest of the series. In this reread, I found myself even more fascinated by A’s story, and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.

I plan on reading the whole Every Day series, so when I saw there was a prequel short e-book for Every Day, I knew I had to read it when I was done with Every Day. I look forward to book #2 and #3 and see where A’s story goes!
Joseph Bruchac is on my #mustreadin2018 list, and I was so happy to see that my library had this short story available in Hoopla! I love Bruchac’s story of finding strength and overcoming bullying.

Twig by Aura Parker: First, make sure to check out the end pages–so great! This story is about Heidi who no one notices at first, but with the help of a teacher she learns how to be seen. Interesting to be paired with community building and an insect unit.
Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery by Sandra Neil Wallace: While in Washington D.C. visiting the Museum of American Art, I saw this book and picked it up right away because I love the artist and the author. The story did not disappoint! What a fascinating look at Ernie Barnes and how he made an impact on art.
Henri’s Scissors by Jeanette Winter:
We’re reviewing The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson this week. Make sure to stop by to learn more about this amazing book!

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star: I Know Exactly What You Are by Julia Kregenow, PhD: Written to the tune of the Twinkle, Twinkle nursery rhyme, this version builds so much astronomy knowledge along the way and is still so much fun to sing 🙂
“Fusing atoms in your core:
hydrogen, helium, carbon, and more.
With such power you shine far,
twinkle, twinkle, little star.”
I know my future astronaut is going to LOVE this book! A wonderful way of combining the familiar with the fascinating!
One Snowy Day by Diana Murray: A cute counting book that focuses on snow day activities. For my preschooler who is obsessed with seeing snow and always loves counting books, I am sure he is going to love this one!
Little Whale by Jo Weaver: I loved the combination of a feel-good message about family & mothers mixed with the nonfiction aspect of whale migration. Oh, and the illustrations are BEAUTIFUL!!!! (Make sure to notice the tone in the final spread!)
I Walk with Vanessa: A Story about a Simple Act of Kindness by Kerascoët: Ricki knew I was going to like this book so much that she read it to me over Google Hangouts, and within minutes of her doing so, I had ordered it. It is going to be paired with Each Kindness on my first day.

Hedgehog Needs a Hug by Jen Betton: Ricki also read this to me because I haven’t been able to get it yet, and it is so wonderful! A great story mixing acceptance and animal defenses.
Never Satisfied: The Story of the Stonecutter by Dave Horowitz: A fun retelling of a well-known traditional story about how we are all more important than we realize.
Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code: A Navajo Code Talker’s Code by Joseph Bruchac: Navajo Code Talkers should be part of common knowledge. They are heroes. And this picture book biography of Chester Nez is a wonderful introduction or enrichment of this knowledge.

Ricki

I reread #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women (Edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale). This collection really speaks to me, and I’ve decided to use pieces of it in my class next semester.

I also read Never Satisfied: The Story of the Stonecutter by Dave Horowitz. I laughed when I saw that Kellee read it. This happens to us quite often. I agree that it was a fun retelling.

As Kellee shared above, we had a bit of a love-fest. We read books to each other over Google Hangouts. I said, “Do you have Dreamers? I really want to read that book.” Conveniently, she did! It was everything I’d hoped for and more. 🙂

Kellee said, “Have you read What Can a Citizen Do?” I said no. She said, “I am reading it to you aloud. Hang on.” This is a great book. I don’t think there is too young of an age to teach citizenship, and this book is a wonderful resource for teachers. It’s very teachable.

Kellee

I am currently listening to What Girls Are Made Of by Elana K. Arnold. I am more than half way through, and wow–this is like Forever for a new generation.
I am also currently reading The Son of Neptune. For some reason Heroes of Olympus, even though it is a great adventure, just goes slower for me than the Olympian series.
Trent and I are reading Peter and Ernest: A Tale of Two Sloths by Graham Annable together. I love that he is just laughing and laughing at this book.

I also have this awesome pile of graphic novels waiting for me!

Ricki

My son and I are on a quest to read every book available by Sara Varon. We’ve read Odd Duck, Robot Dreams, and New Shoes. If you haven’t checked out these graphic novels, they are absolutely fantastic. We reserved this one in the library and made a special trip to pick it up.

I am still reading There There by Tommy Orange. The book is very heavy, so I have been taking it a piece at a time.

Tuesday: Student Voices: Book Wishes by Ten of Kellee’s 2017-18 Middle School Students

Wednesday: The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson

Thursday: Our Solar System by Arthur John L’Hommedieu

Friday: Daring Dreamers Club #1: Milla Takes Charge by Erin Soderberg

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

Running on the Roof of the World by Jess Butterworth

July 20, 2018 by Kellee

Running on the Roof of the World
Author: Jess Butterworth
Published May 1st, 2018 by Algonquin Young Readers

Summary: A story of adventure, survival, courage, and hope, set in the vivid Himalayan landscape of Tibet and India.

Tash lives in Tibet, where as a practicing Buddhist she must follow many rules to avoid the wrath of the occupying Chinese soldiers. Life remains peaceful as long as Tash, her family, and their community hide their religion and don’t mention its leader, the Dalai Lama.

The quiet is ruptured when a man publicly sets himself on fire to protest the occupation. In the crackdown that follows, soldiers break into Tash’s house and seize her parents. Tash barely escapes, and soon she and her best friend, Sam, along with two borrowed yaks, flee across the mountains, where they face blizzards, hunger, a treacherous landscape, and the constant threat of capture. It’s a long, dangerous trip to the Indian border and safety—and not all will make it there.

This action-packed novel tells a story of courage, hope, and the powerful will to survive, even in the most desperate circumstances.

About the Author [from her website]: As a child I wanted to be many things, including a vet and even David Attenborough, but throughout all of those ideas, I always wanted to write. So I studied creative writing as a BA(hons) at Bath Spa University, where I won the Writing for Young People Prize in 2011. I then completed a Master’s in Writing for Young People, also at Bath Spa University, and graduated in 2015.

My first two novels, RUNNING ON THE ROOF OF THE WORLD and WHEN THE MOUNTAINS ROARED are set in the Himalayas. My family on my Dad’s side has lived in India for seven generations and I spent much of my childhood in India too. My father was a trek leader and we lived on a remote foothill above Dharamsala, where the Dalai Lama and a Tibetan community in exile is settled. My mother’s family lived in London, where I was born. She was off on her own adventure, travelling in India, when she met my dad. Growing up, I would always write about the Himalayas when I was in the UK and missing the mountains or my dad and grandparents who still lived there.

Although RUNNING ON THE ROOF OF THE WORLD is fiction, it is inspired by a journey that tens of thousands of Tibetans have braved. I wanted to write a story that is relevant to today and grounded in events, places and communities I care about deeply.

Now I live between Louisiana in the US and Frome in the UK, and you’ll often find me back in the Himalayas too.

Review: We all have knowledge gaps. I try to learn as much as I can about the world and others unlike me, and this story took me to Tibet and showed me a struggle happening that I was unaware of. While reading and since reading, I have spent hours reading about the history and current affairs of Tibet.

But other than smacking me in the face with this truth and taking place in a setting and from a point of view that is not often shared in middle grade and young adult novels, it also is a page-turning survival adventure. Tash and Sam must face a trek that hundreds of thousands have done, but they are doing it alone with only help from a few yaks and maybe some unexpected allies.

I included the author’s biography in her own words above because I think it is important to see that although this book may not be an own voices per se, it is written by someone who lived in the area and cares deeply about the people who live near the Himalayas.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: I would love to see this book and others from countries in other continents as part of a lit circle or in-class book club within middle school or high school classrooms to allow kids to see the world outside of their small area. Some other texts could be: Tiger Boy by Mitali Perkins, Rickshaw Girl by Mitali Perkins, Refugee by Alan Gratz, Diamond Boys by Michael Williams, Now is the Time for Running by Michael Williams, Golden Boy by Tara Sullivan, Serafina’s Promise by Ann E. Burg, Endangered by Eliot Schrefer, Son of a Gun by Anne de Graaf, Long Walk to Walter by Linda Sue Park, The Glass Collector by Anna Perera, Sold by Patricia McCormick, The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis, Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan, La Linea by Ann Jaramillo, and I am sure there are more that I just don’t know. In addition to the novels, students could read news articles about the current events that connect with what they read in their fiction novels.

Discussion Questions:

Why do Tash and Sam have to leave Tibet?
What are Tash’s parents doing that is so dangerous?
What is the geography like between Tibet and India?
What religion is Tash and Sam if they are going to see the Dalai Lama?
How do the yaks impact the success or failure of Tash and Sam’s journey?
What did the message in the letter end up meaning?

Flagged Passages: “Chapter 17: Journey

Eve steps into a ditch and I slide forward, slamming into the hump above her shoulders.

‘Sorry, Eve,’ I mutter, shuffling back to find my balance.

Being a yak rider should run in my blood but my leg muscles ache from clinging on so tightly.

We approach the thick wire fence that surrounds the village. Two rocks stand to our right like giant guards.

Please let it be clear.

Sam dismounts. He moves slowly toward them, crushing the gravel under his boots.

‘There’s no one here!’ he shouts.

‘Is the fence still broken?’ I ask.

He nods and disappears between rocks with Bones.

I follow him. The rusty fence has bowed to the ground where the boulder fell and flattened it. The space between the rocks is just big enough to squeeze Eve through, though I have to tug at her harness to get her to move. As I step over the fence, my heart jumps.

We’re escaping.”

Read This If You Love: Books about climing mountains like Peak and The Edge by Roland Smith, survival books like Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder, or books that expand your reading borders like the books listed above

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Brooke at Algonquin for providing a copy for review!**

Hedgehog Needs a Hug by Jen Betton

July 19, 2018July 19, 2018 by Ricki

Hedgehog Needs a Hug
Author: Jen Betton
Published June 19, 2018 by Putnam

Goodreads Summary: Everyone needs hugs, even if they’re prickly.

When Hedgehog wakes up feeling down in the snout and droopy in the prickles, he knows a hug will make him feel better. But none of his friends are eager to wrap their arms around Hedgehog’s prickles, and he’s too smart to fall for Fox’s sly offer.

Then Hedgehog gets a surprise: Another animal in the forest is feeling exactly the same way.

Luckily, both are kind and brave enough for the perfect hug.

My Review: I adored this book. It’s about a hedgehog who wakes up and feels down. He really, really needs a hug, and the other animals are clearly avoiding him because he is prickly. The book doesn’t say this, so it was fun to ask my son why he thought they were avoiding him. Then he meets skunk, and skunk needs a hug (but of course, skunk is stinky). This is a great book to teach kids about some of the ways in which they might unintentionally hurt people.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: This is a great text to talk about how we treat others. I’d love to pair it with texts like Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson. Sometimes, we subtly hurt others without realizing it. A close analysis of the words and behaviors of characters in these two texts offers great potential for building classroom community and kindness.

Additionally, many of the defense quality of animals are addressed in the book which would make it a great elementary book to use cross-curricularly in science, reading, and community building.

Discussion Questions: How do the animals react to hedgehog? How does this make hedgehog feel?; What is hedgehog’s reaction to skunk? How are they similar and different?; How did the author use alliteration to make the rhythm of the text sing-songy?

We Flagged:

Read This If You Loved: Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson (Kellee’s Review | Ricki’s Review), My Friend Maggie by Hannah E. Harrison, Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great by Bob Shea, Endgame by Nancy Garden, Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick, Burn by Suzanne Phillips, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Penguin for sending us this book! I loved it.**

Joining Book By Book’s 2018 Big Book Summer Reading Challenge

July 18, 2018 by Kellee

The 2018 Big Book Summer Reading Challenge is on, and there is still plenty of time to join! It’s easy-going, like summer – you only need to read one book with 400 or more pages sometime between now and the end of summer (early September) to participate (though of course, you can read more Big Books, if you want to). It’s great motivation to tackle some of the bigger books on your shelves or TBR that usually get overlooked. Check out the details at the link and join the fun!

Kellee

I’ve already read one of my Big Books this summer!!!!

Anger is a Gift
Author: Mark Oshiro
Published May 22, 2018 by Tor Teen
463 pages

Summary: A story of resilience and loss, love and family, Mark Oshiro’s Anger is a Gift testifies to the vulnerability and strength of a community living within a system of oppression.

Six years ago, Moss Jefferies’ father was murdered by an Oakland police officer. Along with losing a parent, the media’s vilification of his father and lack of accountability has left Moss with near crippling panic attacks.

Now, in his sophomore year of high school, Moss and his fellow classmates find themselves increasingly treated like criminals by their own school. New rules. Random locker searches. Constant intimidation and Oakland Police Department stationed in their halls. Despite their youth, the students decide to organize and push back against the administration.

When tensions hit a fever pitch and tragedy strikes, Moss must face a difficult choice: give in to fear and hate or realize that anger can actually be a gift.

My Review: Mark Oshiro did something that I think is super hard to tackle: told a story that many may label an “issues” book but does it without making it seem didactical or preachy. The author just told us a story that is based in reality. Are there parts that hit on social issues from our society? Yes! Because that is real. It is truth. This is a story that is going to hit some people very hard because the truth is hard. It is hard to face if you are not part of this reality. It is hard to face if you are a cause of this reality. It is hard to face if you are living this reality. This Big Book packs a big punch!

I still plan on reading some Rick Riordan books which are definitely Big Books! I’ve promised my students I would read some Heroes of Olympus, so hopefully I can fill that promise!

Ricki

Children of Blood and Bone
Author: Tomi Adeyemi
Published March 6, 2018 by Holt
525 pages

I started listening to this book on Audible this month, and I am loving it! I am currently three hours from the end (the entire book is sixteen hours). It’s well-worth the hype. If you haven’t read it yet, you should!

Anger is a Gift
Author: Mark Oshiro
Published May 22, 2018 by Tor Teen
463 pages

Upon Kellee’s recommendation, I started this book last week on my Kindle. It’s very, very good.

Goodbye Days
Author: Jeff Zentner
Published March 7, 2017 by Crown
405 pages

I started this book last year, but I wasn’t in a good place for it. I am going to restart and finish it by the end of the summer, for sure!

I hope you will join us and Sue in the 2018 Summer Big Book Challenge!

and

Student Voices: Top Ten Author Lists by Two of Kellee’s 2017-18 Middle School Students

July 22, 2018July 17, 2018 by Kellee

Our Top Ten Favorite Authors by Duda V. and Angelina D. (6th grade)

Rick Riordan
Rick Riordan is the author of many series like Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus. He is in the process of writing The Trials of Apollo series as well. His writing brings mythology to the modern world with hilarity. With twisting plots and schemes and a lot of hair-raising action, it leaves readers begging for more.

J.K. Rowling
J.K. Rowling is the author of the ever popular Harry Potter series which is most definitely well-known with theme parks, movies, games, and its own official website, her books are without a doubt well-loved and appreciated. Popularity however is not the reason we put her on our list. She has created a world intertwined with ours, full of magic we can only dream about. Not only have we watched the characters grow, but we have grown with them.

Caroline Carlson
Caroline Carlson is the author of the hilarious series The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates. It centers around a girl who wants to become a pirate but her parents don’t want her to. Caroline has created a fantasy world where piracy is normal yet still illegal. The series includes three books, each one demonstrating a sense of bravery and adventure as well as hilariousness that I’m sure will make you laugh your head off!

Chris Colfer
Chris Colfer is the author of the bestselling series The Land of Stories. It’s a fictional series about the adventure of two twins, Alex and Connor. Chris Colfer has written six books in the series, and they all take place in a world that Chris Colfer has created around fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty. Chris Colfer books are amazing!

Ally Carter
Ally Carter is the author of several series including Embassy Row, Heist Society, and Gallagher Girls. Her books are thrilling and have a unique take on the classic good guy/bad guy scheme with the bad guys being more an antagonist than a villain. Even with all the adventurous moment, she still finds time to add sweet moments.

Lemony Snicket
Lemony Snicket is the author of the Series of Unfortunate Events, thirteen books with witty definitions and a plot that has readers on the edge of their seats. However, we did want to add that we don’t agree with his recent comments. We just think that his series is amazing.

Neal Shusterman
Neal Shusterman is an amazing author who has written many series including the Unwind Dystology and the Dark Fusion series. He also wrote Scythe which is about Citra and Rowan and the challenges they have to overcome. Neal Shusterman is a New York Time Bestselling author, winner of the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, Golden Kite Award for Fiction, and more. Many of his books are fascinating because of his unique writing style.

Dan Gemeinhart
Dan Gemeinhart is the author of multiple books including Scar Island, Some Kind of Courage, and The Honest Truth. His writing is heartfelt and gripping. He uses a perfect mix of emotions and plot guaranteed to have readers anxious for the next page.

Gordon Korman
Gordon Korman is the author of multiple series including Masterminds, Swindle, Hypnotists, and so many more series and stand alone books. He is also part of the 39 Clues series. His work is action packed and full of gripping moments. His books are always real page-turners.

Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur Conan Doyle is the author of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes which is a collection of short stories. The stories are about the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes who goes to solve cases that are usually murder cases. The book was originally published in 1892 and has been turned into movies and TV shows.

Top Ten Amazing Authors You May Not Know But Should by Duda V. and Angelina D. (6th grade)

David Liss
David LIss is the author of Randoms, a 2017-18 Sunshine State Young Reader book. SSYRA books are chosen in Florida and recommended for kids and often show up in schools. Despite not being really well known, he should be. If you enjoy thriling sci-fi novels, his books are for you. And don’t worry, it is just the first of an epic series.

Sayantani Dasugupta
Sayantani Dasgupta is an Indian American author who has written The Demon Slayers, Bengali Folk Tales, and The Serpent’s Secret. She is a physician-scholar in addition to a writer. The Serpent’s Secret is about Kiranmala, a regular sixth grader until her twelfth birthday. Sayantani Dasgupta is an amazing author who can make you feel like you are in the book yourself.

Joseph Bruchac
Joseph Bruchac is the amazing author of Wolf Mark as well as so many others. With a twisting plot and well-written details, it is every bit as good as expected, as are his other books. There are no words to describe it!

Adam Rex
Adam Rex is the author of The True Meaning of Smekday, the book Home was based on. Despite this fact, many people do not know that. If you have ever watched a movie based on a book, you know that they never get the details right (but it is a bit fun to see the changes). Adam Rex’s writing is funny and well-thought out and planned.

Julia Keller
Julia Keller is an American novelist that has written many adult books and her newest is for young adults, The Dark Intercept which is the first book in a series. The Dark Intercept is a personal favorite; it is an amazing book about two worlds, Old and New Earth, and the mysteries about New Earth, the world that Violet Crowley’s father has created. Julia Keller has won awards including a Pulitzer Prize, and she is an amazing author that writes science fiction, adventure, crime, and many more.

Lynne Jonell
Lynne Jonell is the author of Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat and other titles. Her writing is fun and mysterious and it increases with the plot. What starts as a seemingly realistic fiction book is soon easily classified as pure fantasy.

Firoozeh Dumas
Firoozeh Dumas is the author of It Ain’t So Awful, Falafal, which was a 2017-18 Sunshine State Young Reader Award book. Firoozeh Dumas has also written many other books including Funny in Farsi and Laughing without an Accent. Ain’t So Awful, Falafel is a funny book about Zomorod (aka Cindy) that just moved to Newport Beach. Firoozeh has been nominated for many awards including the Turber Prize for American Humor. Her books are hilarious because of her unique style of writing.

Soman Chainani
Soman Chainani is known for his series The School for Good and Evil. The story revolves around best friends, Agatha and Sophie, who face challenges and overcome them. The series consists of four books (right now), and I appreciate it for its sense of magic, friendship, and love. Soman has created a world full of fantasy with fairy tales including Cinderella and King Arthur. This series isn’t too well known but after you read the first one, you can’t stop reading because of the magic it brings.

Suzanne Nelson
Suzanne Nelson is an author that writes heart-taking, loveable, and amazing books. She has written many different books including Macaroons at Midnight and Cake Pop Crush. Both of these books feature delicious recipes in the end as well. Suzanne Nelson has been able to create books that can make you understand that love can be a beautiful thing because her books are mostly about love and sweetness. Suzanne Nelson is an author that is just as amazing as any author you already know and love.

J.J. Howard
J.J. Howard is an author that writes books that have challenges and love between two characters including her book Pug and Kisses which features an adorable pug. The books are amazing realistic fiction stories because it displays real life trouble, mostly love problems, which can be overcome with happy endings. J.J. Howard is an amazing author who writes books that will bring a smile to your face.

Thank you to my wonderful students, Duda and Angelina, for sharing your favorite authors!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 7/16/18

July 16, 2018 by Kellee

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

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.

Tuesday: Student Voices: Advice for Picking Books by Four of Kellee’s 2017-18 Middle School Students

Wednesday: Masterpiece Robot and the Ferocious Valerie Knick-Knack by Frank Tra

Thursday: You Choose: A New Story Every Time – What Will YOU CHOOSE? by Nick Sharratt and Pippa Goodhart

Friday: I Say OOH You Say AAH by John Kane

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

Kellee

Yesterday was a travel day for me, so I just didn’t get a chance to do today’s post. I’ll catch up with you all next week 🙂

Ricki

Hi, all! I just returned from a vacation with family (extended and immediate) in Steamboat Springs. It was wonderful! I had great intentions of reading bloggers’ IMWAYR posts last Monday, but I was trapped in a room with a toddler who didn’t like his pack ‘n’ play. I apologize for being off the grid, but every time I tried to open my computer, he woke up.

We checked out the Steamboat Springs library. It’s a good one if anyone is ever in the area. We read a few dozen books, and I feature my favorites below!

*Drawn Together by Minh Le is absolutely stunning. This one will be a solid contender for the Caldecott this year. The story and illustrations are absolutely beautiful. This book is a must read.*

Say Zoop! by Hervé Tullet was just as entertaining as the other books that he’s created. I liked how this book focused on having readers say things aloud. Tullet is very clever!

Red Again by Barbara Lehman is a wordless picture book follows the journey of a boy who finds a book. I like how the book looped at the end of the text to show how stories continue on and on forever.

I love Mac Barnett, and I love Jon Klassen, so it wasn’t surprising that I loved Square. This duo creates magical stories.

My son picked up The Dog that Nino Didn’t Have by Edward van de Vendel. It’s a quiet book that feels very ethereal. I was enthralled with the lyrical language, and I enjoyed it. The book is odd, and it is quite philosophical. I suspect folks either love or hate this one, which always offers space for great conversations!

I have seen others rave about Little Fox in the Forest by Stephanie Graegin, but I got my hands on it at the library. This is a beautifully illustrated, wondrous picture book. It reminds me of Journey by Aaron Becker. Readers will be whisked away by the magic of this one. If you haven’t checked it out yet, I recommend this book!

My youngest son loves diggers and loves dogs, so he was thrilled to find Dalmation in a Digger by Rebecca Elliot. The sound effects make this a fun read-aloud, particularly for toddlers and preschoolers.

Ricki

I have three hours left (out of sixteen hours) in this audiobook. Can you tell that I am savoring it? It’s everything I hoped it to be and more. If you haven’t read it yet, I recommend Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone.

I’ve recruited my whole family to read There There by Tommy Orange. We are Native, so we enjoy reading about other Native experiences. This one is climbing in popularity, and I am loving it thus far. Even my less-than-thrilled-to-read-books relatives are raving about it.

Tuesday: Student Voices: Top Ten Author Lists by Two of Kellee’s 2017-18 Middle School Students

Wednesday: Joining Book By Book’s Big Book Summer Challenge

Thursday: Hedgehog Needs a Hug by Jen Betton

Friday: Running on the Roof of the World by Jess Butterworth

and

I Say OOH You Say AAH by John Kane

July 13, 2018 by Kellee

I Say OOH You Say AAH
Author: John Kane
Published February 8th, 2018 by Templar Publishing

Summary: “There’s something very important that I need you to remember. When I say Ooh, you say Aah. Let’s try it.”

In this interactive picture book, young readers help to tell the story by responding to simple verbal or visual cues. This hilarious book is perfect for reading aloud and is fun for the whole family.

Review: Oh. My. Goodness! I wish you all could have been in my house the first time we read this book! Trent thinks it is the funniest thing in the world! I mean, you have to yell, say underpants, and pat your head–all because a book told you to! It is a kid’s dream! And honestly, it cracked me up, too! Anytime you see a child so engaged and interacting with a book that they are laughing and cheering then immediately ask for it to be read again and says he has to show is Daddy, you know the book is a win. I foresee lots of AAHing and Underpants-ing in our future!

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: What a wonderful read aloud! It is like a “Simon says” book, so it really looks at doing what is instructed and also what effects of your actions may be. If you are a parent, teacher, librarian, or book seller who reads to young kids, go get this one now and find some kids to make laugh.

Discussion Questions:

When do you say AAH?
- What do you do if I say OOH?
When do you say underpants?
- What do you do if you see an ant?
Why do you pat your head?
- What do you do if you see the color red?
Why are you waving?
- What do you do when I turn the page?

Flagged Passages:

Read This If You Love: Interactive picture books such as Hervé Tullet’s books, Bill Cotter’s Larry books, Warning: Do Not Open This Book by Adam Lehrhaupt, The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak, The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Lynn at Kane Miller for providing a copy for review!**