It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is 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. You can also follow on Twitter at #imwayr.
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Monday, June 25, 2018
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. To find out what other bloggers are reading, check out the host blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers. You can also follow on Twitter at #imwayr.
Monday, June 18, 2018
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. To find out what other bloggers are reading check out the host blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers. You can also follow on Twitter at #imwayr.
What I've Been Reading...
Bear's Scare by Jacob Grant
Bear, living with his stuffed friend Ursa, keeps his house very tidy. When he discovers a spider web among his books, he and Ursa go on a search to find the uninvited house guest. This sweet story of unlikely friendship between a bear and a spider conveys a subtle message about making premature judgments. The illustrations are quirky and fun with details that are revealed to the reader, but not Bear. Thanks to the publisher, Bloomsbury, for sending my book review group, #BookExcursion, a copy of this book.Off & Away by Cale Atkinson
Jo's dad delivers the bottled messages that gather in the sea to those who they belong to. When Jo's dad gets sick and can't make the deliveries, Jo must face her fears and set out to sea herself. This is a unique story with equally unique and whimsical illustrations. It's also an inspirational story about facing fears and realizing that our imaginations can make things seem scarier than they really are.Annie B., Made for TV by Amy Dixon
Annie is often overshadowed by her best friend Savannah who is an outstanding student, great at soccer, and can sing and dance. When Annie tries out for a part in a local show and Savannah gets it instead, their friendship becomes strained. Annie is a humorous character who faces friendship challenges that middle grade readers will be able to relate to. Annie learns the importance of apologizing to a friend and how to cope when she feels like she does not measure up. This is a fun story that will show readers possibilities for navigating the ups and downs of friendship.A Book to Look For This Summer...
Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya
The fact that Marcus stands out among his peers at his school because of his size is both a blessing and a curse. When Marcus gets in trouble for fighting at school, his mother decides the family needs a break and they take a trip to Puerto Rico. While there, Marcus is hoping to find his dad who he barely remembers. As in his previous book, The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora, this is a story that centers on family and how they support one another. It also gives insight into the culture of Puerto Rico. This book publishes in August. Thanks to the publisher, Viking Books for Young Readers, for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advanced reader's copy of the book.Monday, June 11, 2018
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. To find out what other bloggers are reading check out the host blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers. You can also follow on Twitter at #imwayr.
What I've Been Reading...
Drawn Together by Minh Lê
This is a stunning story about a boy and his grandfather and how they connect with each other in spite of speaking different languages. The illustrations by Dan Santat, which tell most of the story, are stunning. Although few words, this book has a powerful message.Neck & Neck by Elise Parsley
Leopold, a zoo giraffe, is jealous. Not of another giraffe, but a giraffe-shaped balloon. In spite of Leopold's feelings, he makes the right decision when his assistance is needed. The illustrations are amusing.Out of Left Field by Ellen Klages
Katy is a fantastic pitcher. So good that the boys in her neighborhood let her play with them. When Katy tries out for Little League, she is denied a spot on the team because she is a girl. Katy refuses to simply accept this unfairness and, as part of a school project, learns all she can about women in baseball. The book includes information about women baseball players at the end. Historical and showing the importance of standing up for injustice, this is a winner.Books to Look For This Summer...
The Dollar Kids by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
Lowen is dealing with loss and guilt after his friend dies as the result of a random shooting. When his family buys a house for a dollar they move to a new community where they find it is not so easy to fit in. As Lowen deals with his own internal struggle, his family is dealing with the financial situation they find themselves in when the family business doesn't do as well as expected. The concept of the dollar houses and the small-town setting were interesting. The characters are realistic and I loved the way that friends and family supported each other in the book. This book shows that we can manage tough times with the help of those around us. Thanks to the publisher, Candlewick, for sending my book review group, #BookExcursion, an advanced reader's copy of the book.Wonderland by Barbara O'Connor
Mavis and Rose have very different backgrounds and family situations. Mavis's mother hops from one job to another so they've had to move around a lot to make ends meet. Rose's family is well-off and lives in the biggest house in a gated community. Mavis and Rose are also similar in that they both struggle to make and keep a friend. When Mavis's mother is employed by Rose's family, Mavis is determined to make Rose her friend. This story of friendship alternates between the perspectives of Mavis and Rose. In addition, some chapters of the book are written from the perspective of a dog named Henry who the girls are trying to rescue so that Mr. Duffy, the gatekeeper, will be happy again. As Mavis and Rose work through their struggles with friendship they help each other grow. One learns to be a best friend and the other learns to be brave and speak up for herself. One of my favorite books is a previous novel by Barbara O'Connor, Wish. With two sweet friends and a lovable dog, this latest novel is just as heart-warming. This book publishes in August. Thanks to the publisher, Farrar, Straus & Giroux for sending my book review group, #BookExcursion, an advanced reader's copy of the book.Monday, June 4, 2018
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. To find out what other bloggers are reading check out the host blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers. You can also follow on Twitter at #imwayr.