Pages

Monday, September 26, 2022

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...
 

K Is for Kindness by Rina Horiuchi and illustrated by Risa Horiuchi

This is an adorable alphabet book that highlights many ways to be kind. A sentence for each letter shows how an animal friend was kind to another. The rhyme makes it fun, too. 

Punky Aloha by Shar Tuiasoa

Punky lives with her grandma who makes amazing banana bread. She tells the story of how she became a brave adventurer while on an errand to pick up butter for the banana bread when they run out. With her grandma's magical brave glasses and a mantra reminding herself to be helpful, giving, and brave, Punky has the courage to make a new friend. This is a lovely book with bright, cheery illustrations.

Skater Cielo by Rachel Katstaller

Cielo loves to skateboard, but when a new skate park opens up and she falls while trying it out she begins to think she is not very good at it. New friends at the park encourage her to keep trying and help her up each time she falls. The book has a great message about community and resilience. 

The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen

A fun retelling of the classic tale. The troll, who scrapes wax out of his ears and goop out of his belly button and describes all the ways he likes to eat goat, is amusing. Thanks to the publisher for a review copy. The book publishes in October.

Freestyle by Gale Galligan

Cory and his seven friends are a part of a dance crew that has an upcoming competition. Cory is frustrated with the captain who is being very inflexible as far as their dance routine. In addition, Cory's parents are pressuring him to improve his grades. When he discovers his tutor and lab partner knows yo-yo tricks he becomes interested in learning, but this leads to complications in the relationships with his friends. This is an engaging and interesting graphic novel about middle schoolers navigating relatable challenges. Thanks to the publisher for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advanced reader's copy. The book publishes in October.

The Real Deal by Lindsey Stoddard

Gabe has been friends with Oliver since pre-K when they played on the teeter-totter together. When there is a new boy at school who doesn't talk, the other kids make fun of him and Gabe is conflicted about whether he should laugh along with them. Oliver has also been acting strange and seems to be keeping a secret from him. The characters in this middle grade novel are great and the plot is engaging. It's a touching story about friendship and listening to one's heart. Thanks to the author and publisher for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advance reader's copy. The book publishes in October.

Monday, September 19, 2022

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...


Frog vs. Toad by Ben Mantle

A frog and toad are both about to catch the same fly and they end up in an argument about who the better amphibian is which then turns into a mud fight. They wake up an alligator, who is definitely not a crocodile and, as the frog and toad are about to be eaten, they realize they aren't so different. This is a very humorous book that includes some facts about frogs and toads.

Maya and the Beast by Maya Gabeira and illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki

Maya lives in Nazaré where there is a big wave taller than a seven-story building known as the Beast. She has been told to stay away from it, but when she sees it up close she is amazed by its beauty and impressed by the boys who are surfing it. She doesn't know how to surf and the boys tell her it is too dangerous, but she is determined to make her dream come true. Inspired by the author's childhood, this is an empowering story about courage, determination, and the power of following one's dreams.

My Pet Feet by Josh Funk and illustrated by Billy Yong

Instead of a pet ferret, the narrator has pet feet. Kids ride go-cats, a friend has become a fiend, and there is not a flock of crows, but a flock of cows. This is a silly and fun book about what happens when the 18th letter of the alphabet disappears. 

Sonny Says Sorry! by Caryl Hart and illustrated by Zachariah Ohora

When Sonny finds a present that's meant for Honey, he can't help but open it up. The cake inside looks delicious so Sonny and his friends gobble it up. There's a useful lesson about saying sorry and righting a wrong. Ohora's signature illustrations are delightful.

Theo Thesaurus and the Perfect Pet by Shelli R. Johannes and illustrated by Mike Moran

Theo loves words and animals. He really wants a pet and after beginning to think there is not a pet that is right for him, he finds a saber-toothed tiger. This saber-toothed tiger proves hard to train, but Theo figures out that he needs a different way to communicate. Readers will learn lots of new words.

Boo! Hiss! by Cyndi Marko

A ghost named Phyliss and a snake named Sheldon live in an old house where they are very content until a new family moves in. They decide to scare the family away, making many attempts to boo and hiss at each of the family members. This is a silly chapter book written in graphic novel format.

Bhai For Now by Maleeha Siddiqui

Shaheer and Ashar are long-lost twin brothers who didn't know the other existed until Shaheer starts his first day at a new school after moving to Virginia with his father and grandfather. They switch places to get to know their parents better. This is a heartfelt and amusing story of family and friendship inspired by The Parent Trap. Thanks to the publisher for providing my book review group with a review copy. The book publishes in October.

Monday, September 12, 2022

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...


Abuelita and I Make Flan by Adriana Hernández Bergstrom

Anita is excited to learn how to make flan with her Abuelita, but she accidentally breaks the special plate that is used to flip the dessert. Anita works hard to prove she is a great helper, but knows she must admit to breaking the plate. This is a very sweet book about family and traditions.

Battle of the Books by Melanie Ellsworth and illustrated by James Rey Sanchez

A few of Josh's favorite books on his bookshelf argue about which one he will pick for his bedtime story. When Pirate Book ends up on the floor, the others decide to work together to rescue him. When Josh is about to read with his grammie, his book choice makes everyone happy. A fun book about books.

Pip and Zip by Elana K. Arnold and illustrated by Doug Salati

During the pandemic shutdown, a family goes on a walk and finds a couple of duck eggs in a lake. Since they are sheltering in place they can't bring the eggs to a wildlife center. The family incubates them, waits for them to hatch and observes them grow. Based on the author's life, this is a delightful story about a small joy that occurred during a challenging time.

The Tower of Life: How Yaffa Eliach Rebuilt Her Town in Stories and Photography by Chana Stiefel and illustrated by Susan Gal

During World War II, Yaffa survived the Jewish massacre that occurred in the Polish town in which she lived. Thirty-five years after the war, she gathered stories and photographs of survivors which are part of the Tower Of Life at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. This biography tells about a dark time in our history and highlights the importance of bringing humanity to those whose lives were lost. Thanks to the publisher for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with a review copy. The book publishes in October. 

Two Degrees by Alan Gratz

There's a wildfire in California, melting ice and a polar bear attack in Manitoba, Canada, and a hurricane and severe flooding in Miami. Kids in three different locations are impacted by climate change and are fighting to survive. This book is intense and amazing. Readers will not only be hooked by the action, but will also gain insight into how climate change is impacting the planet and the importance of speaking out about it. Thanks to the publisher for an advance reader's copy. The book publishes in October.  

Monday, September 5, 2022

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...


Howard the Average Gecko by Wendy Meddour and illustrated by Carmen Saldaña

Thinking he is the only one who is camouflaged, Howard announces that he is an exceptional gecko and deserves to be the king of the rain forest. Howard is so preoccupied with boasting that he doesn't notice the other camouflaged creatures. When a stick insect points out that Howard is actually just average, Howard is dismayed, but begins to notice others who are camouflaged including someone very special. Kids will be amused with the story and also enjoy discovering camouflaged creatures on various pages.

A Parliament of Owls by Devin Scillian and illustrated by Sam Caldwell

A child has called groups of different animals to gather together. This is a fun book as each group of animals make their entrance. Readers will learn the term for the different groups of animals. There are many which I did not know. 

Sunday Pancakes by Maya Tatsukawa

When Cat wants to make pancakes and has no eggs and milk, her friends Rabbit and Moonbear bring over what she needs. The three friends have fun making pancakes together and then eating their very special pancakes. This is a sweet story with warm pastel-colored illustrations. A recipe for Cat's Sunday Pancakes is included for those who get a craving for the breakfast (or any time of day) treat.

Odder by Katherine Applegate

Inspired by rescued sea otters at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, this is the story of a curious and adventurous sea otter who gets hurt after trying to save her friend from a shark. She ends up at an aquarium where she was raised as a young pup after being separated from her mother. This time she is unable to go back to the wild, but she is given the chance to help an orphaned pup so it can return to the ocean. This is a sweet story that provides information about sea otters. The book includes some illustrations which are adorable.