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Monday, June 18, 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. To find out what other bloggers are reading check out the host blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers. You can also follow on Twitter at #imwayr.

What I've Been Reading...


Bear's Scare by Jacob Grant

Bear, living with his stuffed friend Ursa, keeps his house very tidy. When he discovers a spider web among his books, he and Ursa go on a search to find the uninvited house guest. This sweet story of unlikely friendship between a bear and a spider conveys a subtle message about making premature judgments. The illustrations are quirky and fun with details that are revealed to the reader, but not Bear. Thanks to the publisher, Bloomsbury, for sending my book review group, #BookExcursion, a copy of this book.

Off & Away by Cale Atkinson

Jo's dad delivers the bottled messages that gather in the sea to those who they belong to. When Jo's dad gets sick and can't make the deliveries, Jo must face her fears and set out to sea herself. This is a unique story with equally unique and whimsical illustrations. It's also an inspirational story about facing fears and realizing that our imaginations can make things seem scarier than they really are.

Annie B., Made for TV by Amy Dixon

Annie is often overshadowed by her best friend Savannah who is an outstanding student, great at soccer, and can sing and dance. When Annie tries out for a part in a local show and Savannah gets it instead, their friendship becomes strained. Annie is a humorous character who faces friendship challenges that middle grade readers will be able to relate to. Annie learns the importance of apologizing to a friend and how to cope when she feels like she does not measure up. This is a fun story that will show readers possibilities for navigating the ups and downs of friendship.

A Book to Look For This Summer...


Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya

The fact that Marcus stands out among his peers at his school because of his size is both a blessing and a curse. When Marcus gets in trouble for fighting at school, his mother decides the family needs a break and they take a trip to Puerto Rico. While there, Marcus is hoping to find his dad who he barely remembers. As in his previous book, The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora, this is a story that centers on family and how they support one another. It also gives insight into the culture of Puerto Rico. This book publishes in August. Thanks to the publisher, Viking Books for Young Readers, for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advanced reader's copy of the book.

21 comments:

  1. All new ones to me, Lisa! I do love Bear books, will find that one, and Off & Away sounds good, too. Thanks also for the heads up about the new Marcus Vega book! Have a great week!

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    1. Bear's Scare is definitely a great one to add to your list of bear books! Hope you have a great week, as well!

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  2. I just loved Off and Away and am eager to read it for #classroombookaday for next year. Coincidentally, I am currently reading Annie B Made for TV and will share my review next week. Looking forward to my turn with Bear Scare and Marcus Vega. Happy last week of school Lisa!

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    1. I read Off & Away to first graders today and they really enjoyed it.

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  3. I'm making sure the Pablo Cartaya's books are on my TBR list this morning. I would love to get my hands on them. And Bear's Scare looks sooo adorable! Thanks for sharing these wonderful books.

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    1. Pablo Cartaya should definitely be on your TBR list!

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  4. I adore Far and Away and Bear's Scare is fun. I have Pablo Cartaya to read, hope to get to it soon!

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    1. I got to read Off & Away to some first graders today and they loved it.

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  5. I had Off & Away on my list this week, too! I thought it was a cute story that has a great message about overcoming fears. I'll have to check out the other books on your list. Have an awesome week!

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    1. I love the message in Off & Away. Hope you have a great week, as well.

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  6. What a wonderful collection of books. I haven't even read The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora, and here is a new book by Pablo Cartaya. I'll try to get to it before this next one is actually published.

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    1. Loved the setting of The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora. I think you'll like it.

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  7. Oh dear...I know Bear's Scare sounds charming and sweet...but I just get think of spiders as anything other than absolutely terrifying!!! ;-)

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  8. Yesss! I loved Marcus Vega! Pablo Cartaya is taking the literary world by storm.

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    1. I love the settings he chooses and the theme of family.

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  9. Love your description of Bear's Scare and Off and Away. Do you think Off and Away will become a series or is it a stand alone text?

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    1. I think all of Cale Atkinson's picture books are stand alone texts so I'm thinking this one will be, too. But, Jo, in the book, is a great character so maybe he will decide to make it a series.

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  10. I've seen so much about Off & Away--I need to pick it up! I actually haven't read any of Cale's books.
    Also, I loved what you wrote about Bear's Scare.
    I have Pablo's Arturo to read (I'm doing it with a summer book club), and I hope to get to Marcus, too!

    Happy reading this week :)

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  11. Great looking group of books. I want to read all of them. I am a fan of Cale Atkinson's earlier stuff and just need to get to my "local" independent (70 miles away) to pick that up as he signs there. Bear's Scare looks funny and my book group has a copy of Marcus that should be shipped to me soon. Thanks for the post!

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  12. These are all unfamiliar titles to me - glad to know of them through you! Thanks for sharing. - Myra (GatheringBooks)

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