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Monday, March 23, 2020

Recent Reads

Every Monday, I participate in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, hosted by Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers, and share my recent reads. This month I am also participating in the 13th Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge. Visit Two Writing Teachers for more information. 

I utilize the library a lot. Many times, I like to pre-read books before I purchase them for my classroom, so the library comes in handy for doing that. All of the local libraries are now closed, as are the book stores near me. Luckily, I went to pick up my holds at the library a few days before they decided to close. I have that small stack of library books and a bigger stack of my own books that I can read while I spend my days at home. I have a stockpile of books like others have a stockpile of toilet paper. There is a tiny part of me that fears that I will run out of things to read, but in these days of online ordering and ebooks, I will probably be fine!

Recent Reads...


The Seed of Compassion: Lessons from the Life and Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Bao Luu

His Holiness the Dalai Lama shares the story of his childhood and how he came to his position as the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, as well as his beliefs about the necessity of compassion. Informative and inspirational.

Whoo-Ku Haiku: A Great Horned Owl Story by Maria Gianferrari and Jonathan Voss

This is a stunning book that tells the story of a family of horned owls through Haiku and gorgeous illustrations. It's an engaging story as two owlets are born, escape danger, learn to fly, and finally become fledgling owls who set off on their own. Through the story and the end pages, readers will learn information about owls.

Do I Have to Wear a Coat?: A Journey Through the Seasons by Rachel Isadora

This is a delightful exploration of what kids do during each season of the year. It celebrates each season by showing the fun that each time of the year brings. The illustrations are charming and joyful.

The Three Billy Goats Buenos by Susan Middleton Elya and Miguel Ordóñez

This is a fun, rhyming version of The Three Billy Goats Gruff interspersed with Spanish vocabulary. It's an amusing read that also tells a story of unexpected friendship. A glossary of Spanish words is included at the beginning.

The Space Between Lost and Found by Sandy Stark-McGinnis

Cassie's mother has early-onset Alzheimer's. Cassie is trying to understand what's happening to her family and make sure her mom is happy. Her friendship with her best friend, Bailey, has also changed as Cassie has been coping with her family situation. This is a poignant and powerful story about family and friendship and one of those books that will help to show readers possibilities for navigating the big challenges in their lives. Thanks to the publisher for sharing an advance review copy with my book review group, #BookExcursion.

13 comments:

  1. Thank you for the book suggestions! I have a book obsession...well that and shoes!

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  2. Hi, Lisa. This is a great list - I cannot believe I am not familiar with one of these books. Yes, amazon will appear on my credit card bill for the next several months. At least we will have plenty of books to read. On Paula Bourque's suggestion,I just purchased Old Friend From Far Away by Natalie Goldberg. Happy reading!

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  3. The Three Billy Goat Buenos looks fun. I was fortunate to get a copy of The Space Between Lost and Found at NCTE. I loved Extraordinary Birds so looking forward to reading Sandy's next book. And I think my book stack is higher than my toilet paper stack. Wishing you well this week Lisa!

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  4. I love book posts with new-to-me reads; thanks for sharing! I also do IMWAYR posts on my library-centric blog, More Books Than Time. I included grown-up reads today as well as a kid book, in the hopes that parents are doing more reading these days, too!

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  5. The Space Between Lost and Found sounds both sad and needed. I knew a young man with early onset Alzheimer's & it was a terrible thing to see. I know what you mean about the libraries. I often sit while reading posts & put holds on the books. I do have a lot already, so should be fine like you, Lisa, but changing the habits is hard! Thanks for the picture books, too! And best wishes for continuing health!

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  6. I'm glad you were able to get your books. This is a tough time for sure. When I run through my library stack, I've got a ton of books in my house that have been piling up through the years. I buy them at booksales, garage sales, and thrift stores faster than I can read them, so here's my chance to get 'em read! The books you shared look awesome, and I'll definitely put them on my list to get when the library reopens! Thanks for sharing and stay healthy and safe!

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  7. I was lucky to get a stack of books from my library before it closed, as well. We're also using our library's Overdrive, especially for my preschooler because we can read up to 5 books per day, and I didn't borrow nearly that many books for her!

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  8. I have also been hoarding books, but I have very few picture books. I am missing reading new picture books but my supply has run dry since my budget at school was frozen in December, and the my local public is really small. Seeing new picture books is one of the most important parts of this community for me, and I appreciate you all for what you share. I do have a copy of The Space Between Lost and Found and will probably read it in the next week or two. Thanks for the shares.

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  9. These all look wonderful and that last, The Space Between Lost and Found, is already calling me; it sounds so compelling. I confess that I, too, am a tsundoku (a buyer of more books than I can read).

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  10. I am not familiar with any of these books but they all seem great. Thanks for sharing your list.

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  11. Thank you so much for sharing these new to me books! I specifically want to read Lost and Found now.
    Happy reading this week and be safe!

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  12. Thanks for sharing the books! I also have a nice hoard of books for the library hiatus.

    Although when you said you had book stockpiles instead of toilet paper, my mind went somewhere dark -- don't tear those pages out yet!

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  13. I just got my ARC of The Space Between Lost and Found, so I'm excited to read that in the next week. And I will have to read Do I Have to Wear a Coat? with my kiddos. I cannot even say how many times I hear just this question. But I also just love reading seasons books, lately -- love the reminder of the weather being cyclical and remembering that things will change very soon. Have a wonderful reading weekend, Lisa!

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