Unleashing Readers

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 3/9/15

July 27, 2015March 9, 2015 by Kellee

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

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover the next “must-read” book!

Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too.

We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Last Week’s Posts

Tuesday: Top Ten Books We Would Classify As ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOKS Read In The Past 3 Years

Wednesday: A First Year Full of Books Video: Trent’s Journey Through Books
During Trent’s first year, we took a photo of every book we read to him. This slideshow documents our journey through books with Trent from three days old to one year old.

Thursday: Litweaver
A new website for teachers to access hundreds of different texts

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

Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: This week didn’t seem long, but when I think back a lot happened this week! I was able to finish two novels this week. Both were unique and well done, but VERY different. First I read Breakfast Served Anytime by Sarah Combs which was a good senior year /figuring out who you are book. Then I finished Playing for the Commandant by Suzy Zail which was about a young pianist who was chosen as the commandant’s pianist at Aushwitz-Birkenau. It was interesting to read them one after another because Breakfast was a very emotionally driven book written in almost a journal format while Playing was much more matter-of-fact.

On Mondays and Thursdays, Jim, Trent, and I are now going to the park to go for a walk (run for Jim), and Trent and I have been listening to audiobooks while we walk. Last Monday we had the pleasure of listening to Mercy Watson to the Rescue and Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride by Kate DiCamillo. I am always so blown away by DiCamillo’s ability to tell these perfect stories and use such perfect language. There is no question that she is one of the best around. Within all of our rereading we also read (then reread and reread) a new book he got for his birthday: Duck and Goose Colors. I like reading it because Trent now says “quack quack” if you ask what a duck says, so this book is perfect to get him to say it.

Ricki: Happy Monday, friends! I am still working on my YAL grant and also a manuscript about the evolution of a struggling reader’s identity when she is exposed to YAL. It’s all fun stuff. I’ve been up every night until about 3am working on these (ah, the life of a mom!), so the writing has taken precedence to reading. I suspect I will get back in the grove within the next week or two. This week, Henry and I read a new book, Second Banana by Keith Graves. It tells the story of Bubbles, a monkey who is the top banana of the circus show, and his friend Oop, a gorilla who wants to be something more than second banana. Henry and I also read Snuggle Puppy by Sandra Boynton a few times (I’ve been practicing my singing voice) and several pop-up and lift-the-flap books. He is a big fan of those books, and his grandmother keeps buying new ones.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: I am almost done with The Family Romanov. It is such an eye opener! I am learning so much about the time period. I am also going to start When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds.

With Trent, we started listening to Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne while walking, so we’ll continue that on Monday.

Ricki: I am still working on Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil, but I love it. If I wasn’t so focused on writing YAL stuff, I would have devoured it long ago! Of course, East of Eden is still playing in my car. I think I am on disc ten, and I still love it. That Cathy is a memorable character!

Upcoming Week’s Posts

top ten tuesday

Tuesday: Top Ten Books for Readers Who Like Nonfiction

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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Jellaby: The Lost Monster & Jellaby: A Monster in the City by Kean Soo

April 11, 2015March 6, 2015 by Kellee

Jellaby
Author & Illustrator: Kean Soo
Published February, 2008 by Hyperion Books for Children
(Rereleased in 2014 by Stone Arch Books)

Jellaby
Author & Illustrator: Kean Soo
Published April, 2009 by Hyperion Books for Children
(Rereleased in 2014 by Stone Arch Books)

Jellaby Goodreads Summary: Quiet, brilliant Portia has just moved to a new neighborhood with her mom. Adjusting to life without a father is hard enough, but school is boring and her classmates are standoffish — and even Portia’s mom is strangely distant. But things start looking up when Portia mounts a late-night excursion into the woods behind her house and discovers a shy, sweet-natured purple monster. Life with Jellaby is a lot more exciting, but Portia’s purple friend has secrets of his own; secrets that may even lead to the mystery of Portia’s father’s disappearance!

Jellaby: Monster in the City Goodreads Summary: As Portia, Jason, and Jellaby continue their journey through the city of Toronto, Portia is torn between her friendship with Jellaby and her duty to help the sweet monster find his way back to his home. How can Portia say goodbye forever, when Jellaby has become her best friend?
But the clues leading them to Jellaby’s origins begin to turn sinister. When a hooded wizard introduces them to another monster like Jellaby, Portia and her purple friend are in for a gruesome shock — this monster befriends children, too — and then she eats them Now Portia must find a home for Jellaby, save Jason from the grasping tentacles of his new “best friend,” and come to terms with the mysterious disappearance of her father. It’s a lot to take on, but Portia is mad, bad, and ready to kick some monster butt.

My Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: I am a big fan of the mostly single color comics (ala Babymouse, Lunch Lady, etc.) and Jellaby is one as well with primarily purple in its illustrations. Also, Kean Soo’s style of illustrations are perfect for the story he is telling. They are very comicy, but realistic and filled with emotions.

This little graphic novel has a lot of heart in it. Portia, Jason (her classmate) and Jellaby all feel abandoned and the story is not only about finding where Jellaby belongs, but also helping Portia and Jason feel like they belong as well.

You will want the second one as soon as you are done, so make sure you have it available! And luckily, this sequel is a continuation of the first Jellaby because that one definitely left you hanging and the story does not disappoint. You see the characters growing so much through this journey even when they encounter obstacles that they shouldn’t be able to overcome. I, personally, didn’t like this one as much as the first one because I wish it had more answers, but I truly loved the ending. I am sad that there is no more Jellaby, but luckily the author has extras on his website!! I will be buying both for my classroom.

Discussion Questions: Portia doesn’t feel like she fits in at her new school- when was a time that you felt like you didn’t belong? How did you deal with the situation?

We Flagged: “I hope you like Tuna. I remember mom making me a tuna sandwich for my first day of school. It was terrible. My first day of school, I mean, not the sandwich. We had just moved out here, and I didn’t know anyone at all. Everyone was so strange and they all had their own friends anyway. I really didn’t want to be there, so I snuck out at lunchtime and ate my sandwich out on the bleachers. Now whenever I smell tuna, I always think about that first day.” (Jellaby p. 28-29)

Since the snatch doesn’t give you the full picture, below you will find the an interview with Kean Soo to give you an idea of the drawing style:

Read This If You Loved: Bone (series) by Jeff Smith, Zita and the Spacegirl (series) by Ben Hatke, Sidekicks by Dan Santat

Recommended For:

**Thank you Netgalley and Stone Arch Books for providing the e-galleys**

LitWeaver

April 22, 2023March 5, 2015 by Ricki

www.litweaver.com

I am very excited to share a new program called LitWeaver. It features literary selections devoted to grades 5-12 and is an excellent resource to teachers. And here is the great news…IT IS FREE! Teachers can create a sign up and browse the library. They can print out the literary selections or send them to students’ digital devices. The designers (Will Weaver, Don Gallo, and Mary Dennis) promise they will always feature free selections, but eventually, there may be a low cost to teachers. Each week, they plan to add more selections to the library with a goal of 100 high-quality selections by 60 authors in the first year. The selections include: short stories, poems, plays, essays, and a few novels (on the way). When classes are reading and discussing a work, the authors will be be able to access the selection’s discussion board.

I’m really excited about this resource and decided to devote a full blog post to it because I wanted to spread the word. I’ve been aware of this resource for quite some time, but I was thrilled when I heard that it officially launched this month. I worked in a school where resources were always an area of concern, and I wish I had this program available. I hope you find it to be useful!

Some of the featured authors (you might recognize a few—wink):

Will Weaver

Rich Wallace

Alden R. Carter

Charlie Price

Lisa Rowe Fraustino

Joseph Bruchac

Rodman Philbrik

Kelly Milner Halls

Marc Aronson

Nikki Grimes

Joyce Sweeney

Gary Blackwood

Kao Kalia Yang

Susan Beth Pfeffer

Dian Curtis Regan

Don Gallo

Ellen Conford

Annette Curtis Klause

René Saldaña, Jr.

Harold Schechter

Richard Peck

Naomi Shihab Nye

Deborah Noyes

Alex Flinn

Walter Dean Myers

Alan Sitomer

Pete Hautman

Jerry Spinelli

Sue Ellen Bridgers

Anton Treuer

Sharon Dennis Wyeth

Elsa Marston

Lensey Namioka

Gordon Korman

Marsha McGregor

Sandy Asher

Ellen Hopkins

Gloria Skurzynski

Chris Crowe

Jane Yolen

Bruce Coville

Katie Williams

Terry Trueman

Katherine Paterson

Lauren Oliver

Jean Davies Okimoto

Jan Cheripko

David Lubar

Ron Koertge

Mel Glenn

LitWeaver has had early success—a 7120% increase of new teachers signing up since launching the beta 3 ½ weeks ago! This confirmed their idea that YA lit should be more accessible, more varied, and more affordable. There will eventually be 200 pieces of content (in various genres) in their library.

In addition to teachers signing up, they’ve already been contacted by Rutgers University, publications, and several blogs. Here’s something from School Library Journal.

They’re working right now on how to provide more and more free content for teachers. They believe this is doable but will need everybody’s support to help shape the product—so please spread the news!

Enjoy!

A First Year Full of Books: Trent’s Journey Through Books

February 14, 2021March 4, 2015 by Kellee

During Trent’s first year, we took a photo of every book we read to him. This slideshow documents our journey through books with Trent from three days old to one year old. Enjoy!

I love seeing him grow up among so many great books!

To see more about what Trent read and liked during his first year:

Here’s to our next year filled with love, family, friends, good health, lots of learning, and amazing books!

Top Ten Tuesday: Books Read in the Last 3 Years We Would Classify As All Time Favorites

August 4, 2016March 3, 2015 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: Top Ten Books Read in the Last 3 Years We Would Classify As All Time Favorites

Sometimes you read a book, and you know that it is one you’ll never forget. Here are some books we’ve read in the last 3 years that have become instant favorites.

Ricki

I PROMISE I created this list before I came onto here and saw Kellee’s list (hers is below). We are destined to be blog partners. I am realizing this more and more each day.

1. The Fault in our Stars by John Green

When a book becomes trendy, we have the urge to pull away from it. I fall more in love with this book every time I read it.

2. Endangered by Eliot Schrefer

I recommend this book to everyone I meet. It is very teachable. If you are a teacher and you haven’t read it, drop everything and get to it! I promise it will impact you immensely.

3. A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd

This spindiddly book touched my heart. I absolutely love it and want to share its magic with everyone.

4. Wonder by R.J. Palacio

wonder

Everyone should read this book. It makes me want to be a better person.

5. Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles

freedom summer

All of the award stickers on the cover of this book are just a hint at how it is written phenomenally well.

Kellee

Anyone who knows me knows how hard this was for me (I wish I could have included all 14 of the Walden books since I’ve been on the committee!), but I did it! Here are 5 books I’ve read over the last 3 years that directly spoke to my heart.

1. Endangered by Eliot Schrefer

This book instantly rocketed into my top 3 favorite books of all time. It is just so beautifully written! And the story it tells is so important for everyone to read because it makes the reader grow and think and learn.

2. The Fault in our Stars by John Green

John Green’s writing is so incredible, and Hazel and Gus’s story is so special. You love these two characters so quickly which means you live what they live and hurt when they hurt.

3. Wonder by RJ Palacio

There are certain books that while you are reading, you wish that you could share it with every person, adult and child, that you know. This is one of those books. It is almost too hard to explain because of how wonderful it is. It is a book that will make you want to be kinder to every person that you meet. If you can finish Wonder and not feel impacted, then I don’t know what to tell you.

4. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

I knew about Ivan before reading Applegate’s Newbery Award winning book, so she already had me because of the topic. Then, I even fell more in love by how beautifully it was written and put together. This book is almost a novel in vignettes. The way that Katherine Applegate wrote for Ivan is straight to the point but deep at the same time which I really feel fits a gorilla’s personality. I can picture Ivan sitting, alone, for hours feeling just the way that Katherine Applegate wrote for him. The beauty of the prose mixed with the simple, realistic illustrations made for a brilliant book about friendship, loss, and making a difference.

5. (Trent’s choice) Personal Penguin by Sandra Boynton

We love Sandra Boynton in our house. Her rhythmic picture books and colorful illustrations are so well done. Some of her stories, including Personal Penguin, have songs that go with them as well. I can sing all of Personal Penguin, and it is one of the books that Trent picks up on a regular basis. We’re fans.

Which books have you read recently and immediately fell in love with?

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 3/2/15

July 27, 2015March 2, 2015 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

Tuesday: Top Ten Favorite Book Heroines

Wednesday: Trent & Kellee’s Favorite Picture Books: 9 to 12 months

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

Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: Last week I finished The Cure for Dreaming by Cat Winters. Wow! Winters sure knows how to tell a compelling, bit-odd, unique story! So glad I read it, and I have loved talking about it with my student who also loved it.

With Trent, we read Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss over a couple of days. Man, what complicated tongue twisters! But they are actually kind of fun to read. Next to that, we reread whatever book he chose for us.

Ricki: I have been writing a grant related to young adult literature, so much of my time has been spent on that. I am looking to do some pretty hefty research and want to pay my participants. I did read one fun book I received from Macmillan called Presidential Misadventures: Poems that Poke Fun at the Man in Charge. The book features a short poem and humorous drawing about each president. I learned a lot and giggled quite a few times. I read this one aloud to my son and husband, and they enjoyed it. 🙂

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: I am currently listening to The Family Romanov by Candace Fleming, and I am just enthralled in the history of the Romanov family. It is just as juicy as any fiction book out there! I also am about halfway through Breakfast Served Anytime by Sarah Combs. I really like the smart, funny female lead in this one. I look forward to finishing it this week.

Ricki: I am still reading Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil and listening to East of Eden by John Steinbeck (22 or 23 discs, so it is a long endeavor).

Upcoming Week’s Posts

top ten tuesday 3 days to 1 year

Tuesday: Top Ten Books We Would Classify As ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOKS Read In The Past 3 Years

Wednesday: A First Year Full of Books Video: Trent’s Journey Through Books

So, what are you reading?

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Two Must Have Early Chapter Books: The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale and Leroy Ninker Saddles Up by Kate DiCamillo

February 27, 2015 by Kellee

The Princess in Black
Authors: Shannon Hale and Dean Hale
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Published October 14th, 2014 by Candlewick Press

Goodreads Summary: Who says princesses don’t wear black? When trouble raises its blue monster head, Princess Magnolia ditches her flouncy dresses and becomes the Princess in Black!

Princess Magnolia is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when . . . Brring! Brring! The monster alarm! A big blue monster is threatening the goats! Stopping monsters is no job for dainty Princess Magnolia. But luckily Princess Magnolia has a secret —she’s also the Princess in Black, and stopping monsters is the perfect job for her! Can the princess sneak away, transform into her alter ego, and defeat the monster before the nosy duchess discovers her secret? From award-winning writing team of Shannon and Dean Hale and illustrator LeUyen Pham, here is the first in a humorous and action-packed chapter book series for young readers who like their princesses not only prim and perfect, but also dressed in black.

My Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: I am a sucker for girl power books. So much, I was part of writing three Nerdy Book Club Girl Power posts (here, here, and here). Princess in Black fits right in this these books. Although Princess Magnolia must live up to society’s expectations of a proper princess, in secret she fights crime, isn’t afraid of anything, and doesn’t wear pretty dresses. I love the idea that Magnolia can be a princess and all kick some butt. (I wish she could do it not in secret, but that wouldn’t fit the societal views of princesses in most fairy tales.) I know that the Hales wrote this book for their daughters, and I can see why they did: a great heroine, lots of action, funny, and colorful, fun illustrations. Princess in Black would actually be a perfect first introduction to the narrative elements and plot arc. It also just enough complex vocabulary that you could start a discussion about some of the words.

We Flagged: Chapter Two: “Princesses do not run. Princesses do not stuff frilly pink dresses into broom closets. Princess do not wear black. And princesses most definitely do not slide down secret chutes and high-jump castle walls. But then, most princess do not live near an entrance to Monster Land. Stopping monsters was no job for prim and perfect Princess Magnolia. But fortunately Princess Magnolia did have a secret. She was secretly the Princess in black! And stopping monsters was the perfect job for the Princess in Black.”

Read This If You Loved: Salem Hyde (series) by Frank Cammuso, Battle Bunny by Jon Sciezska, Fairy Tales

Recommended For:

Leroy Ninker Saddles Up
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: Chris Van Dusen
Published August 26th, 2014 by Candlewick Press

Goodreads Summary: Yippie-i-oh! Saddle up for the first in a spin-off series starring favorite characters from Kate DiCamillo’s New York Timesbest-selling Mercy Watson books.

Leroy Ninker has a hat, a lasso, and boots. What he doesn’t have is a horse — until he meets Maybelline, that is, and then it’s love at first sight. Maybelline loves spaghetti and sweet nothings, and she loves Leroy, too. But when Leroy forgets the third and final rule of caring for Maybelline, disaster ensues. Can Leroy wrestle fate to the ground, rescue the horse of his heart, and lasso loneliness for good? Join Leroy, Maybelline, and a cast of familiar characters — Stella, Frank, Mrs. Watson, and everyone’s favorite porcine wonder, Mercy — for some hilarious and heartfelt horsing around on Deckawoo Drive.

My Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: I must be honest: I have not read the Mercy Watson books, but luckily it does not matter because Leroy is just so darn loveable. His personality shines through the pages and you just are so happy that Leroy and Maybelline found each other. Also, Kate DiCamillo has a way with voice! I can always hear her characters talking in my head, and they each are so very distinct. I also love her use of vocabulary and humor–perfect! This one is going to be loved by many!

Discussion Questions: Why do you think that Maybelline is the perfect horse for Leroy?; Was Leroy truly prepared to have a horse? How do you know?; Why does Leroy want to be a cowboy?

We Flagged: Leroy Ninker said ‘Yippie-i-oh’ because Leroy Ninker had a dream. He wanted to be a cowboy.

On Wednesday nights, the Bijou Drive-In Theater ran a Western double feature, and Leroy Ninker Stood and watched in wonder as the great white expanse of the Bijou screen filled with purple mountains, wide-open plains, and cowboys.

The cowboys wore ten-gallon hats. The wore boots. They carried lassos. The cowboys were men who cast long shadows and knew how to fight injustice. They were men who where never, ever afraid.

‘Yippie-i-oh,’ Leroy Ninker whispered to the screen. ‘That is the life for me. A cowboy is who I was meant to be.'” (p.2)

Read This If You Loved: Lulu and the Brontosaurus (series) by Judish Viorst, Frankie Pickle (series) by Eric Wight, Bramble and Maggie (series) by Jessie Haas

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Candlewick Press for providing copies for review**