It's a great source to find new books to use with your students.
Last Week's Adventures
A review of the professional literature book Nonfiction Writers Dig Deep
Chapter books about girl main characters... and her pets!
Some new picture book biographies and ways you can use them in the classroom!
Picture Books
What Will You Be?
written by Yamile Saied Méndez
illustrated by Kate Alizadeh
A book about how the possibilities are endless when you're young and thinking about the future. The message is you can do anything you want, as many things as you want. Dream big!
This story would be a good mentor text for modeling a writing stem of naming something and describing it.
I think young readers will understand what the book is about, but I think some of the descriptions are above very young readers. Even through the character is young, this is a perfect example of how picture books are for older readers - they are complex!
Have You Ever Seen a Flower?
by Shawn Harris
Definitely a book I am filing under, "but what does it really mean?"
However, I believe this book is going to be remembered for the illustrations. The way Harris has used the bright colors and the contrasting negative spaces is amazing.
My Rainy Day Rocket Ship
written by Markette Sheppard
illustrated by Charly Palmer
When it's raining and he can't go out to play, a young boy does some imaginative play and builds a rocket ship. Yes, more Black joy books, please!
Listen
written by Gabi Snyder
illustrated by Stephanie Graegin
First of all, I love Graegin's illustrations in absolutely everything she does, and this one is no exception. The muted tones of the illustrations make you pay even more attention to the quiet details.
A story about mindfulness and paying attention to the noises around you. Find the individual sounds, not just the one large noise. A good book to use at the beginning of the school year to remind students to be mindful and not ignore the noises that are quiet!
Hannah and the Ramadan Gift
written by Qasim Rashid
illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel
I'm grateful we have more Ramadan books being published. This one focuses on the kindness that is spread by those who are celebrating Ramadan. Sometimes youngsters don't realize that all of the small kindnesses they are doing are appreciated. Young Hannah in this story questions that. Luckily her dada jaan, grandfather, is able to help her understand.
I love that the author uses Muslim names and words throughout the book, but I was surprised a pronunciation guide was not included.
Graphic Novel
Long Distance
by Whitney Gardner
It's been awhile since I've read a GN! This is one kids will enjoy. It's a fantasy but definitely has some humor in it.
Vega's dads have just moved her from Portland to Seattle. And the worst part of that is leaving her best friend. They both love everything outer space.
Once Vega is in Seattle she is miserable without her BFF so her dad decides to send her to summer camp. Once she arrives there, she quickly starts noticing things that are a little different. Soon, a few other campers are picking up on things too. Eventually they put the pieces together and what they find out will surprise everyone!
This is a definite add for 3rd-6th gr libraries.
Middle Grade
The Stars of Whistling Ridge
by Cindy Baldwin
This story reminded me a lot of Natalie Lloyd's A Snicker of Magic. Both are about a girl who is looking for a place to call home while also trying to solve a mystery that is affecting their family. Both stories brought out some big emotions, and both left me hugging the books (or device in this case).
I loved meeting Ivy Mae. Her character arc of understanding her own identity and figuring out how it intertwines with her family's, is quite the journey and I was honored to go on it with her. I loved the magical realism parts of the story and I was rapidly turning pages to see how it was all going to come together.
Thank you to Harper Collins and Edelweiss for the e-galley.
The Mending Summer
by Ali Standish
Ali Standish knows how to write stories that go directly to the reader's heart. She also takes a big topic, in this case alcoholism within the family, and balances it so well in a middle grade novel. Georgia's story of finding it hard to control situations that are truly uncontrollable and understanding feelings that are complicated and hard, made me want to jump in the story and help her. While middle grade readers might not have those same feelings, they will understand what it's like to not always be able to fix everything. I think the storyline of alcoholism will be an eye opener for some readers, and for others they will feel seen, which is important for all readers.
Young Adult
Tokyo Ever After
by Emiko Jean
If you're looking for a sweet rom-com this summer, look no further! Can't go to the Tokyo Olympics? Visit via this story!
American teen Izumi discovers that she is the secret love child between her mom and... the Crown Prince of Japan! When word gets out, her father brings her to Japan to get to know her and for Izumi to get to know Japan. She brings her American habits with her which don't always mix well with Japanese royalty, but the results are fun to read about! Of course she ends up falling in love with her Imperial Guard, of course she has cousins that don't appreciate her, and of course her parents maybe still have a little flame going for each other. It's adorable, fun, light-hearted and just what I needed to read this summer. It looks to be a series and if there is more coming, I am all for it!
Currently Reading
Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom
by Sangu Mandanna
A story based in Indian mythology, I'm at the beginning and trying to get down the names. They are important and I want to remember them!
It's mid-summer and I still have a lot to read! Yikes!
The Mending Summer sounds great. I have had Kiki Kallira on my list - I think I need to read it soon! I feel the same way about it being mid-summer and still having so much I want to read!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is obsessed with Japan right and I bet would enjoy Tokyo Ever After. Thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteI am waiting for Long Distance to finally become available at my library. I enjoyed Fake Blood by her. I've added The Stars of Whistling Ridge and The Mending Summer to my list. Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read the description of The Stars of Whistling Ridge, I absolutely had the same though about A Snicker of Magic... to the point that it almost felt like a ripoff of Snicker. I'll wait to reserve judgement until I read it though ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great set of books! What Will You Be? sounds like an excellent read, as does Listen! I've seen a lot of praise for Long Distance lately, and I'll have to see if I can track down a copy—I enjoyed Gardner's illustrations in the graphic novel Becoming RBG! The Stars of Whistling Ridge sounds like a great read and very similar to Natalie Lloyd's books! Tokyo Ever After sounds like great fun as well! Thanks so much for the great post!
ReplyDeleteI noticed those two great MG novels the most, but you have a lot of great looking PBs here as well. I am planning on checking out Listen, and Have You Ever Seen a Flower? Thanks for sharing all of these books!
ReplyDeleteAmazing week of reading! Listen jumped out at me to get and explore. I think I could use it as we launch writer's notebooks! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteRoyal books are fun -- I haven't read one in Japan. And I've seen several people talking about Long Distance so now I want to try it. Thanks for sharing all these books!
ReplyDeleteWe had 2 of the same titles (Listen and Long Distance) on our post this week! My Rainy Day Rockey Ship is a new picture book I need to check out and see if my library has it available.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of those weeks I haven't read anything you mentioned and I want to read them all! :) I am halfway through Long Distance, and I am enjoying it.
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