It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 3.15.21

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.

Picture Books

Don't Hug Doug (He Doesn't Like It)

written by Carrie Finison

illustrated by Daniel Wiseman

I've heard about this book but just finally got my hands on it!  Really good book about consent and not just assuming people like being touched.  For some people, they are huggers and it's a natural inclination that everyone wants to be hugged, but it's just not true.  Including for little learners.  Before a hug, ask!

There is a Rainbow

written by Theresa Trinder

illustrated by Grant Snider

Written during the pandemic, this book reminds us that on the other side of things is another perspective.  

While I liked the idea, I'm wondering how young readers will understand this.  I'm guessing it's a metaphor that is going to go over their heads.

I loved the bright illustrations, rendered in colored pencil.  They give a youthful feel to the book and the bright colors make you think of a brighter tomorrow.

How to Catch a Clover Thief

by Elise Parsley

This might be a fun book to read this week!  Doesn't have anything to do with St. Patrick's Day, but it does feature a pesky little creature who keeps making mischief after a special, green plant!

Laxmi's Mooch

written by Shelly Anand

illustrated by Nabi H. Ali

A story that celebrates who we are!  While playing with friends, Laxmi is told to pretend to be a cat since she already has dark whiskers above her mouth.  Laxmi is embarrassed about her mooch (Hindi for mustache) until her mom helps her understand that the hair on our body is something to be proud of and should be celebrated.  Laxmi thinks of the mighty tiger and its whiskers and takes control of the game played with friends and decides to play tiger, instead of cat.  Once she celebrates her mooch as part of her, other friends catch on and also want a mooch.  

A story that readers will relate to or a story that will explain so readers understand, all of the things that make up who we are can be celebrated!

My Day With the Panye

written by Tami Charles

illustrated by Sara Palacios

Set in the author's husband's homeland of Haiti, this story follows a young girl who is going to town with her mother.  The story explains the Haitian tradition of walking and balancing a panye (basket) on your head to carry all of your purchases/necessities.  The mother passes along wisdom to her daughter as she learns the lesson of taking things slow and finding your balance.

Shy Willow

by Cat Min

I loved this shy, sweet story that shows when you have empathy for someone, you can make wonderful things happen.  It's an imaginative tale about a shy bunny who helps someone with a wish for their mother.  Beautifully rendered, I find more to love with each read.

More Than Fluff

by Madeline Valentine

Another good book about consent!

Middle Grade

Life in the Balance

by Jen Petro-Roy

It is hard, as a child, to handle adult problems.  It's enough to handle regular kid problems.  Veronica has enough of those.  Tryouts for the All-Star softball team are coming up.  It's a traveling team and will come with its own challenges.  And honestly, Veronica doesn't know if she wants to do that, or choir because singing is something she really enjoys too.  But on top of all that, she has an adult size problem.  Her mom is an alcoholic and has finally admitted she needs help.  She's going away to rehab, but what does that mean for Veronica?  To not have her mom there?  Does she tell her friends and teammates about her mom?  And her mom was supposed to help her with softball tryouts.  It's a lot to process and understand, especially for a kid.

Jen Petro-Roy absolutely nails the voice of a middle schooler trying to figure all of this out.  This book will be so important for many readers.

Breathing Underwater 

by Sarah Allen

An important story about mental health for middle grade readers (note: some mature language prick, freakin').  This story follows two sisters, Ruth, who has diagnosed depression, and younger sister, Olivia, as they go on a cross-country RV trip with an aunt and uncle.  For Olivia, this trip is meant to recreate some of the happy memories the sisters had before Ruth's depression takes over.  Seen from Olivia's perspective, readers will get an understanding of how depression affects siblings and the depths of a sibling's love.

Publishes March 31st.

Review copy from Netgalley.

Young Adult

When You Look Like Us

by Pamela N. Harris

Another important book to get into the hands of young readers.  When I first read The Hate U Give, it was eye opening for me as a white person to understand the systemic racism that exists within some officers of the law.  This book is another one that shows that people pass immediate judgement based on skin color.  I really liked meeting the main character, Jay.  His character flaws are ones that are relatable to readers.  You'll root for Jay and love meeting his sweet grandmother, Mimi.  

I'm looking forward to reading more from this debut author.

Chlorine Sky

by Mahogany L. Browne

A novel in verse that is about friendship, this fast reading novel will be devoured in one sitting - at least it was for me!  I love that it centered around friendship, and while yes, a guy does come into play, it really was about that tricky time as a teen when friendships can be solid one day, and the next day it's like you never knew them.

Currently Reading

Abby, Tried and True

by Donna Gephart

Spring Break is next week.  Another year without traveling - this time planned, not last-minute cancelled!  Hoping for warmer weather to read outside!