Monday, April 27, 2015

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 4.27.15

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.

I have had a very busy week and weekend, so just some quick notes on what I read this week!  I stopped in Barnes and Noble this weekend and sat down and read a few picture books that had been on my list.  Might've left with one or two :)

Picture Books

Stick and Stone
Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry
3/5 stars
I liked the initial story but then it changed and there was one weird part that threw me off.  I liked the theme of friendship, sticking up for your friends.

Butterfly Park
Butterfly Park by Elly MacKay
4/5 stars
The illustrations are standout.  I've seen this story done in several other books, nothing new, but nice story.

Bunny Roo, I Love You
Bunny Roo, I Love You by Melissa Marr
4/5 stars
I immediately bought this for my sister-in-law who is expecting.  Great gift book.  Not sure about the classroom.  Not that it's bad, it's just a sweet mother/child story.

Wild About Us!
Wild About Us! by Karen Beaumont
5/5 stars
This book surprised me.  Loved loved the message - we are meant to be unique and we should embrace our own special qualities!

Snoozefest
Snoozefest by Samantha Berger
4/5 stars
Way cuter than I thought it would be.  Perfect for nighttime family reading night.
Cute character, would have loved jumping in the illustrations as a child.

Wherever You Go
Wherever You Go by Pat Zietlow Miller
4/5 stars
The possibilities for this book... they are currently spinning around in my head!  I think this is a great picture book for older students because they can understand the metaphor of "the road" and where it can take you.  Wonderful book.

My Secret Bully
My Secret Bully by Trudy Ludwig
5/5 stars
Ludwig writes amazing books that hit the heart of what happens with children. Bullying is not always loud, it's not always physical, it doesn't always have the cruelest words.  But kids are mean and the quiet, short, hurtful words don't go unnoticed. 
I passed this book onto my daughter.  I wish I had it last year for her.  
What an important book to have in a classroom.


Middle Grade

The Whisper (The Riverman Trilogy, #2)
The Whisper by Aaron Starmer
3/5 stars
Finally finished this one.  This one went slower than The Riverman.  I think there were too many background stories telling about the different lands in Aquavania.  I should have written them down to keep track of them.  I'll still finish the trilogy, but this one wasn't a great follow up, for me.


Currently Reading

Echo
Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan
I finally started this one and I am really enjoying it.  I'm interested in seeing how the stories are going to come together.   Ryan is a very talented storyteller.

I have a lot of books planned to read in May and June.  Hoping I get to many!
What are your reading plans?

12 comments:

  1. Can't wait to read Echo! I have it out from the library and have heard SO many good things about it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Michele. I finished The Whisper last night, and completely agree with you. I will finish the trilogy mainly to see what the heck is really happening. Wherever You Go looks good and I will check out Wild About Us. Glad you're liking Echo.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ok, now I want to read nearly all of these PBs! What a great list this week. I'm going to have to purchase the Trudy Ludwig for sure.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I had one girl who checked out Echo from the public library tell me that she really liked it. I couldn't get into it at all, and just don't have the fantasy readers I used to. It's a bit long for the casual reader!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm saving Echo for the summer - Ryan is so talented, I don't think I've ever been disappointed in a book she's written.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I forgot about My Secret Bully. I need to re-read it. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I really like Ludwig's work, but I didn't know this one. Thank you for sharing.
    I look forward to reading Echo soon--Munoz is brilliant.

    Happy reading this week! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for the review on Wherever You Go. I will be seeking that one out.

    ReplyDelete
  9. So many good ones here, Michele. I will especially look for Secret Bully. I want to start Echo, but it will have to wait till the end of school. Looks & sounds very good. Thanks Michele!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Butterfly Park's illustrations were the biggest standout for me, too. I am a sucker for artwork. I saw your post while I was at AERA. Do you live in Chicago or were you at AERA? I would have loved to meet you in person!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I really love Ludwig titles. She has some incredible books. I am worried about being in the right mood for The Whisper . . . But I loved The Riverman so am so curious . . . I just got Echo from the library and can't wait to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I just pinned My Secret Bully - sounds really powerful. Have you read To This Day by Shane Koyczan? Looks like they would be good companion books. I enjoyed The Riverman last year and was looking forward to The Whisper - I hope that I experience it differently. :) Looking forward to reading Echo as well. :)

    ReplyDelete