It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 6.03.19

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

Well, last week didn't happen as far as blogging.  Took a little break to be with family as we celebrated my daughter's graduation from 8th grade!  As I'm learning, not every state holds a big graduation ceremony for 8th grade but where I live in IL it has always been a tradition.  Between that and a weekend long swim meet, I decided to put blogging on hold.  Luckily, this was my last week of school so now it's time to get back to a reading life!

Here's what popped up in my nonfiction picture book stack 2 weeks ago!


Picture Books


Just Like My Brother
by Gianna Marino
Such a sweet book for young readers about identity - and with a surprise ending!  Marino's illustrations are beautiful, as always.


You Are Your Strong
written by Danielle Dufayet
illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin
I'm so glad I caught Aliza Werner's tweet about this book.  This is one you want for your SEL collection.  It shows how sometimes you need to lean on others for positive emotional support, and other times you must look deep inside yourself to find positive emotions - calming, soothing, gentle yet strong and brave - in order to deal with tough times.  Also includes a note to parents and caregivers in the backmatter.


Lion and Mouse
written by Jairo Buitgrago
illustrated by Rafael Yockteng
A retelling of the Lion and the Mouse fable, this one has just a bit more to the story and ending without it being overly long.


Sea Glass Summer
written by Michelle Houts
illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
Loved this story!  A young boy finds the magic of sea glass - with each piece he finds that summer he dreams of the story of where the sea glass originated from and the story behind it.  The story ends up coming full circle.  Perfect end of the year, beginning of summer read.  And some great end of the year writing tie-ins with it!


Koala is NOT a Bear
written by Kristin L. Gray
illustrated by Rachel McAlister
A book that clears us some misconceptions, but also has way deeper meaning.
Koala is headed to camp for the first time and is a bit nervous about fitting in.  Upon arrival, turns out she's right because know-it-all Kangaroo informs her all of the ways she is not a bear.  A story about wanting to fit in and find your group, and maybe even the kind way to pass on knowledge... this is one of those books you'll want to talk about what is it really about.


There's Only One You
written by Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook
illustrated by Rosie Butcher
A book about all the ways that make you unique and who you are.  I like the different representations in the book.  Not only diverse in race, but also in families, physical and hearing challenges, even down to freckles.... seems like a strange thing but kids who have a lot of freckles rarely see other characters that have them.  Would be a good read at the beginning of the school year.  Pair with Pat Zietlow Miller's Remarkably You.


Papa Put a Man on the Moon
written by Kristy Dempsey
illustrated by Sarah Green
A narrative story about a young girl waiting for the day when the first American would land on the moon.  Extra special for her because her father worked in the textile mill that helped make the space suits.  
There is a brief author's note that gives a bit more information about the mills that worked on the special fabric.  I wish there had been more information about this woven into the story.  Would be interesting to learn more!


Linus the Little Yellow Pencil
by Scott Magoon
LInus the pencil and Ernie the eraser are entering an art contest where the winning piece must be full of heart.  The art may have to have heart, but what really does is this book.  It's sweet and touching and has a great message about cooperation, working together, and the joy it can bring you.  It also makes you think about perspective and thinking about things in different ways.  Oh yeah, and the illustrations are really fun too!  And it's pretty "punny".  Definitely a book for your collection.


Camp Tiger
written by Susan Choi
illustrated by John Rocco
Just read a finished copy of this one.  It's simply gorgeous.  I will come back to this one over and over just to view the illustrations.
I think this story was meant to be a metaphor for growing up.  I'm just not sure readers will catch on what this story is trying to say.  It's one I'll have to share with several groups of readers to gage their reaction.


Mango Moon
written by Diane de Anda
illustrated by Sue Cornelison
A book about losing a parent due to not being a citizen, this book comes at a perfect time.  Whether you are introducing the topic, continuing the conversation, or needing a book that just right book for a child, this is a good book to have.


My Fourth of July
written by Jerry Spinelli
illustrated by Larry Day
One of my favorite holidays is the 4th of July.  It's one of those holidays that has always been full of traditions for me.  Spinelli shares the traditions of one family and it's a joy to be able to share in the celebrations!

Middle Grade


The War I Finally Won
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
I finally put this one on my #mustread list because I kept not getting to it.  At first, it was because I loved the first book so much I was a bit nervous about starting this one.  Sometimes when you hold a book to such high standards, it's hard to follow it.
I think I still love the first book the most, but this one was a beautiful follow up.  I loved seeing Ada's character arc and watching her grow and change.  I appreciated that she was so unworldly and needed so much guidance.  It felt very true to her character.  I will miss Ada and Susan!

Currently Reading


York: The Clockwork Ghost 
by Laura Ruby
This series is one of the smartest mysteries I've ever read for young readers.


Looking forward to my official summer break!  The last two weeks have been really difficult for me to find reading time.  Time to start making up for lost time!