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Monday, March 6, 2017

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?


It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading.  For more information and to find out what other bloggers are reading check out the host blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers.

What I Read This Week...

Grand Canyon by Jason Chin

The story follows a girl and her father hiking through the Grand Canyon as it provides information about the land formation, both from the present and the past. The illustrations are beautiful and give a feel for the vastness of the canyon. With all the information presented, this is a book that may require multiple reads. The end pages include additional information about the Grand Canyon and a note from the author includes information about Jason Chin's research.

Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima

Kelp is born in the ocean, but he doesn't seem to fit in with the other narwhals in his family. When Kelp ventures on land he discovers creatures that look just like him and he wonders where he really belongs. This sweet book has a message about acceptance and finding one's place in the world. The illustrations are lovely, too. The rainbows and unicorns and the sparkles on the cover give the book a cheery tone.

Bird & Squirrel On Fire by James Burks

I was quite pleased and excited to win a copy of this book, as well as Bird & Fire on the Run, thanks to Graphix Books. The Bird and Squirrel is a popular series among many of my students. This fourth book was scooped up within minutes after placing it on the graphic novel shelf. As with the others in the series, this book is cute, funny, and action packed. Even though Bird and Squirrel are back at home they have many adventures in the forest as Bird convinces Squirrel to have a party with him. I loved the surprise ending.

One Amazing Elephant by Linda Oatman High

This story alternates between the perspective of twelve-year-old Lily and Queenie Grace, a circus elephant. The two form a friendship when Lily's grandfather, who was also the caretaker of Queenie Grace, dies. This story, sad and sweet, shows the bonds between humans and animals and the importance of family. The story also draws attention to the issue of animal cruelty and the author's note at the end gives information about the mistreatment of elephants. I think Queenie Grace's story will warm the hearts of my readers who gravitate towards books about animals. 

9 comments:

  1. Narwhals and unicorns have really been having a moment in kids books recently! Not Quite Narwhal looks absolutely adorable.

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    1. That is quite true about narwhals and unicorns!

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  2. I'll read anything by Jason Chin, so I'm looking forward to Grand Canyon. One Amazing Elephant looks like an important book with beautiful illustrations. I'll be on the lookout for it.

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  3. I love Grand Canyon, hope it has a chance for next year's Sibert award! And I want to read One Amazing Elephant, looks and sounds very nice.

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    1. I've never been to the Grand Canyon and reading that book makes me really want to go!

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  4. I have the 3rd and 4th Bird & Squirrel books sitting right here to read. I love that duo!
    The Chin book has been on so many blogs recently--obviously I need to get my hands on it :)

    Happy reading this week!

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    1. I can't imagine anyone not loving Bird & Squirrel! I recommended it to a student a few times and he kept saying, "I'm not really interested in that." He finally read the first one and is hooked!

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  5. Ooohlala. Jason Chin! That one I would have to find as soon as it's available in my part of the world.

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