Top Ten Tuesday: MANY Reading Without Walls Recommendations #ReadingWithoutWalls

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Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Many Reading Without Walls Recommendations

View the Reading Without Walls announcement by Gene Luen Yang at http://read.macmillan.com/mcpg/reading-without-walls/

About Reading Without Walls

National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Gene Luen Yang calls us all to READ WITHOUT WALLS, exploring books about characters who look or live differently than you, topics you haven’t discovered, or formats that you haven’t tried.

READING WITHOUT WALLS promotes diversity and opens readers’ eyes to new ideas and experiences. In this divided time in our nation’s history, READING WITHOUT WALLS is an inclusive way to spread appreciation and understanding for others — and to learn new and exciting things.

Take the Reading Without Walls Challenge this April

Reading Without Walls is happening now, and anyone can participate — teachers, librarians, book-sellers, and readers. Just find something new and different to read — and let books open up the world around you.

What can YOU do to read without walls?

Once you’ve finished reading, complete the challenge by challenging someone else! Use #ReadingWithoutWalls to tell all of your friends on social media what books you chose and challenge them to do the same.

Kellee

In addition to Gene Luen Yang’s books, here are just a few handfuls of titles that I can recommend to help us and our students & children read without walls. I know this is quite an extensive list, but I tried to include a variety to help have a recommendation for any reader (though I mostly stuck with middle grade and YA texts).

 

Diverse Character Reccomendations

1. Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan

2. Mexican Whiteboy by Matt de la Peña

3. Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

4. Enchanted Air by Margarita Engle

5. The Outside Circle by Patti Laboucane-Benson

6. Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan

7. A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold

8. Kiki & Jacques by Susan Ross

9. Ghost by Jason Reynolds

10. Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle

11. Hurt Go Happy by Ginny Rorby

12. Juana & Lucas by Juana Medina

13. Endangered by Eliot Schrefer

14. Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña

15. Zack Delacruz by Jeff Anderson


Interesting Topics Recommendations

1. The War that Saved my Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

2. Bot Wars by J.V. Kade

3. Cloud and Wallfish by Anne Nesbet

4. Risking Exposure by Jeanne Moran

5. Revolution by Deborah Wiles

6. A Death-Struck Year by Makiia Lucier

7. Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick

8. The Milk of Birds by Sylvia Whitman

9. Personal Effects by E.M. Kokie

10. Girls Like Us by Gail Giles


Different Format Recommendations

1. Audiobook: Airborn by Kenneth Oppel

2. Audiobook: Upside Down Magic by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins

3. Audiobook: All Fall Down by Ally Carter

4. Audiobook: Magic Marks the Spot by Caroline Carlson

5. Graphic Novel: HiLo by Judd Winick

6. Graphic Novel: The Underground Abductor (and the rest of the Hazardous Tales series) by Nathan Hale

7. Graphic Novel: Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson

8. Graphic Novel: El Deafo by Cece Bell

9. Novel in Verse: Loving Vs. Virginia by Patricia Hruby Powell

10. Novel in Verse/Vignettes: Moo by Sharon Creech


Which books do you recommend others read to Read Without Walls?

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 4/10/17

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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.

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CONGRATULATIONS

Aaron W.

for winning Henry and the Chalk Dragon

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Last Week’s Posts

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

top ten tuesday 

  

Tuesday: Spring TBR Books

Wednesday: Here We Go: A Poetry Friday Power Book by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong

Thursday: #mustreadin2017 Spring Update

Friday: Upcoming Must Haves from little bee books: Race! by Sue Fliess; Toucans, Too by Bethanie Deeney Murguia; Blobfish Throws a Party by Miranda Paul; and A Cat is Better by Linda Joy Singleton

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 Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee

Well, my reading slowed down a bit this week because of “Th1rteen R3asons Why” on Netflix. I was obsessed and finished it over four days! I have so much to say about it; I may have to do a post about it!

I did finish the Legend series! Wow! That is one intense story, and I now know exactly why my kids devour it and were so upset that I hadn’t read it yet.

 Ricki

I listened to the audio of The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner. Gosh, I love this book so much. I will definitely be using this book next semester in my courses! There is so much to talk about, and I think it will make for phenomenal conversations.

I read On Duck Pond by Jane Yolen with my boys. My three year old said, “Mama, that book was really, really nice.” That’s a true compliment from him. I loved this beautiful book. It reminded me a bit of Make Way for Duckings, one of my favorites.

Keep a Pocket in Your Poem by J. Patrick Lewis is a fun book. Each spread features a classic poem on one side and a playful parody of that poem on the other side. I enjoyed this one.

Percy: Dog of Destiny by Alison McGhee is a charming book that my sons enjoy reading. The illustrations make us laugh!

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This Week’s Expeditions
Kellee

 

I started Posted on Sunday–I look forward to reading it 🙂 After I finish, I plan on starting The Sweet Spot by our very own Stacy Mozer!

 Ricki

I am listening to The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. So far–wow. Now I understand why everyone is raving about this book.

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Upcoming Week’s Posts

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Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday: MANY Reading Without Walls Recommendations

Wednesday: Animal Ark by Joel Sartore and Kwame Alexander

Thursday: Guest Review: Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty

Friday: Picture Books That Celebrate Books!: Chicken Story Time by Sandy Asher & Mark Fearing; How This Book was Made by Mac Barnett & Adam Rex; and Wanted! Ralfy Rabbit, Book Burglar by Emily MacKenzie

 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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Upcoming Must Haves from little bee books: Race! by Sue Fliess; Toucans, Too by Bethanie Deeney Murguia; Blobfish Throws a Party by Miranda Paul; and A Cat is Better by Linda Joy Singleton

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These picture books are all MUST HAVES that are coming out soon from little bee books!

Race!
Author: Sue Fliess
Illustrator: Edwardian Taylor
Expected Publication July 4th, 2017

About the Book: In this imaginative book, a tiny car lines up next to all the other cars revving their engines. . . . Will it be able to take the Winner’s Cup?

Race cars!
Line up!

Who will take the Winner’s Cup?

Cars start,
lights glow…
“Rev your engines…GO GO GO!”

All the cars are lining up for the race, but one car is smaller than the rest. As it squeezes in between all of them, the cars rev their engines . . . and they’re off! Down mountains and by waterfalls, through tunnels and past landslides, the cars race through places that somehow look oddly familiar.

My Thoughts: I love the onomatopoeias in this story! It mixed with the rhythm of the text, the fun illustrations, and the suspense of the race make the story a perfect read aloud. Along the way, readers can predict what they think can happen next, and try to predict the surprise ending (yes, there is a surprise ending!).

Toucans, Too
Author and Illustrator: Bethanie Deeney Murguia
Expected Publication May 2nd, 2017

About the Book: This hilarious follow-up book to Cockatoo, Too features cockatoos, toucans, two-can stew, and gnus!

One can. Two cans. Toucans?
Toucans, too.
Toucan stew???!

The cockatoos are back, and the toucans are too! But the toucans think the cockatoos say “toucan stew” and run away in a toucan canoe, so the cockatoos make them some two-can stew, which attracts the gnus, who ask the reader, “Can gnu?”

Bethanie Deeney Murguia’s fabulous follow-up to the well-received Cockatoo, Too combines fantastically funny wordplay with lush, vibrant illustrations, making this a humorous read-aloud that both children and parents will love!

My Thoughts: This is such a hilarious book! I haven’t read Cockatoo, Too, so I didn’t know what I was getting into (I’ve already requested it from my library though because I want to see what cleverness hides inside), and the word play and illustrations in this one make it one that I cannot wait to read to kids–I think they will find it as laugh out loud as I did.

Blobfish Throws a Party
Author: Miranda Paul
Illustrator: Maggie Caton
Expected Publication: May 2nd, 2017

About the Book: Introducing Blobfish Throws a Party, a wild and hilarious story from award-winning author Miranda Paul!

Blobfish lives at the bottom of the ocean with no lights, no friends, and no delicious treats. The only two ways he can think to change this would be to 1) throw a party, or 2) save the world in true hero style. He decides to do the first one. However, when he announces, “Deep sea party! Bring a treat to share!”, the mermaids hear “Cheap, free party! Sling on a sheet to wear!”, and the shorebirds hear “Cheep-peep party! Sing a tweet with flair!”, and so on. Soon the whole world is partying in strange ways based on what they think they heard, and Blobfish is still sad and alone at the bottom of the sea. Will Blobfish ever get his lights, friends, and delicious treats?

My Thoughts: Oh, Blobfish. He is the most lovable sad little fish. All alone in the bottom of the sea, all he wants is someone to spend time with. But his plan to throw a party just doesn’t go as planned. The hilarity that follows, in words and illustrations, will make anyone laugh. And like Toucans, Too the word play in this one make it a perfect read aloud and the basis for a rhyming teaching opportunity. So many kids are going to love Blobfish; it is going to be a majorly requested read aloud!

A Cat is Better
Author: Linda Joy Singleton
Illustrator: Jorge Martin
Expected Publication: June 13th, 2017

About the Book: Find out why a cat is the purrfect pet in this fantastically funny picture book!

A sparkly necklace for me?
Yes, I am beautiful.
Thank you very much.
See how perfect I am?

What makes cats better than dogs? Is it how gracefully they leap through the air? How much smarter they are than dogs? How much more musical and cleaner they are? Or is it how good they are at making you think they’re all these things?

Find out why cats are the purrfect pet in this fantastically funny picture book!

My Thoughts: The debate over which pet is the best starts at a very young age and is often the topic for an early argumentative paragraph because kids are so opinionated about it. A Cat is Better takes a look at the topic and puts a fun twist on it starting with one very clear claim that slowly morphs into a love of all pets.

All Recommended For: 

Thank you Caitlin at little bee books for allowing me to preview and share these titles!

Ricki and Kellee’s #MustReadIn2017 Spring Update!

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#MustReadIn2017 is hosted by Carrie Gelson at There Is A Book For That:

“For anyone out there with a To Be Read list that seems like it will never end, this challenge is for you! This is all about making your own personal list of books (5? 10? 20? 30? more?) that you commit to reading in 2016. Books can be published in any year, be from any genre, and be from any category (adult, YA, MG, Graphics, NF, etc.).  As your TBR list grows, you promise you will get to the books on this list.”

Our (hopeful) #mustreadin2017 Lists:

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mustreadin2017

Ricki

Whew. I have not been doing a good job. Similar to Kellee, below, I have had some major obligations. I wrote a 280-page dissertation! I am hoping to fly through some of these books right after I graduate next month. 🙂

Ghost by Jason Reynolds

This book was phenomenal. I am so excited to read the others in the series. Jason Reynolds captures the adolescent voice perfectly. I know many of you have read this book, but if you haven’t, I recommend it highly.

Kellee

My #mustread list reading has started out slowly because of reading obligations I’ve had, but they’ve been awesome such as book club reading, reading books for author Skype visits, and reading books recommended to me by my students. I hope to get through more titles between now and the Fall update though I am not putting any pressure on myself 🙂

A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold

I really loved Bat and his story. A Boy Called Bat is going to be one of those books that change people’s views of others. I am so glad that this book is out there for kids (and adults!) to read.

Reviewed March 10th, 2017: https://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=12505

What have you read from your #mustreadin2017 list so far?

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Here We Go: A Poetry Friday Power Book by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong

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Nonfiction Wednesday

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday is hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and was started to help promote the reading of nonfiction texts. Most Wednesdays, we will be participating and will review a nonfiction text (though it may not always be a picture book).
Be sure to visit Kid Lit Frenzy and see what other nonfiction books are shared this week!

HAPPY NATIONAL POETRY MONTH!

Here We Go: A Poetry Friday Power Book
Authors: Sylvia Vardell & Janet Wong
Illustrator: Franzi Paetzold
Published January 11th, 2017 by Pomelo Books

Summary: Here We Go: A Poetry Friday Power Book is a story in poems and a writing journal designed to help kids think about social change. It contains 12 PowerPack sets featuring Ameera, David, Jack, and Jenna, a diverse group of kids working together to make an impact in their community. Sylvia Vardell’s inventive PowerPlay activities make it easy for writers to get inspired, while her Power2You writing prompts extend learning. Vardell also created extensive back matter resources for young readers, writers, and activists.

Praise: “This interactive book and the abundance of resources provided will motivate students to take action through words and ideas to make their world a better place—a must have for today’s classrooms.” —Lynne Dorfman and Rose Cappelli, Authors of Mentor Texts

“I absolutely love this book! The invitations are inspiring and offer opportunities to think about the world and respond both personally and critically.” —Mary Napoli, Associate Professor of Reading, Penn State Harrisburg

“This book will allow all sorts of emotions and thoughts to bubble forth, including difficult and painful ones . . . and that will be a source of healing.” —Ed Spicer, Educator and literacy expert

“Really glad and excited that this book will be in the hands of young people.” —Jeana Hrepich, Core Faculty, Antioch University Seattle

This book is a Children’s Book Council “Hot Off the Press” selection for January 2017 and the second Poetry Friday Power Book. The first book in that series, You Just Wait: A Poetry Friday Power Book, is a 2017 NCTE Poetry Notable.

About the Authors: Here We Go: A Poetry Friday Power Book features the work of the dynamic team of Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong, plus 12 poets: Ibtisam Barakat, Michelle Heidenrich Barnes, Robyn Hood Black, David Bowles, Joseph Bruchac, Kate Coombs, David L. Harrison, Renée M. LaTulippe, Naomi Shihab Nye, Margaret Simon, Eileen Spinelli, and Carole Boston Weatherford. Illustrations by Franzi Paetzold.

Sylvia M. Vardell is Professor at Texas Woman’s University and teaches courses in children’s and young adult literature. She has published five books on literature, as well as over 25 book chapters and 100 journal articles. Her current work focuses on poetry for young people, including a regular blog, PoetryforChildren.blogspot.com, since 2006.

Janet Wong is a graduate of Yale Law School and a former lawyer who became a children’s poet. Her work has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show and other shows. She is the author of 30 books for children and teens on chess, creative recycling, yoga, superstitions, driving, and more.

Together, Vardell and Wong are the creative forces behind The Poetry Friday Anthology series.

About the Book (from the authors): Why is this a “Poetry Friday Power Book”? Because we believe in the power of poetry to express our deepest feelings, and our most powerful experiences, and to inspire us to use our words to create change in teh world. Plus, we want you to discover the power of poetry in your own thinking and writing with the PowerPlay prewriting and Power2You writing prompts that pull you into poetry and inspire you to get your own ideas on paper–creatively, whimsically, powerfully, and immediately–right now in this book…

This book offers you several choices for reading, thinking, writing, and responding. Overall, it’s a story in poems, but all of this is also organized in PowerPack groups that help you get a “behind the scenes” look at how poems work and how poets write and think. In each of these PowerPack groups, you’ll find five things:

-PowerPlay activity
-Anchor poem (from an outside source)
-Response poem
-Mentor poem
-Power2You writing prompt

Have fun reading and thinking about poetry and learning about how poetry uses just a few words but says so much and can inspire us to take action. Ready? Let’s “power up” and get started!

Review: I have an interesting relationship with poetry. I overall love it. I love writing it, and I love reading it, but I really have trouble with the analyzing aspect. It is in this very serious analyzing step that kids get afraid of poetry, but I think books like Here We Go help students learn to love poetry instead of being afraid of it while still teaching about the beauty and importance of poetry.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: Here We Go is a book that is made for classroom use! There are 12 PowerPacks, each with a different anchor poem and focus. Some PowerPacks work on rhyming, some work on format, and others focus on inspiration. There are so many different ways these PowerPacks could be organized to be used in the classroom! They can be daily during a poetry unit or weekly for half of the school year–whatever works best in your classroom, but this book is begging to be in children’s hands as an inspiration for our future poets.

Discussion Questions: What inspires you to write?; What is your favorite season? Why?; What are your favorite rhyming words?; How can you use your daily life to inspire you as a poet?

Flagged Passages: 

Read This If You Love: Writing poetry; Any poetry anthology including Out of Wonders by Kwame Alexander, Chris Colderley, and Marjory Wentworth and When Green Becomes Tomatoes by Julie Fogliano

Recommended For: 

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Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Spring TBR (To Be Read) Titles

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Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Ten Spring TBR (To Be Read) Titles

Kellee

Here are some Spring publication titles that I look forward to reading soon 🙂

1. One Trick Pony by Nathan Hale

Publication Date: March 14th, 2017 by Amulet Books

Summary: The aliens have arrived. And they’re hungry for electricity. In the Earth of the future, humans are on the run from an alien force—giant blobs who suck up electrical devices wherever they can find them. Strata and her family are part of a caravan of digital rescuers, hoping to keep the memory of civilization alive by saving electronics wherever they can. Many humans have reverted to a pre-electrical age, and others have taken advantage of the invasion to become dangerous bandits and outlaws. When Strata and her brother are separated from the caravan, they must rely on a particularly beautiful and rare robot pony to escape the outlaws and aliens—and defeat the invaders once and for all.

2. Posted by John David Anderson

Publication Date: May 2nd, 2017 by Walden Pond Press

Summary: From John David Anderson, author of the acclaimed Ms. Bixby’s Last Day, comes a humorous, poignant, and original contemporary story about bullying, broken friendships, and the failures of communication between kids.

In middle school, words aren’t just words. They can be weapons. They can be gifts. The right words can win you friends or make you enemies. They can come back to haunt you. Sometimes they can change things forever.

When cell phones are banned at Branton Middle School, Frost and his friends Deedee, Wolf, and Bench come up with a new way to communicate: leaving sticky notes for each other all around the school. It catches on, and soon all the kids in school are leaving notes—though for every kind and friendly one, there is a cutting and cruel one as well.

In the middle of this, a new girl named Rose arrives at school and sits at Frost’s lunch table. Rose is not like anyone else at Branton Middle School, and it’s clear that the close circle of friends Frost has made for himself won’t easily hold another. As the sticky-note war escalates, and the pressure to choose sides mounts, Frost soon realizes that after this year, nothing will ever be the same.

3. World’s Greatest Detective by Caroline Carlson

Publication Date: May 16th, 2017 by HarperCollins

Summary: By the end of our time together, someone in this house will be rich. Someone will be the World’s Greatest Detective. And someone, well, someone might be dead.

Detectives’ Row is full of talented investigators, but Toby Montrose isn’t one of them. He’s only an assistant at his uncle’s crime-solving business, and he’s not sure he’s even very good at that. But he sees his chance to prove he could be by entering Hugh Abernathy’s crime-solving contest in his uncle’s place.

Toby’s friend Ivy is the best detective around—or at least she thinks so. But she can’t show off her sleuthing skills and take the title because she’s not allowed to join the investigators’ ranks. Even though the competition is being held at her house.

Then a detective is found murdered before the games begin and his death becomes the World’s Greatest Mystery. And Toby and Ivy may be the only two who can crack the case.

In Caroline Carlson’s newest novel, hilarity and hijinks abound as the greatest detectives around try to solve the greatest mystery they’ve ever come across.

4. Triangle by Mac Barnett

Publication Date March 14th, 2017 by Candlewick Press

Summary: Multi-award-winning, “New York Times “best-selling duo Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen conspire again on a slyly funny tale about some very sneaky shapes.

Meet Triangle. He is going to play a sneaky trick on his friend, Square. Or so Triangle thinks. . . . With this first tale in a new trilogy, partners in crime Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen upend the traditional concept book and approach it from a new angle. Visually stunning and full of wry humor, here is a perfectly paced treat that could come only from the minds of two of today s most irreverent and talented picture book creators.”

5. We’re All Wonders by RJ Palacio

Publication Date: March 28th, 2017 by Knopf Books for Young Readers

Summary: The unforgettable bestseller Wonder has inspired a nationwide movement to Choose Kind. Now parents and educators can introduce the importance of choosing kind to younger readers with this gorgeous picture book, featuring Auggie and Daisy on an original adventure, written and illustrated by R. J. Palacio.
 
Over 5 million people have fallen in love with Wonder and have joined the movement to Choose Kind. Now younger readers can meet Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face, and his beloved dog, Daisy.

Countless fans have asked R. J. Palacio to write a book for younger readers. With We’re All Wonders, she makes her picture-book debut as both author and artist, with a spare, powerful text and striking, richly imagined illustrations. Palacio shows readers what it’s like to live in Auggie’s world—a world in which he feels like any other kid, but he’s not always seen that way.

We’re All Wonders may be Auggie’s story, but it taps into every child’s longing to belong, and to be seen for who they truly are. It’s the perfect way for families and educators to talk about empathy and kindness with young children.

6. Felix YX by Lisa Bunker

Publication Date: June 6th, 2017 by Viking Books for Young Readers

Summary: “If it wasn’t for the fused-with-Zyx thing, I suppose I would just be normal—whatever that means.”

When Felix Yz was three years old, a hyperintelligent fourth-dimensional being became fused inside him after one of his father’s science experiments went terribly wrong. The creature is friendly, but Felix—now thirteen—won’t be able to grow to adulthood while they’re still melded together. So a risky Procedure is planned to separate them . . . but it may end up killing them both instead.

This book is Felix’s secret blog, a chronicle of the days leading up to the Procedure. Some days it’s business as usual—time with his close-knit family, run-ins with a bully at school, anxiety about his crush. But life becomes more out of the ordinary with the arrival of an Estonian chess Grandmaster, the revelation of family secrets, and a train-hopping journey. When it all might be over in a few days, what matters most?

7. Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk

Publication Date: May 2nd, 2017 by Dutton Books for Young Readers

Summary: Twelve-year-old Crow has lived her entire life on a tiny, isolated piece of the starkly beautiful Elizabeth Islands in Massachusetts. Abandoned and set adrift on a small boat when she was just hours old, Crow’s only companions are Osh, the man who rescued and raised her, and Miss Maggie, their fierce and affectionate neighbor across the sandbar.

Crow has always been curious about the world around her, but it isn’t until the night a mysterious fire appears across the water that the unspoken question of her own history forms in her heart. Soon, an unstoppable chain of events is triggered, leading Crow down a path of discovery and danger.

Vivid and heart wrenching, Lauren Wolk’s Beyond the Bright Sea is a gorgeously crafted and tensely paced tale that explores questions of identity, belonging, and the true meaning of family.

8. The Lotterys Plus One by Emma Donoghue

Publication Date: March 28th, 2017 by Arthur A. Levine Books

Summary: Sumac Lottery is nine years old and the self-proclaimed “good girl” of her (VERY) large, (EXTREMELY) unruly family. And what a family the Lotterys are: four parents, children both adopted and biological, and a menagerie of pets, all living and learning together in a sprawling house called Camelottery. Then one day, the news breaks that one of their grandfathers is suffering from dementia and will be coming to live with them. And not just any grandfather; the long dormant “Grumps,” who fell out with his son so long ago that he hasn’t been part of any of their lives.

Suddenly, everything changes. Sumac has to give up her room to make the newcomer feel at home. She tries to be nice, but prickly Grumps’s clearly disapproves of how the Lotterys live: whole grains, strange vegetables, rescue pets, a multicultural household… He’s worse than just tough to get along with — Grumps has got to go! But can Sumac help him find a home where he belongs?

9. The Case of the Stinky Stench by Josh Funk

Publication Date: May 2nd, 2017 by Sterling

Summary: “‘Uncle,’ Crossaint said, ‘the fridge is in trouble!
A mystery stench turned a whole shelf to rubble!
I’m the last hope or the fridge will be lost!
Help me or else we’ll be cooked, served, and sauced.’”

There’s a stinky stench in the fridge—and our favorite foodie friends must solve a smelly mystery! Sir French Toast’s nephew, Inspector Croissant, begs him and Lady Pancake for help in finding the source of the foul odor. Could it be the devious Baron Von Waffle? A fetid fish lurking in the bottom of Corn Chowder Lake? Featuring the same delectable wordplay and delicious art that won critical raves for Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast—there’s even an actual red herring—his fun follow-up is an absolutely tasty treat for kids!

10. The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors by Drew Daywalt

Publication Date: April 4th, 2017 by Balzer + Bray

Summary: You’ve played the game. Now read the legend of how it all began . . .

Long ago, in an ancient and distant realm called the Kingdom of Backyard, there lived a warrior named ROCK.
Meanwhile in the Empire of Mom’s Home Office, a second great warrior sought the glory of battle. And his name was PAPER.
At the same time, in the Kitchen Realm, in the tiny village of Junk Drawer, lived a third warrior. They called her SCISSORS.

These three were the strongest, smartest, and fastest in all the land. Time and again they beat the most fearsome opponents they could find: an apricot, a computer printer—even frozen, breaded, dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets! But when the warriors finally meet each other, the most epic round of battles begins . . . and never ends. That is why, to this day, children around the world honor these worthy adversaries by playing ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS

What books do you hope to read this Spring? 

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 4/3/17

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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.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GIVEAWAY WINNERS!

Angie O. won I am (Not) Scared!

Katie B. won the Blood Guard series!

Francis U. won Brobarians!

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Last Week’s Posts

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

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Tuesday: Top Ten Authors We Would Love to Meet

Wednesday: Teaching Guide for Ada’s Ideas by Fiona Robinson

Thursday: Guest Review: Pig the Pug by Aaron Blabey

Friday: Review and Giveaway!: Henry and the Chalk Dragon by Jennifer Trafton

*Giveaway ends Thursday!*

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “How Do We Know What Someone Else Is Feeling?: Body Language, the Big Horse Book, and Imaginative Leaps in Bramble and Maggie” by Jessie Haas

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 Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee

Before starting Legend like I said I was going to, I felt I needed a contemporary YA just to clean my pallet since I’d just read a fantasy novel. I picked up Someone Else’s Summer by Rachel Bateman and it was PERFECT–exactly what I needed. It is a road trip novel which is one of my favorite types of books! It was sad and thought-provoking but also lovely and romantic. It is a special book, and I look forward to reviewing it.

Then I started Legend, and oh man! I can see why my kids want me to read it. I haven’t read a great dystopian adventure in a while; it is nice to be back in this type of genre. I am currently reading Prodigy, and I cannot wait to see what happens!

 Ricki

Hi! I am off the grid this week because my dissertation goes to the committee this Wednesday. Hugs to you all, and I apologize for being so elusive this month!

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This Week’s Expeditions
Kellee

I hope to finish the Legend series this week! I have to know what happens!

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Upcoming Week’s Posts

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Tuesday: Spring TBR Books

Wednesday: Here We Go: A Poetry Friday Power Book by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong

Thursday: #mustreadin2017 Spring Update

Friday: Upcoming Must Haves from little bee books: Race! by Sue Fliess; Toucans, Too by Bethanie Deeney Murguia; Blobfish Throws a Party by Miranda Paul; and A Cat is Better by Linda Joy Singleton

 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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