This weekly post comes from Jen at Teach Mentor Texts
It's a great source to find new books to use with your students.
As I was getting ready to work on my posts for the upcoming week last weekend, I received the unexpected and unwelcome news that a very special family friend passed away. It took my breath away and I needed time to grieve and be with family. I knew writing posts could wait.
I've got some posts for this week, including sharing our Mock lists. I'm going to take next week off again. It's Thanksgiving week and I think spending time with family is just what is needed.
I hope you've found some books to read and are cuddling up and staying warm. That's what we're doing in the Midwest. Here's what I've found to read this past week.
Last Week's (or two weeks ago...) Adventures
Some new picture book biographies for you.
Have you heard about Scholastic's upcoming "Acorn" line of books?
Picture Books
Stop, Go, Yes, No! A Story of Opposites
by Mike Twohy
A follow up to his Geisel Honor winning book, this is another fun book to read and figure out the story. Told completely in opposites, we get the story of a cat who just wants to be left alone and a dog who really wants a playmate. I think it's fun to read and discuss these stories that have a storyline that is told not just through the text.
Quiet
by Tomie dePaola
A book that probably resonates more with me right now than our young students. dePaola reminds us to take the time and sit and listen and hear and be quiet. A good book to add to your mindfulness set.
I Don't Want to Go to Sleep
written by Dev Petty
illustrated by Mike Boldt
I think this one is my favorite Frog book! I giggled the whole way through! Frog doesn't want to go to sleep, but really he doesn't want to hibernate. I know many young readers who are going to laugh at Frog's many reasons!
The Case of the Missing Chalk Drawings
by Richard Byrne
This will be fun to read to the younger crowd. It's a mystery - who is erasing the chalk's drawings? Could it be.... eraser?? Perhaps predictable, the ending is still fun.
The illustrations are done in chalk on black paper which really makes the colors pop!
Zola's Elephant
written by Randall de Sève
illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski
With illustrations that go back and forth showing two different perspectives, we see the idea's of the main character and what she thinks is happening next door and compare them with what is actually happening with the neighbor. Beautiful illustrations!
Middle Grade
Maybe a Mermaid
by Josephine Cameron
This upcoming middle grade (April 2019) is a beautiful coming of age story that has friendship and family at the heart of the story.
Anthoni just wants to find a True Blue Friend, but that's hard to do when you're always on the move. Mom is in promotional home sales (think Mary Kay/Avon type sales) and is always looking to sign up her next worker. They are headed on a much needed vacation, but the Showboat Resort in northern WI doesn't quite measure up to the memories mom has from her youth.
Once they get up there, things go from bad to worse. Anthoni isn't sure she can find her True Blue Friend and she discovers that mom's business isn't doing as well as she thought it was.
Readers will fall in love with Anthoni and cheer for her quest of friendship. With a dash of mermaid magic, Anthoni discovers that sometimes a True Blue Friend might be right in front of you the whole time.
This is a cannot be missed read for 2019!
How to Steal a Dog
by Barbara O'Connor
I can't tell you how long I've owned this book.... yet it has remained unread. That happens to the best of books - I own more than I'll probably ever be able to read. It's a problem...
So, it went on my #mustreadin2018 list. So glad that it did! I was thinking of readers that would want this book next and also classrooms that may want to use it as a read aloud! I can see readers falling in love with these characters.
Young Adult
The Outsiders
by S.E. Hinton
There are a few "classics" in the canon that I have not read, this being one of them. When my 8th grade daughter came home saying she had to read it, could she talk to me about it... I knew this was my opportunity to read the book finally.
I can see how this book was so popular years ago and how, even though it's older, I see how it can still be seen as relatable now.
I didn't love the book. Not sure why. I liked some of the characters. The plot was relatable. Maybe too predictable? Maybe because there are so many current books that have similar topics that are better written (in my opinion.....)?
Regardless of the reason, this one was just ok for both my daughter and me. I thought I would watch the movie after I read the book, but I really don't have a desire to do that. I'll probably go read instead :)
Currently Reading
Wonderland
by Barbara O'Connor
Looking forward to reading this one - everyone has loved it so far!
Happy Reading this week! I hope I get the chance to see many of you in person at NCTE this week!
Maybe A Mermaid sounds fantastic. One to keep an eye out for. I'm actually hoping I can pick up a copy at NCTE. Loved Wonderland! I think everything by Barbara O'Connor is amazing!
ReplyDeleteI read The Outsiders when I was in junior high school and loved it. Of course that was about the time the movie came out and I was really into the actors that were cast in it. I definitely need to pick that one up again and read it. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for you and your family Michele. Grieving is hard work so it's important to take the time you need.
ReplyDeleteYou have read some delightful books this week. I haven't read How to Steal a Dog in ages, but Wonderland is fabulous!
Sorry to hear of your loss, Michele. Yes, taking time with family is a good thing. I still have Wonderland on my list, and I think I have How To Steal A Dog, too. You're so right, too many books have been left behind because of new ones coming out. I guess that's a good thing, right? Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteSo interesting that you just read The Outsiders! I loved reading your thoughts and fresh take on such an old "classic"
ReplyDeleteHere's my Monday post
I'm going to have to look more closely at How to Steal a Dog because that's one I missed, too. I definitely enjoyed Wonderland -- hope you do, too! Have a wonderful time at NCTE this week, Michele! Wish I could be there, but not this year.
ReplyDeleteI'm very sorry to hear of your friend's passing.
ReplyDeleteMichelle - We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your dear friend. Safe travels to NCTE. We hope we get to see you during the conference. Are you going to the Children's Book Award Luncheon?
ReplyDeleteOh, it's too bad that you didn't enjoy The Outsiders all that much - I recall just loving it when I read it two years back, perhaps it found me at the right time. My 16 year old daughter and I are planning to read it next, after reading Little Women. :)
ReplyDelete