Pages

Monday, January 31, 2022

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...


I Found a Kitty! by Troy Cummings

Arfy has found a stray kitten so he writes letters to those in the community who might want to give him a home. None of the homes prove to be a good match until Arfy thinks of the perfect place where Scamper can be of help to others. This is a fun, cute book. 

Snow Angel, Sand Angel by Lois-Ann Yamanaka and illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky

Claire lives on the Big Island in Hawaii and wants to see snow. When her family brings her to the top of Mauna Kea, she is disappointed that the snow is not like what she imagined. A trip to Hapuna Beach helps Claire realize that she may not be able to make snow angels, but there is much to appreciate about the place where she lives. This is a beautiful book and also a fitting book to read this past weekend when we had a blizzard here in Massachusetts. Even after having lived through New England winters my whole life, I much prefer sand angels over snow angels!

Fergus and Zeke and the 100th Day of School by Kate Messner and illustrated by Heather Ross

Miss Maxwell's class is celebrating the one hundredth day of school by using the number one hundred in different ways. The class pets, Fergus and Zeke, take part in the celebration and are determined to think of a good idea for their hundredth-day collection. Students in the early elementary grades who celebrate the one hundredth day of school will find this book fun. 

Honestly Elliott by Gillian McDunn

I have loved all of Gillian McDunn's middle grade books and this one is no exception. Elliott, who has ADHD, has difficulties with schoolwork and connecting with his classmates. He is surprised when Maribel, who he considers super smart and a perfectionist, agrees to be his partner for a school project. Although he has a talent and passion for cooking, Maribel decides that their project will involve baking, which he is not a fan of at all. This story about family, unlikely friendship and belonging is charming and heartfelt. Thanks to the author for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advance reading copy. The book publishes in March.

Monday, January 24, 2022

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...


A Unicorn Named Sparkle and the Perfect Valentine by Amy Young

This Valentine-themed addition to the series about Lucy and her unicorn, Sparkle, is sweet. Lucy's making Valentine's cards to tell all her friends what she loves about them and Sparkles decides he wants to make one for Lucy. Although Sparkle's card is not as fancy as everyone else's, he gets his message across.

Cat Kid Comic Club: Perspectives by Dav Pilkey

Another meeting of the Cat Kid Comic Club is in session and the frogs are getting a drawing lesson to learn about perspective. The frogs not only learn about drawing, but also the importance of seeing things through another's perspective. The comics within a comic structure of this book is creative and the story is humorous with lots of kid appeal.

 

Who Sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott?: Rosa Parks by Insha Fitzpatrick and illustrated by Abelle Hayford


Who Was the First Man on the Moon?: Neil Armstrong by Nathan Page and illustrated by Drew Shannon

These books are part of a new line of graphic novels in the Who Was? series. They each tell an intriguing tale of an important historical figure. The graphic novel format will make learning history accessible for those students who are motivated by shorter texts and illustrations.  

Candidly Cline by Kathryn Ormsbee

Cline dreams of becoming a musician. When she learns about a singer-songwriter workshop she is determined to attend even though her mother insists it's not worth her while. Cline is also trying to make sense of her grandmother's memory issues and navigate a changing friendship after she reveals that she is not interested in boys. This book addresses some important issues and challenges of growing up such as first crushes. Cline is a character who readers will root for.

Monday, January 10, 2022

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 Year We Learned to Fly by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by Rafael López  

The creators of The Day You Begin have given us another beautiful story with an empowering message. Listening to their grandmother's advice, two siblings use their imaginations to lift themselves out of their current situation. In the note at the end of the book, Jacqueline Woodson tells about her inspiration for the book and includes these powerful words, "Sometimes the first step toward change is closing our eyes, taking a breath, and imagining a different way." 

J.D. and the Hair Show Showdown by J. Dillard and illustrated by Akeem S. Roberts

Eight-year-old J.D. the Kid Barber is off to Atlanta with his mom for the Beauty Brothers Hair Expo. As in the previous books in the series, J.D. shows what's possible when following one's passion.

Secret of the Storm by Beth McMullen

This fantasy adventure is also a meaningful story of friendship and having the courage to be oneself and do the right thing. After two schoolmates, Cassie and Joe, find a kitten in a dumpster after an unusual storm they team up to solve a mystery. It's an engaging read and I think readers will be eager for the follow-up. Thanks to the author for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advance reviewer copy. The book publishes in March.

Adult Reading Recommendation 


Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

I was captivated by this book and I think it will end up being one of my top favorites of 2022. Two estranged siblings are brought together after their mother's death. Through a recording their mother has left, the siblings learn about their family's secret past. This multigenerational story alternates between the present and the 1960s and is set in the Caribbean, America, and Britain. The family drama and the mystery of the mother's life had me hooked, but it's also beautiful and moving and an exploration of many themes including loyalty, resilience, and identity. The book publishes in February.

Monday, January 3, 2022

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...


Group Hug by Jean Reidy and illustrated by Joey Chou

A slug, in need of a hug, gives one to a bug and gradually more and more animals join in a group hug. This is a warm and endearing story about kindness.

Millions of Maxes by Meg Wolitzer and illustrated by Micah Player

Max believes he is the "one and only Max" until a trip to the park where he discovers there are two other kids with his name, as well. The Maxes work together to find a missing pink pine cone which leads them to another Max. This is a fun read.

Winter Lullaby by Dianne White and illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki

Mama Bear convinces Small Bear that it's time for them to go inside and sleep. This sweet rhyming story is great for the winter season or bedtime. 

When Winter Robeson Came by Brenda Woods 

In August of 1965, Eden's cousin Winter is visiting her in Los Angeles. She is expecting to spend the time visiting Disneyland and the beach, but instead Winter reveals he wants to find his father. This is a heartfelt story about family, but also gives insight into the Watts Riots and the racial inequality of the time period. Written in verse, this is a quick and accessible read. Thank you to the publisher for sharing an advance readers copy with my book review group, #BookExcursion. The book publishes this month.

Adult Read


When You Are Mine by Michael Robotham

I read this over the holiday break in about two days. It's a compelling psychological thriller with some interesting twists. 

Saturday, January 1, 2022

Books I Plan to Read in 2022

We know January is a time to think about intentions we have for the new year. As part of thinking about the year ahead, I have made a list of books I plan to read. The list includes titles that publish in 2022 that I think are must-reads. These are books that most pique my interest right now. I limited my list for the purposes of this post, but there are many other books that I hope to read and there are others that will come across my radar as the year goes on. To check out other must-read lists, follow #MustReadin2022 on Twitter.

Picture Books


Snow Angel, Sand Angel by Lois-Ann Yamanaka and illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky 

Dear Reader: A Love Letter to Libraries by Tiffany Rose 

Tía Fortuna's New Home: A Jewish Cuban Journey by Ruth Behar and illustrated by Devon Holzwarth

Apple and Magnolia by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Patricia Metola

Powwow Day by Traci Sorell and illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight 

Knight Owl by Christopher Denise

A Penny's Worth by Kimberly Wilson and illustrated by Mark Hoffmann

Creepy Crayon! by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Peter Brown

Middle Grade Books


Wayward Creatures by Dayna Lorentz

Worser by Jennifer Ziegler

Dream, Annie, Dream by Waka T. Brown

Just Harriet by Elana K. Arnold

Wild Ride by Keith Calabrese

Wreck at Ada's Reef by  Michael D. Beil

Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa by Julian Randall

Those Kids From Fawn Creek by Erin Entrada Kelly

Falling Short by Ernesto Cisneros

Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence by Sonja Thomas


Adult Reads


The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan

The Good Son by Jacquelyn Mitchard

Real Easy by Marie Rutkoski

The Lies I Tell by Julie Clark