Monday, March 9, 2020

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 3.09.2020

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

Check out the book trailer for Sue Fliess' Flash and Gleam.  

It's Women's History Month.  This week I have nonfiction picture books that feature women who have contributed to the STEM world.



Picture Books

Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale with a Tail
Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale With a Tail
written by Lesléa Newman
illustrated by Susan Gal
A book you want to add to your holiday collection.  A Passover story that celebrates its traditions by showing what a young boy is doing inside with his family.  However there is another story occurring outside where the reader sees a young kitten who needs a home.  Love how it all comes together!

This Is a Dog
This is a Dog
by Ross Collins
This upcoming picture books is going to make kids laugh and laugh.  It will make a fun read aloud because it is just silly.  Featuring a playful dog who changes the words, takes the words, and makes an appearance on pages that are not meant for it.  It's fun, it's interactive, and readers will love it!


onfiction

A Ride to Remember: A Civil Rights Story
A Ride to Remember: A Civil Rights Story
written by Sharon Langley and Amy Nathan
illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Sharon Langley was the first African American child to ride on an amusement park ride after days of protests made the city of Baltimore change their rules.  Ms. Langley tells her story and narrates it in her voice and her parents, explaining the events that lead up to the change in the rules of who is allowed to ride rides at this city park.  Extensive backmatter gives even more information to pour over.

All of a Sudden and Forever: Help and Healing After the Oklahoma City Bombing
All of a Sudden and Forever: Help and Healing After the Oklahoma City Bombing
written by Chris Barton
illustrated by Nicole Xu
This is a powerful book.  
I think it must be hard to approach the enormity of an event like this.  To capture all that it is and the many emotions into words that go into a picture book.... what a task.  However, I think Chris Barton did it very very well.  His words are measured just right.  They capture the essence of the story without it being about the horrific action.  The emotions are felt, but they aren't too much for a young reader to bear.  Young readers can understand that bad things happen.  Young readers can learn from our history and see how we use strength to move forward.
Well done.

Poetry

On a Snow-Melting Day: Seeking Signs of Spring
On a Snow-Melting Day
by Buffy Silverman
Yes!  A story we need right now because I'm hoping for more snow-melting days!  A poem that is filled with lively verbs and accompanies by bright photographs, this is a perfect getting ready for Spring book.  Reminds me of April Pulley Sayre's books.  Definitely wonderful poetry to read aloud to readers!

Middle Grade

Ana María Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle
Ana María Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle
by Hilda Eunice Burgos
Ana María is the second oldest sister out of four girls... with a fifth on the way!  Anamay does not always feel she is getting any attention with that many siblings and does her best to stand out academically.  If only she can get a scholarship to a prestigious school.  Despite the noise and close proximity to her family at all times, Anamay practices her piano for an important upcoming recital.  
The book takes places over half a year or so with a lot going on in the story.  The book focuses on the family and the Reyes family even takes a trip to the Dominican Republic for a family wedding.  Anamay learns more about her family and also learns more about herself on this trip.
There is a lot going on in this story, and some of it feels a little disjointed.  However, the characters endear themselves to you and you really want to see Anamay succeed.  There is a part at the end where there is a serious accident and while forgiveness is important, I'm not sure the gravity of what occurred is really felt.

Currently Reading

Becoming
Becoming
by Michelle Obama
Yup.

I have  few books coming up in my stacks to read.  Just need the time.  How is your reading?

6 comments:

  1. This is a Dog sounds like a book kids will love. I'll have to keep my eye out for it.

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  2. I'm adding This is a Dog to my list right now. This looks adorable -- and just know my 6 year old will love it. It's been a while since we've visited the Oklahoma City Bombing site. In fact, my youngest two weren't even born, yet. I definitely want to read All of a Sudden and Forever before we venture there, again. Thanks for all these wonderful shares, Michele!

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  3. I'm looking forward to reading On a Snow-Melting Day. We are very much into spring here, but I keep reading such great stuff about this book.
    I enjoyed reading your review of Flash and Gleam. It reminded me of Molly Bang's nonfiction books about the sun.

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  4. I know I will want to read and most likely feature This is a Dog on my blog. I was able to put it on hold at my library so thanks for the recommendation!

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  5. Thanks for Welcoming Elijah. I like to read books about religious holidays and this sounds lovely. I have A Ride to Remember and loved On A Snow-Melting Day. We have lots of warm weather this week, but you can't count on March. We could still have a big snow! Thanks, Michele, for all of these.

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  6. I've been seeing A Ride to Remember a lot. Will need to look for it.

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