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...

Turkey's Valentine Surprise by Wendi Silvano and illustrated by Lee Harper

Turkey receives a Valentine from a secret admirer and decides to secretly give each of his farm animal friends one, as well. His punny Valentine's cards are a hit, but his disguises give him away. One last Valentine card gives him an idea that they all can enjoy. A fun Valentine adventure. 

The Lost Library by Jess McGeachin

In his new house, Oliver finds a book with a message that the book should be returned to the lost library. With the help of his neighbor, Rosie, they return the book and go on an adventure that takes them through a magical world with a forest of books and a Bookshelf Dragon. This is a sweet story about the power of both books and friendship.

Very Good Hats by Emma Straub and illustrated by Blanca Gómez

This is a charming book about all the different items that can be a hat. The author's clever ideas about what can be put on one's head will inspire young readers to think of their own unique hats. 

The Guardian Test (Legends of Lotus Island #1) by Christina Soontornvat and illustrated by Kevin Hong

Plum's grandparents have applied for her to attend the Guardian Academy on Lotus Island and she has been accepted. She has no interest in learning to transform into a magical creature in order to protect the environment and doesn't think it's something she'll be good at, but her grandparents believe it is a great opportunity for her. When she gets to the island she is challenged by her first task which she must master in order to continue on. In addition, she is learning to navigate friendships with others at the school. This start to a new fantasy series has lots of magic and adventure. Under two hundred pages, it's perfect for elementary readers, especially those who are hesitant to read longer books. Thanks to the publisher for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advance reader's copy. The book publishes on February 7th.

Adult Reading Recommendation 

Outsmart Your Brain: Why Learning is Hard and How You Can Make it Easy by Daniel T. Willingham

This is an insightful book about how to learn efficiently. I wish I had this book when I was younger because I think it would have helped me as a student. There were a variety of topics covered including how to listen to get the most out of a lecture, how to take notes, how to read texts that cover content, how to take a test, and how to deal with anxiety. A very practical book for anyone who wants to improve upon their learning habits.

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 Mystery of the Love List by Sarah Glenn Marsh and illustrated by Ishaa Lobo

Pippa, the only porcupine in her class, is very lonely, but when her teacher gives a Valentine's Day assignment to write a "love list" she finds out she has a secret admirer. Pippa puts her sleuthing skills to work and discovers a new friend. A sweet book. 

What's Up, Pup?: How Our Furry Friends Communicate and What They Are Saying by Kersten Hamilton and illustrated by Lili Chin

This is an informative and amusing introduction to how dogs communicate through their body language. The illustrations which include a variety of types of dogs are a lot of fun. Those with and without dogs will enjoy learning about the ways these animals get their message across.

 

On Air With Zoe Washington (Zoe Washington #2) by Janae Marks

This is a wonderful follow-up to the first Zoe book that continues her story now that her father is out of prison and they are exploring the idea of opening a restaurant. Zoe is an inspirational character as she follows her dream, creatively solves problems, and demonstrates compassion. In addition to being a well-written book, I think it will stimulate important conversations. 

Adult Reading Recommendation

The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson

After reading The Yellow Wife, which I loved, I was eager to read this new novel by the same author. Not only does Sadeqa Johnson immerse you in the time period, she also creates characters who stick in your mind long after closing the book. Set in the 1950s, this book alternates between two women, one in Philadelphia and the other in Washington, D.C., who are both very determined. They each have goals to better their life through education, but are faced with challenges and difficult decisions. Each of the two storylines were interesting and I liked how they intertwined. A captivating and insightful work of historical fiction. 

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...

Little Red and the Big Bad Editor by Rebecca Kraff Rector and illustrated by Shanda McCloskey

This spin on Little Red Riding Hood will amuse readers while also teaching them about sentence conventions and letter writing. The familiar story has a clever twist and fun choice of words and metaphors. Readers will love the illustrations, too.

Love, Escargot by Dashka Slater and illustrated by Sydney Hanson 

Escargot, the French snail, has been invited to a Snailentine Party and is taking the reader along. When Escargot gets to the party there is delicious food and no snails, but there is a vole. Nervous at first, Escargot discovers a volentine is just as great as a snailentine. In this third book, Escargot continues to charm. This is a delightful story about friendship.

My Town Mi Pueblo by Nicholas Solis and illustrated by Luisa Uribe

Two cousins live in towns on different sides of the river separated by the U.S.-Mexico border. The cousins love spending time with each other although it is not so easy to visit each other's home. The illustrations show the differences between the cousins' towns while they share similar experiences. This is a sweet bilingual story about family.

Roxie Loves Adventure by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and illustrated by Leez Hernandez

Roxie is a pampered pug who loves her luxurious lifestyle. One morning when her humans are still asleep and can't take her outside, she goes on her own. She realizes she's tougher than she knew when she finds herself locked outside. This is an amusing story about a resilient dog who learns about the joys of adventure.

Best Friends Furever (Love Puppies #1) by JaNay Brown-Wood

The Love Puppies are four puppies, each with a special power that they use to help children in need. Their current mission to help a third-grader make a friend at her new school proves to be a challenge, but they learn something about the magic of friendship. This is a cute chapter book series about friendship that dog lovers will especially enjoy. Thanks to the publisher for providing my book review group with an advanced reader's copy. The book publishes in February.

Adult Reading Recommendation

Uncultured by Daniella Mestyanek Young 

This memoir, about a woman who grew up in a religious cult, is not an easy read, but it is thought-provoking. The author tells the story of her childhood, her transition to life outside the cult, and her time in the Army. There is a lot to reflect on as far as group behavior. It's also an inspiring story of resilience and survival.

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 Send a Hug by Hayley Rocco and illustrated by John Rocco

Artie wants to give her grandma a hug, but she lives too far away so she sends one in a letter. Inspired by the author's childhood, when letter writing was a common form of communication, readers will be introduced to the magic of sending a hug through the mail. This is an ode to the old-fashioned letter, as well as a touching story about the love between a child and her grandma. 

Picture Day Jitters (The Jitters Series) by Julie Danneberg and illustrated by Judy Love

Mrs. Hartwell's class is not having their class picture taken until the end of the day. They try to keep tidy the entire day and Mrs. Hartwell steps in to fix whatever goes wrong. They may not be so tidy by picture time, but they still get a perfect picture. A relatable book for teachers and students.

Snow Horses: A First Night Story by Patricia MacLachlan and illustrated by Micha Archer

Tim and Tom, two Percheron horses, pull their sleigh, along with their driver, Jenny, through the snowy town celebrating the last night of the year. Both children and adults enjoy the magic of the horse-drawn sleigh. This is a beautiful story about welcoming the New Year that celebrates community.

A Sweet New Year for Ren by Michelle Sterling and illustrated by Dung Ho

Ren is excited that it's time to celebrate Lunar New Year. As her family prepares she is told she is too little to help, but when her brother arrives that changes. This is a joyous book about family and celebration. 

The Totally Not Wicked Stepmother by Samantha Berger and illustrated by Neha Rawat

The narrator of this book knows all about wicked stepmothers from fairytales and when she meets hers is very suspicious. Unlike the stepmothers of those popular tales, this one is not forcing chores on anyone or handing out poisonous apples, but is there to save the day. This is a very sweet story with a positive message about stepparents and blended families.

The Lost Whale by Hannah Gold

Rio is sent to live with his grandmother in California while his mother, still in London, is receiving treatment at a hospital. He does not like being separated from his mother, but her learns about her love of whales, especially one known as White Beak, and he becomes interested as well. He meets a new friend on the beach and she introduces him to the wonders of whale-watching and he realizes he has a special skill that proves useful when a whale needs help. This is a touching story about friendship, adventure, and the connection between humans and animals.

Adult Reading Recommendations

The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton

This was one of the last novels I read in 2022, but definitely not the least. I would say it's in my list of top favorites from the year. The story follows Wanda who was born during a devastating hurricane in Florida. It's a beautifully written story of survival and resilience and also one about climate change as the author has imagined a future in which the state is battered by storms and becomes drastically altered. Although fiction, it made me think about whether the situation, as it was imagined, could become a reality.

Locust Lane by Stephen Amidon

On Locust Lane, in a wealthy suburb of Boston, a young woman is found murdered. The investigation into her murder involves three teenage friends who go to high school together. The story is told from varying perspectives including the parents of the teenagers and the victim. This was an interesting story about the lengths parents will go to in order to protect their children. It also explores privilege and wealth. It's more of a domestic drama than a thriller or mystery, but I still wanted to keep reading to find out who was guilty.