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...

Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty and illustrated by David Roberts

A mischievous cat, who wants to get out of being bathed, rearranges the words on the list of tasks the family must do to get ready for Grandma's visit. Cleaning up turns into chaos until the family finally gets it right. Very amusing.

A Boy and His Mirror by Marchánt Davis and illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo

A magic mirror helps Chris when other kids tease him about his hair. This rhyming story has an important message about confidence and kindness.

The Gentle Genius of Trees by Philip Bunting

This is an informative book about trees that shows just how amazing they are. The author also compares trees to humans, imparting important lessons about how to live and be.

Mama Shamsi at the Bazaar by Mojdeh Hassani and illustrated by Maya Fidawi

This is a sweet story featuring a relationship between a grandchild and her grandmother set in Tehran. Samira is worried about going to the bazaar for the first time so she wants to hide under Mama Shamsi's chador. The story is based on the author's childhood.

You Are Loved: A Book About Families by Margaret O'Hair and illustrated by Sofia Cardoso

The companion to You Are Enough, this book is inspired by Sofia Sanchez, an actress with Down syndrome, and explains how families are all different and special. A very sweet book.

Reina Ramos Works it Out! by Emma Otheguy and illustrated by Andrés Landazábal 

I love this delightful beginning reader book about Reina Ramos who learns what it means to be a good friend and a strong person. There are a few Spanish words in the book that are included in the glossary at the end. This is an engaging story with a social emotional theme related to problem-solving.

The Infinite Questions of Dottie Bing by Molly B. Burnham and illustrated by Fanny Liem

Ten-year-old Dottie's grandfather has come to stay with her family after her grandmother has died. Dottie misses her grandmother a lot, but has difficulty related to her grandfather. She does not understand why he is spending so much time talking to the can that contains her grandmother's ashes. He is also interfering with her plans to build a treehouse with her friend Sam. This is such a charming book that explores loss, healing, change, and friendship. 

Adult Reading Recommendation 

If We're Being Honest by Cat Shook

This book opens with a funeral as family and friends are gathered in Eulalia, Georgia mourning the loss of Gerry, the Williams family patriarch. The story takes place over the course of a week during which the Williams family is together processing the shocking revelation about Gerry that is revealed during the eulogy given by a neighbor and close friend, but also dealing with issues and surprises of various family members. There are many characters introduced very quickly, so it did take some effort to remember how they were connected, especially at the beginning of the book. It's a quiet, unique, and uplifting story. I enjoyed the theme related to family and how the story imparts a message about the messiness of families and the ways they hold each other together. Thanks to the publisher for a review copy. The book publishes in April.

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...

Bad Drawer by Seth Fishman and illustrated by Jessixa Bagley, Armand Baltazar, Anna Bond, Travis Foster, Jessica Hische, Tillie Walden, and Ethan Young 

The narrator has an awesome adventure story to share, but is not good at drawing the illustrations. The book has a worthwhile message about collaboration and being okay with asking for help. The artwork in the full page spread toward the end of the book, which is a collaboration of the illustrators of the book, is amazing. 

Make Way for Butterfly by Ross Burach

This is another book in The Very Impatient Caterpillar series that kids are going to adore. The silly butterfly's antics are humorous, there is a great lesson about being oneself, and readers will even learn a bit about pollination. The book publishes in April. Thanks to the publisher for sending my book review group, #BookExcursion, a review copy.

One Chicken Nugget by Tadgh Bentley

Inspired by Demi's mathematical folktale, One Grain of Rice, this story is about a monster who agrees to eat one chicken nugget the first day and for the next thirty days double the number from the previous day. Readers will be amused and very eager to find out if Frank will succeed in the challenge. 

New Pup on the Block (Wednesday and Woof #2) by Sherri Winston and illustrated by Gladys Jose

Wednesday and her dog Woof work to solve the mystery of a missing drone in this early chapter book. There are colorful illustrations throughout the book and information about how to solve a mystery. The characters and the mystery are both interesting.

Welcome to the Island (Isla of Adventure) by Dela Costa and illustrated by Ana Sebastián 

This is a sweet chapter book about a girl who lives on an island and has the ability to speak to animals. When a new girl moves to the island, her mother encourages her to make a friend, but this makes it difficult for her to keep the secret about her animal friends. There are lovely illustrations on most of the pages which give readers insight into Isla's life on the island. 

Adult Reading Recommendations

Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall

One day while working at her aunt's antique shop, Angela finds a letter that was misplaced years earlier. After opening the letter which reveals a secret about the intended recipient, Angela is determined to find the person to whom it belongs. The story alternates between the lives of three different women in three different time periods. It's a book about motherhood, reproductive rights, and choices. It's a wonderful work of historical fiction. 

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...

Rabbit, Duck, and Big Bear by Nadine Brun-Cosme and illustrated by Olivier Tallec

This story about three friends who do everything together shows the joys of being with others, but also spending time alone. 

Gigi and Ojiji by Melissa Iwai 

Gigi can't wait for her grandfather to arrive from Japan, but when he arrives he acts different than she expected. This is a sweet story about understanding cultural and intergenerational differences.

The Pancake Problem (Weenie Featuring Frank and Beans Book #2) by Maureen Fergus and illustrated by Alexandra Bye

A dachshund named Weenie wakes up hungry for pancakes, but when he uses the supersonic pancake maker he invented he ends up with an abundance of brussels sprouts. Weenie, along with a cat and guinea pig friend, scheme to solve their problem. This is a silly graphic novel with action and kid appeal.

Once Upon a Book by Grace Lin and Kate Messner

A girl wishes she was somewhere else and her wish is granted when she is drawn into the pages of a book. This is an absorbing story with imaginative and clever illustrations. A stunning book about books.

Wallflowers by Mackenzie Joy

I can relate to this book and I'm sure there are many readers who will, too. It's empowering and validating with a message that it's okay to be quiet and to be oneself.

You Are a Story by Bob Raczka and illustrated by Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell

A child is many things, such as an animal, a sponge, a friend, but a child is also a story that is not yet finished. This empowering book prompts readers to think about what they are and what they can be.  

Adult Reading Recommendation

Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash

Bea, an eleven-year-old living in London, is sent to live in Boston so she will be safe during WWII. The story starts with her life in Boston and continues when she returns to London and follows her into her adult years. This was the second book that I have read recently focused on the evacuation of children at the start of the war. The other was The Lost English Girl and I enjoyed reading them together. This book provided an interesting perspective on how such an event could shape one's life. It is a beautifully written and a captivating read. The book publishes this month.

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...

Nell Plants a Tree by Anne Wynter and illustrated by Daniel Miyares 

This text, written in verse, tells two stories. One is about the ways children, in the present, enjoy a pecan tree in a family member's yard and the other, which takes place in the past, is about Nell, who planted the pecan seed and nurtured it as it grew. Both, the text and illustrations, are absolutely gorgeous. 

Plátanos Go with Everything by Lissette Norman and illustrated by Sara Palacios

This book is a celebration of family, Dominican culture, and plátanos. The author's poetic descriptions of plátanos are beautiful. I appreciated learning the different ways plátanos can be enjoyed. I annually visit Miami Beach (and just did so last week) and always have a meal while I'm there that includes plátanos. The illustrations are colorful and lively.

Sunny and Oswaldo by Nicole Melleby and illustrated by Alexandra Colombo

Sunny is not fond of cats and she really dislikes Oswaldo who her dad has brought home. Although Oswaldo and Sunny's dad have a strong bond with one another, the cat does not warm up to Sunny. That changes when Sunny and her dad search for Oswaldo after he doesn't come home one night. This is a sweet story about empathy and the importance of understanding others before forming an opinion. 

Adult Reading Recommendation

The Lost English Girl by Julia Kelly

While on vacation at the beach last week, I was able to read a handful of novels and this was one of my favorites. It takes place during WWII and specifically tells a story centered around the evacuation of children to the country-side that took place at the beginning of the war. When Viv gets pregnant she marries the father of her child, but because he is Jewish her parents pay him to leave her. When the war begins she makes the painful decision to send her four-year-old to live with a couple where she will supposedly be safe. This is the story of being a mother during the tragedy of the war, as well as a story that highlights the challenges of living with the prejudices of the time. It's a compelling story of resilience.

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...

Abuela's Super Capa by Ana Siqueira and illustrated by Elisa Chavarri

Luis loves to spend Saturdays with his abuela, acting as superheroes, until the day she gets ill. As he learns how to cope with the situation, he also realizes there is another superhero in his family. This is a lovely story about family, acceptance, and dealing with change.

Go, Sled! Go! by James Yang 

A child's sled ride turns into an exciting adventure. The story is told with minimal text and fun illustrations that show the action that leads to more and more passengers going along for the ride. An amusing read.

Millo's Mind: The Story of Maryam Faruqi, Trailblazer for Women's Education by Reem Faruqi and illustrated by Hoda Hadadi

This picture book biography is based on the story of the author's grandmother, Maryam Faruqi, who fought for her own education and later in life helped to further the education of many young girls in Pakistan. A beautifully written story about the importance of education, perseverance, and empowerment.

Squished by Megan Wagner Lloyd and illustrated by Michelle Mee Nutter

The creators of Allergic are back with another fantastic graphic novel. This is a fun and heart-warming story of navigating life as a member of a big family. Avery is one of six siblings and, although she loves them very much, she also desperately wants a space of her own. Fans of realistic graphic novels will love this one. Thanks to the publisher, Scholastic, for sharing an advance reader's copy with my book review group, #BookExcursion. The book publishes in March.

Adult Reading Recommendation

The Teachers: A Year Inside America's Most Vulnerable, Important Profession by Alexandra Robbins

The author reports on the lives of three teachers as she follows them for a year in their classrooms. Each teacher is from a different part of the U.S. and navigating their own challenges as an educator. Educators will relate to much of what is written about in these teachers' stories and those outside education will gain insight into the profession. This exploration of what it's like to be a teacher today is powerful and should be read widely. Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy. The book publishes in March.

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...

Dim Sum, Here We Come! by Maple Lam

A child tells about her experience with her family as they get together to share dim sum with each other. This is a lovely book about being together as a family, the importance of sharing, and the joy of a delectable meal. 

Hot Dog by Doug Salati

I checked this book out of the library after learning it is this year's Caldecott winner. On a very hot day a woman brings her dog to the ocean to cool off. Sparse text and lovely illustrations show the importance of getting away for a day and enjoying nature.

The Kindest Red: A Story of Hijab and Friendship by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali and illustrated by Hatem Aly

Faizah and her friends spend the day passing kindness on to one another. When it's time for school pictures, Faizah realizes she doesn't match her sister and her friends are there to help her out. This is a lovely story about kindness and community.

Nubby by Dan Richards and illustrated by Shanda McCloskey

Nubby is a stuffed rabbit who is unhappy with how he's been treated. He sets off to discover the wide world beyond his house, but soon realizes how good he had it. This is a sweet and humorous story about home and family.

On the Corner of Chocolate Avenue by Tziporah Cohen and illustrated by Steven Salerno

This is a fun biography about Milton Hershey that provides insight into how perseverance and kindness resulted in the invention of the famous chocolate bar that so many love. The book brings readers back in time to explain how Milton achieved his dream and started a successful business. This biography will fascinate readers.

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...

Turkey's Valentine Surprise by Wendi Silvano and illustrated by Lee Harper

Turkey receives a Valentine from a secret admirer and decides to secretly give each of his farm animal friends one, as well. His punny Valentine's cards are a hit, but his disguises give him away. One last Valentine card gives him an idea that they all can enjoy. A fun Valentine adventure. 

The Lost Library by Jess McGeachin

In his new house, Oliver finds a book with a message that the book should be returned to the lost library. With the help of his neighbor, Rosie, they return the book and go on an adventure that takes them through a magical world with a forest of books and a Bookshelf Dragon. This is a sweet story about the power of both books and friendship.

Very Good Hats by Emma Straub and illustrated by Blanca Gómez

This is a charming book about all the different items that can be a hat. The author's clever ideas about what can be put on one's head will inspire young readers to think of their own unique hats. 

The Guardian Test (Legends of Lotus Island #1) by Christina Soontornvat and illustrated by Kevin Hong

Plum's grandparents have applied for her to attend the Guardian Academy on Lotus Island and she has been accepted. She has no interest in learning to transform into a magical creature in order to protect the environment and doesn't think it's something she'll be good at, but her grandparents believe it is a great opportunity for her. When she gets to the island she is challenged by her first task which she must master in order to continue on. In addition, she is learning to navigate friendships with others at the school. This start to a new fantasy series has lots of magic and adventure. Under two hundred pages, it's perfect for elementary readers, especially those who are hesitant to read longer books. Thanks to the publisher for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advance reader's copy. The book publishes on February 7th.

Adult Reading Recommendation 

Outsmart Your Brain: Why Learning is Hard and How You Can Make it Easy by Daniel T. Willingham

This is an insightful book about how to learn efficiently. I wish I had this book when I was younger because I think it would have helped me as a student. There were a variety of topics covered including how to listen to get the most out of a lecture, how to take notes, how to read texts that cover content, how to take a test, and how to deal with anxiety. A very practical book for anyone who wants to improve upon their learning habits.

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 Mystery of the Love List by Sarah Glenn Marsh and illustrated by Ishaa Lobo

Pippa, the only porcupine in her class, is very lonely, but when her teacher gives a Valentine's Day assignment to write a "love list" she finds out she has a secret admirer. Pippa puts her sleuthing skills to work and discovers a new friend. A sweet book. 

What's Up, Pup?: How Our Furry Friends Communicate and What They Are Saying by Kersten Hamilton and illustrated by Lili Chin

This is an informative and amusing introduction to how dogs communicate through their body language. The illustrations which include a variety of types of dogs are a lot of fun. Those with and without dogs will enjoy learning about the ways these animals get their message across.

 

On Air With Zoe Washington (Zoe Washington #2) by Janae Marks

This is a wonderful follow-up to the first Zoe book that continues her story now that her father is out of prison and they are exploring the idea of opening a restaurant. Zoe is an inspirational character as she follows her dream, creatively solves problems, and demonstrates compassion. In addition to being a well-written book, I think it will stimulate important conversations. 

Adult Reading Recommendation

The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson

After reading The Yellow Wife, which I loved, I was eager to read this new novel by the same author. Not only does Sadeqa Johnson immerse you in the time period, she also creates characters who stick in your mind long after closing the book. Set in the 1950s, this book alternates between two women, one in Philadelphia and the other in Washington, D.C., who are both very determined. They each have goals to better their life through education, but are faced with challenges and difficult decisions. Each of the two storylines were interesting and I liked how they intertwined. A captivating and insightful work of historical fiction.