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...

Danbi's Favorite Day by Anna Kim 

Danbi has high expectations for her Children's Day celebration, but because her parents are working she is only allowed a small party behind their deli and then as it begins it starts to rain. With encouragement from her mother and a creative and resilient spirit, Danbi is able to save her party. The follow-up to Danbi Leads the School Parade, this book is equally endearing.

This is a Story by John Schu and illustrated by Lauren Castillo

This book which reads like a poem is about the power of stories to connect us and the joy of libraries. Lovely illustrations. 

Wild Blue by Dashka Slater and illustrated by Laura Hughes 

Kayla gets a new big bike without training wheels. Because it's like a mustang, difficult to tame, she names it Wild Blue. This story of perseverance is sweet and the comparison between a bike and a horse is creative. Very charming.

The One and Only Ruby by Katherine Applegate

Ruby is not looking forward to her Tuskday, a ceremony to celebrate that an elephant is growing up. She shares memories of the time when she lived in Africa with her friends Ivan and Bob, revealing the heart-breaking story which has led her to dislike her tusks. With the help of her friends and elephant family, she is able to heal and find her courage. Those many students who have read and enjoyed The One and Only Ivan and The One and Only Ruby will be excited to see this newest title. Written from the perspective of an elephant and providing insight into the dangers elephants face it is interesting and meaningful. Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced review copy. The book publishes in May.

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...

No Fair! by Jacob Grant

Pablo is spending Market Day with his dad, but there are many things that don't seem fair, such as having to wait for donuts and not being able to choose what they buy. This is a sweet book to help readers learn about fairness.

Ramen for Everyone by Patricia Tanumihardja and illustrated by Shiho Pate

Hiro wants to make the perfect bowl of ramen like his dad, so on his seventh birthday he gives it a try. Neither the broth, the noodles, or the toppings meet Hiro's expectations, but he is able to save dinner with resilience and creative problem-solving. This is a joyful book that celebrates traditions and creativity.

We Don't Lose Our Class Goldfish by Ryan T. Higgins

Penelope faces her fears when she brings home Walter, the class goldfish who once bit her finger. This is another Penelope Rex book that kids will love. It's humorous with a message readers will be able to relate to and has amusing illustrations. 

Four Eyes by Rex Ogle and illustrated by Dave Valeza

Sixth grade is hard enough for Rex, but it becomes even more of a challenge when he needs to get glasses. This is a wonderful graphic novel about navigating middle school, the ups and downs of friendship, and fitting in. Relatable and humorous, readers will root for Rex as he strives to build confidence and the ability to stand up for himself. Thanks to the publisher, Scholastic, for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advance reader's copy. The book publishes in May.

Are you There God? It's Me Margaret by Judy Blume

In anticipation of the movie that releases at the end of April, I reread this childhood favorite. I am also looking forward to the documentary about Judy Blume as I read all of her books as a child in the 80s.

The Department of Lost Dogs by Josephine Cameron

Dog lovers will enjoy this mystery. Rondo becomes involved with the disappearance of dogs while a canine TV show is being filmed at his family's dog-friendly bed and breakfast. Readers of the author's A Dog-Friendly Town will recognize the setting and characters, but this book can be read on its own.

Adult Reading Recommendations

Daughters of Nantucket by Julie Gerstenblatt

I learn so much from reading historical fiction. This book centers around an event, the Great Fire of 1846 that happened on the island of Nantucket, which I had never heard about. I found it fascinating to read about the courage and strength of three different women dealing with the struggles of living in this time period.

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...

Friends Beyond Measure by Lalena Fisher

Ana and Harwin have differences and disagreements, but they are great friends. Their friendship is put to the test when Harwin moves away. This heart-warming story is also an introduction to infographics as a variety of charts help to tell about Ana and Harwin's friendship.

Jump In! by Shadra Strickland

A game of Double Dutch begins and several kids and adults in the community join in. This is a joyful and fun book with some surprising parts told through rhythmic text and lively illustrations.

Lost Cat! by Jacqueline K. Rayner

The narrator of the book calls Fred for dinner, but the cat does not come. A search for the cat doesn't seem to be successful, but the illustrations clue readers in to where the cat is. This story of a lost cat has a fun and imaginative twist. 

Make More S'mores by Cathy Ballou Mealey and illustrated by Ariel Landy

This is a sweet story about s'mores and sharing. The illustrations are delightful. 

Elena Rides by Juana Medina

Elena models perseverance and resilience in this beginning reader as she learns to ride a bike and is encouraged by a friend. A cute and fun read.

Adult Reading Recommendation

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Set in San Francisco, Vera Wong walks into her tea shop and finds a man dead on the floor. Because she believes the police are not doing their job adequately and that the man has been murdered, she becomes an amateur sleuth trying to find the murderer. I listened to the audiobook and was very entertained. It's both quirky and fun. 

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...

Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty and illustrated by David Roberts

A mischievous cat, who wants to get out of being bathed, rearranges the words on the list of tasks the family must do to get ready for Grandma's visit. Cleaning up turns into chaos until the family finally gets it right. Very amusing.

A Boy and His Mirror by Marchánt Davis and illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo

A magic mirror helps Chris when other kids tease him about his hair. This rhyming story has an important message about confidence and kindness.

The Gentle Genius of Trees by Philip Bunting

This is an informative book about trees that shows just how amazing they are. The author also compares trees to humans, imparting important lessons about how to live and be.

Mama Shamsi at the Bazaar by Mojdeh Hassani and illustrated by Maya Fidawi

This is a sweet story featuring a relationship between a grandchild and her grandmother set in Tehran. Samira is worried about going to the bazaar for the first time so she wants to hide under Mama Shamsi's chador. The story is based on the author's childhood.

You Are Loved: A Book About Families by Margaret O'Hair and illustrated by Sofia Cardoso

The companion to You Are Enough, this book is inspired by Sofia Sanchez, an actress with Down syndrome, and explains how families are all different and special. A very sweet book.

Reina Ramos Works it Out! by Emma Otheguy and illustrated by Andrés Landazábal 

I love this delightful beginning reader book about Reina Ramos who learns what it means to be a good friend and a strong person. There are a few Spanish words in the book that are included in the glossary at the end. This is an engaging story with a social emotional theme related to problem-solving.

The Infinite Questions of Dottie Bing by Molly B. Burnham and illustrated by Fanny Liem

Ten-year-old Dottie's grandfather has come to stay with her family after her grandmother has died. Dottie misses her grandmother a lot, but has difficulty related to her grandfather. She does not understand why he is spending so much time talking to the can that contains her grandmother's ashes. He is also interfering with her plans to build a treehouse with her friend Sam. This is such a charming book that explores loss, healing, change, and friendship. 

Adult Reading Recommendation 

If We're Being Honest by Cat Shook

This book opens with a funeral as family and friends are gathered in Eulalia, Georgia mourning the loss of Gerry, the Williams family patriarch. The story takes place over the course of a week during which the Williams family is together processing the shocking revelation about Gerry that is revealed during the eulogy given by a neighbor and close friend, but also dealing with issues and surprises of various family members. There are many characters introduced very quickly, so it did take some effort to remember how they were connected, especially at the beginning of the book. It's a quiet, unique, and uplifting story. I enjoyed the theme related to family and how the story imparts a message about the messiness of families and the ways they hold each other together. Thanks to the publisher for a review copy. The book publishes in April.

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...

Bad Drawer by Seth Fishman and illustrated by Jessixa Bagley, Armand Baltazar, Anna Bond, Travis Foster, Jessica Hische, Tillie Walden, and Ethan Young 

The narrator has an awesome adventure story to share, but is not good at drawing the illustrations. The book has a worthwhile message about collaboration and being okay with asking for help. The artwork in the full page spread toward the end of the book, which is a collaboration of the illustrators of the book, is amazing. 

Make Way for Butterfly by Ross Burach

This is another book in The Very Impatient Caterpillar series that kids are going to adore. The silly butterfly's antics are humorous, there is a great lesson about being oneself, and readers will even learn a bit about pollination. The book publishes in April. Thanks to the publisher for sending my book review group, #BookExcursion, a review copy.

One Chicken Nugget by Tadgh Bentley

Inspired by Demi's mathematical folktale, One Grain of Rice, this story is about a monster who agrees to eat one chicken nugget the first day and for the next thirty days double the number from the previous day. Readers will be amused and very eager to find out if Frank will succeed in the challenge. 

New Pup on the Block (Wednesday and Woof #2) by Sherri Winston and illustrated by Gladys Jose

Wednesday and her dog Woof work to solve the mystery of a missing drone in this early chapter book. There are colorful illustrations throughout the book and information about how to solve a mystery. The characters and the mystery are both interesting.

Welcome to the Island (Isla of Adventure) by Dela Costa and illustrated by Ana Sebastián 

This is a sweet chapter book about a girl who lives on an island and has the ability to speak to animals. When a new girl moves to the island, her mother encourages her to make a friend, but this makes it difficult for her to keep the secret about her animal friends. There are lovely illustrations on most of the pages which give readers insight into Isla's life on the island. 

Adult Reading Recommendations

Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall

One day while working at her aunt's antique shop, Angela finds a letter that was misplaced years earlier. After opening the letter which reveals a secret about the intended recipient, Angela is determined to find the person to whom it belongs. The story alternates between the lives of three different women in three different time periods. It's a book about motherhood, reproductive rights, and choices. It's a wonderful work of historical fiction. 

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...

Rabbit, Duck, and Big Bear by Nadine Brun-Cosme and illustrated by Olivier Tallec

This story about three friends who do everything together shows the joys of being with others, but also spending time alone. 

Gigi and Ojiji by Melissa Iwai 

Gigi can't wait for her grandfather to arrive from Japan, but when he arrives he acts different than she expected. This is a sweet story about understanding cultural and intergenerational differences.

The Pancake Problem (Weenie Featuring Frank and Beans Book #2) by Maureen Fergus and illustrated by Alexandra Bye

A dachshund named Weenie wakes up hungry for pancakes, but when he uses the supersonic pancake maker he invented he ends up with an abundance of brussels sprouts. Weenie, along with a cat and guinea pig friend, scheme to solve their problem. This is a silly graphic novel with action and kid appeal.

Once Upon a Book by Grace Lin and Kate Messner

A girl wishes she was somewhere else and her wish is granted when she is drawn into the pages of a book. This is an absorbing story with imaginative and clever illustrations. A stunning book about books.

Wallflowers by Mackenzie Joy

I can relate to this book and I'm sure there are many readers who will, too. It's empowering and validating with a message that it's okay to be quiet and to be oneself.

You Are a Story by Bob Raczka and illustrated by Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell

A child is many things, such as an animal, a sponge, a friend, but a child is also a story that is not yet finished. This empowering book prompts readers to think about what they are and what they can be.  

Adult Reading Recommendation

Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash

Bea, an eleven-year-old living in London, is sent to live in Boston so she will be safe during WWII. The story starts with her life in Boston and continues when she returns to London and follows her into her adult years. This was the second book that I have read recently focused on the evacuation of children at the start of the war. The other was The Lost English Girl and I enjoyed reading them together. This book provided an interesting perspective on how such an event could shape one's life. It is a beautifully written and a captivating read. The book publishes this month.

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...

Nell Plants a Tree by Anne Wynter and illustrated by Daniel Miyares 

This text, written in verse, tells two stories. One is about the ways children, in the present, enjoy a pecan tree in a family member's yard and the other, which takes place in the past, is about Nell, who planted the pecan seed and nurtured it as it grew. Both, the text and illustrations, are absolutely gorgeous. 

Plátanos Go with Everything by Lissette Norman and illustrated by Sara Palacios

This book is a celebration of family, Dominican culture, and plátanos. The author's poetic descriptions of plátanos are beautiful. I appreciated learning the different ways plátanos can be enjoyed. I annually visit Miami Beach (and just did so last week) and always have a meal while I'm there that includes plátanos. The illustrations are colorful and lively.

Sunny and Oswaldo by Nicole Melleby and illustrated by Alexandra Colombo

Sunny is not fond of cats and she really dislikes Oswaldo who her dad has brought home. Although Oswaldo and Sunny's dad have a strong bond with one another, the cat does not warm up to Sunny. That changes when Sunny and her dad search for Oswaldo after he doesn't come home one night. This is a sweet story about empathy and the importance of understanding others before forming an opinion. 

Adult Reading Recommendation

The Lost English Girl by Julia Kelly

While on vacation at the beach last week, I was able to read a handful of novels and this was one of my favorites. It takes place during WWII and specifically tells a story centered around the evacuation of children to the country-side that took place at the beginning of the war. When Viv gets pregnant she marries the father of her child, but because he is Jewish her parents pay him to leave her. When the war begins she makes the painful decision to send her four-year-old to live with a couple where she will supposedly be safe. This is the story of being a mother during the tragedy of the war, as well as a story that highlights the challenges of living with the prejudices of the time. It's a compelling story of resilience.