It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 3.01.21

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

Some books about flowers, seeds, and growing that match up well with the NGSS standards.

New graphic novels for our young readers!

Picture Books

Sharing a Smile

written by Nicki Kramar

illustrated by Ashley Evans

I like finding books that help explain parts of our "new" normal to young readers.  Masks are something that can make littles nervous.  This story helps normalize them as a grandfather helps his granddaughter become more comfortable with them.  The little girl is even able to help spread some kindness around with masks.

The only problem I had with this book are the eyes of the Asian characters.  The are always more slanted than everyone else's.  In their close up page, it looks like they are closed and have a slanted line, but so does the grandfather.  It seemed to be a strange decision to me.

We Love Fishing!

written by Ariel Bernstein

illustrated by Marc Rosenthal

I always love a good, sarcastic, tongue-in-cheek kind of book and this one fits in perfectly.  Bear, Porcupine, and Otter love fishing and everything that goes with it, as the pages tell over and over.  Unfortunately they have a friend, Squirrel, who does not feel the same way.  So of course when they give Squirrel a look at the fish they caught and it somehow ends up in the sea, they really aren't too pleased.  But Squirrel tries to help the best way he can - by taking them out to dinner!  This one made me chuckle.

Big Feelings

written by Alexandra Penfold

illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

From the duo that gave us All Are Welcome, they are back with another title for your SEL collection!  This one names all of the different feelings we may have, especially when trying something new.  I appreciate how the text and illustrations work together to show the emotions, without bogging down the text and making it feel too preachy.  I love the illustrations even more in this one, they alone give me all the feels!

Outside, Inside

by LeUyen Pham

I understand why this book is so hard to find right now!  I've had it ordered for months, and it still hasn't arrived.  Luckily my school library was able to get it and I snatched it as soon as I saw it!  

LeUyen Pham beautifully captures the confusion and all the emotions last spring brought.  It's interesting to read this book and remember all that happened.  Looking at where we are now, I'm glad we are finding new ways to safely exist within this time that allows us to do certain things safely.  I wish I could say that everyone, everywhere followed these things, but at least I can try and control what happens around me.  I think this book will help give words to readers that will help them continue to process the past year and even the next year to come.

Ten Beautiful Things

written by Molly Beth Griffin

illustrated by Maribel Lechuga

Too often we stop to notice the beauty of the things around us.  Not the materialistic things, but those things that are found in nature.  Lily is moving to Gram's house and is nervous during her travels.  Gram challenges her to find ten beautiful things.

Becoming a Good Creature

written by Sy Montgomery

illustrated by Rebecca Green

A book about how if we listen to the creatures around us, there are many lessons about life and living to be learned.

Middle Grade

The Mysterious Disappearance of Aidan S. (as told to his brother)

by David Levithan

I am so glad Levithan has written a middle grade novel!  I know readers are going to love reading his words and story.  This one is perfect for many reasons.  I love the length (213 pgs) and I love the gripping story. 

Aidan has disappeared without a trace.  No one knows where he is gone, least of all his brother (younger by a year), Lucas.  When Aidan suddenly shows up in the attic and Lucas finds him, Aidan has a very interesting tale to tell.  He went to another land through an old dresser in the attic.  While the story sounds fantastical, Aidan has returned with a blue leaf in his hair.

Things start to spiral out of control since this isn't a story anyone particularly wants to explain a disappearance.  Adults deal with it one way (not believing the story), while Aidan and Lucas each try to grapple with telling and believing each other, while kids at school alter between making fun of Aidan and wanting the real story.

With quick chapters, it's easy to say "just one more chapter" until you find yourself staying up way too late to read!

Quick disclosure - there is a Santa and tooth fairy reveal.  Since I work with 3rd and 4th graders, it's always good to know that info.

#mustread update

A Promised Land

by Barack Obama

I finished parts 3 and 4 this weekend, which was my Feb. must read goal.  It's interesting to know some of the things that happened during certain policy and global meetings, but, I'm not going to lie, those parts bore me!  I love reading what Obama was thinking during some of these things and I really love learning the more personal sides of his life.  I guess this reaffirms the fact I am never going into politics!

Currently Reading

When You Look Like Us

by Pamela N. Harris

I've heard some great things about this YA novel.  Starting it tonight!

Happy reading week!