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...

Beautifully Me by Nabela Noor and illustrated by Nabi H. Ali

One day, Zubi notices family members and classmates being critical of their own or others' bodies. She begins to wonder if she should be concerned with her own body. Zubi helps her family realize their body negativity and they help her understand the real meaning of beauty. This is a sweet story with an important message about self-acceptance. 

Leo and the Octopus by Isabelle Marinov and illustrated by Chris Nixon

Leo feels like he is living on the wrong planet and that other kids do not understand him until he meets Maya, an octopus. Leo bonds with the octopus and this leads to an encounter with a boy who is interested in learning about the creature. This is a thoughtful book about friendship and neurodiversity that will be a useful read for building empathy toward others.

Yours in Books by Julie Falatko and illustrated by Alborozo

Owl T. Fencepost, who just wants to be left alone in peace and quiet, exchanges letters with Bessie Squirrel, the owner of a bookshop nearby in the forest. Although the owl wants books to solve the problem he has with the noisy neighborhood children, squirrel offers books to encourage more friendly interaction with them. This is a very cute book about the joys of companionship and books.

Cookie & Broccoli: Ready for School! by Bob McMahon

Cookie is outgoing and Broccoli is shy, but they become great friends. This graphic novel will be perfect for those early readers who like silly stories.

How to Find What You're Not Looking For by Veera Hiranandani

This book, set in 1967, is about a twelve-year-old named Ari dealing with a few challenges in her family and school life. Her sister has suddenly left to get married after her parents have made it clear that they don't approve of her non-Jewish boyfriend. Ari misses her sister and is also trying to understand her parent's feelings which she herself doesn't agree with. At school, Ari is having difficulty with writing and is also the target of bullying. The story is written in the second person which took me a bit to get used to. It's a poignant story that explores some relevant themes.

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...

Hardly Haunted by Jessie Sima

A haunted house, without any people living in it, tries its hardest not to be haunted. The house realizes it only needs to be itself and the perfect residents move in. 

Téo's Tutu by Maryann Jacob Macias and illustrated by Alea Marley

Téo loves to dance at home and, although he is worried at first about ballet class, he becomes more confident and excited about it. But, when it comes time to choose a costume, he is unsure whether he should go with the tutu, which he loves, or the shirt and pants. This is a sweet story about being true to oneself.

There's a Ghost in This House by Oliver Jeffers

Oliver Jeffers is so clever. The narrator of this book takes readers on a ghost hunt through an old, supposedly haunted house. Transparent pages reveal the ghosts to the reader, but will the narrator ever notice them? The book is both eerie and fun and the artwork is amazing. Thanks to the publisher for a review copy. The book publishes next week. 

Batpig: When Pigs Fly by Rob Harrell

Fans of graphic novels like Dog Man will love Batpig. This story about a pig who realizes he has superhero powers is full of action and humor. There's lots of silliness that will appeal to kids, but, even as an adult, I appreciated the author's cleverness. Thanks to the publisher for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with a review copy. The book publishes in November.

History Smashers: Plagues and Pandemics by Kate Messner and illustrated by Falynn Koch

This book reveals the true history of plagues and pandemics from the Black Death in ancient times to COVID-19 in the present. Very insightful. I learned lots of new information and I'm sure kids will, too. 

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...

Bear is a Bear by Jonathan Stutzman and illustrated by Dan Santat

This is a beautiful exploration of the love that exists between a girl and her stuffed companion. The illustrations are lovely.

A Walk in the Words by Hudson Talbot

Based on the author's own experiences, this is the story of a child who has a difficult time reading, but learns how to enjoy stories. Many students will be able to relate to the book and, hopefully, be inspired by the message of perseverance and resilience.

We Give Thanks by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier

A frog and rabbit notice all they are thankful for as they journey through their town and celebrate with the other animals they encounter. This is a sweet, rhyming story to encourage gratitude.

Born Behind Bars by Padma Venkatraman

Kabir was born in a jail in India and has spent his entire life there with his mother who was wrongly accused of a crime. When he is deemed too old to remain at the jail, he is forced to leave. He is released in the care of a family member who turns out not to be a relative at all. With the help of a new friend, Kabir sets out to find the father he never met. An eye-opening and powerful read that touches upon many important themes.

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...

Our Table by Peter H. Reynolds

Violet remembers a time when her family gathered at the table, before they become preoccupied with devices. When Violet enlists her family's help to build a new table, they discover how strong they are together. This is a sweet and timely tale about connection and the importance of spending time together. Thanks to the publisher for providing my book review group with a review copy. The book publishes in November. 

Meena Lost and Found by Karla Manternach

Meena is a fun and relatable character who learns important life lessons about friendship and letting go. This is the third in a sweet series about the ups and downs of growing up. Thanks to the author for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advanced reader's copy.

A Soft Place to Land by Janae Marks

Now that her dad has lost his job, Joy and her family are living in an apartment. Joy misses her old home and is worried about her parents' arguments, but she finds comfort in a new friend, Nora, and the Hideout, a secret room only the kids in the building know about. When Joy discovers a message on the wall of the Hideout, she decides she needs to find out who wrote it and help. This is a heartfelt book about navigating family and friendship challenges.

Treasure in the Lake by Jason Pamment

Two friends discover that the river where they live has dried up. Their explorations lead them to a lost town that was previously submerged under the water. An argument results in them going their separate ways, but they both learn secrets about the town and the importance of their friendship. This is an adventurous and mysterious graphic novel. I was intrigued by the note at the end of the book about real-life towns that have been submerged under water. 

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 Two Border Towns by David Bowles and illustrated by Erika Meza

This is the story of a father and son who cross over the U.S.-Mexico border for a day of errands. Their day becomes even more meaningful and important when they make their last stop to share items they've gathered with a family waiting to be allowed entry into the U.S. This is a timely story with a message of kindness and empathy.

Negative Cat by Sophie Blackall

After asking for a cat for many days, the narrator of this book is finally allowed to get one. The family is unhappy with the cat whose behavior they determine to be negative. The narrator does not give up on the cat and figures out what to do to cheer up not only his cat, but others at the shelter. This is an amusing and sweet book about the joys and benefits of reading to an animal.

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

The book starts, "See the dog," but a cat takes the dog's place. The cat follows along with what the book says to do until a lake and a wolf become part of the picture. Very humorous and entertaining. The previous book, See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog was a hit with my early readers and I'm sure this one will be, too.

Mayor Good Boy by Dave Scheidt and illustrated by Miranda Harmon

Greenwood has a new mayor and the mayor is...a dog! Siblings, Abby and Aaron, are offered jobs working for the mayor. This is a silly and humorous graphic novel with a message about helping one's community. 

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 Apologize by David LaRochelle and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka

This book offers a straightforward explanation of why it's important to apologize and how to do it. The illustrations add humor. Readers will be entertained while learning a useful lesson.

The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess by Tom Gauld

This is a charming and quirky fairy tale about two inseparable siblings who have an adventure that takes them far from their kingdom, to the frozen North, and back again. With bravery and kindness, they step in to help when the other needs it. This imaginative picture book is written in graphic novel style.

Norman Didn't Do It!: (Yes, He Did.) by Ryan T. Higgins

Norman, a porcupine, and Mildred, a tree, are best friends who do everything together. When another tree pops up and their twosome turns into a threesome, their friendship gets complicated. Norman's jealously leads to behavior that he later regrets and needs to make right. An amusing story of friendship.

Rissy No Kissies by Katey Howes and illustrated by Jess Engle

Rissy is a lovebird who does not want any kisses. The others think something is wrong with Rissy and even Rissy begins to feel this way, too. With the help of her mother, Rissy learns that there are other ways to show one cares. The author's note at the end includes information for kids about using their voice to tell how they feel and information for parents about bodily autonomy, consent, and boundaries.

Playing the Cards You're Dealt by Varian Johnson

The men in Ant's family have always been champion spades players and Ant is determined to measure up. As he practices for the annual tournament, he also is navigating new and old friendships and trying to figure out what is going on with his father's peculiar behavior. This is a heartfelt book about friendship and family that will give those who are unfamiliar with it an introduction to the card game spades. Thanks to the publisher for providing my book review group with an advanced reader's copy. The book publishes in October.

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 Froggies Do Not Want to Sleep by by Adam Gustavson 

The Froggies do not want to sleep so they hop out of bed and engage in a variety of more preferred activities. The things they do want to do get more over-the-top with each page. Readers will be amused with the frogs' antics and the humorous illustrations.

Not Now, Cow by Tammi Sauer and illustrated by Troy Cummings

This is a fun exploration of the seasons. Preschool and kindergarten readers will enjoy the silliness as cow figures out what to wear. With rhyme and repetition, kids will want to join in on the reading. 

Friends do Not Eat Friends: Ready to Read Graphics (Thunder and Cluck) by Jill Esbaum and illustrated by Miles Thompson

Thunder believes his roar should scare others. Cluck does not run away and avoids getting eaten by convincing Thunder they are actually friends. This is an amusing graphic novel. After reading this, I think early readers will be asking for more adventures about Thunder and Cluck.

Barakah Beats by Maleeha Siddiqui

Nimra starts going to a public school for the first time after attending a private Islamic school. She is excited to be in school with her best friend, but instead of becoming closer they seem to be moving apart. When Nimra has the opportunity to join a band she takes it, but has to keep it a secret from her parents who would not approve. This is a sweet book about making friends and learning the importance of being true to oneself. Thanks to Scholastic for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advanced reader's copy. The book publishes in October.