Unleashing Readers

YALSA Morris Finalists’ Blog Hop: Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero

May 2, 2015January 29, 2015 by Kellee

Gabi, A Girl in Pieces
Author: Isabel Quintero
Published October 14th, 2014 by Cinco Puntos Press

Goodreads Summary: For all the gorditas, flaquitas, and in-between girls trying to make their space in the world. Don’t worry, you got this.

Gabi Hernandez chronicles her last year in high school in her diary: college applications, Cindy’s pregnancy, Sebastian’s coming out, the cute boys, her father’s meth habit, and the food she craves. And best of all, the poetry that helps forge her identity.

Author Bio: Isabel Quintero is a library technician in the Inland Empire. She is also the events coordinator for Orange Monkey and helps edit the poetry journal Tin Cannon. Gabi is her debut novel.

Kellee’s Review: What I found in this book was a book of truth. While I normally find a book that has so many topics in it to be cumbersome (just some of the topics hit were: pregnancy, abortion, meth, family, religion, ethnicity, school, homosexuality, sex, death, poetry, college, rape, and gender expectations), I felt that Gabi was just truthful. Her story was just a story full of real life which just happens to be messy. I enjoyed the unique format, the diversity (not just race/ethnicity, but lbgt, body size, class, ELL, etc.), and the amazing cast of characters. Gabi’s voice rang true throughout, and even got stronger as she became more independent within the story. Well done.

Teacher’s Tools for Navigation: Parts of Gabi’s story could easily be pulled out to be a mentor text for many different literary elements; however, I feel like one of the best ways it could be used is to have students emulate Gabi’s writing. For example, Gabi writes letters to her father sharing how she really feels. Students could write to someone sharing something with them that they are keeping from them. You could also use Gabi’s magazine and poetry the same way. Gabi’s writing is very raw, and I think that students will definitely connect with it.

Discussion Questions: Gabi makes a choice towards the end of the book that makes Cindy be upset with Gabi. Do you agree with what Gabi did?; Gabi’s mother is very protective of her. Why do you think she is so hard on Gabi?; Gabi deals with body issues throughout the book. How do you think our society affects how she pictures herself?; Sebastian and Cindy’s parents are both disappointed in their kids for different reasons and deal differently with their disappointment. Do you agree with how they treat their children?

We Flagged: “My brother is fifteen. He knows many things. He knows how to make a pipe out of an apple, and he knows how to make beautiful murals on public property. He likes wresting and biking and skateboarding but doesn’t like school because school doesn’t understand kids like us. My brother–the brat, the crybaby, the quite one, the brown one, Mami’s favorite: where will he go? I ask myself the question over and over. Y no se. I don’t know where he will go, but I hope wherever it is it’s better than here.” (p. 94)

Read This If You Loved: Yaqui Delgado Wants To Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina, Jumped In by Patrick Flores-Scott, What Can(t) Wait by Ashley Hope Perez, Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia MacCall, Bridget Jones Diary by Helen Fielding

Recommended For:

Make sure to stop by Cinco Puntos Press blog to see the other stops on the tour!

**A special thank you to Jessica Powers at Cinco Puntos Press for organizing this blog hop!**

2015 Mock Sibert Award Winner! Hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy, Unleashing Readers, and There Is A Book For That

January 28, 2015 by Kellee

It is just days until we learn what book takes home the coveted Sibert Award, but today is the day here on Unleashing Readers and over on Kid Lit Frenzy and There Is A Book For That where we find out who won our Mock Sibert Award!!!

*drum roll*

AND THE WINNER IS…..

What a phenomenal choice!
Now we just have to wait until next week to find out if the Sibert committee agrees.

We are also happy to announce our giveaway winner.
Congratulations to
Cathy Ballou Mealey
for winning a book of her choice from our nominees.

I had such a blast hosting the Mock Sibert with Alyson and Carrie!
Thank you to all who participated and cannot wait to see who wins the Sibert and the rest of the awards!

Top Ten Tuesday: Books We’d Love to Read With Book Clubs

August 4, 2016January 27, 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 We’d Love to Read With Book Clubs

These books spark long, soul-fulfilling conversations.

Ricki

1. How it Went Down by Kekla Magoon

There is so much to discuss. Which characters were telling the truth? Were the others lying or did they really believe what they said? Why did the author structure the novel the way she did? How did it add to our understandings of race, gangs, and friendship?

2. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

When I taught this book, my students had rich conversations. The time would fly by, and before we knew it, the bell would ring. Now that I am in doctoral school, I miss discussing this book very much.

3. A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd

Are you tired of hearing about this book? Well I am not tired of talking about it. It would be a wonderful book to discuss in a book club. We would have to eat ice cream while discussing it, of course.

4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

I suspect this will be a book on many lists. My copy has dozens of flags, which is a good sign that there is much to discuss in a book club!

5. The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

I love this book with every ounce of my soul. I feel like I could talk about it for hours upon hours in a book club and still think of aspects to discuss!

Kellee

1. The Giver by Lois Lowry

I love to talk about these books, so they’d be perfect for a book club! I think they are so much deeper and more intricate than the initially seem.

2. Graceling Realm by Kristin Cashore

So we could gush about all of the twists and turns in the stories, the surprises, the action, and, of course, the romances!

3. Paper Towns by John Green

This book would be perfect to have as a book club book here in Orlando! Not only does it take place here, it is a John Green book which means there is so much to talk about.

4. Reading Ladders by Teri Lesesne

I’ve always wanted to have a teacher book club with this book, and then make a whole bunch of reading ladders as references.

5. The Spellman Files (series) by Lisa Lutz

Have you not read these books?!?! They are hilarious! They’d be so much fun to laugh over with a club.

Which books would you like to read with a book club?

and

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? and Candlewick Press Giveaway 1/26/15

July 27, 2015January 26, 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.

Congratulations to
KATIE from THE LOGONAUTS
for winning a copy of Emmanuel’s Dream

Last Week’s Posts

Tuesday: Top Ten Books That Feature Characters Who Show Resilience Despite Disabilities

Wednesday: Great Picture Books Kellee Has Read Recently

Friday: National Readathon Day Overview

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

Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: I finished 3 new picture books with Trent this week: This is Silly! by Gary Taxali, Pete the Cat and the New Guy by James Dean, and Baby Bear’s Books by Jane Yolen. This is Silly is quite an odd book, but has some wonderful illustrations; Pete the Cat and the New Guy has a good lesson, but isn’t as good as the other Pete books; and Baby Bear’s Books is about a young bears love of books. I did start reading The Dungeoneers by John David Anderson and listening to Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick, but I wasn’t able to finish them.

Ricki: I started back in school this week. I am in my fourth semester of the Ph.D. program, and it is getting tougher as each semester goes on. I will be sure to keep up with my reading though—it makes me feel alive! I did a lot of reading in a grant proposal book, so I am a bit behind in my pleasure reading. I did read three great picture books. My favorite this week was Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell (a great book to teach bullying). But I also very much enjoyed Me…Jane by Patrick McDonnell and Up and Down by Oliver Jeffers.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: I hope to finished The Dungeoneers and Never Fall Down. The Dungeoneers is really starting to get good! It is about a young boy who, in place of a punishment for pick-pocketting, is asked to join a guild. He is currently being tested to see how good he is. Loving the characters! Never Fall Down, on the other hand, is not an especially fun book, but it is eye-opening, heart-wrenching, and gripping. I never want to stop listening once I start. Hopefully I have enough time this week to listen to a good chunk.

Ricki: I know I will finish Audacity by Melanie Crowder this week. It is a beautiful book in verse, and I absolutely love it. I almost finished it the other night, but an amazing, incredible, (teething,) baby woke up and needed his mama.

Upcoming Week’s Posts

top ten tuesday

Tuesday: Top Ten Books We’d Love to Read With Our Book Club (If WeHad A Book Club)

Wednesday: Mock Sibert Winner Announced!

Sunday: Guest Post: “Beyond Setting: A Couple of Thoughts and Some Fun Writing Prompts” by Tricia Springstubb, author of Moonpenny Island

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!

GIVEAWAY!
We are also happy to be able to offer an amazing giveaway from Candlewick Press:

TIME MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES TOP 100 YOUNG ADULT AND CHILDREN’S BOOKS OF ALL-TIME

CANDLEWICK PRESS EARNS 10 “BEST OF” NODS IN THE DISTINGUISHED RANKINGS

One of the most prominent news magazines in the U.S., TIME magazine, has declared we are living in a “golden age” of children’s and young adult books. A claim supported by ongoing sales reports that books for young readers and teens continue to dominate the bestseller charts and lead industry growth as they find wide audiences beyond their intended age demographics.

With the assistance of industry experts, reviewers, and major literacy non-profits, TIME has compiled a list to honor the all-time classics, both old and new.

Candlewick Press, a leading independent children’s book publisher based near Boston, Massachusetts, is proud to announce ten titles from its publishing list have been selected for inclusion – all remarkable works of writing and illustrating – that have established themselves as enduring favorites via critical and commercial success. Both National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Kate DiCamillo, and celebrated novelist, Patrick Ness, have the remarkable achievement of having two of their works selected. Candlewick’s titles include:

YA/Novels:

Feed by M. T. Anderson

Anderson takes on consumerism in this smart, savage satire that has captivated readers with its view of an imagined future that veers unnervingly close to the here and now.

* A National Book Award finalist

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo , illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline

Kate DiCamillo takes us on an extraordinary journey, from the depths of the ocean to the net of a fisherman, from the bedside of an ailing child to the bustling streets of Memphis. Along the way, we are shown a miracle — that even a heart of the most breakable kind can learn to love, to lose, and to love again.

Note: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is in the Top 25 to be voted on for Best of the Best ranking by reader vote: http://time.com/100-best-young-adult-books/

Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo

Rob, sickly and devastated by the death of his mother, moves to a hotel with his father for a new start. But after he comes across a caged tiger in the woods outside the motel, the unexpected find helps him overcome his sadness and open up to a new friend.

*A National Book Award finalist

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, illustrated by Jim Kay

An unflinching, darkly funny, and deeply moving story of a boy, his seriously ill mother, and an unexpected monstrous visitor.

* Soon to be a major motion picture

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

A dystopian thriller follows a boy and girl on the run from a town where all thoughts can be heard — and the passage to manhood embodies a horrible secret.

Boy Proof by Cecil Castellucci

An unforgettable debut novel that follows an antisocial cinephile as she meets a quick-witted artist who’s savvy enough to see through her sci-fi disguise.

* Celebrating 10^th anniversary in February 2015

Children’s/Picture Books:

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen

Told completely in dialogue, this delicious take on the classic repetitive tale plays out in sly illustrations laced with visual humor– and winks at the reader with a wry irreverence that will have kids of all ages thrilled to be in on the joke.

Note: I Want My Hat Back is in their Top 25 to be voted on for Best of the Best ranking by popular reader vote: http://time.com/100-best-childrens-books/

Journey by Aaron Becker

Follow a girl on an elaborate flight of fancy in a wondrously illustrated, wordless picture book about self-determination — and unexpected friendship.

* A Caldecott Honor Book

Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

Michelle Knudsen’s disarming story, illustrated by the matchless Kevin Hawkes in an expressive timeless style, will win over even the most ardent of rule keepers. An affectionate storybook tribute to that truly wonderful place: the library.

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

Imagine the fun of going on a bear hunt-through tall, wavy grass (SWISHY SWISHY!); swampy mud (SQUELCH SQUELCH!); and a swirling whirling snowstorm (HOOOO WOOOO!) – only to find a “real” bear waiting at the end of the trail! For brave hunters and bear lovers, a classic chant-aloud.

ABOUT CANDLEWICK PRESS
Candlewick Press is an independent, employee-owned publisher based in Somerville, Massachusetts. For over twenty years, Candlewick has published outstanding children’s books for readers of all ages, including books by award-winning authors and illustrators such as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Kate DiCamillo, M. T. Anderson, Jon Klassen, and Laura Amy Schlitz; the widely acclaimed Judy Moody, Mercy Watson, and ’Ology series; and favorites such as Guess How Much I Love You, Where’s Waldo?, and Maisy. Candlewick is part of the Walker Books Group, together with Walker Books UK in London and Walker Books Australia, based in Sydney and Auckland. Visit Candlewick online at www.candlewick.com

Twitter – @Candlewick
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/CandlewickPressBooks
Instagram – http://instagram.com/candlewickpress
Pinterest – http://www.pinterest.com/candlewickpress/
E-Volt Twitter – @evoltbooks
E-Volt Tumblr – http://e-volt.tumblr.com/

To celebrate, Candlewick would like to offer a complete set of the chosen YA books to one lucky winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

and

National Readathon Day!

July 20, 2018January 23, 2015 by Kellee

Penguin Random House, the National Book Foundation, GoodReads, and Mashable invite you to join them for National Readathon Day tomorrow. They are asking readers to commit to reading for 4 straight hours from noon-4pm (all time zones) and to help raise funds to support the National Book Foundation.

You may be asking: “How can I participate in the readathon?” As a reader, the easiest ways to participate are to create your own Firstgiving Fundraising page to benefit The National Book Foundation, invite friends and family to donate to your effort, check the National Readathon site to find a participating venue near you, or just read tomorrow and donate to a worthy cause by visiting the National Book Foundation.

Hope you will join in on the Readathon, and don’t forget to share your experiences and photos using the hash tag, #timetoread!

and

How It Went Down by Kekla Magoon

January 22, 2015 by Ricki

How It Went Down
Author: Kekla Magoon
Published: October 21, 2014 by Henry Holt and Co.

Goodreads Summary: When sixteen-year-old Tariq Johnson dies from two gunshot wounds, his community is thrown into an uproar. Tariq was black. The shooter, Jack Franklin, is white.

In the aftermath of Tariq’s death, everyone has something to say, but no two accounts of the events line up. Day by day, new twists further obscure the truth.

Tariq’s friends, family, and community struggle to make sense of the tragedy, and to cope with the hole left behind when a life is cut short. In their own words, they grapple for a way to say with certainty: This is how it went down.

Ricki’s Review: In light of the recent protests, this is an incredibly insightful book that is very important. The point-of-view shifts every 2-3 pages, which was very thought-provoking. Too often, books depict stereotypical portrayals of members of cultures, and the gamut of characters within this text felt very realistic. For some, this book may be too gritty and too uncomfortable. There is nothing comfortable about discussions regarding inequities and privilege in society. But if you walk down the halls of my high school, there is nothing in the book that is not a concern in schools. This is not a feel-good read, but it made me think. And thinking…is a very good thing.

Teacher’s Tools for Navigation: There is much to discuss in this book. Teachers could use it to start conversations about power and privilege. There are a lot of discrepancies between the characters’ perceptions of the shootings, and I imagine students would disagree about what happened. Teachers might elect to hold a verbal or silent debate. Also, I would love to discuss the structure of the text. The creativity in the form is purposeful, and it would be interesting for students to investigate why Magoon structured it in the way she did.

Discussion Questions: Why does Magoon structure the novel with alternating voices? How is the novel structured as a whole?; Does this story serve as a counter-narrative? If so, how? If not, why not?; Did Tariq have a gun in his hand? Why do/don’t you think so?; How does the story evolve as time passes?

We Flagged: “As a black man, you have to keep your head down. You have to keep yourself steady. You have to follow every rule that’s ever been written, plus a few that have always remained unspoken.”

Read This If You Loved: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, On the Run by Alice Goffman, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander, Monster by Walter Dean Myers, The Brothers Torres by Coert Voorhees, Autobiography of my Dead Brother by Walter Dean Myers

Recommended For:

Great Picture Book Picks by Kellee

January 21, 2015 by Kellee

I never have enough time to blog about each and every great picture book I read, so every once in a while I like to do a post where I highlight several books so that I can share some of the wonderful picture books I hadn’t been able to review. Here are some that I have read so far this winter:

I’m My Own Dog
Author: David Ezra Stein
Published August 5th, 2014 by Candlewick Press

This hilarious book definitely makes you look at perspective and point of view! This dog is independent and doesn’t need anyone! But maybe he can help out this human by letting him be his owner. There are some laugh out loud moments in this book.

Penguin & Pumpkin
Author: Salina Yoon
Published July 29th, 2014 by Walker Childrens

Salina Yoon’s penguin books are a favorite of mine! (I am a sucker for all things penguins.) I particularly enjoy Yoon’s illustration and coloring style because they make her books so enjoyable to read. This Penguin book is about experiencing new things and sharing the joy you feel with others.

A Thirst for Home: A Story of Water Across the World
Author: Christine Ieronimo
Illustrator: Eric Velasquez
Published May 20th, 2014 by Walker Childrens

A Thirst for Home is a heart-wrenching story that was inspired by the author’s adopted Ethiopian daughter. It looks at the struggle for food and water in Africa and how some mothers must give up their children for adoption in hopes of their survival. This book would be a perfect companion to A Long Walk to Water.

Legend of the Dust Bunnies
Author: Michelle R. Eastman
Illustrator: Kevin Richter
Published August 21, 2014 by Byway Press

Told in fun quatrains with cartoon-esque illustrations, this story explains how our houses suddenly get dustier than we remember them and why cleaning up isn’t always such a good idea. It also celebrates differences and shows why you shouldn’t automatically judge someone’s choices. (Book preview video at https://animoto.com/play/jYfpc2NfPL1WiV9v1zgevQ)

On My Way to School
Author: Sarah Maizes
Illustrator: Michael Paraskevas
Published July 1st, 2014 by Walker Childrens

I love how Maizes’s books promote imagination! I think imagination is such a wonderful part of childhood, and her books show the crazy, fun, exciting things you can do with your imagination. In this book, our narrator goes on quite an adventure on her way to school.

I Love You Night and Day
Author: Smriti Prasadam-Halls
Illustrator: Alison Brown
Published June 3rd, 2014 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens

There are some books that were made to be bedtime stories told from loving parents to their child(ren)–this is one of them. It is a book about unconditional love and how it is felt in all kinds of different circumstances.

Time for Bed Fred
Author: Yasmeen Ishmail
Published February 11th, 2014 by Walker Childrens

Fred is a dog that many kids will relate to. He would rather do ANYTHING than go to bed, so he does whatever he can to avoid it. Every time you think the human has won and Fred is going to go to bed, the tables turn. This will be a fun bedtime story and a good companion to Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion.

Found
Author: Salina Yoon
Published April 1st, 2014 by Walker Childrens

Once again, Salina Yoon’s illustrations shine bright. They are so colorful and fun! This time they illustrate a story of a bear who finds a lost bunny and, although he is falling in love with the bunny, does everything to help it find its way home. A super sweet story! One of my favorite parts are the end sheets though. They are covered in lost advertisements that are so clever and filled with an allusions to Peter Pan and I Want My Hat Back and word plays

Recommended For:

Happy reading!

**Thank you to Bloomsbury, Candlewick, and Michelle Eastman for providing some of these books**