It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading.  For more information check out the host blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers.

What I Read This Week…

If You Ever Want to Bring a Piano to the Beach, Don't! by Elise Parsley

This is a picture book that I can see young readers wanting to read again and again.  Magnolia insists on bringing her piano to the beach and she is quite determined as she pushes and drags it and finds a way to get it there.  Her mother warns, "you'd better not lose it!"  One would think you couldn't lose a piano at the beach, but it is a whole other story for Magnolia.  It's an adorable and entertaining story that I'm looking forward to reading to my students at the end of the school year as we look forward to summer.

Mr. Particular: The World's Choosiest Champion! by Jason Kirschner

Mr. Particular is a hero, but one who, "liked things the way he liked them - and only the way he liked them."  All non-dessert food must have ketchup, no humming, shirts should be tucked in, and mud (and also oatmeal) is too squishy.  When the Super Duper Group no longer want Mr. Particular in their group because he is too picky, he shows them that he is a true hero.  This is a picture book written and illustrated in comic book style that tells a fun story of an unlikely hero.

Rules of the House by Mac Barnett

The cover of this picture book intrigued me and when I saw the author was Mac Barnett I knew I had to read it.  It is imaginative, a little weird, and, with frightening monsters, a bit suspenseful. It's also a story that anyone who's ever been annoyed by their sibling will probably relate to.  Ian is a rule follower, but his sister, Jenny, is a rule breaker and neither one seems to understand the other.  While they are staying at a cabin, Jenny breaks the house rules and there are frightening consequences.  Ian realizes there is a very important, unwritten rule, "always save your sister from being eaten by monsters" and that sometimes rules have to be broken.  Rule breakers and rule followers alike will enjoy this one.   

Wolf Camp by Andrea Zuill

This picture book about Homer, a dog, who must go to Wolf Camp where he will live as a wolf for a week will make readers laugh.  After Homer carries around the flyer for Wolf Camp, "his people" finally let him attend.  Homer learns about being a wolf, but not everything about being a wolf is what Homer expected.  Homer is sweet and funny.  The illustrations are fun and add to the humor. This book would be a good one to read to a child going to camp, but it's also one to read just for the fun of it.  

The Curious Cat Spy Club by Linda Joy Singleton

When Kelsey discovers abandoned kittens in a dumpster, two schoolmates help her to rescue them and together they form The Curious Cat Spy Club.  They take care of the kittens, but also work to solve a mystery that involves missing pets.  Although the three friends are very different from each other, their love of animals joins them together.  In the story they must work together and learn to understand their differences and get along with one another.  This is the first in a series that mystery readers and animal lovers will enjoy.

The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price by Jennifer Maschari

Charlie's mom has recently died and both he and his sister, Imogen, feel like they have lost everything.  Then Imogen discovers a secret world where their mom still exists and it seems that they can get back the happiness they all had together.  Charlie soon learns that this other world is not as it appears and there is a possibility that Imogen could be lost to it forever.  With the help of a good friend and a dog, Charlie is determined to bring his sister back. There are sad parts to this story, there are important themes related to loss, memories, and courage, there is a bit of fantasy and magic, and there are endearing characters.  It's heart-breaking, but also full of hope and warmth. Such a lovely book and I'm looking forward to the next novel by this author.

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It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading.  For more information check out the host blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers.

What I Read This Week…

The Storm by Akiko Miyakoshi

The boy in this story has been looking forward to a trip to the beach, but an impending storm threatens to interfere with the plan.  This is a small moment story, as it simply tells about the boy's concerns as he waits to discover if the storm will pass.  As I was reading this book, I thought it would make a great mentor text when teaching primary grade writers to write their own small moment personal narratives.  The text is sparse and straightforward, but it eloquently captures the voice and feelings of the young narrator.  

Fluffy Strikes Back (A P.U.R.S.T. Adventure) by Ashley Spires

Fluffy Vandermere is a cat with a big job - to protect the planet from alien domination.  When his headquarters are under attack, he and his right-hand cat, Click, are up against an angry swarm of insects. There is a lot of silly humor and action as the "good guys" take on the "bad guys" in this graphic novel.  I know many of my students find this kind of story fun to read and it is an easier-to-read graphic novel making it appropriate for younger readers.   

The Land of Forgotten Girls by Erin Entrada Kelly

Two sisters from the Philippines have been abandoned by their father and are now living with their very cruel stepmother in the United States.  Sol takes on the responsibility for caring for her sister Ming, who believes they are going to be rescued from their unhappy living situation by an imaginary aunt.  The girls have a very difficult life, but their story shows the power of strength, hope, and sisterhood.  The book is written for grades three through five, but it touches upon some difficult themes that may be more appropriate for the higher end of this grade band.

Slacker by Gordon Korman

Cameron's parents force him to get involved in some type of club or sport after he almost burns down their house and they get tired of all the time he spends playing video games.  Cameron has no interest in doing anything that is going to require time that could be better spent playing his games so he invents an imaginary club.  But, soon others want to join and he can no longer shirk his responsibilities as the president of the Positive Action Group.  The story is funny, but there is also an important message about helping others.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading.  For more information check out the host blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers. 

What I Read This Week…

Little Cat's Luck by Marion Dane Bauer

This novel in verse is about Patches, a house cat who roams away from home.  Although Patches enjoys the adventure and discoveries she makes in the outside world, she finds herself missing her owner and the safety of her home.  The story starts off slow, but picked up halfway through the book. The story turned out to be a sweet tale about home, love, and unlikely friendship. This is a companion to Bauer's Little Dog, Lost.  Both are heartwarming stories and will appeal to pet lovers.

Summerlost by Ally Condie

Cedar is spending the summer in Iron Creek with her mother and younger brother, Miles, a year after her father and brother, Ben, were killed in an accident.  Cedar is still dealing with her grief and the memories she has reveal the emotions she feels about the sudden loss she has experienced.  A new friendship and the series of events that take place over the summer help Cedar work through her sadness and confusion.  Condie has a style of writing that captures so much emotion; it's an engaging and meaningful story. 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading.  For more information check out the host blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers.

There is no doubt that humor can hook readers.  Many of my elementary readers are attracted to books with characters who say funny things or that have plot lines that are ridiculous. Sometimes I don't quite get the humor in the books my students enjoy.  But if they like them and it gets them reading then I'm all for it!  When looking for something new to read, sometimes I just want a book that I can read without thinking too much.  My shelves have several humorous memoirs that fit this bill.  Similarly, sometimes students just need a book that gives them a good laugh.  The two books I read this week definitely will be good additions to my student library because they will make kids chuckle.

What I Read This Week…

Night of the Living Worms: A Speed Bump and Slingshot Misadventure by Dave Coverly

A title with the word "misadventure" in it is a hint that a book will be a humorous one.  The characters in this book do have an adventure that will make readers laugh, but the word play also contributes to the humor within this story.  Speed Bump is a bird with very tiny wings who can't fly very fast and feels inferior to his brother Early Bird.  Early Bird always gets the worm and is admired by all the other birds.  Speed Bump would love to be the one to get that delicious (or so he imagines) worm. There are black and white illustrations on every page of this text and dialogue bubbles throughout that tell part of the story.  This book is funny, but it also contains important lessons about friendship, loyalty, and bravery.  This is the first in a series that I think will be engaging for elementary readers.

Timmy Failure: Sanitized For Your Protection by Stephan Pastis

This is the fourth book in the Timmy Failure series, but the first that I have ever read.  I can't say how this one compares to the earlier books in the series, but there is lots of humor and absurdity that will engage readers.  In this book, Timmy Failure is on spring break and traveling to Chicago while he uses his detective skills to solve a case of stolen money.  The adventurous antics of Timmy, his schoolmate, Molly, and his polar bear, Total, will amuse readers.  The twist at the end also brings some humor to the story.  While much of the plot is ridiculous, Timmy is facing challenges of childhood to which students may relate.  Timmy's parents are divorced and his apprehension about his mother's relationship with her boyfriend becomes apparent.  The ending of the book is just sweet, too.  I want to read some of the other Timmy Failure books after reading this one and I'm sure some of my students will want to as well.   

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading.  For more information check out the host blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers.

What I Read This Week…

I love picture books for many reasons.  The fact that the picture book is a work of art is just one of those reasons.  This week I was especially charmed and captivated by the art in the picture books I read.  

The Bear and the Piano by David Litchfield

A bear finds a piano in the forest and learns to play.  When he is invited to the city to play he is hesitant, but goes along for the journey.  Although bear becomes famous he misses his friends.  The messages within this book are related to friendship, following one's dreams, and an appreciation for music.  The detailed illustrations within this book, in which the forest and the city are equally beautiful, make this book worthy of many rereads.  

Hector and Hummingbird by Nicholas John Frith

Hector and Hummingbird are best friends living in the mountains of Peru.  When Hector decides he wants some peace and quiet, he tells Hummingbird to leave him alone and goes off into the jungle.  Hector soon realizes he doesn't feel quite right all by himself.  This is a sweet book about friendship and learning to appreciate and get along with others.  The illustrations in this book are amazing because of the detail and color.   Shades of green and bright splashes of pink and blue make each page pop with color bringing the jungle to life.    

What To Do With a Box by Jane Yolen 

This is a picture book to spark creativity and imagination.  Throughout the book, a boy and girl show the possibilities for using a cardboard box.  The box is transformed as they go on imaginary adventures.  There is not a lot of text on each page, but it is poetic and captures the beauty of a child's ability to imagine.  This is another book with beautiful illustrations.  The authentic looking cardboard box adds to the charm.