Pages

Monday, May 14, 2018

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?


It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading.  For more information and to find out what other bloggers are reading check out the host blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers.

What I've Been Reading...


Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal

This is a sweet story about a girl who learns that her very long name fits her perfect. The author includes a note at the end explaining how she got her own name. The book highlights family and identity as well as showing that our names tell a story. This will be a useful book in the classroom to start discussions about the stories behind students' names.

I Walk With Vanessa: A Story About a Simple Act of Kindness by Kerascoët

Wordless, beautiful book about how one act of kindness can multiple and make a difference in the life of someone who has been treated badly. Simple, yet powerful story that shows the importance of being empathetic and standing up for what's right.

They Didn't Teach THIS in Worm School! by Simone Lia

Marcus, a worm, agrees to fly with Laurence, a chicken, to Kenya so that he doesn't get eaten. Neither Marcus or Laurence knows the way to Kenya and, although they don't travel as far as they hoped, they do have a life-changing adventure. Marcus and Laurence are a funny and heart-warming duo. They learn about acceptance, friendship, and working together to do what would be impossible alone. This book will also appeal to readers because it's illustrated and not too long.

Life According to Og the Frog by Betty G. Birney

Og the Frog is now living in Room 26 right next to Humphrey (of The World According to Humphrey series). Og, both, misses the swamp and enjoys his new home. When the class has to make a decision about whether to keep Og or put him back in the swamp, Og is not sure which he would prefer. The book is told from the perspective of Og, who is a little different from ordinary frogs because of his love of poetry and songs. This book about friendship, community, and caring for wildlife will be of interest to fans of the Humphrey series and those who like books about animals. Thanks to the publisher, Penguin Young Readers, for sending my book review group, #BookExcursion, an advance reader's copy of the book. The book publishes in July.

Lions & Liars by Kate Beasley

Frederick is feeling like he doesn't fit in at his school and is upset with his parents when they cancel a family vacation, when he accidentally ends up at a summer camp for troubled boys. The others at the camp all think Frederick is someone else, a boy with a more interesting past. There is adventure and humor as Frederick learns about himself and friendship. This book publishes in June. Thanks to NetGalley for a digital advanced reader's copy of the book.

24 comments:

  1. I Walk With Vanessa is completely new to me, but it really sounds like something I'd love to read with my kiddos. I'm adding it to my list. And I STILL haven't gotten my hands on Alma. One day... :) Thanks for all the shares, today. Have a wonderful reading week, Lisa!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had been hearing about I Walk With Vanessa for a while, but didn't realize it's wordless until I checked it out myself.

      Delete
  2. My students loved Alma! It would be great to read at the beginning of the year to build classroom community around how dtudents’ names were chosen. I still haven’t read I Walk with Vanessa so thanks for the reminder! Lions and Liars looks like a good summer read,

    ReplyDelete
  3. I loved Alma, too, a terrific one to have for students who research their own names. I'll look for Lions & Liars, sounds like a good story for young readers. Thanks, Lisa.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I need to get Alma and I Walk with Vanessa! I always say no more book buying, but every Monday there are books I NEED!

    ReplyDelete
  5. So many cute books, I love checking out the kids books for my 3yo.

    Angelica @ Paperback Princess

    ReplyDelete
  6. It sounds like Alma is abook I need to get my hands on ASAP. I have a hard time remembering names and find that if people tell me the story behind their names, I am more likely to remember them. I Walk With Vanessa sounds like an important book too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alma will spark some great discussions about names and stories.

      Delete
  7. I've seen a few good reviews of I Walk With Vanessa, so I'm looking forward to checking it out. These types of books are important. Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There can never be enough books with messages about kindness.

      Delete
  8. Ooh, I didn't even know about Lions $ Liars. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's very different from Gertie's Leap to Greatness.

      Delete
  9. I'm looking forward to reading I Walk with Vanessa. I have a poster of that book outside our library but haven't ordered a copy yet. Oops! :-P

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it's a must-have. I love wordless books, but the message is so important, too.

      Delete
  10. Did you see this interview with Juana Martinez-Neal? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvuuoGzrR0s I walk with Vanessa is going on our TBR list

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, I didn't see the interview. Thanks for sharing!

      Delete
  11. I can't wait to read Lions and Liars! Love both Kate Beasley and Dan Santat!
    I need to pull Alma out to share with readers before the year is out. I used Vanessa with a bookaday class last week but ended up being out of the class that day. The teacher said they really enjoyed it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I Walk with Vanessa is definitely going to make my favorites list this year. It's such a stunning book!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I really love the look of I Walk With Vanessa - it seems like a great book to pair with Be Kind. Alma looks wonderful too! Thanks for sharing so many lovely reads.

    ReplyDelete
  14. These all look like really great books. I did not have They Didn't Teach...at Worm School on my list, but it looks like something I could get early chapter people to read and enjoy in the library. Thanks for the post!

    ReplyDelete