Monday, September 12, 2016

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 9.12.16

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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.

Last Week's Adventures

I blogged about Elly Swartz's debut novel Finding Perfect.  Find it here and then go find it on 10.18.16.  It's perfect.

Love the books about small moments in time that you might not otherwise know.  Read about this amazing mountain chef here.

Picture Books

Ninja! Attack of the Clan
Ninja! Attack of the Clan by Arree Chung
4/5 stars
Arree Chung's books always have one line in them that get me every time.  This one is no different.  Laugh out loud funny!
I enjoyed returning to this ninja family.  I love that the family recognized how busy they've been and find time to play as a family.

One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree
One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree by Daniel Bernstrom
4/5 stars
Told in the format of "I Know an Old Lady Who...", this story chronicles a snake that lives in the eucalyptus tree who is tricked by a young boy, who happens to be the snake's first snack, into eating more and more.
With amazing illustrations by Brendan Wenzel (They All Saw a Cat), this book is one to remember!  Kids will love the action words and repeating phrases.

Everyone Loves Cupcake
Everyone Loves Cupcake by Kelly DiPucchio
4/5 stars
Everyone Loves Bacon was a HUGE hit last year, I know Cupcake is going to be equally loved.  Loved the puns and the silliness.

The Snurtch
The Snurtch by Sean Ferrell
4/5 stars
The Snurtch... it's that thing that does everything you're just thinking  about, like taking something out of someone's hands, throwing things, tearing things up.  At least that's what is happening to Ruthie.  Turns out everyone has a Snurtch.
At least I know who to blame now....
This is one of those picture books that will work best with an audience who is going to be able to infer what the author is not explicitly saying to the reader.

Parachute
Parachute by Danny Parker
4/5 stars
Would be a good companion book to Courage by Bernard Waber.
It's easy to overlook how things look to a child - what can seem easy to us, may loom large in a child's mind.
Young Toby relies on a parachute, that way if ever in a dangerous situation, it will be there.  But after using it to save a beloved pet, and then having to face fears without it, Toby slowly understands that he has a little more bravery inside him than he realizes.

My Friend Maggie
My Friend Maggie by Hannah E. Harrison
4/5 stars
It amazes me how early bullying starts.  And how many forms it takes.
Harrison takes on verbal bullying in her newest book.  I like how it takes place on the playground because it seems like so often that's where it happens - away from the carefully constructed positive classrooms.  
I hope important conversations happen as a result of this book.

Young Adult

A Tragic Kind of Wonderful
A Tragic Kind of Wonderful by Eric Lindstrom
4/5 stars
Mel is bipolar, yet she's trying not to let people know about it while regulating its ups and downs.  
Great window/mirror book.  There are teens that will see themselves within this book.  It's important to have it so they can see themselves.  It's going to be a great window book for others.  I liked how the secondary characters reacted to Mel's secret - it all seemed very realistic and insightful.
I read an advanced copy through Edelweiss.  Book is scheduled to publish in February 2017.

Holding Up the Universe
Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven
5/5 stars
Yes, this book had cliches and predictable parts.  But I still loved it.  It was hard to put down.  I enjoyed both characters and what they did on a daily basis to survive high school and all of its horrors.  I think I liked this one even more than AtBP.  Look for it on October 6th.

Currently Reading

Cloud and Wallfish
Cloud and Wallfish by Anne Nesbet
This book takes places in 1989 in East Germany, a very tumultuous time.  A lot is about to change for East Germany and our young main character, Noah, is there in the time leading up to it.
Full of factual information, I feel I am learning more about this time than any history book ever taught me!

I am organizing all of my books at home.  It is an enormous undertaking.  What is so crazy is the amount of books I have to read.  Can someone please figure out how to make sleep optional???

10 comments:

  1. I didn't know that DiPucchio has a follow-up to Everyone Loves Bacon. This sort of silly book is always a big hit with my students.

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  2. I read somewhere that the gourmet cupcake shop is on the way out. Both of the DiPucchio titles look like a lot of fun, though!

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  3. I just decided this weekend that I need to organize my books at home too. Such a massive undertaking! As always, I've added everything from your post to my TBR list. Thank you for always keeping me in books!

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  4. Oh my goodness, I definitely have a Snurtch! :) If someone figures out how to make that sleep optional, let me know, I'd love to have an extra 7 hours in my day!

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  5. I had Finding Perfect on my list, but after reading your review, I feel nearly desperate for it. I suspect it, and some of these other novels will end up on my must read list next year!

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  6. You've inspired another big library order this week: I've ordered Ninja! Attack of the Clan, Everyone Loves Cupcake and Parachute. Thanks for your terrific book suggestions. Have a great week!

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  7. We love Courage - It is such a wonderful book for so many occasions. Can't wait to read Parachute. Hope you have a wonderful week!

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  8. The two YA books you shared sound perfect for our sixth grade library - thank you!

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  9. I am so jealous that you read Holding Up the Universe. I want it RIGHT NOW!

    I absolutely loved My Friend Maggie. It made me cry! Maybe I am just an emotional pregnant woman, but it really touched me.

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  10. I loved All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven - so looking forward to reading this new one. :)

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