Unleashing Readers

Educators’ Guide for Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers: A Story Inspired by Loujain Alhathloul by Lina AlHathloul & Uma Mishra-Newbery, Illustrated by Rebecca Green

April 5, 2022 by Kellee

Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers
Authors: Lina AlHathloul & Uma Mishra-Newbery
Illustrator: Rebecca Green
Published: February 8, 2022 by Astra Publishing

Summary: A courageous girl follows her dream of learning to fly in this beautifully illustrated story inspired by imprisoned human rights activist Loujain AlHathloul.

Loujain watches her beloved baba attach his feather wings and fly each morning, but her own dreams of flying face a big obstacle: only boys, not girls, are allowed to fly in her country. Yet despite the taunts of her classmates, she is determined that some day, she too will learn to do it–especially because Loujain loves colors, and only by flying will she be able to see the color-filled field of sunflowers her baba has told her about. Eventually, he agrees to teach her, and Loujain’s impossible dream becomes reality–inspiring other girls to dare to learn to fly. Inspired by co-author Lina al-Hathloul’s sister, formerly imprisoned Saudi women’s rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Loujain al-Hathloul, who led the successful campaign to lift Saudi Arabia’s ban on women driving. This gorgeously illustrated story is lyrical and moving.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation and Discussion Questions:

Please view and enjoy the teachers’ guide I co-created for Astra Publishing for Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers:

You can also access the teaching guide here.

You can learn more about Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers on Astra Publishing’s page.

Recommended For:

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 4/4/2022

April 4, 2022 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop co-hosted by Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts which focuses on sharing books marketed for children and young adults. It offers opportunities to share and recommend books with each other.

The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up below, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs.

Happy reading!

Tuesday: Wave by Diana Farid

Thursday: You Are Not Alone by Alphabet Rockers, Illustrated by Ashley Evans

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

Kellee

Wave by Diana Farid: I was so happy to be able to share this book with you all last week! Make sure to check out the review.
Honor Girl by Maggie Thrash: This was a reread for me, and I remember why I liked it so much. It is a true and vulnerable look at a teen’s time at camp trying to figure her identity out. The first time I read it, I wasn’t a fan of the sketch-style illustrations, but this time I found that it fit the narrative of the book and added to the voice of the author.

What Do You Do When Something Wants to Eat You? by Steve Jenkins: This was the nonfiction book I chose to read to my students for our nonfiction week. I think Steve Jenkins is a master of nonfiction, so I was happy to share this with them.
To Change a Planet by Christina Soontornvat, illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell: What a beautiful lyrical book that brings to light our planet’s plight and the importance of our single home. Christina’s words were so poetic and Bell’s illustrations were their own poems bringing Christina’s words to life.
Indy and Jenny by Charlie Griffin, illustrated by Rebecca Sampson: This true story of a rescued abused dog finding his forever home was a pleasure to read. I loved seeing Indy overcome and finally get the love he deserved, and Sampson’s illustrations were so colorful and added so much to the story. I now follow Indy on social media, and I love seeing how he is doing! This book should be getting more love than it is.
Big Wig by Jonathan Hillman, illustrated by Levi Hastings: I am so happy to see this book on shelves. It represents an aspect of the LGBTQIAP+ community that doesn’t have a lot of representation in picture books, and it is done is such a fun way–I mean, the wig has a point of view! I love that it deals with a plethora of emotions: nervousness, confidence, stage fright, identity… so many kids will connect!

To learn more about any of these books, check out my 2022 Goodreads Challenge page or my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

I am working on book revisions this week, and next, so I will return soon!

Kellee

Rich People Problems (Crazy Rich Asians, #3) The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music

Reading (with my sister!): Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan
Listening: The Storyteller by Dave Grohl

Tuesday: Educators’ Guide for Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers: A Story Inspired by Loujain Alhathloul by Lina AlHathloul & Uma Mishra-Newbery, Illustrated by Rebecca Green

Thursday: Only One by Deborah Hopkinson and Chuck Groenink

Sunday: Author Guest Post by Adam Lehrhaupt, Author of There Was a Hole

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

You Are Not Alone by the Alphabet Rockers, Illustrated by Ashley Evans

March 31, 2022March 31, 2022 by Ricki

You Are Not Alone
Authors: Alphabet Rockers; Illustrator: Ashley Evans
Published: January 11, 2022 by Sourcebooks

Summary: From the Grammy award-nominated hip-hop group Alphabet Rockers comes an empowering picture book that invites kids to to love themselves, stand up to hate, and foster inclusivity among their peers!

When I say something is unfair to me, but it’s fair for you, what does that make it?
When I meditate, it all gets clear.
And if you listen, you will really hear.
I am not alone. I am enough.

It can be scary to feel like you’re all on your own, especially in the face of prejudice. But always remember: you are not alone. Inspired by the Alphabet Rockers’ empowering song “Not Alone,” this uplifting picture book reassures kids that they belong and encourages them to love their beautiful selves and their identities, use their voices against hate, and step up for one another and have one another’s backs no matter what.

Review: I dare you to read this book and not read it aloud. It’s packs such a punch. It’s lyrical and powerful. I’ve now read it aloud to four different children, and every time, they end up shouting, “You are not alone!” right along with me. Loneliness is a feeling that so many children experience, so I am very grateful for this book. It reminds us all (adults, too) that we are aren’t alone and others are feeling the same emotions as we are. It reminds kids to tell their stories and ensure that their stories are heard.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: I would love to ask kids to write their own spreads, similar to a spread they saw in the book. They might share an experience that made them feel alone, and then, at the end, write in big letters, “You are not alone!” They don’t need to share them publicly, but it offers a reflective experience for students that could be meaningful.

Discussion Questions:

Which spread impacted you most? Why?
When are some moments that you felt alone? (No need to share them aloud.)
How do the spreads work together to form a powerful message?

Flagged Spread:

Read This If You Love: All Because You Matter by Tami Charles; I Am Enough by Grace Byers; The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig; The Red Tree by Shaun Tan;

**Thank you to Sourcebooks for sending a copy for review!**

Wave by Diana Farid, Illustrated by Kris Goto

March 29, 2022March 29, 2022 by Kellee

Wave
Author: Diana Farid
Illustrator: Kris Goto
Published March 29th, 2022 by Cameron Kids

Summary: A coming-of-age novel in verse set in 1980s Southern California, about a Persian American girl who rides the waves, falls, and finds her way back to the shore.

Thirteen-year-old Ava loves to surf and to sing. Singing and reading Rumi poems settle her mild OCD, and catching waves with her best friend, Phoenix, lets her fit in—her olive skin looks tan, not foreign. But then Ava has to spend the summer before ninth grade volunteering at the hospital, to follow in her single mother’s footsteps to become a doctor. And when Phoenix’s past lymphoma surges back, not even surfing, singing, or poetry can keep them afloat, threatening Ava’s hold on the one place and the one person that make her feel like she belongs. With ocean-like rhythm and lyricism, Wave is about a girl who rides the waves, tumbles, and finds her way back to the shore.

Praise:

“Processing her feelings through music empowers Ava and gives her a new understanding of home and the connections she shares with others. Raw and powerful, this free verse novel honestly explores issues of identity, culture, grief, and hope… Rich, layered, and heart-rending.”―Kirkus Reviews

“Farid’s poetry rides the page like a wave, charting the ups and downs of Ava’s emotions. . .The verse format makes this text extremely accessible, and readers will be delighted to find elements of Ava’s Persian heritage and 1980s childhood also woven throughout.” ―School Library Journal

“Farid brings her expertise as an MD to Ava’s story, simplifying the complexity of lymphoma while packing an emotional punch with the musical references that Ava uses to cope.” ―Booklist

About the Creators:

Diana Farid is the author of When You Breathe, published by Cameron Kids. She is a poet and a physician at Stanford University. She lives in the Bay Area.

Honolulu-based fine artist Kris Goto was born in Japan. She spent most of her adolescence in Hong Kong and New Zealand, where she became inspired by the outside world and a passion for manga.

Review: This book is actually hard for me to write about because it is just so beautiful in all the right ways. It is full of so many emotions, beautiful writing, important topics, characterization, and 80s references. The author’s inclusion of such a specific setting and pop culture references could have easily turned off a reader, but Farid seamlessly blends it into Ava’s story to where it is all part of one amazing package. A package that includes a lot but that is because a 14 year old Persian girl growing up in California would have dealt with a lot: identity, self-love vs. loathing, immigrant experience, expectations, friendship, hobbies, school, racism, family… and on top of that Ava has Phoenix’s and (my favorite character) Room 509’s health to think about, her own broken leg, surfing, music, and a single parent. Add to all of this plot poetry that is robust in its rhythm and variety in a way that makes reading the book an experience, a wonderful reading experience.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: In addition to all of the reading discussion that can happen with this book, it is also a wonderful poetry writing mentor text. Each poem has its own format, personality, mood, tone, etc. so students have so many choices about which they would want to be inspired by. Goto’s illustrations show how art can add to poems as well, so students could create their own drawings to accompany their poems. Also, with the inclusion of music, students could turn their poems into songs.

Students could also make their own mix tapes for different characters in the book using Ava’s and Phoenix’s as examples. Students could then explain why they chose the songs they did for the characters.

The inclusion of Rumi’s poetry could also lead to a poetry study of his poetry which could include historical instruction as well.

Discussion Questions:

Why did the author format __[poem]__ the way she did?
How did music influence Ava’s time during this point in her life?
How do you think Ava’s summer would have been different if she hadn’t broken her leg?
How did Phoenix and Ava’s friendship change over time? What caused their friendship to evolve?
Why does Ava blow up at Phoenix and Naz at the beach?
How does Room 509 play a part in Ava’s summer? What do you think the purpose of this character is?
How did Ava’s mother’s decision to leave Iran to go to medical school transform her life?
Farid included instances of racism in the book. Why is it important that she includes these? What does it show us about our country?
Do you believe Ava has OCD? What parts in the story show you this?
How does Ava both embrace her Persian culture but also resent the pressure it holds?
The author included Farsi throughout the book. Why is this translanguaging important to include when telling Ava’s story.
Find an example of when Farid captured the rhythm of the ocean in her poetry.

Flagged Passages:

Read This If You Love: Land of the Cranes by Aida Salazar, Starfish by Lisa Fipps, Benbee and the Teacher Griefer by KA Holt, Open Mic edited by Mitali Perkins

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Blue Slip Media for providing a copy for review**

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 3/28/22

March 28, 2022 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!

The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

Happy reading!

Tuesday: My Favorite Books I Read When I was 7 By Trent

Thursday:National Geographic Kids: Kamala Harris by Tonya K. Grant and Stacey Abrams by Melissa H. Mwai

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

Kellee

I’ve begun to do my long IMWAYR updates every two weeks, so I will do an update next week. But as always, to see what books I’ve been reading, check out my 2022 Goodreads Challenge page or my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

Hi, all! We dug into a lot of great picture books last week—most fresh off the presses and many nonfiction picture books.

Born Hungry by Alex Prud’Homme taught me a lot about Julia Child’s upbringing. She had such a zest for life, and this book by her great-nephew really captured it.

Blast Off!: How Mary Sherman Morgan Fueled America Into Space by Suzanne Slade told the story of Mary Sherman, the world’s first rocket scientist. I found her story to be incredibly inspiring.

Who Are Your People? is a book by Bakari Sellers, and I loved the themes of community and family!

One Wish: Fatima Al-Fihri and the World’s Oldest University by M.O. Yuksel is the story of one the most important Muslim women in history. She founded the world’s oldest university! I absolutely loved learning about Fatima Al-Fihri and her wish.

She Caught the Light: Williamina Stevens Fleming: Astronomer by Kathryn Lasky is a biography of astronomer Williamina Fleming, who helped lay the foundations for modern astronomy.

Dear Earth…From Your Friends in Room 5 by Erin Dealey is a fantastic picture book that is perfect as a read-aloud for Earth Day. This one, as you would guess from the title, is very classroom-friendly.

The Heart of Mi Familia by Carrie Lara tells the story of a girl who seeks to create a gift that represents both sides of her multicultural family. It’s beautiful.

Maryam’s Magic: The Story of Mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani is a picture book by Megan Reid and tells the story of trailblazing mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani, who was the the first woman to win the world’s most prestigious honor in mathematics.

Wishes by Mượn Thị Văn…ahh, I loved this book so much. It tells an honest account of a Vietnamese family’s immigration experience. The illustrations are magnificent.

In My Mosque by M.O. Yuksel (who also has a book above!) is a story that invites readers to feel welcome in a mosque.

Ty’s Travels: Lab Magic by Kelly Starling Lyons is a wonderful early reader that my kids really enjoyed!

Stacey’s Extraordinary Words by Stacey Abrams—Stacey Abrams…Spelling bees…do I need to say more? I adored this book. It will be a classroom favorite!

When I Wake Up by Seth Fishman reminds us of the many paths we can take when we wake up!

Dream Big, Little Scientists: A Bedtime Book by Michelle Schaub is the perfect book to grow a little scientist (and remind them to go to bed)!

Freedom Soup by Tami Charles tells of cooking, tradition, and Haitian independence. I read this one aloud to my kids, and they loved it!

Emily Writes: Emily Dickinson and Her Poetic Beginnings by Jane Yolen–I didn’t realize this story about Emily Dickinson’s childhood! I read it with my sister and her kids and sighed so loudly with satisfaction that my sister felt guilty borrowing the book. I gave it away because good books must be shared!

Llama Llama Loves to Read is an Anna Dewdney book and it packs the same charm as the others in the series.

The Year We Learned to Fly by Jacqueline Woodson—this book was a reread, and I could read it 100 times and never tire of it. It’s one of my favorite picture books by one of my favorite authors!

Ricki

I am still listening to John Green’s The Anthropocene Reviewed. When it ends, I might cry because I want it to go on forever.

Tuesday: Wave by Diana Farid

Thursday: You Are Not Alone by Alphabet Rockers, Illustrated by Ashley Evans

and

National Geographic Kids: Kamala Harris by Tonya K. Grant and Stacey Abrams by Melissa H. Mwai

March 24, 2022 by Ricki

Kamala Harris by Tonya K. Grant and Stacey Abrams by Melissa H. Mwai
Published January 4, 2022 by National Geographic Kids

Summary of Kamala Harris: Explore one of the most powerful and highest-ranking female figures in American history with this biography of Vice President Kamala Harris in this Level 2 reader.

On January 20, 2021, Kamala Harris made history. That day, she became the first woman, the first Black American, and the first South Asian American to be elected as Vice President of the United States. Young readers will learn about Harris’s childhood, her early career, and her journey that led to winning the vice presidency. This early reader also explores how Harris devoted her life to helping others, from serving as the Attorney General of California, to being elected as a U.S. Senator, to working alongside President Joe Biden on the campaign trail and in the White House.

The level 2 text provides accessible, yet wide-ranging information for independent readers. Explore Harris’s life, achievements, and the challenges she faced along the way to becoming a barrier-breaking leader and an inspiration to young people everywhere.

Key features include:

Expert-vetted text appropriate for ages 5 to 8
Engaging and brilliant historical images sourced by National Geographic
Fun approach to high-interest biographies

About the series: This high-interest, educationally-vetted readers series features magnificent National Geographic images accompanied by text written by experienced, skilled children’s book authors. Each reader includes a glossary and interactive features in which kids get to use what they’ve learned in the book. Level 1 readers reinforce the content of the book with a kinesthetic learning activity. Level 2 readers feature slightly higher-level text and additional vocabulary words. Level 3 readers have more layers of information to challenge more proficient readers. For emerging readers, the Pre-reader level introduces vocabulary and concepts, and the Co-reader level provides a collaborative reading experience.

Praise for National Geographic Readers:

“Reliable in format and solid in execution, this series works well to introduce children of varying
levels of reading comfort to nonfiction and research formats.”
―Maggie Reagan, Booklist

Complete your collection with these popular National Geographic Biography Readers:

National Geographic Readers: Stacey Abrams (Level 2)
National Geographic Readers: Harriet Tubman (Level 2)
National Geographic Readers: Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Level 3)
National Geographic Readers: Barack Obama (Level 2)

Summary of Stacey Abrams: Learn about the voting rights advocate and politician Stacey Abrams and her groundbreaking achievements in this appealing Level 2 reader. Young readers will find out about Abram’s childhood and her early career as a city attorney and as minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives. The reader also explores her run in Georgia as the first Black woman to be nominated by a major party for governor, and how losing
that race inspired her to devote her life to making elections and the voting process more equitable for everyone.

The level 2 text provides accessible, yet wide-ranging information for independent readers. Explore Abrams’s life, achievements, and the challenges she faced along the way to leading the fight against voter suppression and becoming a champion for change.

Key features include:
*Expert-vetted text appropriate for ages 5 to 8
*Engaging and brilliant historical images sourced by National Geographic
*Fun approach to high-interest biographies

Praise for National Geographic Readers:

“Reliable in format and solid in execution, this series works well to introduce children of varying
levels of reading comfort to nonfiction and research formats.”
―Maggie Reagan, Booklist

Complete your collection with these popular National Geographic Biography Readers:

National Geographic Readers: Kamala Harris (Level 2)
National Geographic Readers: Harriet Tubman (Level 2)
National Geographic Readers: Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Level 3)
National Geographic Readers: Barack Obama (Level 2)

Ricki’s Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: These two books about trailblazing women are so inspiring. I read both books with my sons, and they were very inspired. These books beg to be shared. Teachers might set up learning stations for students. Each table could read a different National Geographic Kids book to learn about a different biography. Then, students might jigsaw to share key moments in the individuals’ lives. After reading this book with my sons, I asked them how the lives of Harris and Abrams could be used to inspire their own lives. They had some great answers. Every classroom needs to have a copy of these early readers.

Discussion Questions:

What are some of the key moments in Harris’ and Abrams’ lives?
How do the text features build on your understandings?
How do Harris and Abrams inspire you?

Read This If You Love: Biographies; Informational Texts; Texts about Inspiring People

Recommended For:

Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He was 7

October 23, 2024March 22, 2022 by Kellee

I have my own Goodreads now, so we keep track of everything I read. When I was 7, I read 253 books. Here are my favorites.

Books I Read Independently

Geronimo Stilton: The Sewer Rat Stink with Tom Angleberger, Story by Elisabetta Dami

It has exciting events, and I like the characters. My favorite character is Geronimo’s friend Hercule because he is funny.

Glitch by Sarah Graley

I like that it has gaming in it. It is very cool. My favorite thing that happened in Glitch was the surprise at the end.

Cat & Cat Adventures: The Quest for Snacks by Susie Yi

It is really funny. I like that the characters are cats and that they go to different worlds.

Cat Kid Comic Club: Perspectives

Cat Kid: Comic Club series by Dav Pilkey

I like that it is a sequel to Dog Man but with Cat Kid. I really like the variety of the comics.

Catstronauts series by Drew Brockington

I like that it has cats. It is really scientific, so you can learn some stuff from it.

Cat Kong by Dav Pilkey

A good sequel to Dogzilla but with a cat. I like that it has collages.

Panda Problem by Deborah Underwood

One of my favorite picture books ever. I like that it has a panda and is really funny–it also has aliens, food, and penguins!

Rowley series by Jeff Kinney

I like the pictures, and I like that it has characters from other series also. Rowley is my favorite character because he is funny.

Mr. Wolf’s Class series by Aron Nels Steinke

My librarian recommended this series to me. It is a really good series because it is adventurous. My favorite part is in book number 2 when they start a secret club.

Monster Friends by Kaeti Vandorn

When I finished this book, I even lent it to a friend who I knew would like it. I liked the characters. My favorite character is Reggie because he is lazy, cute, and playful (sometimes). It is also really long book, so I was proud of finishing it.

Super Diaper Baby series by Dav Pilkey

It is a really fun book because there is a super hero that is a baby in a diaper who has a cape and fights crime. And it is by Dav Pilkey!

Animorphs series by K.A. Applegate

I like when the characters change into real animals but it was epic for them to get to that point. It is very adventurous! And the alien apocalypse is cool.

HiLo series by Judd Winick

My mom recommended this series to me! I like this series because it is adventurous and exciting. My favorite character is HiLo because he has super powers and awesome. My favorite book so far is #6, and I’m excited to read #8.

The Many Lives of Pusheen the Cat by Claire Belton

I love Pusheen! I like knowing all the Pusheen kinds.

Dog Man: Mothering Heights by Dav Pilkey

I like it because Petey became a good guy instead of bad. I liked seeing Petey change over time.

Books I Read With Mom and/or Dad

Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey

We listened to the audiobooks of the first 10. I liked it because it was exciting and fun and funny. My favorite character is… well, I like the 3 main characters but my favorites are Crackers and Zulu because they are good pets. I like listening to the audiobooks because I can imagine what it looks like.

National Geographic Kids: Red Pandas by Laura Marsh

I love red pandas, and I loved learning about them. And I liked the pictures because they were so cute.

I Survived series by Lauren Tarshis

We only read some, but I liked the ones we read. I liked learning about the events that happened. I am looking forward to reading more.

Fussy Flamingo by Shelly Vaughan James

I liked it because it was silly and fun.

Téo’s Tutu by Maryann Jacob Macias

It was a good book because I liked that it was diverse, and I liked that it representing that boys can do what they want and girls can do what they want. What society says doesn’t matter.

Knuffle Bunny series by Mo Willems

It is a good series because they are silly, and I liked watching Trixie grow up. I also liked finding pigeon in the books, and I even have my own Knuffle Bunny.