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Monday, January 7, 2019

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.

Recent Reads...


Penguin Flies Home (Flight School) by Lita Judge

Penguin loves to fly (with the help of Flamingo), but he misses his penguin friends back home and wishes they could fly, too. When Penguin flies home, he realizes his friends don't have the same interest in flying that he does. Penguin and the other birds, who are also featured in the author's Flight School, are delightful characters who support and encourage each other. This is a sweet story with a message about following one's dreams and listening to one's heart. Thanks to the author for a review copy of the book. 

The New Kid by Jerry Craft

Jordan Banks is less than thrilled to be starting his seventh grade year at Riverdale Academy, a private school in a neighborhood outside of where he lives in Washington Heights. Jordan is not only the new kid, but he is one of the few students of color. As Jordan navigates his new middle school, he struggles to understand how he fits in at his new school while remaining true to himself. This book, a graphic novel, is both humorous and relatable and will spark important discussions about differences and race. Thanks to the publisher, I received an advance reader's copy at the National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention. The book publishes in February.

The Unsung Hero of Bird Song, USA by Brenda Woods

When Gabriel is careless riding the new bike he got for his birthday, Meriwether, a black man from The Other Side of town, saves his life and a friendship is formed. This is a touching story of friendship, but it also gives insight into the time period after WWII and explores the ways in which black veterans were treated. It's also a book that emphasizes the importance of standing up for others. Thanks to the publisher, Nancy Paulsen Books, for a review copy of the book.

The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman

This is one of those middle grade novels that stays with you long after you finish reading it. It's the story of four kids trying to survive on the streets of a city in India. It's a very powerful story of survival and courage. Read more of my thoughts here

20 comments:

  1. Haven't read the penguin book but enjoyed the other three. I would love to see more books like The Bridge Home, about the daily life of children in other countries.

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    1. You're right, it would be nice to see more books like that.

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  2. My (Tammy) daughter loves Padma Venkatraman's books and Clare and I got to meet her at NCTE. I can't wait to get a copy!

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  3. The Bridge Home sounds so good. It's on my list to get after release and I just hope we get a local copy since my book budget is pitiful right now. And I just now realized The New Kid was not on my list, so definitely adding that one. I'm hoping to bring more graphic novels into my reading stack in 2019. Thanks for the shares, Lisa!

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  4. Looking forward to the new Penguin book & all the others sound wonderful, Lisa. Thank you!

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  5. I've requested Penguin Flies Home from the library. I'm definitely looking forward to reading it as it looks adorable and I love penguins. Have a terrific week!

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    1. Both the story and the illustrations are adorable. The penguin wears glasses and it's just the cutest!

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  6. Looks like you had a wonderful reading week. The Bridge Home is on my want to read list, but after reading your review, I really wish I had put it on my Mustread list.

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    1. I'd amend your must read list and read it anyway. It's a must-read for sure!

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  7. I missed getting a copy of The New Kid at NCTE and I'm bummed about it. Can't wait to read it when it comes out.

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    1. I made a list of ARCs I wanted to be sure to get and one of those was The New Kid so I was glad to come home with one.

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  8. I want to read all of these!!!! I almost book Bridge Home on my must read in 2019 list, and now I am regretting that I didn't...

    Happy reading this week, and happy new year!

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  9. The Bridge Home is on my list! I really want to read it after your phenomenal review!!! (This is Ricki at Unleashing Readers. Sorry my profile is not cooperating!)

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  10. Great shares and all are on my list, not sure how I will get them, yet... The Bridge Home is certainly high on my list to find.

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  11. Looking forward to my turn to read Penguin Flies Home. I didn’t know it was a follow up so I’ll look for Flight School at the library. New Kid is a window book for me and I especially loved the graphic novel format. The other two novels are on my TBR. Have a great week Lisa!

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  12. The Bridge Home sounds like a book that I MUST get to this year. Lovely titles! Happy New Year!

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