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Monday, October 23, 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've Been Reading...


It's Not Jack and the Beanstalk by Josh Funk

This is the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, only Jack does not want the story to be told the way it's supposed to be told. As the narrator tells the story, Jack talks back complaining and offering his suggestions for how the story should go. From the first page where Jack is not wearing pants and throughout the rest of the story, Jack brings humor and fun to the story of Jack and the Beanstalk. It's not the ending you expect from Jack and the Beanstalk, but Jack does manage a happily ever after. This is a fun and unique fractured fairy tale that students will find very entertaining. This book already has me eager for the next, It's Not Hansel and Gretel, which will be published in 2019.  Thanks to Unleashing Readers, one of the hosts of It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and the publisher, Two Lions, for a copy of this book.

Cucumber Quest: The Doughnut Kingdom by Gigi D.G.

Cucumber only wants to go to start school at Puffington's Academy for the Magically Gifted, but he's been chosen to save Doughnut Kingdom before Queen Cordelia achieves her plan for world domination. His sister, Almond, seems more suited for the job, but her mother thinks it's too dangerous for her. Together the siblings set out to save the world. With a Gumdrop Forest and a Caketown, there is lots to this story that is sweet, but there is also evilness as Cucumber and Almond become involved in a battle for the Dream Sword. Graphic novels with adventure and humor, like this one, are always a hit with middle grade readers.

If Found...Please Return to Elise Gravel by Elise Gravel

Elise Gravel's illustrations are imaginative and fun. This book is a recreation of Elise's black notebook which she draws in at night while her daughters sleep. Within the book's pages there is lots of inspiration and encouragement for those who like to draw or those who may feel their drawings aren't any good. Readers will love looking at the drawings of creatures Elise has invented, many of which will give them a laugh. The book itself looks like a little black notebook. If I was a kid, I'd be asking for my own black notebook to doodle in after reading this book.

My Robot Ate My Homework: Project Droid #3 by Nancy Krulik and Amanda Burwasser

Logan has a cousin, Java, who is actually a robot his mother built. Logan has Java do his homework for him, but this backfires when his teacher announces a geography bee and Logan realizes his class could find out what he did. Logan must learn his geography facts to win the competition. Java's literal understanding of the world and Logan's attempts to cover up the fact that he's a robot is entertaining and humorous. This is a great read for transitional readers.

Holly Farb and the Princess of the Galaxy by Gareth Wronski

Holly Farb has just lost the school election and she wants nothing more than to get into a prestigious private school. One day at school she gets kidnapped by space pirates who think she is the Princess of the galaxy and she finds herself in space along with a new kid from school and her teacher. They have an exciting space adventure as they try to get home. Imaginative, with lots of action and humor, this is a book that science fiction readers will enjoy.

Mabel Opal Pear and the Rules for Spying by Amanda Hosch

Mabel's parents own an antique spoon museum, but it is only a cover since they are spies who are often sent on secret missions. When her parents go missing and her Aunt Gertie is arrested, Mabel is determined to solve the mystery of what is happening and save the spoon collection from her greedy and shady aunt and uncle who have suddenly shown up in town. This is a fun mystery with interesting characters. Mabel herself is a delight with her cleverness and quick-thinking.

A Book to Look for in 2018


Spy Toys by Mark Powers

Dan is a Snugliffic Cuddlestar, a toy bear with a computerized brain, but because he can't control his own strength he is sent to the rejects pile. Along with another toy and a robot rabbit, he is chosen to be a spy toy and protect the senator's son from being kidnapped. Dan is unsure about his assignment and worried about his abnormal strength, but he learns to put those thoughts aside to keep the senator's son safe. The toys are involved in an amusing adventure, but their experience shows the power of believing in oneself. This is the type of fast-paced, humorous, sort-of-silly book that many middle grade readers enjoy. There are many pictures throughout which will entice reluctant readers and those who prefer shorter chapter books. This is one with lots of kid appeal.

17 comments:

  1. Looks like you had a fun week of reading! Lots of great new books to add to the classrooom library. I can't believe I still haven't read Jack. I really need to work on finding that one.

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    1. Definitely a fun reading week! Jack is a must-read!

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  2. We had the privilege to watch Josh Funk share a mock copy of It's Not Jack the Beanstalk with a young fan - She absolutely loved it!

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    1. He is such a great guy! After skyping with him my students talked about him like he was their friend.

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  3. I finally got It's not Jack from the library, & need to read it! The books you've shared are mostly new to me, Lisa. I love the idea of the Elise Gravel book & Cucumber Quest also sounds good. Thanks!

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    1. I can see kids being really intrigued with Elise Gravel's book.

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  4. It’s Not Jack and the Beanstalk is such a fun book! Fractured fairy tales are always popular with young readers! I’m looking forward to checking out the other books on your list. Have a great week!

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  5. My library finally has It's Not Jack and the Beanstalk on order so I've added my name to the list for it. I wish these spy books had been around when I was still working in the library when I ended up with a few 8 year olds (boys and girls) who wanted to be spies when they grew up.

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    1. It would have been a good one for those kiddos. Rules for spying are interspersed throughout the book.

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  6. Josh Funk just has such a way with words, his stories are such kid pleasers!

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  7. Project Droid is a series I've been meaning to find. Looks like a good one to have.
    And Jack.... just love this book. I shared it with a couple of classes already and it was a big hit!

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    1. I thought of Amelia Bedelia as I was reading Project Droid because the main character is literal like Amelia.

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  8. It's Not Jack is such a funny book! I love listening to Jack and the narrator argue!
    Cucumber Quest is such a fun graphic novel and so clever.
    Thank you for introducing me to the others--they were new to me.

    Happy reading this week :)

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    1. I'm pretty sure I heard about Cucumber Quest on your blog, so thanks for that! I know kids will love it!

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  9. Mabel Opal was been on my TBR. Need to find time to read it! Love a good mystery!

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