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Monday, November 29, 2021

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. 

5 comments:

  1. "The Swag..." is new & sounds like one that will be popular, Lisa. I've read The Lost Package & enjoyed the inventive story of big kindness. Thanks for the others, too. I'd love to have had I've Trying to Love Garbage when I taught. We used to have different students bring in their garbage & go through it, determining what other ways to use or get rid of some of it without its going to the landfill. Wishing everyone would question that! Have a great week welcoming December!

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  2. What a great set of books, Lisa! Cold Turkey sounds like a sweet read, and I've seen a lot of praise for The Lost Package too. If You Lived During the Plimoth Thanksgiving sounds like it would be very eye-opening as well—I wrote it down! And I've heard good things about The Swag Is In the Socks too. Thanks so much for the great post!

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  3. I have read and enjoyed Bethany Barton's other I'm Trying to... books so I'll be on the lookout for this one. If You Lived During the Plimoth Thanksgiving sounds like an important book. I noted that Chris Newell is Passamaquoddy.

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  4. Lots of really great books and none that I have read. I have often enjoyed books by the authors of Cold Turkey and Set Your Alarm Sloth, so those will be ones I am ready to pick-up in the new year. I am Trying to Love Garbage looks great too. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on all of these.

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