Pages

Monday, May 15, 2023

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 Hospital Book by Lisa Brown

The narrator of this book goes to the hospital with appendicitis and tells about the times she cried and did not cry. This book explains what a hospital visit can be like in an engaging way and can help to ease anxieties of a child who has is having such an experience. 

The Perfect Sushi by Emily Satoko Seo and illustrated by Mique Moriuchi

A young girl wants to make the perfect sushi for her grandmother's birthday, but is frustrated when it turns out lopsided rather than just right. When she orders a platter of sushi for the celebration, she learns a lesson about perfection.  

You Rule! by Rilla Alexander

This is an interesting book about feelings with great vocabulary. The ending is sweet.

Two Friends, One Dog, and a Very Unusual Week by Sarah L. Thomson and illustrated by Vin Vogel

Emily has a new neighbor living on the top floor of her apartment building. Although they are the same age, the new girl is very different from her, as she doesn't seem to want to follow any rules. As Emily begins a new friendship she is also trying to keep them both out of trouble and not having a lot of success. This is a quirky and fun book about friendship.

Adult Reading 


Happy Place by Emily Henry

Not my favorite novel by this author, but it's a quick, light, and touching read. If you haven't read Emily Henry yet and are planning, too, I'd recommend starting with Book Lovers or People We Meet on Vacation. Her books make great beach or pool-side reading. 

Monday, May 8, 2023

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...


Big Tune: Rise of the Dancehall Prince by Alliah L. Agostini and illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice

Celebrating Jamaican music and dance, this rhythmic story is full of joy. Shane, who only dances when no one is around, helps his community when the speaker breaks before the Saturday dance gathering and finds the confidence to show off his moves.  

Ode to a Bad Day by Chelsea Lin Wallace and illustrated by Hyewon Yum

In this lyrical poem, one thing after another goes wrong for the narrator. As bad as the day is, the narrator has hope for a better tomorrow. This lively ode includes humor and many kids will be able to relate to.

Don't Touch That Flower by Alice Hemming and illustrated by Nicolas Slater

The first flower of spring arrives and Squirrel, who claims it as his own, wants to protect it. Bird helps him learn what flowers need and shows him that nature is there for all to enjoy. A fun book.

Home Away From Home by Cynthia Lord

Another heart-warming book from Cynthia Lord. Mia visits her grandmother every summer, but this year is different since her mother is packing up their house while she is gone. In addition, Mia is jealous of a neighbor who has been spending time with her grandmother. She is excited about an unusual bird that she and the neighbor have discovered, but when she posts about it online she realizes the bird may not be safe. This is a story about friendship and dealing with the consequences of one's actions. 

Adult Reading Recommendation 


The Last Word by Taylor Adams

I read this suspenseful thriller in a day and a half. After a tragic event in her life, Emma has escaped to a remote beach where, alone with her dog, she is housesitting. When she posts a one star book review, the author insists she removes it. She leaves the review up and soon after strange and disturbing things start happening around the house and she believes the author is acting out his next murder crime novel with her as the intended victim. This book is fast-paced and action-packed with interesting twists. It's creepy and over the top, but very clever. 

Monday, May 1, 2023

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...


Farah Loves Mangos by Sarthak Sinha

Farah, who loves mangos, is distraught to find out her that her grandpa's tree is not producing fruit. She thinks hard and comes up with many creative ideas to try and get the mango tree to bear fruit, but nothing works. Although her grandfather is too busy to bother with the tree, he has found a way to help her appreciate it even without fruit. A fun book with lovely illustrations.

In Between by April Pulley Sayre with Jeff Sayre

A poem and photos celebrate in between moments as animals live and move in the world. A gorgeous book that provides a clever look at the natural world.

The Yellow Handkerchief by Donna Barba Higuera and illustrated by Cynthia Alonso

A girl feels ashamed of the way her abuela acts and talks and really dislikes the yellow handkerchief she wears. When her grandmother has to go away for a bit, the girl misses her terribly and begins to realize how special her abuela is. This is a heart-warming story about embracing differences and one's culture.

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Dragon by Lucille Colandro and illustrated by Jared Lee

The latest in The Old Lady series is as absurd as the previous books, but this one has a fun fairy tale twist at the end. Fans of the series will love this one.

Henry, Like Always by Jenn Bailey and illustrated by Mika Song

Henry is kid who likes routine, so when his teacher declares there will be a parade on Friday instead of the usual share time he feels great unease about it. Finally the end of the week arrives, and Henry finds a way to enjoy the parade and make a classmate happy. There are certainly kids who will be able to relate to Henry and his feelings about change. This beginning chapter book is the first in a series.

Juniper Harvey and the Vanishing Kingdom by Nina Varela

Juniper has just moved to Florida from Dallas and she has been having strange dreams which she records with her art in a notebook. Without any friends, she keeps to herself, until she makes a wish and the girl from her dream, Princess Galatea, appears in her bedroom and together they work to save a vanishing kingdom. This is a magical adventure story, but also a sweet story about friendship and navigating first crushes. 

Adult Reading Recommendation


Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane

This historical crime novel book takes place during the hot summer of 1974 in Boston when courts ruled that students would be bused to schools outside of their neighborhoods in order to desegregate them. It is intense, enraging, heart-wrenching, and thought-provoking book. The emotions and historical details are well captured. Hard to put down.