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Monday, October 15, 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.

Recent Reads...


Business Pig by Andrea Zuill

Jasper is very different from his pig siblings. He wears a suit, helps with the bookkeeping, and has his own business cards. Although he is well-loved at the sanctuary, no one wants to adopt him. Jasper has a plan to find the perfect home. This is a humorous story with a subtle message about being oneself.

Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

Autobiographical, this book tells of a mother's journey with her son as they leave Mexico and travel to the United States. It's a story of hope and resilience, and, also, one that shows the power of books. There's a dream-like quality to the illustrations that is stunning. There's also many details in the artwork that hint at the blending of two cultures. It's a gorgeous, gorgeous read.

The Snowy Nap by Jan Brett

This book takes place in winter, but reading it will make you feel warm and cozy. Hedgie does not want to miss out on all the wonders of winter so he tries to stay awake like the other animals on the farm. When Lisa discovers him frozen outside, she brings him inside where he can watch winter from various windows in her house. Both the story and the author's classic illustrations are charming. This would be a great book to read aloud during the winter season or to pair with Jan Brett's The Hat. Thanks to the publisher, Penguin Young Readers, for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with a review copy.

Thank You, Omu by Oge Mora

Omu's stew has a delicious smell which leads neighbors to her door. One by one she gives them a bit of her stew until her pot is empty. A final knock at her door, reveals the neighbors who have come back to return the favor. This is a sweet story about community and gratitude. In the author's note, the author explains that her grandmother was the inspiration for the story. The lovely artwork, collages created with paper and clippings from books, adds to the warm and inviting feel of the book. 

Zora and Me: The Cursed Ground by T. R. Simon

The Cursed Ground is the second book in the Zora and Me series, which tells a fictionalized account of the childhood of well-known author, Zora Neale Hurston, as she grew up in Eatonville, one of the first all-black towns to be incorporated in the U.S. The book alternates between two stories, both set in the past. In 1903, two friends, Carrie and Zora, discover Mr. Polk, a mute, injured outside his cabin. When he, seemingly miraculously, begins to speak, Zora knows there is a secret and she convinces Carrie to investigate with her to find out what it is. The other story, set in 1855, tells of Lucia, a slave, and Prisca, the girl who refuses to let her be sold. The stories come together, as Zora and Carrie learn about events of the present, a dispute over land that threatens the safety of their town, and uncover the connection to past events which have led to Mr. Polk's silence. This is a riveting book, with parts that are both intense and heart-wrenching. It's an honest portrayal of the tragedy of slavery and will spark thinking about the effects of slavery and racism. It also explores the idea that our memories and our histories remain a part of us even after we've moved on. This is a powerful and beautifully written book whose characters you'll think about long after you close the book. Thanks to the publisher, Candlewick Press, for sending me a review copy of the book.

17 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing these new titles. they all sound great!

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  2. I just made sure to put Thank You, Omu and Business Pig on my TBR list -- both sound wonderful! I am also looking forward to Dreamers. And I adore the Zora & Me series. The second book was so well-written. I really hope that series will continue for a looooong time. Thanks for the titles this week, Lisa!

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    1. I'm glad I read Zora. It's an eye-opening book and I agree that it would be great if the series continued.

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  3. I am looking forward to finding Dreamers and Zola and Me. The other two are new to me. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. We absolutely love Dreamers and will be blogging about it soon. Omu and Business Pig are going on our TBR list

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    1. I could look at the illustrations in Dreamers over and over again!

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  5. So many lovely books today. I want to find and read Business Pig and am especially looking forward to reading Dreamers.

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  6. I've seen Zora on a few lists in the past two months. I'll have to check it out soon. I loved Omu too :)

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    1. Definitely check Zora out - it's a powerful book.

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  7. Business Pig looks adorable and love the message of being yourself! Omu is another one I need to check out. Thanks Lisa!

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  8. I can't wait to read The Snowy Nap! I love everything Jan Brett has ever written, so I am looking forward to getting ahold of this book. Thanks for sharing and have a terrific week!

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    1. Her books are beautiful. I love so many of them!

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  9. I just read Business Pig - and really enjoyed it thoroughly. Dreamers is one book I have to read soonest! :)

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