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...

Most Days by Michael Leannah and illustrated by Megan Elizabeth Baratta 

The minutes of an ordinary day  are filled with extraordinary things if one takes the time to notice. This is a lovely book about embracing the wonders of our world and appreciating the good that surrounds us. 

My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World by Malcolm Mitchell and illustrated by Michael Robinson

Henley comes up with a creative solution when his teacher gives his class an assignment to bring in their very favorite book in the whole wide world. This is a sweet book about finding the stories in ourselves. 

The Runaway No-Wheeler by Peter Stein

Truck enthusiasts will love this book. It's a silly story of a 18-wheeler that loses one wheel after another while on the way to make a delivery. Amusing illustrations and a humorous ending make this a fun read. 

The Magical Reality of Nadia by Bassem Youssef and Catherine R. Daly and illustrated by Douglas Holgate

This is a fun and heartfelt book about navigating friendship and identity. Working on a class project becomes complicated when Nadia, who is Egyptian American, finds herself being teased by the new student in her class because of her culture. With courage and resilience and a little bit of magic, Nadia works through the difficulties she faces. There are illustrations included in the book and a few pages are written in comic book style. Thanks to the publisher for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with a review copy. The book publishes in February.

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...

Bunheads by Misty Copeland

Readers with an interest in dance will be charmed by this story about ballet and following one's passion. At her first class, young Misty learns about the ballet Coppélia and is determined to learn the steps and get a starring role. 

Mr. Brown's Bad Day by Lou Peacock and illustrated by Alison Friend

Mr. Brown has a very important briefcase with very important things inside. One day while eating lunch, his briefcase is accidentally taken and Mr. Brown ends up chasing all over town. This is a very cute story with a sweet and surprising ending. 

Pugtato Finds a Thing by Sophie Corrigan

Pugtato finds a shiny, round thing while digging in the mud and, to figure out what it is, goes around the garden asking his friends. The cast of animal/vegetable characters will intrigue and amuse young readers.

Katie the Catsitter by Colleen AF Venable and illustrated by Stephanie Yue

Katie is trying to raise money to attend a summer camp so she takes a job catsitting for a neighbor. After one night with the 217 cats, Katie realizes they are smarter and more evil than ordinary felines. While Katie tries to manage catsitting she also begins to suspect her neighbor is a super villain. Cat lovers, especially, will enjoy this fun and adventurous graphic novel.

The Lion of Mars by Jennifer L. Holm

Eleven-year old Bell is an ordinary kid except for the fact that he has grown up living in a settlement on Mars. One of the rules is that no one is allowed to leave to visit the other colonies. When the adults become sick with a mysterious illness, Bell has no choice but to go in search of help from neighbors who he is not sure he can trust. This is a compelling and imaginative sci-fi adventure that explores themes relevant to our world today.

An Adult Read I Loved

The Push by Ashley Audrain

This psychological thriller is one that I couldn't put down. It's dark and disturbing, but also a story that will make you think. It explores themes related to motherhood, nature versus nurture, and mental illness. 

Books I'm Looking Forward to Reading in 2021

For the past few years, I have joined a community of bloggers to make a must-read list for the year ahead. The community originated with Carrie Gelson of There's a Book for That and this year the torch has been passed to Leigh Anne Eck at A Day in the Life. This year, I have made a list of books, publishing in the first few months of 2021, that I am looking forward to reading. Narrowing down this list was not easy since there are many, many books I would love to read (if only there were more hours in the day!). In addition to the children's literature, picture books and middle grade novels, that I intend to read, I also added some adult novels that are on my radar. For a list of favorite book picks from those I read in 2020, you can check out my list of middle grade books and picture books (as a supporter of local bookstores, I have curated my lists on Bookshop.org and receive a commission on any books purchased through these links). To find out what others will be reading in the year ahead, follow #MustReadin2021 on Twitter.

Picture Books

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho and illustrated by Dung Ho

Outside, Inside by LeUyen Pham

I Dream of Popo by Livia Blackburne and illustrated by Julia Kuo

Sheepish (Wolf Under Cover) by Helen Yoon

Moose, Goose, and Mouse by Mordicai Gerstein and illustrated by Jeff Mack

Milo Imagines the World by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson

Daisy by Jessixa Bagley

The Snail with the Right Heart: A True Story by Maria Popova and illustrated by Ping Zhu

Something's Wrong by Jory John and illustrated by Erin Kraan

No Buddy Like a Book by Allan Wolf and illustrated by Brianne Farley

Middle Grade

The Lion of Mars by Jennifer L. Holm

The Star Outside My Window by Onjali Q. Raúf

The Comeback: A Figure Skating Novel by E. L. Shen

The Year I Flew Away by Marie Arnold

The Magical Reality of Nadia by Bassem Youssef and Catherine R. Daly and illustrated by Douglas Holgate

One Jar of Magic by Corey Ann Haydu

J.D. and the Great Barber Battle by J. Dillard and illustrated by Akeem S. Roberts

Definitely Dominguita by Terry Catasús Jennings and illustrated by Fatima Anaya

The Dragon in the Library by Louie Stowell

The House that Wasn’t There by Elana K. Arnold

Adult Novels

Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson

Shiver by Allie Reynolds

Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why it Matters, and How to Harness It by Ethan Kross

The Four Winds by Kristen Hannah 

Of Women and Salt by Gabriela Garcia

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...

Once Upon a Winter Day by Liza Woodruff

After our first significant snowfall last week, there is no denying it's time for winter-themed reads like this one. This is a sweet winter story about a boy who follows the mouse tracks he discovers in the snow and imagines what the animals in the snowy wood have been doing. It's a book that celebrates winter, nature, and imagination.

This is Your Time by Ruby Bridges

In the dedication, Ruby Bridges describes her book as a "letter of peace." In her letter, addressed to children, she tells her story and encourages readers to embody the love and grace that's needed to make change and heal our world. The photographs included in the book add to the richness of the history Ruby tells and her message. Informative and inspirational.

Cat Kid Comic Club by Dav Pilkey 

The sidekick from Pilkey's Dog Man series, Li'l Petey, stars in his own book in which he is president of a comic club. Along with Molly, the tadpole who is vice-president of the club, they help the other tadpoles face their fears about writing. The mini-comics the tadpoles write are included in the book. This book is lots of fun and has an empowering message about being an author, illustrator, or creator.

Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Adventure by Jeff Kinney

Rowley is writing a medieval adventure about a boy named Roland, who goes on a journey to the Ice Fortress to rescue his mom from the White Warlock. The book alternates between the adventure story and Rowley's conversation with his pal Greg who has offered to help him with his writing. There is lots of silly kid humor in this book, but it made me laugh, as well.

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...

My Rainbow by Trinity and DeShanna Neal and illustrated by Art Twink

A mother-daughter team have written a story, based on their real-life experiences, about identity, acceptance, and self-expression. Trinity is a trans-gender girl who wants long hair like her dolls. She's also autistic and doesn't like the itchy feeling when her hair grows out. Her mom and her brother figure out a way to give her the hair that makes her feel like a rainbow. This is a very sweet and joyous book. 

Ten Ways to Hear Snow by Cathy Camper and illustrated by Kenard Pak

A young girl walks to her Grandma's house the morning after a blizzard and discovers all the ways there are to hear snow. There are lots of great sounds words and the book provides an interesting perspective on the beauty and wonder of snow. This is a sweet winter-themed read, but also one that celebrates the special moments spent with family. 

See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog by David LaRochelle and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka

A dog argues that he is the main character of the book which first appears to be about a cat and then a snake. After a few surprises, the dog takes control of the book and it finally becomes about him. This is a cute and funny book. Early readers will be amused. 

Of a Feather by Dayna Lorentz

This is a heart-warming story about a life-changing friendship told in alternating perspectives of Reenie who has been sent to live with an aunt she has never met and Rufus, the baby owl she helps rehabilitate. It also includes interesting insight into the sport of falconry. Thanks to the author for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with a review copy. The book publishes in February. 

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 Hanukkah Magic of Nate Gadol by Arthur A. Levine and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

With his magic and kind spirit, Nate Gadol helps others by making whatever they need last longer. He was responsible for the Hanukkah miracle that enabled oil to last for eight nights. When two immigrant families are scarce on resources at the holidays, Nate runs into his old friend, Nick, and knows just what to do. This story is an enchanting imagining of how a modern Hanukkah tradition began. Specks of gold incorporated into the illustrations give the book a bright, shimmery feel. 

Swish!: The Slam-Dunking, Alley-Ooping, High-Flying Harlem Globe Trotters by Suzanne Slade and illustrated by Don Tate

This nonfiction book about the Harlem Globetrotters tells the story of how they came to be a team and gives insight into their role in changing the history of basketball. Their story of persistence and talent is fascinating. The author's note at the end is very informative, as well. I also found the illustrator's note, in which he describes the research he did to create the artwork for the book, interesting, too.

Willa the Wisp (The Fabled Stables Book #1) by Jonathan Auxier and illustrated by Olga Demidova

This short, illustrated chapter book is enchanting and adventurous. Auggie is a caretaker at Fabled Stables which is filled with unique creatures, some magical and some mysterious. When a new stall appears with a sign that says, "Wisp," Auggie goes on a brave mission to save the creature from danger. This book is just as delightful as the author's middle grade novels.

Halfway to Harmony by Barbara O'Connor

In her classic style, Barbara O'Connor has written another middle grade novel about a sweet friendship with quirky characters that includes an endearing dog. Walter is grieving the loss of his brother when he meets his new neighbor Posey and they become involved in an adventure to find a lost hot air balloon. It's a heart-warming story about loss and courage.