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, March 25, 2019
Monday, March 18, 2019
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...
How to Two by David Soman
A boy finds one new playmate after another at the playground until there are ten. As the children join each other to play, they take part in a variety of playground activities. Beautiful illustrations show a diverse group of children having fun playing and being with each other. The text is sparse, but it tells a wonderful story of friendship. It could also serve as a counting book. The end pages encourage readers to look back through the book and count various animal critters that are pictured throughout the pages. Thanks to the publisher, Penguin Young Readers, for a review copy.I Can Only Draw Worms by Will Mabbitt
The narrator of this book can only draw worms. The only illustrations in the book, are in fact, worms. Ten of them. For a book with just worms, it's pretty humorous. I'm sure it will inspire many readers to draw their own worms. Thanks to the publisher, Penguin Young Readers, for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with a review copy.Sparkly New Friends (Unicorn and Yeti #1) by Heather Ayris Burnell
Unicorn sees something sparkly down below (snow). Yeti sees something sparkly up above (unicorn). As Yeti looks up to the sky and Unicorn flies down to investigate, the two collide and a friendship is formed. As other books in Scholastic's Acorn line, the book is written in comic-book style, told through dialogue, and divided into short chapters. The bright graphics and fun stories within these books, make them a hit with early readers.The Library of Ever by Zeno Alexander
Lenora visits the library, with her Nanny, where she steps through a secret doorway labeled with the phrase, "Knowledge of Light." On the other side of the door, she finds a very different library, one that contains the wisdom of the universe. She takes an oath that includes a promise to oppose the enemies of knowledge and is put to work as an assistant apprentice librarian. She is given a series of challenges which she accomplishes to move up the ranks in the library. But, something mysterious is going on and Lenora finds herself facing off with those who want to destroy knowledge. Lenora's story is filled with adventure, unique characters, and interesting facts. This is an engaging and fun book. I closed it hoping to read more about Lenora's adventures and after some research I believe there will be a book two. Thanks to the publisher, I received an advance reader's copy.Monday, March 11, 2019
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...
Let's Have a Dog Party by Mikela Prevost
Kate and her friends throw a birthday party for her dog, Frank. Frank would much rather nap in his favorite spot than take part in the very loud and rowdy festivities. Kate, being a good friend, eventually realizes how Frank feels and gives him just the kind of party he likes. Kate and Frank have a sweet friendship that illustrates the importance of understanding the feelings of others. The book also shows readers that not everybody (or every dog) is the party type. Thanks to the publisher, Penguin Young Readers, for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with a review copy.Poetree by Shauna LaVoy Reynolds
Sylvia writes a poem and attaches it to a tree. The next day, Sylvia finds a new poem on the tree and she is delighted that the tree has written back to her. Sylvia is glad to have the Poetree, who is much kinder than her classmates, as a friend. When Sylvia discovers the truth about the poems, she discovers an unexpected friend. This is a sweet celebration of friendship, springtime, and the power of writing. I recently read it to a class of first graders who started a poetry writing unit and they really enjoyed it. Thanks to the publisher, Dial Books for Young Readers, for a review copy.Spend It! by Cinders McLeod
Sunny gets three carrots a week as his allowance and on Saturdays he visits the toy store. He wants to buy everything, but learns he has to make wise choices about how he spends his money. This is an adorable introduction to money management.Extraordinary Birds by Sandy Stark-McGinnis
December believes she is a bird and the scars on her back, which she got when she was living with her mother, prove that she will one day have wings. Because December has been in and out of foster homes, she is very distrustful of the people who come into her life. She has been placed with a woman named Eleanor who is a taxidermist and helps rescue wild animals. Although they have common interests, December is not sure if she can trust Eleanor. This is a story of a girl learning to accept the love and support of others and finding family unexpectedly. It's a lovely, hopeful story. Thanks to the publisher for an advance reader's copy. The book publishes in April.Kazu Jones and the Denver Dognappers by Shauna M. Holyoak
There have been a string of dognappings in Kazu's neighborhood. Kazu, who has a passion for detective work and dogs, is determined to find the culprit. With her best friend and a couple of classmates, whose dogs have gone missing, she investigates the evidence that points to a elderly neighbor. When Kazu's own dog goes missing, she has an even bigger reason to solve the case. With just enough suspense and action, this mystery is an appropriate one for middle grade readers. The case that Kazu is trying to solve is also one that will interest middle grade readers, especially dog lovers. The book explores issues related to growing up, including learning how to navigate friendships and family relationships. Thanks to the author for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advance reader's copy. The book publishes in April.Shout by Laurie Halse Anderson
This is a powerful memoir written in verse. The author writes raw and honestly about being the victim of a sexual assault when she was a teenager and her journey to become a writer. It's heart-wrenching, but moving as well. This is a timely book that provides hope and encouragement and conveys the message that it is necessary to not just speak out, but to shout. Thanks to the publisher, Penguin Young Readers, for a review copy of the book.Tuesday, March 5, 2019
For the Love of Graphic Novels
My students love graphic novels! Many of the graphic novels I own are among the most widely read and borrowed books. There are a few series that are so popular that students repeatedly ask when the next book will be available. The latest installments in some of these series have recently been published and students are over-the-moon excited to read them.
Graphic Novel Favorites....
Bird & Squirrel All Tangled Up (Bird & Squirrel #5) by James Burks
Bird and Squirrel are hilarious. Their adventures highly amuse my middle grade readers. Bird, Squirrel, and Birdie are on a mission to find Bigfoot. With lots of action and humor, this latest book is just as great as the previous titles in the series. It also explores the relationship between child and parent.Hilo Book 5: Then Everything Went Wrong by Judd Winick
Even the most reluctant of readers fall in love with Hilo. In this book, D. J. and Hilo have gone to Hilo's planet, Jannus, to get some answers about his past. Hilo's sister, Izzy, and Gina are left back on Earth and must make sure that no one finds out D. J. and Hilo are gone. As Hilo learns more about his past, everything is not what it seems. This series continues to be funny and action-packed. Every book, including this one, leaves the reader wanting to know more.Mystery Club (Mr. Wolf's Class #2) by Aron Nels Steinke
Students really enjoyed the first book in the Mr. Wolf's Class series. The students in Mr. Wolf's fourth grade class are a variety of animals, but, aside from that, they are very true-to-life. They behave in much the same was as students do and have the same sense of humor. In this book, some of the students form a mystery club and want to find out what happened to a former teacher. This is a fun and delightful read.Each one of these books are titles that my students have been eagerly awaiting. They were scooped up by students as soon as I brought them into school and I have not seen them since. I hope, as do my students, that the authors keep the series going!
Monday, March 4, 2019
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 or follow on Twitter at #imwayr.
Recent Reads...
Croc and Turtle by Mike Wohnoutka
Croc thinks pretty highly of his abilities until he's outdone by the other animals. When he starts to think he's not so good at anything, his friend Turtle tries to help. Together they realize that they are both the best at something. This is a delightful friendship story with some extra humor thrown in at the end.The Night Library by David Zeltser
You can read a review of this book that I posted last week here. A boy takes a magical journey to the New York Public Library and gains a renewed appreciation for reading. I always love a book about books!Do You Like My Bike?: An Acorn Book (Hello, Hedgehog #1) by Norm Feuti
This is a fun book, the first in the Hello, Hedgehog series, for early readers. Hedgehog and Harry will amuse young readers, but they also can teach readers about friendship. They are true friends who think about each other's feelings and help each other out. The book is divided into three short sections, written in a comic-book style, and told through dialogue. Thanks to the publisher, Scholastic, I received an advance reader's copy at the National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention.Caterpillar Summer by Gillian McDunn
For a kid her age, Cat has a lot of responsibility. She takes care of her brother Chicken, which can sometimes be a challenge, while their mom works multiple jobs to support the family. Cat is looking forward to a three-week trip to visit her best friend, but unexpectedly both her and her brother are left with grandparents they have never met. As Cat learns to navigate the relationship with her grandparents, she also realizes that she needs time to just be a kid. This is a heart-felt story about family and forgiveness. The setting, Gingerbread Island, is charming, too. Thanks to the publisher, Bloomsbury, for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advance reader's copy of the book. The book publishes in April.The Last Last-Day-of-Summer by Lamar Giles
It's the last day of summer for cousins Otto and Sheed (also known as The Legendary Alston Boys). They intend to spend their last day having an adventure and when they meet a man named Mr. Flux with an interesting camera their day turns quite strange. The two boys spend their day trying to unfreeze time and in the process meet some very interesting characters. This is a very imaginative book with adventure and heart. Thanks to the publisher I received an advance reader's copy.
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