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Monday, September 23, 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...

Billie Jean! How Tennis Star Billie Jean King Changed Women's Sports by Mara Rockliff

This is an inspiring and informative book about a tennis great who not only worked hard at the game, but was also a fierce advocate of equal rights in women's sports. A wonderful book to add to a picture book biography collection.

Home in the Woods by Eliza Wheeler

Love the message of this book that no matter the circumstances we can fill our hearts and home with love. This historical fiction picture book takes place during the time of the Depression. It's based on the author's family history and is an amazing story of resilience. There are some really lovely lines and great illustrations.

Give and Take by Elly Swartz

This is another touching story, about a girl who is not perfect, but has a big heart, from Elly Swartz. Maggie is dealing with anxiety, sadness, and the fear of letting go, but with support of friends and family works through her challenges. Thanks to Elly for sharing an advance reader's copy with me. 

Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee

Barbara Dee addresses some serious topics relevant to the lives of middle schoolers in her books. In this book, Mila, a seventh-grader, is being harassed at school. Although, Mila is very uncomfortable with the situations the boys put her in and the unwanted physical contact that she is subjected to, she does not know how to make it stop. Mila learns an important lesson about speaking up. There are many kids who need to read this book to realize they are not alone and to give them the courage to use their voice. I think this book can lead to much needed conversations. Thanks to the author for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advance reader's copy.

Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris

Not children's literature, but an amazing book that I had the opportunity to read a little early before it publishes in October. This companion to The Tattooist of Auschwitz gives insight into the atrocities of WWII. Cilka's story is one of resilience and bravery and shows that even when the world is at its worst there is hope and compassion. Thanks to the publisher, St. Martin's Press for the review copy.

11 comments:

  1. LOVE Billie Jean - just used it last week with some teachers. Great mentor texts for K-2. Looking forward to Give and Take and love that you gave an adult recommendation!! Thank you

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  2. I have or have added each book on your list, Lisa. What a great group of books, all I want to read. My older granddaughter will be in middle school next year, know that "Maybe He Just Likes You" will be one for her. Thanks, & Happy fall!

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  3. I just placed a request for Home in the Woods from my library. Looks awesome! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful week!

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  4. I am so excited to read Give and Take. Thank you for reviewing it. Elly does such an incredible job of making her character's real people.

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  5. I am really excited to read both the MG books, hopefully soon. Home in the Woods looks great and was new to me as well. Thanks for the post!

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  6. I'm definitely adding Home in the Woods to my list right now. This looks like a really great historical picture book! Also, I had Maybe He Just Likes You, but I'd completely forgotten this was by Barbara Dee. Now I'm even more excited to read it! Have a wonderful week, Lisa!

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  7. I'm really interested to read Maybe He Just Likes You. Seems like a really important conversation for middle grade.

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  8. Great books this week Lisa! I am so looking forward to Give and Take!

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  9. I've got Billie Jean! to review in an upcoming Wednesday nonfiction post. With all of the Williams sisters books that have published lately, I think there is more of a push for tennis biographies!
    Barbara Dee's book is going to be so important for the middle school library. I hope it is shared widely!
    I still need to read Give and Take!!! It's in the never ending pile!

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  10. I'm interested in Give and Take because I pretty much love everything Elly Swartz writes. Maybe He Just Likes You sounds like an interesting and important book.

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  11. St Martins has a good sense for books I'll like -- I will look out for that one.

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