Recent Reads

Every Monday, I share books I have recently read. I also participate in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, 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, or follow on Twitter at #imwayr.

Recent Reads...

Runaway Signs by Joan Holub and Alison Farrell

School is out for the summer and, led by the two children on a School Crossing sign, the street signs all decide to take their own vacation. They have a fun adventure, but realize the consequences of their actions. Very amusing! Thanks to the publisher for a review copy. The book publishes in June.

When the Storm Comes by Linda Ashman and Taeeun You

Written in verse, this book tells the story of what humans and animals do as bad weather approaches, the storm happens, and after it clears. Even in a storm, the seaside setting of this book is charming and the message about community is sweet. Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.

Starting from Seneca Falls by Karen Schwabach

This historical novel, set in the 19th century, will give readers an introduction to the women's right movement and the historical figures who played a role. The story follows Bridie, an orphan, who runs away to Seneca Falls to escape an abusive family, and gets a job working for Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton. She learns about the importance of Mrs. Stanton's work and begins to realize the implications that fighting for women's rights could have on her life and the lives of others. Thanks to Random House for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advance reader's copy.

Recent Reads

Every Monday, I share books I have recently read. I also participate in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, 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, or follow on Twitter at #imwayr.

Recent Reads...

Ollie and Augustus by Gabriel Evans

Ollie is worried that when he goes to school his dog, Augustus, will be lonely. He tries to find a dog who is compatible with Augustus so that he will have a friend. This is a sweet story about the friendship between a child and his dog with humorous illustrations.

Farah Rocks Fifth Grade by Susan Muaddi and Illustrated by Ruaida Mannaa

Along with her friend, Allie, Farah wants to attend Magnet Academy the following year when they begin middle school. But, when her brother starts to get bullied by the new girl, Farah is determined to protect him even if that means being dishonest and sacrificing what she wants. As she tries to solve her own problems in the best way she knows how, she learns that sometimes it's necessary to reach out for help. This is a story about friendship, family, and standing up for those you care about. Thanks to the author for a copy of the book.

The Next Great Jane by K. L. Going

Jane wants to be a famous writer and wants to learn the secrets of writing from the popular author who is visiting her town in Maine. When Jane's mother unexpectedly arrives in town, she expresses interesting in having Jane live with her in California. Jane would rather stay in Maine and decides to secretly find her father a girlfriend so he seems more capable of being able to take care of her. Jane learns about writing and relationships. This is a charming story of family and unlikely friendship.

Seven Clues to Home by Gae Polisner and Nora Raleigh Baskin

Joy and Lukas became friends in second grade when they discovered they both had August birthdays just days apart. It's Joy's thirteenth birthday and she's still grieving after Lukas died on her birthday the year before. The book alternates between the story of Joy on her birthday, following clues her friend left her, and the story of Lukas, a year earlier, setting out the clues. This is a heart-wrenching, beautiful book about friendship, love, and grief. Thanks to Random House for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advance reader's copy. The book publishes in June.

Recent Reads

Every Monday, I share books I have recently read. I also participate in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, 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, or follow on Twitter at #imwayr.

Recent Reads...

This is Gus by Chris Chatteron

This is a sweet and fun story about a grumpy dog and the puppy who wants to be his friend. The illustrations are charming - the facial expressions of the dogs help to tell the true story of their relationship. There's also sausages which will interest and amuse readers.

The Starkeeper by Faith Pray

A girl finds a star and doesn't know how to take care of it until she realizes that a kind gesture makes the star shine brighter. Her kind gestures inspire the kindness of others. This is a an enchanting story about the difference that kindness can make in the world. Thanks to the publisher for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with a review copy. The book publishes in June.

Brave Like That by Lindsey Stoddard

Like Lindsey Stoddard's previous two books this one is heartfelt with characters that work their way into your heart and stick with you. Cyrus wishes he could be braver, more like his father and the fire fighters at the station where he spends a lot of time. As he works through friendships and his feelings about the kind of person he needs to be, he learns important life lessons about what it means to be brave. Add a sweet dog into the mix and this is a pretty much perfect middle grade novel. Thanks to the author for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advance reader's copy. The book publishes in June.

We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly

This story is set right before the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion that occurred on January 28, 1986. It's about three siblings navigating life as members of a dysfunctional family and working through their personal struggles with school and friendships. The book is relatable and heartfelt, but also gives historical insight. Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.