It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 10.01.18

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

Only one post last week - if you do any kind of "how to" writing, you'll want to check out some new mentor texts here.

Picture Books


The Remember Balloons
written by Jessie Oliveros
illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte
Oh this book - it gives me so many feels. 
It makes me sad to see a loved one lose memories.
It makes me happy to have a book like this to hand to children who need it.
It makes me glad to have a book like this to explain something difficult to young children.
Beautifully written and illustrated.


We Are Grateful - Otsaliheliga
written by Traci Sorell
illustrated by Frané Lessac
Yes!  I've been looking for Native #ownvoices books, especially those that tell about current culture, not just traditional tales.  This is a book I'll be adding to my library.


Lyric McKerrigan, Secret Librarian
written by Jacob Sager Weinstein
illustrated by Vera Brosgol
Very cute - of course it's with books the super hero saves the day!


The Patchwork Bike
written by Maxine Beneba Clarke
illustrated by Van Thanh Rudd
It was after reading the notes by the author and illustrator that I had to go back and read the book again, slower this time.
A beautiful story about a family living in poverty yet still find time to hope and dream by putting together a bike out of found materials.
Take your time when reading this one.


Sleepy the Goodnight Buddy
written by Drew Daywalt
illustrated by Scott Campbell
I did not know what this one was going to be about - and man did I laugh out loud once I figured it out!
Definitely a great read aloud - especially for older students who will really appreciate the humor.  


No Peacocks! A Feathered Tale of Three Mischievous Foodies
written by Robin Newman
illustrated by Chris Ewald
I used this as a read aloud for my reading intervention students last week and they loved it!  Who knew peacocks were such foodies.... or are they?
These three peacocks just wanted a taste of something different than their regular seeds.  Since they live on the campus of a school they get to smell delicious aromas, especially that of mac and cheese!  It becomes their goal to get into the school and try some.
I loved reading the author's notes to the students because while the story is a bit fictional, it is based on three peacocks that live on a school campus!
Thanks to author Robin Newman for the book and treats!  


Neema's Reason to Smile
written by Patricia Newman
illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini
Thanks to my colleague I got to read this story.  Neema and her mother have a Dream Jar that they collect money in to send Neema to school.  Beautiful story about hopes and dreams.  I think it's especially important for many young readers to understand that school and learning and education is not something to take for granted. 


Rock What Ya Got
written by Samantha Berger
illustrated by Kerascoët
Perfect words, perfect illustrations.  They compliment each other so well.
Great message - you don't need to change, appreciate what you have, don't look for what you are not.
Pair this one with The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken.

Middle Grade


You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P!
by Alex Gino
I loved this book for many reasons.  First, I loved reading about a disability - because these kind of books are sorely lacking in kidlit right now - and reading more about the Deaf community is near and dear to my heart.  My niece has cochlear implants and much of what is described in this book is about an infant and her family deciding on the best course of action for her, is some something I watched my sister and her family go through.  But it also meant a lot to me because as a parent of a child with a disability, there was a lot I related to on that end - especially everyone giving you their two cents (when not asked) in regards to your child's treatment.
I also liked the conversation about racial issues.  I thought the way it was handled was appropriate - at least to my white self.  It seemed like conversations I have seen that are handled respectfully and honestly.
With that said, there is so much being said about #ownvoices and Alex Gino is white and hearing-abled.  I think Gino wrote everything well,  but I wonder if readers who are Black and/or Deaf would think otherwise?  Just a topic that is out there right now, and I did think about it as I read this book.  


Merci Suárez Changes Gears
by Meg Medina
Finally finished this one, and it took me a long time.  Not because of the book, but because of too much on my plate.  I savored every word of this book!  I think readers are going to want to be friends with Merci.  I also appreciated having this beautifully written book about loving and understanding what Alzheimer's looks like when a loved one is suffering with this disease.
For me, I absolutely loved the setting which was in Palm Beach/West Palm Beach, Florida.  I consider this our second home and seeing familiar sites and names of roads in this book was so fun for me!

Currently Reading


Garbage Island
by Fred Koehler
Just starting this one!  I've heard lots of good things from other readers.

I hope you have a great reading week.  I'll be taking next week off to enjoy the long weekend with friends and family.  Can't wait to report back in two weeks - I see my reading stack and it looks good!