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...
People are Wild by Margaux Meganck
This picture books provides an animal perspective on what people are like. Animal young learn that people are wild while the animal young teach their parents that people are also similar to them in many ways. This is a fun book with a message about the importance of respecting animals.
Tiny Dino by Deborah Freedman
A bird explains to its animal friends that it is in fact a dinosaur. The animals don't believe it until a crocodile shows up and it becomes clear that dinosaurs do still roam the earth. The book is mostly written in dialogue with some facts interspersed throughout. The author's note explains further the connection between birds, crocodiles, and dinosaurs. An amusing and informative picture book.
The Summer of June by Jamie Sumner
Twelve-year-old June and her mother have recently moved to Nashville. As summer starts, June is thinking a lot about her anxiety and how she can overcome it. She spends a lot of time at the library where her mother works and she meets a boy her age there, but the idea of forming a friendship with him causes more anxious feelings. As June navigates relationships she learns about self-acceptance. Many readers will be able to relate to June and appreciate knowing that others experience anxiety, too. Thanks to the publisher for an advanced reader's copy. The book publishes in May.
Worser by Jennifer Ziegler
Worser is a seventh-grader who doesn't socialize much with others, but loves words. His mother loved them, too, but now that she's had a stroke she is unable to share in the joy of words with him. His aunt, who he doesn't get along with, has moved in to help take care of both of them. While Worser tries to adjust to his new family situation, he finds comfort in spending time at a used bookstore. When he becomes involved in an after school club, his love of words helps him connect with others. His new friends help out when there is a problem with a bookstore, but Worser's actions go a little too far. Both the vocabulary and wordplay throughout the book and Worser's journey of change make this an engaging read.
Adult Reading Recommendation
Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
This book reminded me about how much I've learned about history by being a reader of historical fiction. The author was inspired to write this story by events in our history that were horrific, but also not very well known. It explores a heavy topic, but it's eye-opening and poignant and powerful.