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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.

13 comments:

  1. Camp Tiger certainly has an intriguing premise, will look for it. All The Greys on Greene Street sounds good, one that some will enjoy to see how some kids struggle with challenges at home. Thanks, Lisa.

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    1. Yes, books like All the Greys on Greene Street are important for those kids who are struggling with family situations. I think it helps them understand they are not the only one and also see possibilities for how to navigate the challenges.

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  2. Unbelievable Oliver and the Four Jokers looks lighthearted and like something my middle graders will really enjoy. I'm adding this one to my list. All the Greys on Greene Street looks like a good read for Mental Health Month. Thank you for all these shares, Lisa! Hope you have a wonderful week of reading!

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    1. Lighthearted and fun is exactly what some middle graders need!

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  3. Camp Tiger looks like a good summer read for youngsters. I'll definitely have to look for it. Thanks for sharing and have a great week!

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  4. Camp stories seem to be the trend this summer!

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    1. Yes, just picked up Kayla Miller's graphic novel, Camp.

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  5. I read All the Greys when I was working out which means it was disjointed reading. I'm not sure if it was because of that or another reason but I did not love the story. May need to go in for a reread! Loved the illustrations in Camp Tiger!

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  6. Camp Tiger is new to me so definitely need to find. All the Greys is in my TBR pile and plan to read before its release. Looks intriguing!

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  7. We just had Pseudonymous Bosch at the store and he was funny and wonderful.

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  8. I shared Camp Tiger this week too--what an interesting book and beautifully illustrated! I have not read the others, so thank you for introducing :) Happy reading this week!

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  9. I think my reading gap would have to be middle grade novels - haven't heard of any of these yet! Thank you so much for sharing. :)

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