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...

Cold Turkey by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Kirsti Call and illustrated by Chad Otis

On a snowy day, a cold turkey bundles up and heads out on a walk around the farmyard. In spite of the cold, turkey shares with the other animals who he notices are very cold, too. In gratitude, they repay his kindness. This is a fun, rhyming book with lots of puns. I read this book to first and second graders before the Thanksgiving break and also shared this song with them. It's based on the book and written by Sydney Call, the daughter of one of the co-authors.

I'm Trying to Love Garbage by Bethany Barton

The newest book in the "I'm Trying to Love..." series will provide readers with facts about what happens to the planet's waste. The book also encourages readers to think about the garbage that ends up in landfills and how we can create less of it.

The Lost Package by Richard Ho and illustrated by Jessica Lanan

This is a heart-warming story about a package that is lost while en route to its destination and the boy who ensures that it is delivered. In the note at the end of the book the author describes his connection to the United States Postal Service. 

Set your Alarm, Sloth: More Advice for Troubled Animals from Dr. Glider by Jess Keating and illustrated by Pete Oswald

Dr. Glider, the very knowledgeable sugar glider, is back in his second book to provide advice to a variety of animal patients who are seeking answers. This is a fun, fact-filled book. 

If You Lived During the Plimoth Thanksgiving by Chris Newell and illustrated by Winona Nelson

This informative book dispels the myth of the first Thanksgiving and provides insight into the history of the landing of the Mayflower through a perspective that centers Indigenous people. A book geared towards upper elementary readers that will also provide knowledge for many adult readers, too.

The Swag is in the Socks by Kelly J. Baptist

Twelve-year-old Xavier wants to follow in the footsteps of family members and become a member of the Scepter League, a club at his school that requires lots of swag. With the help of his great uncle and socks, he develops confidence and realizes his potential. This is an engaging and charming middle grade read. 

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...

The Electric Slide and Kai by Kelly J. Baptist and illustrated by Darnell Johnson

Everyone in Kai's family is good at dancing except for him. When an invitation to his aunt's wedding arrives, he is determined to learn the electric slide and earn a dance nickname. This is a fun story about dancing, family, and perseverance. 

Invasion of the Unicorns by David Biedrycki

An alien spy who looks very much like an adorable stuffed unicorn has landed on Earth with a mission to figure out if the unicorn army should invade. The unicorn has many new experiences and gradually develops a more positive attitude towards Earthling behavior. This is a unique and heartwarming story.

You Might Be Special! by Kerri Kokias and illustrated by Marcus Cutler

A series of questions are presented to help readers find out what makes them special. The illustrations are amusing and the message is sweet.

A Sitting in St. James by Rita Williams-Garcia

This young adult novel delves into life on a plantation in Louisiana in the 1860's. I put it on hold at the library because I am a fan of historical fiction and realized afterwards that it's written by Rita Williams-Garcia. She is an amazing storyteller and provides powerful insight into the history of slavery.

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...

Aaron Slater, Illustrator by Andrea Beaty and illustrated by David Roberts

Aaron enjoys drawing and listening to books and dreams of writing his own stories. When he starts school he is eager to learn to read, but finds that it is much harder for him than it is for his classmates. When his teacher gives an assignment to write a story Aaron's page is blank, but he realizes he can tell his story in his own way. The author's note at the end of the book provides information about artist Aaron Douglas Slater who the book character is named after. This is an empowering story that can open conversations about learning differences.

The Children's Moon by Carmen Agra Deedy and illustrated by Jim LaMarche

A beautiful and whimsical story about the sun and moon that provides an imaginative reason the moon can sometimes be seen during the day. Information about the daytime moon, known as the "children's moon" and other facts are included at the end of the book.

Have You Seen Gordon? by Adam Jay Epstein and illustrated by Ruth Chan

This is a humorous and clever twist on the seek-and-find book. Readers will want to return to the pages of this book again and again to check out the detailed illustrations. 

Waffles and Pancakes: Planetary-Yum by Drew Brockington

A spin-off of the CatStronauts series, two kitten siblings spend the day with their dad at the science museum. This is a fun graphic novel, incorporating some science-based facts, for early readers.

Yusuf Azeem is Not a Hero by Saadia Faruqui

This is a timely middle grade novel about standing up to prejudice and hate. Twelve-year-old Yusuf is learning about 9/11 and it's impact on the Muslim community and dealing with Islamophobia in his town and school. The story is powerful and poignant. The author's note at the end gives insight into a real-life event that inspired the book.

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...

Everybody in the Red Brick Building by Anne Wynter and illustrated by Oge Mora

A baby in the red brick building wakes up with a howl which sets off a chain reaction of others waking up and making noise. As they all begin to notice more comforting sounds in the night, everyone falls back to sleep again. Mora's collage illustrations are colorful and lively. This will be a fun bedtime or anytime story. 

Inside Cat by Brendan Wenzel

Inside Cat sees the outside world from the inside as he wanders through its home and gazes out the windows. With so many windows and views, Inside Cat seems to know it all, but maybe not...This is a very creative book about perspective. The illustrations are really interesting and the last two-page spread is amazing.

The Littlest Yak by Lu Fraser and illustrated by Kate Hindley

Gertie, the littlest yak, wants to be big like the others in her herd. She comes up with a plan to grow which includes eating veggies and reading books, but begins to think she will never get bigger. When Gertie is needed to solve a problem she realizes that she has bigness in her after all. This book has a great theme about self-acceptance and will also be fun one to read when the snowy season sets in.

Looking for a Jumbie by Tracey Baptiste and illustrated by Amber Ren

The moon is out and Naya is supposed to be in bed, but instead she heads out of her house in search of a jumbie, a creature from Caribbean folklore. Although Naya doesn't discover a scary jumbie, she meets some other mythical creatures willing to join her on her mission. A delightful read.

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...

Beautifully Me by Nabela Noor and illustrated by Nabi H. Ali

One day, Zubi notices family members and classmates being critical of their own or others' bodies. She begins to wonder if she should be concerned with her own body. Zubi helps her family realize their body negativity and they help her understand the real meaning of beauty. This is a sweet story with an important message about self-acceptance. 

Leo and the Octopus by Isabelle Marinov and illustrated by Chris Nixon

Leo feels like he is living on the wrong planet and that other kids do not understand him until he meets Maya, an octopus. Leo bonds with the octopus and this leads to an encounter with a boy who is interested in learning about the creature. This is a thoughtful book about friendship and neurodiversity that will be a useful read for building empathy toward others.

Yours in Books by Julie Falatko and illustrated by Alborozo

Owl T. Fencepost, who just wants to be left alone in peace and quiet, exchanges letters with Bessie Squirrel, the owner of a bookshop nearby in the forest. Although the owl wants books to solve the problem he has with the noisy neighborhood children, squirrel offers books to encourage more friendly interaction with them. This is a very cute book about the joys of companionship and books.

Cookie & Broccoli: Ready for School! by Bob McMahon

Cookie is outgoing and Broccoli is shy, but they become great friends. This graphic novel will be perfect for those early readers who like silly stories.

How to Find What You're Not Looking For by Veera Hiranandani

This book, set in 1967, is about a twelve-year-old named Ari dealing with a few challenges in her family and school life. Her sister has suddenly left to get married after her parents have made it clear that they don't approve of her non-Jewish boyfriend. Ari misses her sister and is also trying to understand her parent's feelings which she herself doesn't agree with. At school, Ari is having difficulty with writing and is also the target of bullying. The story is written in the second person which took me a bit to get used to. It's a poignant story that explores some relevant themes.