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Monday, June 28, 2021

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...

Moth & Butterfly: Ta-Da! by Dev Petty and illustrated by Ana Aranda
Two caterpillars have a lot in common until one changes into a butterfly and the other a moth. This is a cute story about friends accepting one another's differences that also gives an introduction to metamorphosis.

A Boy Named Isamu: A Story of Isamu Noguchi by James Yang
This story, inspired by artist Isamu Noguchi, imagines how he might have spent quiet time alone, exploring nature as a child. It's a beautiful exploration of how the peace and wonder of the natural world can inspire art. 

The Cot in the Living Room by Hilda Eunice Burgos and illustrated by Gaby D'Alessandro
A young girl is jealous of the guests, children from the neighborhood, who stay over and sleep on the cot in her living room when their family members are working the overnight shift. When she finally gets a turn sleeping on the cot, she realizes that it's not as pleasant an experience as she thought. This is a heart-warming story about community, generosity, and empathy.

Maya and the Robot by Eve L. Ewing
Maya is having difficulty making friends now that she has started fifth grade and her two best friends are in another class. When she finds a robot, she takes it home and puts her science knowledge to use to get it to work. The robot becomes a companion and helps her feel less lonely, but she also learns important lessons about real-life friendships. Thanks to the publisher for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with a review copy. The book publishes in July.

Summer Reading Recommendation


Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand

This is the first Elin Hilderbrand book I have read - she has written twenty-seven. The plot of this one sounded so intriguing - an author dies tragically right before her newest book is to be published, she spends the summer watching her family from the Beyond, and has three opportunities to intervene in their lives. It was really good and clever. I loved the setting, too. Like many of her books, this story takes place in Nantucket. 

Monday, June 21, 2021

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...

To Carnival!: A Celebration in Saint Lucia by Baptiste Paul and illustrated by Jana Glatt

Melba is excited for Carnival, but she wakes up late and misses her ride to town. As she makes her way to town on foot, she meets friends and the journey itself becomes part of the fun. The illustrations are bright and detailed, capturing the festiveness of a community celebration. The back matter gives further insight into St. Lucia and Carnival.

Full Moon by Camilla Pintonato

Rabbits plan a secret full moon celebration and invite their forest friends to attend. This is a very sweet and magical story highlighting the beauty and wonder of the natural world. 

Something Stinks! by Jonathan Fenske

There is a terrible stench and skunk invites readers along to figure out where the smell is coming from. Readers will be amused that they can see the cloud of stench trailing behind Skunk, but Skunk does not. The book includes lots of humor that will appeal to kids and the illustrations are really entertaining.

Linked by Gordon Korman

Like other books by Gordon Korman, this is an engaging read with realistic middle grade characters. A school community comes together after a swastika is discovered on the wall of the middle school. The book explores important and relevant themes related to tolerance and forgiveness. Thanks to the publisher for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advanced reader's copy. The book publishes in July.

Summer Reading Recommendation


The Therapist by B. A. Paris

I was intrigued by this psychological thriller and read the book in one day while at the beach. There were secrets and twists and it had me guessing up until the end. I read a digital review copy and the book publishes in July.

Monday, June 14, 2021

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...

Butterflies Are Pretty...Gross! by Rosemary Mosco and illustrated by Jacob Souva

Butterflies are gorgeous to look at, but readers can find out some pretty gross facts about them, too, by reading this book. The interesting information, the format of the book, and the fun illustrations will all appeal to readers. This book is the first in a series and I look forward to finding out the topic of the next one. 

I Am the Shark by Joan Holub and illustrated by Laurie Keller

Great White Shark thinks he's the best shark in the book, but keeps getting one-upped by sharks who are better at something than he is. This is an amusing book with lots of facts about different shark species. Shark books are pretty popular among my students and they'll love the humor of this one.

When Lola Visits by Michelle Sterling and illustrated by Aaron Asis

This is a sweet book about the special moments of summer and the bond between a girl and her grandmother. Lola's grandmother visits from the Philippines and they enjoy many summer activities and meals together until she has to return home. The poetic text and the gorgeous illustrations capture the joy of summer and the love that exists within families. 

Better with Butter by Victoria Piontek

Marvel is a sixth-grader coping with anxiety. She rescues a goat from a group of eighth-graders who are mistreating the animal and is allowed to keep her temporarily. Butter, the goat, helps Marvel deal with her anxiety and becomes her emotional support animal. This is a realistic and heart-warming story about finding courage. Thanks to the publisher for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advanced reader's copy. The book publishes in July.

Summer Reading Recommendation


Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I have been eager to read this book since back in January, I think, when I heard Taylor Jenkins Reid had a new book publishing. I enjoyed The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, but I think I loved this one even more. The setting, the characters, and the plot are all fantastic. Malibu, surfing, the eighties...perfect summer read!

Monday, June 7, 2021

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...

No Pants! by Jacob Grant

Pablo and his father are going to a party. They are almost ready, except Pablo does not want to put on pants, so his father must convince him. A couple of twists add to the humor of the story.

Percy's Museum by Sara O'Leary and illustrated by Carmen Mok

Percy moves to the country after living in a bustling city. Although it seems at first that there is nothing to do, Percy starts exploring and realizes there is much to enjoy about the world around him. This is a sweet story about the wonders of the natural world and friendship.

Toasty by Sarah Hwang

Toasty is made of bread, but wants to be a dog. When Toasty meets a girl who wants a dog, but is allergic, his dreams come true. This book, with its message about embracing one's differences and uniqueness, is both amusing and heart-warming.

Ahmed Aziz's Epic Year by Nina Hamza

Ahmed Aziz is having a pretty terrible school year. He is not thrilled to have moved from Hawaii to Minnesota. His father has a serious illness for which he is undergoing treatment. And being Indian American in a school that is mostly white, he is finding it hard to fit in. I really felt for Ahmed as he navigated a difficult school year and was rooting for him throughout the book. This is a fantastic story with a message about being true to oneself. Thanks to the publisher for a digital advanced reader's copy.

Adult Reading Recommendation


Somebody's Daughter by Ashley C. Ford

This is a memoir about complicated family relationships and resiliency. There were parts that were tough to read, but it's a very beautiful, honest, and moving book.