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...
I'm Sticking With You - And the Chicken Too! by Smriti Prasadam-Halls and illustrated by Steve Small
Bear and Squirrel are perfect together making music and decide to exclude Chicken since three is a crowd. But when they see Chicken in danger, they don't hesitate to help out. This is a rhythmic tale of friendship.
Salat in Secret by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and illustrated by Hatem Aly
Now that Muhammad is seven he is old enough to pray five times a day so his father gives him a salat rug for his birthday. At school Muhammad needs a space to pray, but is trying to find the courage to ask his teacher. The author's note at the end provides additional information about salat. The story is moving and empowering.
Sorry, Snail by Tracy Subisak
Ari is in a bad mood and takes it out on a snail she has discovered in the grass. The snail demands an apology, but it needs to be one that is meaningful. The book shows the importance of being kind and what it means to offer a genuine apology.
Otis & Peanut by Naseem Hrab and illustrated by Kelly Collier
This graphic novel includes three short stories about two friends who care for and support each other. Each of the stories is touching. There is humor, but the stories are more sensitive than silly.
Rewind by Lisa Graff
McKinley is excited to attend the Time Hop, a community party that celebrates a year from the past. On the day of the celebration, McKinley sneaks out to the fashion show, for which she has created a special outfit from 1993, against her father's wishes. She also has her first fight with her best friend. On top of all that, she suddenly finds herself transported to the year 1993 when her father and best friend's parents are in sixth grade. This is a sweet and fun time travel story. The book publishes in August.
Adult Reading Recommendations
The Road to Dalton by Shannon Bowring
Set in northern Maine, this story centers around three different couples and the ways their lives intersect with one another. Each of the chapters read like short stories, but they connect to each other and tell a heart-wrenching and beautiful narrative of a small community and the people who live there. I loved the setting and the characters and the writing is wonderful.
Thanks for The Road to Dalton & the others for young readers, Lisa. It would be wonderful to have Salat in Secret in the classroom. I had to learn about this because I had a Muslim student. Thus, our classroom learned, too, about the needs of someone.
ReplyDeleteThe Road to Dalton sounds like such a powerful read, Lisa! And I made note of Sorry, Snail and Salat in Secret too—about the first, I feel like apologies are something books so often get wrong, and I'd love to see an antidote to that! And about Salat in Secret, I feel like Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow is churning out books faster than I can blink—which is fine by me, because they're all great! Thanks so much for the wonderful post, and have a great week!
ReplyDeleteSorry, Snail sounds so cute! I'll definitely check it out.
ReplyDeleteAll new titles for me! I especially am interested in Otis and Peanut since kids are always looking for new graphic novels.
ReplyDeleteI am going to add all of these to my TBR--they all sound wonderful! Thank you for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteHappy reading this week!
Graff's upcoming novel sounds so fun. Will keep that in mind.
ReplyDeleteLooks like some great picks. Love books with lighthearted and humorous tones, particularly if the subject is more serious. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteAll of these sound wonderful Lisa. I really like the premise of Sorry, Snail. It sounds like an important book for helping children understand what a sincere apology is. Actually, so many of these books seem like invaluable tools that will help children become better human beings.
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