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Monday, August 31, 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


Nana Akua Goes to School by Tricia Elam Walker and illustrated by April Harrison

Zura's favorite person in the world is her Nana Akua, but she is worried that when she brings her nana to school for Grandparent's Day her classmates will laugh at her. At school, Nana Akua shares part of her culture with Zura's classmates, helping them see their uniqueness. 

Share Your Rainbow: 18 Artists Draw Their Hope for the Future by various authors with Introduction by R. J. Palacio

Many talented illustrators contributed to this book, each including a lovely illustration that somehow incorporates a rainbow and text that tells of a hope for the future. It's a book that will be useful to spark discussions to help students feel optimistic as they continue to navigate the very uncertain and different times that the pandemic has brought to their lives. 

Mindy Kim and the Birthday Puppy (Mindy Kim #3) by Lyla Lee and illustrated by Dung Ho Hanh

Mindy Kim has always wanted a dog and when she gets a puppy for her birthday she learns that training a dog is hard work. This is a very sweet chapter book series. Mindy and her puppy, Theodore, will put a smile on readers' faces. Thanks to Lyla Lee for sending me a few copies to share with my students.

Pea, Bee, & Jay #1: Stuck Together by Brian "Smitty" Smith

A pea, a honeybee, and a bird named Jay form an unlikely friendship and team up for an adventure that takes them beyond the farm and back. This graphic novel has action and humor. It's both charming and silly and sure to have kid appeal.
 

Three Keys (A Front Desk Novel) by Kelly Yang

This novel set in the 1990s when anti-immigration law was being proposed is relevant in today's world. Readers were first introduced to Mia and her family, who now own the Calivista Motel, in Front Desk. In this book, Mia and her friends are navigating discrimination and racism in their community and using their voices to take action. It's an important and empowering read. 

8 comments:

  1. I'm envious that you've been able to read Three Keys, know it will be good! Thanks for sharing Nana Akua & Share Your Rainbow, too, Lisa! Thanks & have a great week!

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  2. Three Keys looks like an excellent book. And I'll have to check out Share Your Rainbow as well. Thanks for sharing and have a great week!

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  3. I think I always appreciated books about grandparents. (I had extra special ones) Now that I am one, I like them even more, so right off the bat, I added Nana Akua Goes to School to my list and discovered it is available at my local library!
    Although the Mindy Kim series has been on my list for a while, I still haven't read any so I decided to change that up and read the first one. I am hoping they will be perfect for my half Korean granddaughter. I just finished Kelly Yang's Parachutes so will be looking forward to Three Keys.

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  4. These books sound great! I loved Parachutes by Kelly Yang, so I need to look at Front Desk and Three Keys! Nana Akua Goes to School sounds like a wonderful picture book! Thanks for the great post!

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  5. I'm eager to get my hands on Three Keys. I just finished her Parachutes and was BLOWN AWAY by the depth (of course, it's a YA novel, so much older themes). I don't know how I haven't yet heard of Share Your Rainbow, but I'm adding it to my list. I've been away from IMWAYR for a few weeks and it's so nice to catch up with everyone. Thanks for the shares, Lisa!

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  6. I just read Front Desk and want to move onto Three Keys, probably before I dip my toe into Parachutes. Pea Bee and Jay sounds like a Dad Joke made literary -- right up my alley.

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  7. Some great shares. I haven't seen Pea, Bee and Jay yet, so I need to find a way to get to that one. Thanks for the post.

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  8. I just bought Nana Akua through First Book and ordered Three Keys through Scholastic. I love the Mindy Kim series but haven't read the latest one yet.

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