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...

Carl and the Meaning of Life by Deborah Freedman

Carl is an earthworm trying to find his purpose. He asks a few other animals, "Why do I do what I do?" until he discovers that he has a very valuable role. This book shows that even a small creature, like an earthworm, is important to our world. The author's note at the end of the book prompts readers to think about their own role in helping the earth. In addition to providing information about the natural world, this book could also be useful to start discussions about ways we can contribute and make a difference in our world. Thanks to the publisher for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with a review copy.

The Panda Problem by Deborah Underwood

As the main character of the book, Panda should have a problem right? Only he doesn't. To the dismay of the narrator of the book, Panda decides to become the problem. Panda's silly antics weren't quite what the narrator had in mind, but they do lead to an actual problem that needs to be solved. This book will have readers laughing out loud. Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.

True History of Lyndie B. Hawkins by Gail Shepherd

Lyndie B. Hawkins is a endearing character in search of the truth about her world, which seems to have been turned upside down. She wants to understand why her family has moved in with her grandparents and her mother keeps to herself most of the time. She's even more confused about her father's strange behavior and the fact that he's gone missing and no one will tell her the reason for it. While Lyndie deals with family challenges, she meets D.B., a boy who her friend's family is fostering, and they strike up a meaningful friendship. This is a story of family and friendship that explores serious topics, including PTSD and alcohol addiction. It's an engaging, heartfelt book.

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga

To escape the war in Syria, Jude goes to the U. S. with her mother while her father and brother remain behind. As Jude adjusts to her life in a new place, she is also trying to understand the idea of "home." The books gives insight into what it's like to be torn between two cultures and be part of a family that's separated by an ocean. Jude's story is heart-breaking, but also hopeful. Told in verse, this is a beautifully written book. Thanks to the author for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advance reader's copy. The book publishes in May.

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.

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.

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!

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.