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Monday, December 20, 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...

Santa in the City by Tiffany D. Jackson and illustrated by Reggie Brown

Kids at Deja's school have told her that Santa Claus is not real and she is beginning to have doubts herself. She has many questions and the adults around her give her answers that make sense. Although she doesn't get to see Santa herself, she finds out that the magic is real. 

Saturday at the Food Pantry by Diane O'Neill and illustrated by Brizida Magro

Molly doesn't understand why she and her mom have so little food and have to visit the food pantry. When Molly sees a classmate there, as well, she learns that everyone needs help sometimes and it's possible to both accept it and give it. This is a book that is both heart-warming and affirming.

Penny and Clover, Up and Over (The Lucky Dogs) by Erica S. Perl and illustrated by Leire Martín

A boy and his grandma are taking their dogs for a walk in the woods. When the come across a log, Penny can jump over it, but Clover needs some help. This is a cute series for early readers.

Rescue at Lake Wild by Terry Lynn Johnson

Madi and her friends have rescued two beaver kits, but because her mom has told her that she is not allowed to bring home any more stray animals she must keep it a secret. The three friends are also determined to find out who has killed the beaver parents. This is an interesting wildlife adventure that includes information about animal rescue and beavers.

Monday, December 13, 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...


The Three Latkes by Eric A. Kimmel and illustrated by Feronia Parker-Thomas

On the first night of Hanukkah, three latkes argue about which one of them is the best and they ask a clever cat who knows a lot about food to help them decide. This is a humorous story with fun illustrations.

The Longest Storm by Dan Yaccarino

A very unusual storm comes to town and a family is stuck inside for an undetermined amount of time. Being together all the time becomes difficult for the family until one night when the lights go out and their attitudes towards one another change. This book features a weather-related storm, but the "storm" could be a variety of difficult times that one may go through. The message of resilience and hopefulness is very relevant.

Room for Everyone by Naaz Khan and illustrated by Mercè López

Set in Zanzibar, two siblings are heading to the shore in a minibus. As they travel along, one sibling invites more and more people to join them on the bus while the other sibling worries there is not enough room. This is a fun rhyming book about community and kindness. 

The Swallows' Flight by Hilary McKay

This book tells the story of four young people and a dog leading up to and during World War II. The insight into the impact of the war on these characters and how it leads to the intersection of their lives was interesting.

Adult Reading Recommendations

I read digital review copies of both of these books through NetGalley and I couldn't put either one of them down. They both publish in January.

Greenwich Park by Katherine Faulkner 

Helen attends her first prenatal class and meets another expectant mother. They develop a friendship, but Helen begins to get the sense that something is not quite right. Throughout the book, it's never clear who can be trusted and the mystery is slowly revealed. It's really twisty, too.

The Maid by Nita Prose

I've read a lot of murder mysteries, but never one that was this charming. Molly is a dedicated maid whose world gets turned upside down when she finds a man dead in his hotel room. There are a few interesting twists and a heart-warming message about friendship and fitting in.