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...

Abuelita and Me by Leonarda Carranza and illustrated by Rafael Mayani

The narrator of this picture book enjoys the fun times she has with her Abuelita when they are inside, but is upset and confused by the ways that her Abuelita is mistreated when they go out. Showing a child's experience with racism, this is a powerful story.

Catch That Dog! by Will Taylor

Joanie finds a stray poodle and convinces her parents to let her keep him. Unbeknownst to her, the poodle is famous and has been dognapped. The book was inspired by the true life story of Masterpiece, known as the world's most valuable dog, who mysteriously vanished. This is sweet, fun, and adventurous story about the friendship and love between a girl and her poodle. Thanks to the publisher for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advance reader's copy. The book publishes in June.

Friends Fur-Ever (Must Love Pets #1) by Saadia Faruqi

Imaan has not been able to convince her mom to let her get a dog. With two of her friends, she decides to start a pet-sitting business to prove that she is responsible and caring. When Imaan starts caring for her neighbor's dog, Sir Teddy, she realizes that pet-sitting comes with challenges. This is a sweet story that pet lovers will adore. Thanks to the publisher for an advance reader's copy. The book publishes this month.

What is Juneteenth? by Kirsti Jewel and illustrated by Manuel Gutierrez

Part of the What Was? series, this book provides the history related to Juneteenth as well as insight into how the holiday is celebrated today. Very informative.

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...

How to Say Hello to a Worm: A First Guide to Outside by Kari Percival

A group of kids plant seeds, take care of a garden, observe living creatures, and watch their plants grow. Written in a question and answer format this book is informative, but it's really sweet, too. The illustrations are lovely. A great introduction to gardening for young children.

Out of a Jar by Deborah Marcero

Llewellyn is very uncomfortable with his feelings and puts them all into jars. When he runs out of room for his feelings, he learns there is a better way to handle them. This is a lovely book to help students learn about emotions and to add to a collection of books to foster social-emotional learning. 

Alice Austen Lived Here by Alex Gino

Two nonbinary seventh-graders are working on a school project which leads them to learn about Alice Austen, one of the first woman photographers, and queer history. It's a fun and sweet book that also explores community, friendship, and chosen family. Thanks to the publisher for sharing an advanced reader's copy with my book review group, #BookExcursion. The book publishes in June. 

Adult Reading Recommendations

Such Big Dreams by Reema Patel

This is a heart-wrenching, but compelling story of resilience. Rakhi is a character who readers will root for as she overcomes obstacles to make a life for herself now that she is no longer living on the streets. The insight into life in modern day Mumbai and the class system was eye-opening.