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...

Cyclops of Central Park by Madelyn Rosenberg

Cyclops is missing one of his sheep, so he must venture outside of his cave, through the streets of New York City, to find him. This is a quirky, imaginative story about finding the joy in adventure and appreciating the place one calls home. Reading the book feels like a tour through New York City as it features a few popular landmarks. Fun and clever.

Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros

Efrén's family is torn apart when his mother is deported. While his Apá works all hours to support the family, Efrén takes on the responsibility of caring for his younger twin siblings. Efrén's situation impacts his school life and friendships, but he will do whatever it takes to help his family and get his Amá back. This is a touching and compelling read, as Ernesto Cisneros has created realistic characters who seem so real you can imagine the love and pain they feel throughout every page of the book. It's a powerful and important read. Thanks to the publisher, I received an advance reader's copy of the book. The book publishes in March.

Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom by Louis Sachar

Forty years after writing Sideways Stories from Wayside School, Louis Sachar has written the fourth book about Wayside School. Personally, it was fun for me to revisit the students in Mrs Jewls's class on the thirtieth floor after reading the first book at the beginning of my teaching career, but I also think the absurdness and humor will appeal to many young readers, both those who have read the series before and those to whom it will be new. As silly as it is, there's a lot that can be learned from the students of Wayside School about friendship and the importance of striving to be one's best self. Thanks to the publisher for an advance reader's copy. The book publishes in March.

Wink: Surviving Middle School With One Eye Open by Rob Harrell

I read this book in one sitting because once I started, I did not want to put it down. Ross is navigating the ups and downs of middle school, but he's doing it while battling cancer. He is going through an intense therapy for his eye cancer that causes some physical changes and leave Ross just wishing he was "normal" like his classmates. It's a poignant story about fitting in and learning to embrace differences. The author based the story on his own experiences with eye cancer. Thanks to Penguin Young Readers for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with 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...

Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots by Michael Rex

This is a fun book that will help kids understand important lessons for living in our world. With some very amusing robots, it explains the difference between facts and opinions, the importance of getting all the facts before taking action, and the necessity of respecting the opinions of others.

Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian

I love books like this one that are fun to read and will make kids laugh, but also address important topics. This is a wonderful book about a kid with a great imagination who is starting at a new school with a message about acceptance. Illustrations and word art will appeal to many readers.

Chirp by Kate Messner

Mia has just moved to Vermont where she meets new friends and becomes involved in helping her grandmother save her cricket farm. There's a mystery at the center of this novel, but it's also a story of friendship and family and finding one's voice to speak out. This is a timely, relevant, and empowering novel that will help middle grade readers understand issues related to boundaries and what to do when someone makes them feel uncomfortable.

Mañanaland by Pam Muñoz Ryan

This is a poignant story of hope, courage, and compassion. Max wants to know more about his mother who left when he was a baby, but his family won't talk about it. When he learns his family has helped lead those who are fleeing their country to safety, he agrees to be a guardian for a young girl who wants to be reunited with her sister and, in doing so, hopes to find answers about his past. This is a relevant and beautifully written book. Thanks to the publisher for an advance reader's copy. It 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...

The Society of Distinguished Lemmings by Julie Colombet

The lemmings follow a strict set of rules and, because of this, they always act very distinguished (well, sort of). Bertie, who wants a change, ventures outside where he meets a bear. The other lemmings don't find the bear very distinguished at all, but when they migrate and are at risk of drowning, their opinion of the bear changes. This is a quirky and amusing book. There is much dialogue between the chatty lemmings which will have readers revisiting this book again and again. The book publishes in March.

The Shark Report #1 (Benny McGee and the Shark) by Derek Anderson

This is a pretty silly story about Benny and a shark who follows him home from the beach. Early readers will be entertained by the story, which is humorous, and learn some facts about sharks. I don't think I can ever go wrong with a book featuring a shark because for some reason I have many students who are very intrigued by this creature. Thanks to Penguin for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with a review copy.

Queen Bee and Me by Gillian McDunn

Meg and Beatrix have been friends since kindergarten, but now that they are in middle school their friendship is changing. When Meg starts working on a project with the new girl at school, Hazel, there is even more tension between the two friends. As Meg begins to realize that Hazel and her family are being treated unfairly, she questions her friendship with Beatrix and learns to speak up for herself and others. This is an engaging story about friendship that will give middle grade readers insight into how friendships can grow and change. Thanks to the publisher, Bloomsbury, for an advance reader's copy. The book publishes in March.

Thank You For Coming to My TED Talk: A Teen Guide to Great Public Speaking by Chris Anderson and Lorin Oberweger

This is a very informative book for teens who are interested in learning how to become better public speakers. Even for me as an adult, this book provided insight that will be useful to me when giving presentations. The author's conversational, engaging style of writing makes this, not just an informative read, but also one that is interesting. The author's message that all teens have the ability to be great speakers and that what they have to say is valuable is empowering. Thanks to the publisher for an advance reading copy. The book publishers 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...

Not a Bean by Claudia Guadalupe Martínez

This book explains that a Mexican jumping bean is not a bean at all, but a seedpod into which a caterpillar has burrowed. This is a fun and informative book with Spanish words sprinkled throughout and an Author's Note at the end that provides additional facts about the jumping bean and the moths that emerge from them. I learned something I didn't know, so I'm sure many kids will, also.

Old Rock (is not boring) by Deb Pilutti

Tall Pine, Hummingbird, and Spotted Beetle think Old Rock's life must be pretty boring because he sits in the same spot day after day. Old Rock tells them the tale of his life starting with when he formed under the earth's crust and shot out of a volcano and it turns out he's seen and done a lot more than they thought. Old Rock's story isn't just entertaining, but it also provides insight into the history of the natural world. This clever and humorous story will ignite students' thinking about how planet Earth has evolved. Thanks to Penguin Young Readers for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with a review copy of the book.

A High Five for Glenn Burke by Phil Bildner

Silas, a sixth-grader, admires Glenn Burke, a baseball player who invented the high-five. Like Glenn Burke, Silas is a baseball player and also gay. Silas wants to come out to his friends and his teammates, but he also fears that he won't be accepted. This is an important story about identity and acceptance with characters who middle grade readers will be able to relate to. Thanks to Macmillan for an advance reader's copy. The book publishes in February.

Pippa Park Raises Her Game by Erin Yun

This is an engaging story about navigating friendships and the struggle to fit in. Now that Pippa has transferred from her public school to a prestigious private school, she wants to keep the fact that she is a scholarship student a secret. She must also keep her grades up, so she can continue playing basketball, while helping her family with their laundromat business. Managing family and school life presents challenges for Pippa, but she learns the importance of being herself. This is another book that will be relatable for middle grade readers and also appeal to those who are sports fans. Thanks to the publisher and Media Master's Publicity for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advance reader's copy. The book publishes in February.

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 Heart of a Whale by Anna Pignataro

This is one of those picture books that is just all around gorgeous. It's a sweet story of love and friendship. The text is poetic and the illustrations capture the magnificence of the ocean and all the sea creatures living within it, but especially the whale. This book can be read aloud anytime, but because there is a theme of love, I'm thinking about sharing it with my students around Valentine's Day.

A Ride to Remember: A Civil Rights Story by Sharon Langley and Amy Nathan

In 1963, Sharon Langley and other black children were unable to ride the carousel at Gwynn Oak Amusement Park in Baltimore because of a rule that remained in effect at the park. Protesters changed that and Sharon, just before she was one year old, became the first African American child to go on a ride the day the park opened to all regardless of skin color. This is an insightful read about how people were able to work together to make change.

The Best of Iggy by Annie Barrows

Iggy is not the kind of kid who thinks things through and, although not his intention, his behavior often lands him in trouble. This book is silly and humorous and there are, no doubt, readers who will be able to relate to Iggy's impulsivity. The short chapters and illustrations will also appeal to some readers. Thanks to Penguin Young Readers for providing #BookExcursion with a review copy.

Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen! by Sarah Kapit

Vivy is a girl and she is autistic, but she knows how to throw a knuckleball and is not going to let anything stop her from playing the sport she loves. The entire story is written in letters between Vivy and a major league pitcher she admires, VJ Capello. Vivy has a lot of personality and learns to use her voice to speak up for herself. Readers will root for Vivy as she strives to overcome obstacles that threaten to get in the way of her baseball pitching. Thanks to Penguin Young Readers for an advance reader's copy. The book publishes in February.

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...

In a Jar by Deborah Marcero

Llewellyn collects things in jars and when he meets Evelyn they collect moments and wonders of the world together. When Evelyn moves away, they find a way to continue to share their experiences with each other and remain friends even from afar. This is a gorgeous celebration of the magic of friendship that offers a reminder to cherish the beauty and wonder that exists all around us. The illustrations are interesting and lovely. I especially loved the two-page spread of the jar-filled walls of Llewellyn's house which I think will intrigue kids and ignite their imaginations. 

The Paper Kingdom by Helena Ku Rhee

Daniel's babysitter cancels and his parents, who work as night janitors, take him to work with them. Sleepy Daniel would rather be at home, so his parents entertain him by making believe the office they are cleaning is a Paper Kingdom with a king, queen, and dragons. This is a heartwarming story about family inspired by the author's own experiences going to work with her parents. Thanks to Random House for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with a review copy. The book publishes in February.

The Deep & Dark Blue by Niki Smith

Twins, Hawke and Grayson, flee to find safety when their lives are threatened after a cousin seizes power of their noble house. Disguised as Hannah and Grayce, they find refuge as part of the Communion of Blue, an order of woman who spin the threads of the world. Grayce begins to realize that she is most comfortable living as a girl. While her desire to remain a part of the Communion of Blue is strong, Hawke also needs her to help regain control of their family's home. There is magic and action in this graphic novel, as well as an important story line about identity and being true to yourself.

The Wonder of Wildflowers by Anna Staniszewski

Mira has moved, with her family, from Poland to a country where everyone uses magic. Mira struggles to fit in, as her family is not permitted to use magic the same way as those who have already been living there. Although based in fantasy, this book explores important and relevant topics such as immigration and fitting in. It's a story of community, friendship, and identity. Thanks to the author for sending my book review group, #BookExcursion, an advance reader's copy. The book publishes in February.

Books I'm Reading in 2020

For the past few years, I have joined Carrie Gelson of There's a Book for That and a community of other bloggers to make a must-read list for the year ahead. In 2019, I read all of the middle grade books that were on my #MustReadIn2019 list and enjoyed each one. I had some professional books on my list, but I only read one out of four. The one I did read - We Got This: Equity, Access, and the Quest to Be Who Our Students Need Us to Be by Cornelius Minor - is fantastic. This year, I again, made a list of books to read in the new year. I have a list that is "mostly middle grade with a few young adult titles" and, rather than professional books this year, I made a list of picture books. These are all books, publishing in 2020, that have come across my radar and I am eager to read. To find out what others will be reading in the year ahead, follow #MustReadin2020.

Middle Grade/Young Adult

I have a number of advance reader's copies of upcoming 2020 books in my to-be-read stack. Many of these I received when I attended the National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention in November. These twelve are among those that I am most excited about:

• The Elephant's Girl by Celesta Rimington
• Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
• History Smashers: The Mayflower by Kate Messner
• Isaiah Dunn is My Hero by Kelly J. Baptist
• Mañanaland by Pam Muñoz Ryan
• A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan
• Queen Bee and Me by Gillian McDunn
• The Space Between Lost and Found by Sandy Stark-McGinnis
• Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning by Jason Reynolds
• Thank You for Coming to My TED Talk: A Teen Guide to Great Public Speaking by Chris Anderson
• Ways to Make Sunshine by Renée Watson 
• Wrong Way Summer by Heidi Lang

Picture Books

Each of these picture books sounds amazing and I can't wait until they publish to read them:

• Bear Goes Sugaring by Maxwell Eaton III
• The Bear in My Family by Maya Tatsukawa
• Dandelion's Dream by Yoko Tanaka
• Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots by Michael Rex
• Freedom Bird: A Tale of Hope and Courage by Jerdine Nolen
• The Heart of a Whale by Anna Pignataro
• Hike by Pete Oswald
• In a Jar by Deborah Marcero
• Nesting by Henry Cole
• 'Ohana Means Family by Ilima Loomis
• A Ride to Remember: A Civil Rights Story by Sharon Langley and Amy Nathan
• The Society of Distinguished Lemmings by Julie Colombet
• Story Boat by Kyo Maclear
• A Way with Wild Things by Larissa Theule
• We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom