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 Shell is Cozy by Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long

As the other books in the series by the same author and illustrator, this is poetic, informative, and beautiful. As a lover of shells this one might be my favorite.

All Good in the Hood by Dwayne Reed and illustrated by Gladys Jose

A family is going to the park to celebrate Juneteenth, but Lil' Bro has many worries as they walk around. Luckily, Big Bro is there to support him. Written in rhyme this is a fun and sweet story about brothers.

Penny Draws a Best Friend by Sara Shepard

This is a sweet middle grade novel that includes lots of illustrations. Penny and her best friend, Violet, are starting fifth grade together, but they seem to be growing apart. Penny is also a worrier which is why she meets with Mrs. Hines, a teacher at her school who helps her talk about her feelings. A relatable and humorous story.

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 Dupatta Is... by Marzieh Abbas and illustrated by Anu Chouhan

A dupatta is fabric, but it is also so much more. This lovely book gives insight into the usefulness and significance of the scarf that is part of South Asian culture. The illustrations are sweet and there is an author's note and glossary at the end of the book.

The Fastest Tortoise in Town by Howard Calvert and illustrated by Karen Obuhanych

A charming tortoise has entered a race, but doesn't believe she can win. Her owner, Lorraine, is encouraging and supportive and helps the tortoise train so on race day she is ready to give it her all. The illustrations of the tortoise are really cute and her expressions are amusing. There's a good message about working hard and believing in oneself. 

I Don't Care by Julie Fogliano and illustrated by Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal

Two friends explain what they don't care about and what they do. This sweet story highlights what matters in a friendship and the importance of accepting each other. The illustrations are lovely with great use of color. 

The Wishing Flower by A.J. Irving and illustrated by Kip Alizadeh

Birdie, who doesn't feel like she fits in, would rather keep to herself. That all changes when she finds the right person who connects with her. This is a beautiful book about fitting in, being oneself, and friendship. Love and joy leap off the pages.

Adult Reading Recommendation

Our Place on the Island by Erika Montgomery

Three generations of women gather at their family beach house on Martha's Vineyard for a wedding. Cora is remarrying three years after her husband's death and her daughter is having difficulty accepting it while her granddaughter is dealing with problems of her own, as her restaurant back in Baltimore is suffering financially. This is a story that moves back and forth in time, telling the current story of Cora's surprise wedding and the back story of when she moved to the island when she first married. The story is interesting and heart-warming. This is a light, breezy read with a summer setting making it a good beach read.

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...

Summer is For Cousins by Rajani LaRocca and illustrated by Abhi Alwar

A family, including seven cousins, spend a summer vacation together at a house near the water. This heart-warming book shows the joys of being together with family and the fun of summer. 

Take a Chance by Sujean Rim

Bob loves to fly, but is afraid to do the cool things the other birds are doing. He makes excuses so that he doesn't have to try until he meets an eagle who helps him realize he needs to take a chance. A sweet book with a nice message about not being afraid to try new things.

Nothing's Wrong: A Hare, a Bear, and Some Pie to Share by Jory John and illustrated by Erin Kraan

Anders wants to surprise his friend Jeff with a pie, but it gets ruined in the rain. Anders doesn't tell his friend what's wrong, but Jeff, knowing that something is not right, persists in being a good friend. A cute book about friendship.

Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson

Having won the Newberry Medal, I was knew this book was going to be amazing and I wasn't disappointed. It's about a fictional community, but it's based on the real "maroon communities" which some enslaved people escaped to in order to be free. It's a great story and great writing.

Adult Reading Recommendation

Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum

Gossip, lies, deception, backstabbing, and lots of drama surround a group of friends summering on Fire Island. The book opens with a dead body, but this is more of a domestic drama than a thriller. Although everyone single one of the characters, with the terrible choices they make, fit the description in the title of the book and are pretty unlikeable, the book was highly entertaining. I loved the setting and it was the perfect book to read on a weekend that was warm and sunny. It really got me in a summer mood!