Monday, October 13, 2014

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 10.13.14

This weekly post comes from Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers.  It's a great source to find new books to use with your students.

Even though there just isn't much time for reading anymore - so many things to do, so little time - I still found some great books!

Picture Books

Circle, Square, Moose
Circle Square Moose by Kelly Bingham
4/5 stars
This is one of those weird picture book sequels where you really do need to read the first one to understand this one.  Although once you read the original, you'll understand that it's really hard to follow...

A Perfectly Messed-Up Story
A Perfectly Messed-Up Story by Patrick McDonnell
5/5 stars
This was my surprise read of the week.  Laughed out loud numerous times.  Funny story with a great lesson!   This book reminded me of Battle Bunny while staying original to its own story.

Max and the Won't Go to Bed Show
Max and the Won't Go to Bed Show by Mark Sperring and Sarah Warburton
4/5 stars
Loved the voice in this book - told in a circus announcing tone, we hear the many reasons why Max isn't going to bed.  Cute story for the younger crowd.

The Book with No Pictures
The Book With No Pictures by BJ Novak
4/5 stars
I can hear young kids cracking up in this great read aloud. 

Winter Is Coming
Winter is Coming by Tony Johnston
4/5 stars
Love this beautiful read aloud for young kids.  Depicts fall moving into winter and what animals are doing to prepare for the upcoming season.

The Storm Whale
The Storm Whale by Benji Davies
4/5 stars
This was my second surprise of the week.  Sweet story but beautiful illustrations.  This is one I will be adding to my collection.

Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads
Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads by Bob Shea
4/5 stars
Love this picture book that is more for upper elementary students than primary students.  It's full of Bob Shea one-liners, but is written at a more sophisticated humorous level that will be better appreciated by the older crowd.


Middle Grade

Doll Bones
Doll Bones by Holly Black
4/5 stars
I was waiting to be uber creeped out, but it never got that bad that I couldn't read the book at night :) I liked the adventure, I liked the kids-facing-growing-up theme that framed the story.  I think the writing was better in this year's Night Gardener so I'm hoping there will be a matching shiny sticker on it this year.

Currently Reading

Afterworlds
Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld
Hmmmm... not too far in this long book, but the verdict is still out on this one...  It's different!

11 comments:

  1. We picked up Winter is Coming from the library this weekend. And I'm dying to read The Book with No Pictures. I hope you have a great week!

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  2. So many good books here that I'm dying to read! Max and the Won't Go to Bed Show sounds like it could be a memoir from my childhood! (I hated going to bed.)

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  3. Wow, you have an amazing array of picture books here. Many that I can't wait to read like The Storm Whale and A Perfectly Messed Up Story (glad you loved it!)

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  4. Hi Michele, I had to pause for a moment to go to my library's website and request Circle, Square, Moose and A Perfectly Messed Up Story. I thought Doll Bones was well-written, but I read it to my 4th graders and they were not terribly impressed last year. I think it might be one of those books adults can appreciate more than kids.

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  5. I am glad you liked The Book with No Pictures. I have it on my TBR list. I am interested to see if I like it. The video of B.J. Novak reading it was too funny. I will add A Perfectly Messed-Up Story to my list! Thanks for sharing! :) :)

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  6. I love the Ohio connection to Doll Bones, since there are so many cool pottery manufacturers past and present in south eastern Ohio. Have you nominated for Cybils? Nominations close on Wednesday, and I'd love to see more nominations. Any shout out or lists of things you'd like to see nominated that you're comfortable with would be great, too!

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  7. So many great books from you today, Michele. Thanks for the reminder about The Book With No Pictures and A Perfectly Messed-Up Story. They, plus others, sound like a lot of fun to read aloud.

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  8. Really, Michele?! Doll Bones CREEPED me out at the part where they were camping. Such craziness!
    The Book With No Pictures and A Perfectly Messed-Up Story are both getting put on my TBR, so I remember to request them from the library in the future.

    Happy reading this week! :)

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  9. I can see where A Perfectly Messed-Up Story has a Battle Bunny vibe to it. I really enjoyed that book this week too.

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  10. A Perfectly Messed-Up Story sounds fun. I hope to find it soon. I loved The Book With No Pictures. I enjoyed Doll Bones, but haven't gotten to Night Gardener yet. It's in my plans though.

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  11. I've read Doll Bones last year, but like you it didn't really give me that oomph factor that Night Gardener gave me. The Book with No Pictures looks fascinating too. :)

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