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Monday, August 26, 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 or follow on Twitter at #imwayr.

Recent Reads...

If I Built a School by Chris Van Dusen

A boy, with a wild imagination, describes his dream school. Many kids will love reading about this fantasy school that is more like a fun park. This book should definitely spark kids' creativity as they imagine their own ideas for the perfect school. It'll be a fun read for the beginning of the school year.

Señorita Mariposa by Ben Gundersheimer

This book, with text in English and Spanish, tells of the miraculous journey of one monarch butterfly as it migrates to Mexico. It's lyrical and beautiful. The author's note at the end gives more insight into the migration of these butterflies and, also, their importance in our world. Thanks to Nancy Paulsen Books for sending my book review group, #BookExcursion, a review copy.

Unicorn Is Maybe Not So Great After All by Bob Shea

Unicorn wants his classmates to pay more attention to him, so he comes up with a plan to be the most fantastic unicorn his school has ever seen. Instead of standing out, he ends up being rather annoying. Luckily, Unicorn has true friends who help him see that he only has to be his magical self.

I Survived The Great Molasses Flood, 1919 by Lauren Tarshis

I have not read an I Survived book in quite some time, but I was eager for this one since The Great Molasses Flood is a historic event that my students always find fascinating when they learn about it. Because it happened in Boston, my students also find the connection to our state interesting. Many students enjoy reading the I Survived books and look forward to each new one, so I am planning to book talk this one at the beginning of the year.

Lalani of the Distant Sea by Erin Entrada Kelly

This story, inspired by Filipino folklore, is an adventurous and magical fantasy about a courageous twelve-year-old who takes a journey to save her mother and her island. I have read a few other books by Erin Entrada Kelly and this one is very different and there are definitely some dark parts, but it's unique and engaging. The book publishes in September.

Monday, August 19, 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 or follow on Twitter at #imwayr.

Recent Reads...


The Evil Princess vs. The Brave Knight by Jennifer L. Holm

This is an imaginative and humorous story of sibling rivalry. When they are sent to their separate rooms, the siblings realize it's not fun being evil or brave by themselves and they have a moment in which they unite for a common purpose, but in the end being rivals is much more fun. It's an amusing read that readers with a sibling may be able to relate to.

Fairy Science by Ashley Spires

Esther sees the world different from all the other fairies - she is a believer of science, not magic. She is frustrated when the other fairies don't understand the science she tries to teach them. Although she can't convince them entirely of the power of science, her scientific skills don't go completely unnoticed. This is a fun introduction to the scientific method that will inspire inquisitive and creative minds. Thanks to Random House for a review copy. The book publishes in September.

My Tiny Pet by Jessie Hartland

When it is time for the narrator's family to downsize, they give all their pets to good homes because there is not room in their much smaller house. The child still wants a pet and gets the perfect idea during science class. The very tiny pet will surprise readers and intrigue them. I have no doubts that many students will want to do some research about the microscopic creature they read about. Thanks to the Penguin Young Readers for a review copy.

Stargazing by Jen Wang

Christine and Moon are both Chinese-American, yet they are very different from each other. As the two become friends and spend time with each other, Christine expands her understanding of who she is. This is a heart-warming tale, in graphic novel format, that explores friendship, family, identity, and forgiveness. The author's note at the end explains that the inspiration for the story came partly from her own childhood. Thanks to publisher, I received an advance reader's copy at the American Library Association Annual Conference. The book publishes in September.

Monday, August 12, 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 or follow on Twitter at #imwayr.

Recent Reads...


Stormy: A Story About Finding a Forever Home by Guojing

This is a gorgeous book, both, for its story and the illustrations. Wordless, it tells how a stray dog finds its home with a kind young woman. The illustrations depict so many emotions that the story is absolutely captivating and the way the dog and the woman open their hearts to each other is touching. Look for it in September.

Unicorns 101 by Cale Atkinson

This book is just plain fun and will delight unicorn lovers. Four top unicorn scientists explain everything there is to know about unicorns. The information is creative and humorous and when readers are finished they will have earned a diploma and the title "Unicorn Scientist." Thanks to Random House for a review copy. The book publishes in September.

Some Places More Than Others by Renée Watson

Amara is finally getting to visit Harlem and she is looking forward to meeting the family she knows only through pictures and phone conversations. The trip is an opportunity to learn more about her family history for a school project, but she's also promised her mother she'll find a way to get her dad and grandpa to start talking to one another again. This is a story about family, identity, and the power of forgiveness. It also reminds us that people and places play a role in shaping who we are. Thanks to Bloomsbury for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advance reader's copy. It publishes in September.

Strange Birds: A Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers by Celia C. Pérez

Over the summer, four very different girls meet and form a friendship. When one of the girls expresses concerns about the Floras, an organization similar to Scouts, and one of their traditions, the four hatch a plan to raise awareness and make change. Both the writing and the characters in this book are wonderful and it helps to show the power of being an activist. Thanks to Penguin Young Readers for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advance reader's copy.

Monday, August 5, 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 or follow on Twitter at #imwayr.


Recent Reads...


The Evil Princess vs. The Brave Knight by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm

This is an imaginative and humorous story of sibling rivalry. When they are sent to their separate rooms, the siblings realize it's not fun being evil or brave by themselves and they have a moment in which they unite for a common purpose, but in the end being rivals is much more fun. It's not only an amusing read, but also one that many readers with a sibling will be able to relate to.

Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival

Ruby has a Worry and it gets so big that it starts to take over her life. With the help of a boy she comes across sitting on a park bench, she learns a way to deal with the worry. This is a great book to help children understand that having worries is normal and that talking about them can help. I love the use of color in the illustrations and the fact that the Worry was a character in itself. Thanks to Bloomsbury for a review copy.

Frankly in Love by David Yoon

Frank is in love for the first time. Brit is perfect for him except for the fact that she's white and Frank's parents want him to marry a Korean girl. Then there's Joy, the girl Frank fake dates so he can continue to see Brit. I loved the characters in this book. They were realistic and I just wanted to keep reading to see how it would all work out for them. It's humorous and heartfelt. There's already a movie adaptation coming and I can see why. This book publishes in September. Thanks to Penguin Teen for an advance reader's copy.

The World Ends in April by Stacy McAnulty

After getting information from a website, Elle is convinced that the world is going to end when it is hit by an asteroid in April. Under the guise of a nature club, Elle and her friend Mack get other students involved in planning how they are going to survive the asteroid when it happens. Admittedly, the plot of this book sounded unusual to me, but it turned out to be very interesting and engaging. The characters are true-to-life and middle grade readers will be able to relate to the school and friendship challenges they face. Thanks for Random House for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advance reader's copy. The book publishes in September.

I, Cosmo by Carlie Sorosiak

When Max arrived as the newest member of his human family, Cosmo, a lovable golden retriever, vowed to protect him always. Now that there has been a hint that divorce in the family is possible, Max needs Cosmo more than ever. To ensure they stay together, Max is training Cosmo for a dance competition. Dog tricks are not so easy for Cosmo because of his age, but he is determined not to disappoint Max. Told from Cosmo's perspective, this is a heart-warming story about the love and loyalty that exists between a dog and his favorite human. Readers will be touched by the bond between Cosmo and Max and be amused by Cosmo's perspective on life and family. Thanks to the publisher, Candlewick, for providing my book review group with an advance reader's copy. This book does not publish until December, but it is definitely one to keep on your radar.