Unleashing Readers

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 6/20/16

June 20, 2016June 20, 2016 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.

CONGRATULATIONS
Stefani T.
for winning a copy of Can You Canoe? by the Okee Dokee Bros!

Last Week’s Posts

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

Tuesday: Most Anticipated Releases for the Second Half of 2016

Wednesday: The First Step: How One Girl Put Segregation on Trial by Susan E. Goodman

Thursday: Nibbles: The Book Monster by Emma Yarlet

Friday: Teacher Appreciation Book Tour with Review, Excerpt, Video, and Giveaway!: Ms. Bixby’s Last Day by John David Anderson
Giveaway open until Thursday!

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “A Magical Location” by Byrdie Walker Bain, Author of The Secret of Sinbad’s Cave

Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee

Before I start talking about books, I wanted to talk about Orlando. Orlando is my home and has been for 16 years. What happened here over the last week+ is terrible. More than terrible; it is horrific. And too close to home. One of the young men who passed away went to my middle school my first and second year of teaching (though I didn’t know him), and another was a boyfriend of a friend’s friend. Too close to home. But please know that this does not define Orlando. The Pulse attack happening here actually shocked me because we are such a diverse place that overall is open-minded and loving. This does not represent who we are. I also want to thank any of you that prayed or sent healing thoughts or wrote a message or helped in any way. We are wounded, and everyone’s positivity after the massacre shows me that there is hope. And I want to take this time to send my love and thoughts out to anyone who was affected by any of the events that happened over those terrible five days.

This week, I primarily focused on getting through my picture book and nonfiction TBR pile! I read 12 picture books and 3 nonfiction texts, all that I will be reviewing at some point on the blog. All worth putting on your TBR.

My teacher friends and I also decided to have two book club meetings during the summer (YAY!), and we are focusing on reading the Sunshine State Young Reader Award (SSYRA) titles, so we choose to read The Neptune Project as our first summer read. It was such a unique dystopian title, and I cannot wait to read the sequel!

Ricki

I couldn’t put it better than Kellee. The Orlando attacks are horrifying, disgusting, and saddening. I have spent a lot of time emotionally thinking about this awful tragedy. I can’t quite express my feelings because I am still in such disbelief.

This week, I read two great National Geographic books. My son is obsessed with the NG texts because the photographs are eye-appealing and the facts are fun and interesting. As an adult, I also love reading and learning from them, too!

I finished listening to Kenneth Oppel’s This Dark Endeavor. What a neat, neat book! The second half really captured my attention, and I had difficulty leaving my car! I found myself listening to it while I played with my son on the floor. I only do this with audio books that I really, really enjoy!

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee

In addition to the summer book club choices, I am focusing on trying to read all 15 of the SSYRA list and some books from my #mustread2016 list. I started Dave Barry’s The Worst Class Trip Ever, and so far it is quite funny. I look forward to finishing it then I am not sure what I will pull from my bag of books.

Ricki

I have about 50 pages left of Gae Polisner’s A Memory of Things, and I am excited to share more of my thoughts about it. I want to see how it ends first. It could take so many different directions!

I was asked to review Jonathan Todre and Sarah Higinbotham’s Human Rights in Children’s Literature for an academic journal. I am very much looking forward to this text and think I will learn a lot. It discusses law, and I am interested to see how these ideas apply to education.

Upcoming Week’s Posts

top ten tuesday

Tuesday: Reasons to Read

Wednesday: National Geographic’s 100 Things to Know Before you Grow Up

Thursday: Grimm’s Fairy Tales by the Brothers Grimm, Audio Book Collection by Listening Library

Friday: Future Problem Solving International Conference Update

Sunday: Author Guest Post!

So, what are you reading?

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!

and

Author Guest Post!: “A Magical Location” by Byrdie Walker Bain, Author of The Secret of Sinbad’s Cave

June 19, 2016June 19, 2016 by Ricki

“A Magical Location”

Any English teacher will tell you the importance of a story’s setting. Although I’d read books that took place in wonderful places, I never understood how a magical location could inspire a tale until I moved to a high country station in the North Island of New Zealand.

In my back yard is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest cavern, dramatic limestone cliffs and mist that floats up the valley and snags on the trees. There are far more sheep than people. There are no lights on our horizon at night and no traffic noise. The land soars in huge hills and then plummets down to seven streams that crisscross the valley in front of our house. After rain we are surrounded by the sound of water trickling down to meet the river.

30 million years ago the whole area was under the ocean. Limestone outcrops jutting from the land reveal ancient scallop shells and oyster fossils. Huge caves have been carved out over time, and there are deep sinkholes. On frosty mornings the air is warmer underground, and mist rises from the caves. It looks like these are the lairs of sleeping dragons.

Living in such a dynamic landscape is a gift to the imagination. Inhabited by people for only a hundred years, I often wonder if the trees and rocks are looking at us sideways, wondering what we’re doing in their territory. It is wild country, where new holes in the earth can open up overnight, requiring sheep rescues when the poor animals discover them before the farmer.

New Zealand’s official history states that people arrived about 1350AD in waka, canoes, from the Pacific Islands. But there are many stories that don’t fit with the official version. Some of them are fantastical. Some of them might be true. One of the most intriguing involves Arabian sailors travelling beyond their established trading routes in the ninth century down into the cold Southern Ocean.

The story of Sinbad the Sailor features a tale about valleys ringed by mountains, patrolled by giant birds. New Zealand was home to the largest bird ever to have lived, the Haast Eagle. It could lift small animals and children up and carry them away. Another Sinbad story tells of him sailing through a jewel-laden cave. Down the hill from our farm is the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves, where visitors float under thousands of sparkling glowworms.

My imagination set to work with these rich ingredients. Just one question was needed to gel everything together – what if Sinbad had left behind treasure? From there, the next steps were obvious – what if it had been hidden? Who would find it?

I dove straight into the rabbit hole and came up with a story that could be described as Famous Five meets Treasure Island, a mystical adventure set in an incredible landscape. I am grateful to the hills and the high winds, the isolation and the rugged charm of this farm, for it was the start of my story.

About the Book:

Nat Sheppard is devastated when her father announces on the first day of the school holidays that the family farm is going on the market. Nat’s little sister Kathleen climbs onto the roof to see the view one last time and falls into the attic. Nat and her brother Jack race up the stairs to find her but she has disappeared…

Book Excerpt:

“Jack poked his head in the door. ‘Is she okay?’

‘I think she’s trapped in some kind of secret room.’

‘What?’

‘You heard me. Can you pace out the length of the house from the kitchen to the back porch, and then compare it to up here?’

‘All right.’ Jack disappeared, and soon Nat heard even steps and counting. Then he reappeared. ‘Twenty. And upstairs it’s – hold on.’

‘Hurry up!’ yelled Kathleen.

‘Just a second,’ called Nat.

Jack reversed to the edge of the landing and then paced again, scrambling up into the attic and continuing to the wall where Nat waited. ‘Eighteen.’

‘You’re sure?’

‘Yeah.’

‘Then we have to find a way in.’

‘Dad’s going to love that.’

Nat examined the walls again. There was no sign of an entrance. Jack banged on the plaster in a couple of places.

‘This stuff is really solid,’ he said. ‘Maybe I should get a hammer.’

‘Find something up here,’ said Nat. ‘Kathleen – can you see any way to get out? Is there a door?’

‘No!’ called Kathleen. They could hear the tremor in her voice.

Nat looked at Jack. ‘We have to figure this out. She’s starting to get scared.’

‘I’ve found some tools,’ said Jack. He brandished a hammer and a splitter axe.

‘You tap the wall over here, top to bottom, left to right,’ said Nat. She grabbed the hammer. ‘I’ll do this part. There has to be a way in somehow. What’s the axe for?’

He shrugged. ‘To hit Kathleen over the head when she gets out.’

Nat glared at him. ‘Can’t you be nice?’

‘She’s learnt what to expect from me. It’d be rude to change now.’

Methodically, Nat tapped the plaster, but the returning sound was dense, not hollow. She worked her way down to ground level – nothing. Jack finished his section with the same result. They moved along.

‘I could barge it,’ said Jack. With the most energy Nat had ever seen him use, he threw his shoulder against the wall. He bounced back so hard he flew against a hat rack and landed in a tangle on the dusty floor. ‘Or not,’ he muttered.

‘What was that?’ yelled Kathleen.

‘Nothing,’ said Nat. ‘Hold on.’

She tapped the wall while she flicked through different solutions in her head. If Jack couldn’t force it, they were in trouble. Tap-tap-tap. The hammer flaked off pieces of plaster. Tap-tap-tap. She bent down and tested the last stretch, just above the floor. Tap-tap-donk. The hammer fell through something new – a thin board. Nat wiggled the hammer back and forth and it fell out easily.

‘Jack – I’ve found it.’

With the splitter and the hammer they cleared out all the board until the space was big enough for one person to wiggle through on their belly. Nat slithered in. It was a close fit.

Inside, Kathleen was covered in dust, sitting in a nest of rafters and torn hessian.

‘I’m okay,’ she said, wriggling her legs.

Nat inspected the hole in the roof. Thankfully, it wasn’t very big, and the rotten material had broken Kathleen’s fall.

Jack wormed his beanpole frame into the room. ‘What is this place?’ he said.

Every wall in the secret room had been reinforced with planks of solid wood.

‘This is rimu,’ said Nat. ‘No wonder you bounced off.’

Jack rubbed his shoulder. ‘Whoever built this didn’t want anyone to find it.’

‘They obviously had something valuable to protect,’ said Nat.

‘Then what are we missing?’ asked Jack. ‘If they went to this much trouble to keep people out… Hold on.’ He helped Kathleen up and pushed the debris against the far wall. They scanned the floor. Nothing.

‘What about up?’ said Kathleen.

‘Up?’ repeated Nat. Her gaze flashed over the walls.

‘Holy,’ whispered Jack.

At the peak of the roof, just in front of the gaping hole, sat a single shelf. On it rested a small wooden box. Jack lowered it to the floor. It was covered with cobwebs, and fastened with a padlock.

‘The key could be anywhere,’ said Nat.

Jack grinned. ‘Don’t worry about that.’ He lifted the hammer and bought it down on the padlock. It smashed instantly. Jack offered the box to Nat. ‘Would you care to do the honours?’

Nat opened the lid. Inside was a yellowed envelope with a name on it:

‘Natalia.’”

Author Contact:

Contact Brydie: brydiewalkerbain at gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/brydiewalkerbain

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8314662.Brydie_Walker_Bain

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24379115-the-secret-of-sinbad-s-cave

Thank you to Byrdie for sharing this magical setting with us!

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Teacher Appreciation Blog Tour with Review, Excerpt, Video, and Giveaway!: Ms. Bixby’s Last Day by John David Anderson

June 17, 2016 by Kellee

Ms. Bixby’s Last Day
Author: John David Anderson
Published June 21st by Walden Pond Press

Summary: Everyone knows there are different kinds of teachers. The good ones. The not-so-good ones. The boring ones, the mean ones, the ones who try too hard. The ones you’ll never remember, and the ones you want to forget. But Ms. Bixby is none of these. She’s the sort of teacher who makes you feel like the indignity of school is worthwhile. Who makes the idea of growing up less terrifying. Who you never want to disappoint. What Ms. Bixby is, is one of a kind.

Topher, Brand, and Steve know this better than anyone. And so when Ms. Bixby unexpectedly announces that she is very sick and won’t be able to finish the school year, they come up with a plan. Through the three very different stories they tell, we begin to understand just what Ms. Bixby means to Topher, Brand, and Steve—and what they are willing to go to such great lengths to tell her.

About the Author: John David Anderson, the author of many books for young readers including Sidekicked, Minion, and The Dungeoneers, returns with a story of three kids, a very special teacher, and one day that none of them will ever forget. A dedicated root beer connoisseur and chocolate fiend, he lives with his wife, two kids, and perpetually whiny cat in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can visit him online at www.johndavidanderson.org.

Click to read a 48 page excerpt!

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Review: Ms. Bixby is one of those teachers that you read about and you want to be (if you are a teacher) or you want to have (if you are a student). As you can see from all the praise it has been receiving, John David Anderson wrote a home run book with this one. Our three main characters are diverse, funny, sweet, and stubborn, and Anderson’s voices for each are unique and alternate beautifully throughout the book. Though I must warn: This is a roller coaster book. You will laugh, smile, cry, get angry, and cringe. It is all there.

But this tour is about more than just the book, it is about focusing on our Ms. Bixby. Ms. Bixby is described as a “Good One” in the book. A “Good One” is a teacher who “make[s] the torture otherwise known as school somewhat bearable. You know when you have one of the Good Ones because you find yourself actually paying attention in class, even if it’s not art class. They’re the teachers you actually want to go back and say hi to next year. The ones you don’t want to disappoint.”

My Ms. Bixby: We all have a wide variety of teachers; however, there are those that change your life. When I was in 12th grade, I was a high school fish just floating my way through school. I was a high achiever who was okay with only doing okay in classes. I didn’t know what I was good at. I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up. I just thought I was another face in the crowd; nothing special. Then I entered Miss Hazel Haley’s classroom. When I had Miss Haley in 1999-2000, he had been teaching for 63 years, 61 of them at Lakeland High where I took my academic classes and 54 in the same classroom (in a building named after herself). She was a spit fire: She showed the Romeo and Juliet film from the 60s even though it showed a breast, she would speak her mind no matter what, and she cared and remembered every single person she’d ever taught. We were her kids. She never married or had children of her own, and she would tell you it was because she didn’t have to–we were her kids.

But it wasn’t all of this that made Miss Haley my Ms. Bixby. Actually, at first I really didn’t like her. She didn’t put up with my talking or note passing. She didn’t tolerate my Cs and Bs when she knew I could do better. She saw something in me. Finally, on one of the assignments I’d halfheartedly completed, she made me stay after school to work on with her. She told me I couldn’t get away with working the way I had been with the brain I had. She told me, “You are a good writer.” And she told me, “You are smart.” And for some reason her telling me stuck. And everything changed. I now knew that I was good at something. That I could accomplish something. And I have.

Lakeland Ledger article on Miss Haley’s legacy

NPR soundbite and transcript on Miss Haley’s retirement

When I decided to become a middle school teacher, I thought right away of Miss Haley. I know she would be proud of me. I wish I could tell her. And mostly, I hope that I can be someone’s Miss Haley, or Ms. Bixby. I hope my students know I care for them as if they are my own children. I know first hand that one teacher can definitely make a difference.

Walden TV Episode 17 — “LIST IT: Ms. Bixby’s Last Day:”
Have you ever had a favorite teacher? Maybe someone as AWESOME as Ms. Bixby? Mike & Julian certainly have! Follow along their list of favorite teachers–real and fictional!

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: In addition to a wonderful classroom library addition and a read aloud, Ms. Bixby is just one of many teachers I’ve read about that show how a teacher can change a life. Ms. Bixby’s Last Day would be a perfect addition to a “Teacher Appreciation Text Set” along with Wonder, Fish in a Tree, Bluefish (YA), Love that Dog, Jumped In (YA), and The Summer of May.

Publisher’s Educators Guide:

Discussion Questions: Why did the author choose to use three different points of view?; How did Ms. Bixby affect each of the boys’ lives?; What made Ms. Bixby a “Good One?”

Flagged Passages: “You can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can’t pick your friend’s nose. That’s something my dad told me. Turns out…not entirely true. I mean, the middle part is obviously true. But the last part isn’t true at all.” (p. 25)

Funny story you’ll have to read the book to read (p. 25-27)

“You can pick your friend’s nose. But there’s a difference between can and should.” (p. 27)

Read This If You Loved: Wonder by RJ Palacio, Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Bluefish by Pat Schmatz, Love that Dog by Sharon Creech, Jumped In by Patrick Flores-Scott, The Summer of May by Cecelia Galante, The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart, Remembering Mrs. Rossi by Amy Hest

Recommended For:

Don’t miss out on the other stops on the Blog Tour!

6/2/2016	Nerdy Book Club
6/3/2016	Next Best Book
6/6/2016	Walden Media Tumblr
6/7/2016	Teach Mentor Texts
6/8/2016	This Kid Reviews Books
6/9/2016	Read, Write, Reflect
6/10/2016	Flashlight Reader
6/13/2016	Julie Falatko
6/14/2016	A Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust
6/15/2016	About to Mock
6/16/2016	Kid Lit Frenzy
6/16/2016	The Hiding Spot
6/17/2016	Unleashing Readers
6/20/2016	Ms. Yingling Reads
	Novel Novice
6/21/2016	Maria’s Melange
	Novel Novice
	All the Wonders
6/22/2016	Lit Coach Lou
	Novel Novice
6/23/2016	Novel Novice
6/24/2016	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
	Novel Novice
6/27/2016	Librarian’s Quest
6/28/2016	Educate.Empower.Inspire…Teach
6/29/2016	Bluestocking Thinking
6/30/2016	Mindjacked
7/1/2016	All the Wonders

Nibbles: The Book Monster by Emma Yarlett

July 9, 2016June 16, 2016 by Ricki

Nibbles: The Book Monster
Author and Illustrator: Emma Yarlett
Published: March 1, 2016 by Kane Miller Books

Goodreads Summary: Nibbles is a very naughty book monster—he’s chomping, munching and nibbling his way through fairytales that don’t belong to him! Can you help catch him and put him back in his own story? Children will love to lift the flaps, peek through the peep holes, and chase Nibbles through a fantastical world of books, in this quirky story, exquisitely illustrated by Emma Yarlett (My Daddy’s Going Away and Bear’s Big Bottom). Jam-packed full of your kids’ favorite fairy tales including Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Ricki’s Review: This is a very clever book! Nibbles loves to nibble on things, but most of all, he loves to nibble on books. He eats his way into stories and changes their outcomes! My son had so much fun reading this book. He loved the cutouts, lift the flaps, and books within books! I can imagine this is a huge hit with any kids who read it. It is very funny and creatively crafted—from the story to the illustrations to the way the book is presented. Two thumbs up to Emma Yarlett and Kane Miller books for thinking outside of the box with this one. It shows readers that books don’t have to be traditional!

Kellee’s Review: Trent is a big fan of monsters. He loves Monsters, Inc. and Don’t Push the Button!, so it is no surprise that he loves Nibbles. He fascinated with following Nibbles’ trail throughout all of the books and it became like a game of hide and seek for him. Not only is Trent a fan of Nibbles, I am as well. I loved the creativity of this book. The interactive and 3D aspects of it really bring the book to life, and I love that the author incorporates actual fairy tales in the books that Nibbles enjoys. Such a clever book that will keep readers come back over and over.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: This book could be used to start any fairy tale retelling unit! Readers of all ages will fall in love with Nibbles and want to participate in this adventure. I’d love to have my class create their own fairy tale retelling with Nibbles’ influence! I imagine there would be a lot of laughs and a lot of joy in this assignment. It teaches kids that reading can be very fun!

Discussion Questions: How do the author/publisher allow us to rethink our conceptions of traditional books? Which text features were your favorites, and why?; What other stories could Nibbles nibble his way through? How would he change the plot/outcome?

Book Trailer:

Read This If You Loved: Battle Bunny by Jon Scieszka and Mac Barnett; Little Red Writing by Joan Holub, Fairy Tale Comics by Chris Duffy, Crankee Doodle by Tom Angleberger

Recommended For:

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**Thank you to Lynn at Kane Miller Books for providing copies for review!**

The First Step: How One Girl Put Segregation on Trial by Susan E. Goodman

June 15, 2016 by Kellee

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!

The First Step: How One Girl Put Segregation on Trial
Author: Susan E. Goodman
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Published January 5th, 2016 by Bloomsbury Children’s Books

Goodreads Summary: In 1847, a young African American girl named Sarah Roberts was attending a school in Boston. Then one day she was told she could never come back. She didn’t belong. The Otis School was for white children only.

Sarah deserved an equal education, and the Roberts family fought for change. They made history. Roberts v. City of Boston was the first case challenging our legal system to outlaw segregated schools. It was the first time an African American lawyer argued in a supreme court.

These first steps set in motion changes that ultimately led to equality under the law in the United States. Sarah’s cause was won when people–black and white–stood together and said, No more. Now, right now, it is time for change!

With gorgeous art from award-winning illustrator E. B. Lewis,The First Step is an inspiring look at the first lawsuit to demand desegregation–long before the American Civil Rights movement, even before the Civil War.

Backmatter includes: integration timeline, bios on key people in the book, list of resources, and author’s note.

My Review: I really appreciate the abundance of quality nonfiction books about the early civil rights in our country because I fear that so much of the prejudice still remains, so it is important to learn about history so hopefully it will not repeat itself. The First Step is a story that shows how even if you do not win your fight, that doesn’t mean that the effort you put forth was for naught. Sarah Roberts and her family were so brave in standing up for her education and rights, and their fight helped pave the way for the bumpy road of integration in schools. Goodman does a wonderful job starting with Sarah’s story but tying it to the Brown v. Board of Education trial while not taking away any credit from the Roberts’ part of history.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: My first thought is to do a jigsaw type activity with The First Step and other civil rights nonfiction picture books (such as the ones listed below in recommended reading). Students can learn about different parts of the history of civil rights by reading the picture books and maybe even researching extra. They would then either present as a group to the class or you can jigsaw the kids back together (pull one person from picture book and put them together as a group), and they can each teach each other about what they learned. This is one of my favorite activities to do with picture books because it allows students to learn in depth about one subject then teach the rest of their class thus everyone learns about all subjects.

Discussion Questions: How did Sarah Roberts’s family’s fight lead to the integration of schools even though she did not win her case?; How did the author structure the book to go through the history of segregation?; How do the illustrations by Lewis help bring Goodman’s story to life?

We Flagged:

“Adeline and Benjamin Roberts tried to imagine Sarah’s walk to the Smith School, which was for African American children. She would have to zigzag through many streets, crossing one neighborhood after another.

Sarah would have to go all that way for a school that never taught subjects like history or drawing. All that way for Boston’s only school without a play yard. A school that owned only one book.”

Read This If You Loved: Separate is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh, Freedom Summer (Kellee’s Review, Ricki’s Review) by Deborah Wiles, Seeds of Freedom by Hester Bass

Recommended For:

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Releases For The Second Half Of The Year

August 4, 2016June 14, 2016 by Ricki

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: Most Anticipated Releases for the Second Half of the Year

Ricki

1. You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour & David Levithan

This dynamic duo author pairing will surely be a crowd-pleaser. I love their individual work, so I am very excited about this one!

2. Still Life with Tornado by A.S. King

I love this woman, and I will read anything she writes!

3. Pirasaurs! by Josh Funk

I eagerly await this book! I got my hands on an early copy of Dear Dragon, and it was just as great as Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast. I can’t wait to read Pirasaurs!

4. The Leaving by Tara Altebrando

I love a good mystery and am intrigued by this cover.

5. Enter Title Here by Rahul Kanakia

I’ve heard this book is excellent, and it is right up my alley! I am very excited for its release!

Kellee

I am so looking forward to King’s newest and Josh Funk’s two new picture books also! Here are some other upcoming novels (if I did picture books too, my list would be way too long!) I’m excited to read:

1. When We Was Fierce by E.E. Charloton-Trujillo

This book reminds me of How It Went Down by Kekla Magoon and Tyrell by Coe Booth, both books which I love.

2. To Stay Alive: Mary Ann Graves and the Tragic Journey of the Donner Party by Skila Brown

I am fascinated by the Donner Party, and I love books in verse, so this one seems like a win-win for me!

3. Still a Work in Progress by Jo Knowles

I cannot wait! First, why is there a hairless cat in a sweater on the cover?! Second, yay Jo Knowles!

4. Radical by E.M. Kokie

I loved Kokie’s debut novel, so I am very much looking forward to the follow up.

5. What Light by Jay Asher

This sounds so unlike Thirteen Reasons Why which really interests me.

Which books are you eagerly awaiting?

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 6/13/16

June 13, 2016 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.

Last Week’s Posts

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

Tuesday: Ten Reasons We Love Being Moms to Readers

Wednesday: Candlewick Nonfiction Picture Books: Who’s Like Me? by Nicola Davies, Can We Help? by George Ancona, Belle, the Last Mule at Gee’s Bend by Calvin Alexander Ramsey & Bettye Stroud, and The Boy Who Fell Off the Mayflower by P.J. Lynch

Thursday: What Do You Do With a Problem? by Kobi Yamada

Friday: Review and Giveaway!: Can You Canoe? And Other Adventure Songs by The Okee Dokee Brothers
Giveaway open until Thursday!

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “How to Love the Language Your Students Use” By Matthew Jobin, Author of The Nethergrim series

Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee

The school year is over, graduation has passed, Future Problem Solvers International Competition is done, and summer had begun–I think I can start getting back to normal over here! I want to apologize for being a bit MIA recently with visiting blogs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and throughout the week–life has just been so busy! Thank you for understanding!

Because of the craziness, I wasn’t able to read as much as I’d hoped, but I did get in First Step (review on Wednesday), Ms. Bixby’s Last Day (review on Friday), and six graphic novels:

Sweaterweather by Sara Varnon was a short story comic collection which was exactly what I would have expected from Varnon. Her comics are clever and cute, and I loved her little notes at the beginning of each new story.

Varmints by Andy Hirsch was quite a wild, western adventure following two siblings, Opie the hothead and Ned the sweetheart, trying to find their Pa. There are problems around every corner, and you never know how they are going to get through the situation, but somehow they do! I know my students who like adventurous graphic novels will be a fan of this one. The story ended with a cliffhanger, so I am assuming there will be more to come!

Science Comics: Volcanoes by Jon Chad was an interesting combination of science fiction and informational nonfiction. The story takes place in the future where a new ice age has set in and a society is looking for heat. When Aurora discovers a book about volcanoes she cannot stop teaching her siblings and guide about them because she feels like they can save their civilization. It is through Aurora that we learn about volcanoes in a very detailed way. I think the author did a good job combining nonfiction and fiction, and you definitely learn a lot about volcanoes during the story.

Bera, the One-Headed Troll by Eric Orchard is a dark yet heartwarming story about a troll that wants to save a baby. Bera, who has no idea what to do, sets off on a quest to hopefully save the child. I loved how the author/illustrator built a fantastical world that was very dark but threw in Bera who has a heart of gold. You will root for her the entire book!

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton was perfection! This is the graphic novel equivalent of Elephant and Piggie and is a ladder to Phoebe and her Unicorn. Filled with laugh-out-loud moments as well as thoughtful moments covered in friendship and cuteness, Narwhal equals such a charming graphic novel for all ages.

Hilo is the first book in a series that I know will be popular in my classroom. Funny, adventurous, and science fiction–all things my graphic novel readers love! Also, the end is a great cliff hanger which will keep readers wanting more!

Ricki

I finished my author friend’s untitled, secret fantasy that she is working on and sent her some feedback. It was really fun to read a book in its entirety with an editor’s eyes. I’ve never done this with a full book, and I had a lot of fun with it. I am hoping the work is published, and I will share news later!

Henry and I read Belle, the Last Mule at Gee’s Bend by Calvin Alexander Ramsey and Bettye Stroud. I loved learning new information about MLK Jr. and the mules of Gee’s Bend. This nonfiction was a great read!

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee

Since summer is upon us, I hope to partake in #bookaday (or in my world: read as much as I can). I brought home a pile of books from school that include books from my #mustreadin2016 list as well as the Sunshine State Young Reader list (I’m going to read all 15 this year!). I also have 7 novels (and a ton of picture and nonfiction books) to read for review this summer. I am so looking forward to jumping feet first into all of this reading!

Ricki

I’ve always meant to read Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. This week, I saw it in the library and nabbed it. I enjoy reading graphic novels in between transcribing for my dissertation because my fingers get tired!

I reviewed Merciless last year, and Danielle Rollins saw the review and sent me her newest book, Burning. I am very excited to read it. Thrillers make my heart flutter!

Upcoming Week’s Posts

top ten tuesday

Tuesday: Most Anticipated Releases for the Second Half of 2016

Wednesday: The First Step: How One Girl Put Segregation on Trial by Susan E. Goodman

Thursday: Nibbles: The Book Monster by Emma Yarlet

Friday: Teacher Appreciation Book Tour with Review and Giveaway!: Ms. Bixby’s Last Day by John David Anderson

Sunday: Author Guest Post!

So, what are you reading?

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