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Thursday, May 30, 2019
Summer Professional Reading
I try to stay current on best practice and research related to literacy instruction all year by reading as much as I can on the topic. The school year can be extremely busy, so I find I don't always have as much time for reading professional books during these months as I would like. With more flexible days, summer provides the perfect opportunity to delve into professional reading. These are the books that are on my to-be-read list for the upcoming summer.
Monday, May 20, 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...
Camp Tiger by Susan Choi
While on a camping trip in the mountains with his family, a boy reflects on his worries related to growing up including starting first grade and having to do things on his own. As the family sets up their camp site, a tiger suddenly appears. The boy forms a bond with the tiger who accompanies them on family outings. With the tiger at his side, the boy accomplishes what he thinks he can't and learns to become more independent. This is a poetic and whimsical story about growing up.All the Greys on Greene Street by Laura Tucker
Olympia's father has suddenly taken off to France and her mother is no longer getting out of bed. As Olympia tries to figure out why her father left, she is also trying to live her life as normally as possible even though she knows something is wrong with her mother. Olympia's story is one of a girl dealing with her mother's depression, but it's also the story of a girl who, with the support of those around her, finds her way. There is also an interesting story line about art and her father's involvement in an art-related mystery. The book publishes in June. Thanks to Penguin Young Readers for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with a review copy.Camp Average by Craig Battle
This is a fun book about summer camp and sports. Mack has just arrived at Camp Avalon and is looking forwarding to chilling with the other campers and engaging in a lot of water sports. He is totally fine with the fact that the camp is known as Camp Average because the sports teams never win. This year turns out to be a lot different when a competitive camp director decides the campers are going to start winning and assigns them each a sport to play. Mack is not a very happy camper when he finds out he will only be allowed to play baseball while at camp, but he involves the entire team in a plan to ensure they keep losing and hopefully get back the right to make their own schedules. I think middle grade readers will enjoy this story about kids standing up for themselves and learning life lessons.Unbelievable Oliver and the Four Jokers by Pseudonymous Bosch
Oliver is not very good at magic, but his friends got him a gig as the magician at a classmate's birthday party. While at the party, one of the birthday boy's presents has been stolen and Oliver and his friends become suspects. They promise to find the real culprit, but must do it before the final magic performance which only gives them thirteen minutes. With a silly plot and interesting characters, including a talking rabbit, this is a book kids will find humorous. It's on the shorter side with lots of illustrations. Thanks to Penguin Young Readers for a review copy.Monday, May 13, 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...
Say Something by Peter H. Reynolds
Every time I read a recently published book by Peter H. Reynolds, it becomes a new favorite. This inspirational book shows the many ways to use one's voice to make a difference in the world. I love this book because I think it will be useful to start discussions about the power of voice and the necessity of working to make the world a better place and also because it has such an empowering message.Harold and Hog Pretend for Real! by Dan Santat and Mo Willems
Fans of the Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems will appreciate this book. Elephant and Piggie find a book about an elephant and a pig. They read the book in which the elephant and pig, otherwise known as Harold and Hog, are pretending to be them. Like the Elephant and Piggie books, it's told through dialogue and easy to read. It's a lot of fun, but also highlights friendship.Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay
Jay's cousin, who lives in the Philippines, has been murdered. He's not only devastated, but confused as to why no one will tell him what really happened. In his search for the truth, he travels to the Philippines where the story of his cousin's life and death unravels piece by piece. This is a story about grief and the desire to find the truth, but it also explores the struggles with understanding one's identity. It's a compelling read, but also one that gave me insight into the culture and politics of the Philippines. Thanks to the publisher for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advance reader's copy. The book publishes in June.Monday, May 6, 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.