It's a great source to find new books to use with your students.
Last Week's Adventures
New early graphic novels, perfect for Kg-3rd gr readers.
A roundup of new animal nonfiction picture books here.
On Chapter Book Summer series, don't miss these animal fantasy stories!
Picture Books
Rissy No Kissies
written by Katey Howes
illustrated by Jess Engle
I've heard great things about this book and after reading it I can say they were right! A really important book to have to talk about consent.
Areli is a Dreamer
written by Areli Morales
illustrated by Luisa Uribe
I think this is a really important book to have and share. I'm pretty sure this is a topic that is not widely discussed but bearing some light, especially to young readers, helps them understand the plight of many very young immigrants. Luisa Uribe's illustrations are fantastic.
Best Day Ever!
written by Marilyn Singer
illustrated by Leah Nixon
In this rhyming text told in the voice of the puppy, he goes from having the best day ever, to the worst day ever, to not the worst day. I like that the little boy is in a wheelchair, but it's not a story about that, and the illustrator also uses a wheelchair. I can see this being used as a mentor text for showing plot line and how it can change within a day.
Poem in My Pocket
written by Chris Tougas
illustrated by Josee Bisaillon
A fun to rhyming text to read on Poem in My Pocket Day! Of course, any day would be good too! Also fun to use when talking about the fun you can have with words. I liked the additional activities that have the reader go back into the book included at the end.
Summer Camp Critter Jitters
written by Jory John
illustrated by Liz Climo
This is a great book to read at the beginning of summer, but it will make you laugh so really it's a great book for any time! Each animal has a reason they are worried about going to summer camp and it's all based on their own animal characteristics - Skunk is afraid he'll spray if the stories are too spooky, Sloth is worried about catching food, Snake is worried about making friends. Readers will giggle for this one!
Middle Grade
Hide and Don't Seek
by Anica Mrose Rissi
Kids are ALWAYS asking for scary books! They can tolerate scary way better than I can! However, since I have 3rd and 4th graders checking out the books, I have to be careful to note the difference between scary and horror and terror :)
This new one (publishes tomorrow!) is perfect! Short stories (including some plays and poems) with varying degrees of scariness will delight readers who are looking for their next chill! This book is a step up from the chapter book In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories - I mean, I'll never get over the green ribbon story, but this collection does have some good ones!
Thank you to Harper Collins and Edelweiss for the advanced e-galley.
Young Adult
Cinderella is Dead
by Kalynn Bayron
This one came from my #mustread pile. I love the twist on the Cinderella story. It took a different path than other fairy tale twist books and I appreciated the fresh take.
Cinderella has been dead for over 200 years and the people of Lille not only know the story well, but they are required by law to have a copy of Cinderella's story and must know it inside and out. And once a young girl comes of age, she must attend the annual ball in order to be "chosen" by a male. Women, or girls for that matter, have no say in Lille, must follow the rules, and if they are not chosen, they are put to work... supposedly. Sophia has had it with the archaic rules. Plus she does not want to be chosen, she already knows she loves her best friend, Erin. And when things go horribly horribly wrong at the ball, Sophia makes the decision to run than to follow the rules.
I loved the twists and turns this book takes because I was always guessing what was going to happen. The same sex love story was a perfect change from the traditional story and I hope this book finds its way into many libraries!
Currently Reading
Furia
by Yamile Saied Mendez
Still reading this one. My reading time has gone out the door... screeching halt.... Usually it doesn't do this until I start school but just too much going on this year! I'm about half way through and I am enjoying the book so far!
* email subscribers - it looks like Blogger is going to continue sending emails to subscribers into August. Hoping you received this today! New website is still coming... just taking longer to get it all set up. Stay tuned!
I don't have too many books in my collection that would be considered scary so I'll have to check out Hide and Don't Seek. I have Rissy No Kissies on hold at the library and looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteI bookmarked every book, Michele! Love the look of Poem in My Pocket & Areli is A Dreamer, will look for Hide & Don't Seek, along with all the others! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great set of books! I really want to read Areli is a Dreamer, both because it sounds extremely impactful and because the cover is stunning, so I'll keep an eye out in case my library adds it to Libby or Hoopla. Poem in My Pocket sounds like a lot of fun as well! Hide and Don't Seek sounds great for fans of scary stories, although as I am pretty much the opposite, I'll probably stay away from it! Cinderella is Dead sounds like a phenomenal read too. And I totally get not getting enough reading done—I've barely made a dent in the YA novel I've been reading for weeks! :| Thanks so much for the great post!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about scary stories, I get some that I do like, but it is usually not a focus for me except for the reason you suggest. I also liked Summer Camp Critter Jitters and added a few of your picture books to my future list. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteAlways good to get a recommendation for a story that's more creepy and spooky than horrifying, I have lots of requests for books like that!
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