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Monday, July 20, 2020

Recent Reads

Every Monday, I share books I have recently read. I also participate in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, 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, or follow on Twitter at #imwayr.

Recent Reads...

Dozens of Doughnuts by Carrie Finison and illustrated by Brianne Farley

LouAnn has made a dozen doughnuts for herself, but guests repeatedly show up at her door with an appetite for the tasty treat. She's willing to share and isn't left with any for herself until her guests realize their mistake. LouAnn, even when she roars, and all the other woodland characters are endearing. Both the text and illustrations are humorous.

Here and Now by Julia Denos and illustrated by E.B. Goodale

This book is a calming and gentle reminder to be present in the here and now. Based on a poem the author wrote, the book is written to guide young readers in meditation.

'Ohana Means Family by Ilima Loomis and illustrated by Kenard Pak

I was not aware of the kalo plant and its importance to the Hawaiian people until reading this book. Written in the cumulative style of "The House That Jack Built", the book gives insight into Hawaiian culture and celebrates family. There's an informative author's note at the end and the illustrations are gorgeous.

Pizza and Taco: Who's the Best by Stephen Shaskan

Pizza and Taco are best friends who get into an argument about who is the best. This is a humorous chapter book written in graphic novel style for early readers. Kids will love the silliness and the food-based characters.

Kerry and the Knight of the Forest by Andi Watson

Kerry is on his way home with medicine that will save his parents, but he gets lost. With the help of the Knight of the Forest, Kerry is on a journey to get home that includes facing evil. This is a very adventurous graphic novel.

Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

This is a powerful, but hard to read middle grade novel. It is about two sisters in foster care dealing with the aftermath of sexual abuse. This story drew me in from the first paragraph and I loved the characters, especially Della, who is endearing, courageous, and humorous. Honest, heart-wrenching, and hopeful, this is one of those books that I finished and could not stop thinking about. Thanks to the publisher for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with a review copy.

Grown-Up Summer Reading Recommendation


The Beauty in Breaking: A Memoir by Michele Harper

This is an insightful and beautiful memoir by an African American emergency room physician in which she shares stories of healing others and the journey she took to heal herself.

4 comments:

  1. I am excitedly looking forward to reading Fighting Words. I adored Kimberly Brubaker Bradley's War That Saved My Life series.

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  2. I also cannot get Fighting Words out of my head, such a well written books, and I was also hooked right away. I am adding a few of your other books such as Pizza and Taco, Ohana Means Family and Dozens of Doughnuts. Thanks for the fun reviews.

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  3. These books sound great! Dozens of Doughnuts sounds like a fun story, and I've heard a lot of praise for 'Ohana Means Family. Fighting Words also sounds like a great novel—I've enjoyed Bradley's The War That Saved My Life. Thanks for the great post!

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  4. I gave Pizza and Taco to the student I'm tutoring, it's his first graphic novel and he's loving it. He can't wait to find out who wins, lol. Fighting Words is one I still need to read. Doughnuts is one I had on my checklist that never came. So confusing.

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