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Monday, November 16, 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...

Lubaya's Quiet Roar by Marilyn Nelson and illustrated by Philemona Williamson

Lubaya is a daydreamer and an artist. She likes being alone, sitting quietly, and listening. When her family attends a march, they share Lubaya's posters which everyone agrees speak the truth. This is a powerful story that shows how one can use their voice in quiet ways. 

Geeger the Robot Goes to School by Jarrett Lerner

Geeger is a robot designed to eat unwanted food and supply electricity to the town of Amblerville. Because he is lonely, Geeger decides to attend school. While he is nervous about starting school, with the help of others, he learns to fit in and move past his mistakes. This is a fun and silly start to a chapter book series that I think many readers will love. The short chapters and illustrations will be appreciated by those who don't yet have the stamina for longer text. 

A Thousand Questions by Saadi Faruqi

This book alternates between the perspective of two girls who become friends in spite of the fact that they have very different life experiences. Mimi lives in Texas and is visiting the grandparents she barely knows in Pakistan with her mother. Sakina lives in Pakistan and assists her father who is a cook for Mimi's grandmother. Both girls are dealing with family struggles and they each play a role in improving the other's situation. This a heart-warming story of friendship. The alternating viewpoints and the insight into Pakistani culture also make it a very interesting read. A very beautiful book.

Monday, November 9, 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...

The President of the Jungle by André Rodrigues, Larissa Ribeiro, Paula Desgualdo, and Pedro Markun

The animals in the jungle are not happy with Lion as King of the Jungle because he only thinks about himself. After a demonstration, Lion is still not listening to them so they decide to elect a new leader. This is a humorous introduction to the election process. 

Unicorns are the Worst! by Alex Willan

Goblin has new neighbors and they are unicorns. Contrary to popular opinion, goblin does not think they are great at all. He certainly does not want to attend one of their tea parties, until an encounter with a fire-breathing dragon reveals the unicorns' helpful traits. Very amusing.

Arlo & Pips: King of the Birds by Elise Gravel

Two birds, an arrogant crow and an inquisitive little yellow bird, become friends and have adventures together in this graphic novel for early readers. There is humor, but also informative facts about crows interspersed throughout the book. It's a delightful read.

Flying Over Water by N.H. Senzai and Shannon Hitchcock

Noura and her family have been granted asylum and are living in the United States after leaving Syria. Noura is adjusting to her new life and trying to understand the animosity towards Muslims that her family encounters. Jordyn, who is dealing with her own family challenges, has offered to be a student ambassador for Noura. The two girls develop a heart-warming friendship in which they support each other and use their voices to make change. The book alternates between the perspectives of the two girls. It's a meaningful and timely read.

Monday, November 2, 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...

Cozy by Jan Brett

After a little day-before-Halloween-snow here in Massachusetts, this was a fitting book to read. Cozy, a musk ox, gets separated from his herd and gives various animals shelter under his warm fur during the cold Alaska winter. This is a very sweet and cozy story in Jan Brett's signature style.

Cat Ninja by Matthew Cody and illustrated by Yehudi Mercado

Claude is the pet of an eleven-year-old boy, but when his city is threatened by villains, he becomes Cat Ninja. This is an action-packed, adventurous, and fun graphic novel.

Becoming Muhammad Ali by James Patterson and Kwame Alexander and illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile

Readers will learn about the childhood of Cassius Clay, who became the boxing great, Muhammad Ali. The book alternates between poetry and prose and gives insight into history and the life of a sports hero. Very interesting read.