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 Fears You Fear by Rachel Rooney and Zehra Hicks

This is a rhyming book that is also informational. Readers will learn about different fears and understand that having them is a normal part of being human.

 

Fiona Builds a Fairy House by Kristen Dickson and illustrated by Celia Krampien

Fiona is determined to build a fairy house and prove to her brother that fairies are real. She has gathered supplies she will use for her house, but as members of her family pass by her they are knocked out of the basket she is carrying. She feels hopeless and begins to think her brother is right until she gets a little help from some friends. This is a fun book about imagination with a touch of magic.

Kicks in the Sky by C. G. Esperanza

Shoes hanging from the telephone wires are knocked down to the street. These are no ordinary shoes as they magically transform kids' abilities when they try them on. This is a joyful book with really cool illustrations.

Seals Are Jerks by Jared Chapman

Lorelei loves lot of thing about seals, especially the fact that they are friendly with penguins. When she hears that seals might eat penguins she questions her understanding of her favorite animal and starts to think they are not so great after all. A clever story with some fun twists. 

Squash, the Cat by Sasha Mayer

This story about two friends, one human and the other a cat, who work through a misunderstanding highlights the importance of forgiveness. It's a cute and amusing book about friendship.

The Curious Vanishing of Beatrice Willoughby by C. Z. Schmidt

The last time there was an All Hallows' Eve party at a mansion in Inkwoods forest, Beatrice, a child of six disappeared. Thirteen years later, guests of that party have been invited back for a celebration on the evening of October 31st. When the guests arrive they find out that they are not there to celebrate, but to help figure out which one of them is responsible for Beatrice's disappearance. This is an entertaining mystery with quirky characters who each have a secret.

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...

Cinderella and a Mouse Called Fred by Deborah Hopkinson and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky

A mouse, named Fred, narrates this retelling of the Cinderella story. Cinderella, also known as Ella, meets a prince at the ball, but decides to forge her own path to happiness. There is a fairy-tale ending, but with a wonderfully surprising twist. Great storytelling and vocabulary. 

Oh No, the Aunts Are Here by Adam Rex and illustrated by Lian Cho

The narrator's aunts are visiting and they can be overwhelming, but they also bring lots of love. It's a mostly realistic story that includes silliness and a bit of fantasy. 

The Scariest Kitten in the World by Kate Messner and illustrated by Mackenzie Haley

Kids will love the suspense and humor in this book about a kitten and some other animal friends who are more adorable than scary.  

Spicy Spicy Hot! by Lenny Wen

Lintang is excited to meet her grandmother, who is visiting from Indonesia, for the first time. When her grandmother makes her famous sambal, Lintang discovers it is too spicy. Not being able to eat the sambal, she feels like she doesn't fit in, but her grandmother has a way to help. A sweet intergenerational story.

Snail and Worm, Of Course by Tina Kügler 

This is the fourth book in the Snail and Worm early reader series. The three short stories that show the joy of friendship are charming. 

Mascot by Charles Waters and Traci Sorell

A group of seventh graders in an honors English class are assigned a project which involves a debate about their school's mascot. The diverse group of students have varying opinions about whether the mascot should stay or be changed. Written in verse and told through multiple perspectives this book shows how a group of young people grapple with a social issue that is relevant and timely. A powerful read exploring identity and social justice. 

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...

Back to School, Backpack! by Simon Rich and illustrated by Tom Toro

Readers who have anxiety about the first day of school will be able to relate to how the backpack feels in this story. Written from the perspective of a backpack who is scared, lonely, and feeling different from everything else, this is a sweet story about friendship.

Cake vs. Pie by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and illustrated by Stephani Stilwell

An amusing story about a cake who is jealous that pie seems to be getting all the attention. Lot of puns and fun illustrations make this an entertaining book. 

Martina Has Too Many Tías by Emma Otheguy and illustrated by Sara Palacios

When Martina's tías visit they make a lot of noise with their booming voices and salsa dancing. This gives Martina, who would rather sit and tell stories, a headache. When she finds herself on a magical adventure she learns to appreciate that her tías are different from her. This is a heart-warming story with illustrations that are both joyful and magical.

Pirate & Penguin by Mike Allegra and illustrated by Jenn Harney

A confused pirate mistakes a penguin for a parrot. The antics of the pirate and penguin are amusing and the ending is sweet. Lots of fun language that will amuse readers, too.

There's a Beach in My Bedroom by Kevin Jonas and Danielle Jonas and illustrated by Courtney Dawson

When Bella is disappointed that it's raining and she can't go to the beach, her family finds a way to bring the beach to her. This book has a sweet message about making the best of a situation and imagination. 

Ali the Great and the Market Mishap by Saadia Faruqi and illustrated by Debby Rahmalia

Ali and his little brother, Fateh, go to the market with their Dada to get snacks when they run out. When they get there, Ali's job is to watch Fateh and find the chips his Dada likes, but Fateh is not such a good listener. Luckily, Ali is a good problem solver. This is a charming early reader that is one of four in a series. 

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 Family Like Ours by Frank Murphy and Alice Lee and illustrated by Kayla Harren

This book celebrates the many definitions of family. A sweet story that encourages inclusivity with lovely illustrations.

The Good Hair Day by Christian Trimmer and illustrated by J Yang

Noah longs for long, wavy hair, like his sister and mother, that he can braid and twist. Noah knows he can let his hair grow, but he is afraid of what others will think and say. For his birthday, Noah's parents acknowledge his wish with the perfect gift. An empowering book.

Penny & Pip by Candace Fleming and illustrated by Eric Rohmann

Out of a mysterious egg at the natural history museum, a baby dinosaur hatches. Penny, being the only one who has witnessed this, befriends the dinosaur and comes up with a clever idea to bring the creature home with her. An unexpected, and sweet, story of friendship.

Tumble by Adriana Hernández Bergstrom

Told in mostly two-word sentences, this book tells about the journey of a tumbleweed. For what seems like a simple story, readers can learn a lot about this plant and the environment where it lives.

What a Map Can Do by Gabrielle Balkan and illustrated by Alberto Lot

When I was growing up, going on a road trip meant using a paper map. Those maps could never be folded up as they originally were! We may live in a world where our phones can show us how to navigate somewhere, but knowing how to use a map is still pretty useful. In an entertaining way, narrated by a raccoon, this book helps readers learn about many different types of maps. A very informative book.

Fox Has a Problem by Corey R. Tabor

Fox has an idea to solve his problem, but it results in one animal after another having a problem of their own. Fox's cleverness is not appreciated until one animal has an idea about how they can all work together. An amusing read.

The Puppets of Spelhorst (A Norendy Tale #1) by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Julie Morstad

Two sisters receive a trunk with five puppets - a boy, a girl, a king, a wolf, and an owl - as a gift. As the puppets talk with one another they reveal their feelings and dreams. Their adventures include being part of a story that one of the sisters has written as they are used in a puppet show performance. This is a whimsical, fairy tale-like story that is the first in a series of books set in the same fictional land. The book publishes in October. Thanks to the publisher for an advanced reader's copy. 

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...

Bruce and the Legend of Soggy Hollow by Ryan T. Higgins

Bruce continues to be one of my favorite book characters. Bruce doesn't have any holiday spirit, especially when it comes to Halloween, but his friends force him into participating in an enactment of a scary story. Bruce's role in the play is amusing and the legend is interesting with just a tiny bit of spookiness. Another humorous addition to the series.

Hopefully the Scarecrow by Michelle Houts and illustrated by Sara Palacios

Hopefully stands in the garden where he loves listening to the girl read him stories filled with adventure. One spring, the girl, mysteriously, is not there to place him on his perch or read to him. Although he is alone he remembers the girl's stories and this gives him courage and hope. This is a sweet story about friendship and the power of stories. 

Invisible Things by Andy J. Pizza and illustrated by Sophie Miller

This is an interesting and smart book about things that are invisible. It starts off by exploring senses and then mood and emotions. Definitely a book to spark conversation.

Pumpkin Day at the Zoo by Susan Meissner and illustrated by Pablo Pino

Visitors to the zoo bring pumpkins for the animals to enjoy. A variety of animals, from armadillos to wildebeests, delight in the special treat. The rhyming text includes fun vocabulary. This is an amusing fall-themed read. There is a note at the end explaining that some zoos accept pumpkin donations which is not something I knew about before.

That Flag by Tameka Fryer Brown and illustrated by Nikkolas Smith

Wow, this book is important and powerful. The author's note at the end explains that the book was written to help readers understand that the Confederate flag is a symbol of hate and racism and so much more than a way to express Southern pride. A must-read.

Yenebi's Drive to School by Sendy Santamaria

Yenebi and her sister wake up at four in the morning to go to school each day, as their drive involves crossing the border from Mexico into the United States. Based on the author's own experience, this lovely story explores the efforts and dedication that it takes for some children to get to school. 

See the Ghost: Three Stories about Things You Cannot See by David LaRochelle and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka

Another book about invisible things. This one has three stories, each about something that can't be seen - a ghost, the wind, and an incredibly small fairy. Like the previous two books in this early reader series, kids will love it. 

Reggie: Kid Penguin by Jen de Oliveira

Reggie is a kid penguin who has adventures that human kids will be able to relate to. Each of the stories in this early reader graphic novel are amusing. Lots of kid appeal. 

Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango

Laura does not want to live with her aunt where social services brought her after her parents went to a rehab hospital. As she navigates her life with a new family and home, she finds a dog in need of rescue and believes that this will give her a chance to visit her parents. Written in verse, this book is touching and beautiful. It explores the meaning of family, friendship, and hope. Thanks to the publisher for an advance reader's copy. The book publishes in September.

Professional Read

7 Mighty Moves: Research-Backed, Classroom-Tested Strategies to Ensure K-to-3 Reading Success by Lindsay Kemeny

After having seen a few webinars presented by Lindsay Kemeny, a teacher with experience in the early elementary grades, I was excited for this new book she has written. It is a super practical book with many ideas for implementing research-based practices focused on seven areas of literacy instruction that will support students in building both their decoding and word recognition skills and comprehension of text. I will definitely recommend this to those who want to learn more about the research related to effective literacy practices and ways they can begin to implement those practices.

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...

Banana Dream by Hasan Namir and illustrated by Daby Zainab Faidhi

Mooz doesn't like his name, which means "banana" in Arabic, until he learns the story of why his parents chose it for him. Set in Iraq during the Gulf War, the story also tells about the trading restrictions that were in place which made it impossible for those in the country to enjoy bananas. The author based this book on his own experiences. A wonderful read.

Cape by Kevin Johnson and illustrated by Kitt Thomas

Oh, this book is a heart-wrencher. I had tears in my eyes by the end, but it's a beautiful story about dealing with loss and grief.

The Duck Never Blinks by Alex Latimer

The narrator wants a duck to blink and invites readers to help make it happen. Very silly and fun.

Lupe Lopez Reading Rock Star! by e.E. Charlton-Trujillo and Pat Zietlow Miller and illustrated by Joe Cepeda

Lupe Lopez is a star drummer, famous for having started a band in kindergarten, but in first grade she stops feeling like a rock star when she has difficulty reading. Lupe doesn't want to be in a band or read until her teacher reminds her she can do anything and she realizes reading is like music. Lupe is a fun character who learns about the importance of effort.

The Masjid Kamal Loves by Ashley Franklin and illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel 

Kamal is delighted to be attending masjid and in the style of "The House that Jack Built" readers learn what makes it special. This is a sweet celebration of community, culture, and one's faith. 

Go Camping (Wombats! #1) by Maddie Frost

Two wombats go camping and have an unexpected adventure after finding a baby koala. This is a fun graphic novel about friendship and courage. 

How to Catch a Polar Bear by Stacy DeKeyser

This is a fun and adventurous historical fiction read. It's set in the summer of 1948 in Wisconsin where Nick lives close to the city zoo. When his uncle is offered space at the zoo to set up his frozen custard cart, Nick jumps at the chance to help so he can be near any excitement that happens there. Helping his uncle becomes more challenging than he anticipated as a competitive custard seller has set up his cart right outside the zoo. I loved the entertaining plot and the characters. The front - and back - covers are cute and humorous, 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...

Anni Dreams of Biryani by Namita Moolani Mehra and illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat

Anni wants to make biryani that tastes as delicious as that served at the café across the street from where she lives. She goes straight to the owner of the café to get help although he seems less than enthused with her questions about how to make the dish. She is determined to get the ingredients just right. This is a delightful story.

The Horseback Librarian by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Alexandra Badiu

Anna Mary travels the backwoods of Kentucky on her horse bringing books to different children who eagerly anticipate her arrival. This fictional story gives a glimpse into the day-to-day life of a pack horse librarian who traveled through remote regions to spread the love of books. Based on the true stories of woman who participated in the Pack Horse Librarian Project started in 1935.

In the Night Garden by Carin Berger 

I love the idea of the night being a garden. The words create an image of night that is peaceful and cozy, making this a great bedtime book. The illustrations, created through cut paper collage, are whimsical and lovely.

Words of Wonder from Z to A by Zaila Avant-Garde and illustrated by Keisha Morris

Spelling bee champ, Zaila Avant-Garde, has written a book in which she describes twenty-six powerful words. For each word she includes meaningful thoughts and a quote. The joyful illustrations help to bring the words to life. This book is sure to inspire readers to think about other powerful and important words. 

Gnome and Rat by Lauren Stohler

This short graphic novel includes five chapters about two friends, a gnome and a rat. Each of the stories tells about their antics and adventures that center around gnome's hat. Cute and charming.

Warrior Girl by Carmen Tafolla

This is an empowering novel written in verse about identity, culture, social justice, and the power of one's voice. I loved the message about being a warrior to make the world a better place. There are great characters in the book who support each other. Thanks to the publisher for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with a review copy. The book publishes in September.