It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 12.16.19

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 these nonfiction picture books for your read alouds!

Picture Books


You Loves Ewe! 
by Cece Bell
I love this one even more than the first one.  Full of homonyms and lots of wacky, word misunderstandings, if you aren't laughing out loud by the time this one is done, you're clearly in a really bad mood!


How I Met My Monster
written by Amanda Noll
illustrated by Howard McWilliam
Reading I Need My MonsterI out loud is still one of my favorite read alouds - I always have lots of fun changing up the monster voices.  I was excited to see this prequel that explains how young Ethan gets Gabe to be his monster.


A Tiger Like Me
written by Michael Engler
illustrated by Joëlle Tourlonias
translated by Laura Watkinson
I find a lot of books that are translated to get lost in the translation.  This one retains its charm.  A young boy dresses like a tiger and becomes a tiger all day.  The book follows the young tiger boy throughout his day and uses adjectives to describe his adventures.


A Fox Found a Box
by Ged Adamson
A book about how music leads forest animals to use their senses in new ways to experience the world around them.


A Map Into the World
written by Kao Kalia Yang
illustrated by Seo Kim
My absolute favorite of the week - this beautiful book about opening up your heart and seeing what is around you absolutely grabbed my own heart.  This is a must own!
And don't miss this post from the Lerner Books blog that explains where this story originated.

Young Adult


Kent State
by Deborah Wiles
This is such a powerful book and Wiles is such a masterful writer she is able to take an event that took place decades ago and make it very relevant.
It's never easy to look back at an event and say there is one way to look at it.  With Kent State, Wiles writes from a variety of perspectives and does so with only using the most essential of words.  This entire book is written in verse and comes in at 144 pages.  Not a single word is wasted, especially when you hear the event told from the different perspectives.
What makes this book so powerful is at the end where Wiles ties this book with what is happening in today's world.
I really hope high schools around the country take note of this book and find a way to add it to their libraries, their curriculums, their discussions.
Be sure to find it on April 21st.


Let Me Hear a Rhyme
Tiffany D. Jackson
Jackson's books have been on my radar for some time.  Nothing but praise for her books by all of the people I talk to. I heard her speak at the Coretta Scott King Awards this past June and I knew I really needed to get to her books.  I had been told that this book, her third book, was different from her other two and maybe a bit weaker.  If this book is weak, I can't wait to get to the others!  
Told back in the 1990s when Tupac and Biggie's deaths were fresh on minds, this book tells the story of three teenagers who are living through the rappers' deaths, but also one of their own friend's.  Trying to piece together what happened as well as not let their friend's death be in vein, these friends come together and become even closer.
With lyrics by Malik  woven through the text, this book will resonate with young adult readers everywhere.

Currently Reading

Yeah, I'm still reading The Toll.  I don't think I read anything from it all this past week.  Not sure why I thought I would get any reading done during the middle of December!


I'll be taking a blogging break on my regular posts for the remainder of the year.  Enjoying the season and time with family!  I'll return in January 2020!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 12.09.19

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 nonfiction books for your stacks!


From the Scholastic Preview:
I was able to read some upcoming books from Scholastic.  Here are some you want to know about:


The Return of Thelma the Unicorn
by Aaron Blabey
Readers love anything by Blabey.  Regardless of what adults make of them, kids enjoy which means I'll keep getting them!  Coming in about a month is the sequel to Thelma the Unicorn.  Thelma is back and agrees to give the people what they want, lots of Thelma love!


Macca the Alpaca 
by Matt Cosgrove
Written in rhyme, I think readers will love Macca, who is obviously, an alpaca.  Macca is getting a little competition from Harmer, the llama, who turns out to be a bit of a bully.  Publishes in March.


The Way Home for Wolf 
written by Rachel Bright
illustrated by Jim Field
Another story in rhyme, the story is almost surpassed by the fantastic illustrations.  Wilf the young wolf gets separated from his pack and learns to rely on the help of others.  We'll get to see this one at the end of 2019.


One Little Bag: An Amazing Journey
by Henry Cole
This is absolutely one of my favorites coming from Scholastic in 2020.  Cole gives us a wordless picture book that is drawn in ink, other than one item that appears throughout the book - a small brown paper bag.  It's a story that shows generations of a family and how they pass down this important bag from person to person, each one showing a little more love for the bag.  
The author's note at the end will make you love it even more.  This book publishes in April, perfect timing for Earth Day.  Preorder it.  You'll be glad you did!

Picture Books


Home in the Woods
by Eliza Wheeler
I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of this gorgeous book at ALA this past summer.  I've read it a few times but never reviewed it!  If you have not picked up and read a copy of this book, make sure you check it out NOW!  It's simply beautiful and I like the comparisons readers can make between life now and then.


Straw
written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
illustrated by Scott Magoon
I am always happy to have more stories from AKR because I know at some point, we won't.  
This story is cute and it has a good message, although it will always be hard for a book to measure up to Chopsticks.  Still my favorite.
We all know that kid that has to be first.  How do you get the child to understand that rarely is that important?  AKR has put a spin on that by explaining it's not about being first, it's the journey you take to get there that matters.  I'm not sure if that will change any young people's thinking, but it's a start!
Loved the AKR and yellow umbrella cameo in this one.
Pubs Feb. 2020.


Pluto Gets the Call
written by Adam Rex
illustrated by Laurie Keller
An informational fiction story about Pluto and the planets.  Pluto gets the call from the scientists letting him know he's no longer a planet.  Pluto doesn't take it so well but wants to show the reader all around so off we go to visit all the planets.  Full of informational facts delivered by talking planets.  


Henry and Bea
by Jessixa Bagley
A true friendship lasts even when one is feeling more than sad and needs time alone.  
Henry and Bea are BFFs who know exactly what the other is thinking.  But when Henry wants his distance, Bea is left feeling confused.  Henry finally confides he lost his cat the week before.  Bea understands and gives Henry the support and the space he needs in order to grieve.  An important look at friendship and how to support each other even if it's not the way you would want support.

Middle Grade


How to Disappear Completely
by Ali Standish
This is the third middle grade I have read by Standish and the third one I have loved!
The genre is the same - realistic fiction with a bit of a mystery thrown in.  It's even another heartprint book that will stick with you long after you've closed the pages.  But this one is different because it has a character with a physical flaw.  Emma has developed vitiligo which is slowly stripping her skin of pigment which leaves white patches all over her skin.  She must decide how she is going to approach this and with a mother and sister who is perfect, new schoolmates who are being less than nice, and a family member who she was very closely with recently passing, this is not something Emma needs.  But with a new found friend and a mysterious person who is adding writing in her hidden journal, Emma finds her outside support, but can she dig deep down inside and find the power to believe in herself?  This one publishes in April 2020, make sure you have it on your list!

Young Adult


Winter
by Marissa Meyer
This was my March #mustreadin2019 book that I had pushed off reading.  It was a perfect time to get to it since we're out of town for Paralympic Nationals and I had extra time to read in between sessions!  It's an 800+ page book and there is A LOT that happens in this one and if I had read it during a normal week, well, much like The Toll, it would not be done.  There are some books that are just meant to binge read and this was one!
It was a very satisfying close to the Lunar Chronicles.  I will get to the novella stories next year, but I liked the way this ended.  I had thought it was going to end one way, but Meyer pulled out some surprises along the way!  
I really love this series for upper middle grade, early high school.  It fits a wide age range because it's edgy enough and long enough that it can appeal to a range of readers, yet it stays very mild on the edgy side so even if elementary readers get to it there shouldn't be much concern.

Currently Reading

Well, I'm still going to get to The Toll this upcoming week.  Need some time to binge read that one!  I have quite the stack of YA books looking at me, plus some books that have been sitting in piles for too long, plus some of my new ARCs from NCTE.  Not sure what will come out of the stack but I'll let you know!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 12.02.19

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

Here are a few things for you to get caught up on!

Cover reveal for Madeline Finn and the Therapy Dog

Check out the books from the new imprint Make Me a World.

More nonfiction picture books for your stacks.

New books for your newly independent readers.

Spotlight on poetry - a roundup of new books.


NCTE Preview
Here are some books that I picked up or quickly read at NCTE that you will want to have on your 2020 radar!


Be You!
by Peter H. Reynolds
Sometimes the sentimental and uplifting books are nice, but are maybe meant more for a caregiver and child experience.  This one though, is going to be perfect to read with students.  The influential message of being you no matter who that may be is an important message you want to resonate with readers.  This is going to be a perfect book to read at the end of the year as you send readers off to the next grade.  Or it could be a perfect book to read with kids at the beginning of the year to let them know who they are is exactly who you want them to be.  Or maybe you want to talk about character traits.  See, it's just a great book to have!  Pubs March 2020.


Almond
by Allen Say
A story about believing in yourself and seeing your truth.  
Almond does not believe she has a talent.  Other people see what she is able to do but it takes Almond believing in herself before she sees the possibilities.
Pubs March 2020


Oil
by Jonah Winter and Jeanette Winter
Wow, this is a powerful book.  About the causes and effects of oil pipelines - from how it goes across the country disrupting places and the effects of an oil spill.  Can't wait to share this one. 
Pubs March 2020


I'm Gonna Push Through
written by Jasmyn Wright
illustrated by Shannon Wright
Love this book about perseverance and determination.  Featuring people in history and present time who have pushed through and persevered even when it has been difficult.  Also shows kids overcoming and working through child-centered problems.  I love how the text isn't bogged down with a lot of information.  Instead, the book relies on the illustrations to give information and when needed, additional information is shown in the backmatter.
Pubs Feb. 2020

Picture Books


I Am Love: A Book of Compassion
written by Susan Verde
illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Another book in her "I Am..." series.  This book is a bit more abstract and probably needs a good discussion to go along with it.  I would read it and emphasize the idea of compassion more than love.  
Don't miss the author's notes at the end.  Verde mixes yoga to help young readers understand the idea of opening up your heart.


I Wonder
written by K.A. Holt
illustrated by Kenard Pak
Add this to your collection for curiosity seeking books.  This would be perfect to introduce a Wonder Wall or Passion Projects.


Octopus Stew
by Eric Velasquez
A book written to celebrate the author/illustrator's Afro-Latino heritage, it features a Latina grandmother who is getting ready to take her superhero-cape-wearing grandson to the store to buy an octopus in order to make octopus stew.  The grandson clearly enjoys the arts as he documents the story unfolding around him.  There is a surprise as we see how Velasquez pays homage to his African heritage and their ancient tradition of oral storytelling.


Finding Kindness
written by Deborah Underwood
illustrated by Irene Chan
Sometimes when we think about kindness and doing something for others we come up with ideas on a grand scale.  Sometimes kindness just needs to be a small gesture, and one that starts close to home.  
I love seeing how kindness can stretch across a community in this book.  It's a story to go back and share and look at the kindness chain throughout the story.


Croc and Turtle Snow Fun!
by Mike Wohnoutka
What happens when best friends have different interests?  They learn to compromise, of course!  Fun, winter time story!
The entire story is told through dialogue and the author/illustrator designates one color to each character so young readers can visually discriminate who is doing the talking.

Middle Grade


Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster
by Jonathan Auxier
This book has been in my stack for a long long time.  Since he would be speaking at NCTE's Children's Award Luncheon, I wanted to make sure I got to it.  
Auxier does an amazing job blending reality and magic and historical fiction in this beautiful story.  Readers will love meeting Nan and Charlie and how they need each other in unexpected ways.  I really loved the setting Auxier builds and just loved the melt of what was real and what was magic.


The Queen Bee and Me
by Gillian McDunn
I loved reading Caterpillar Summer by McDunn earlier this year and I can tell you after reading this book, she definitely has a flair for middle grade writing!  Both this book and her debut are realistic fiction and they both will stay on your heart for awhile.  You can't help but think about the characters long after you close the pages.  However, that's where the similarities end.  In The Queen Bee and Me, we meet Meg who is in a toxic friendship, however she doesn't quite recognize it herself.  Beatrix takes control of all situations and puts her needs before Meg's.  When Meg becomes friendly with a new neighbor, Beatrix pushes their friendship to new limits.
Even though I'm decades past middle school, the themes and conflicts in this book are as old as time.  McDunn's words would have felt true years ago as much as they do today.  I can't wait to share this book with readers in March 2020!

Currently Reading


Hide and Seek
by Kate Messner
This was one of my #mustreadin2019 books.  I'm about done and will be ready to start the third book in the series.
I'm also still getting through The Toll.  I'm really enjoying it, but having difficulties finding time to read!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 11.18.19

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 new picture books and a middle grade about computing superstar, Katherine Johnson

Books about some DYNAMIC DUOS, perfect for kg-3rd grade readers!

My nonfiction picture book stack here


Picture Books


Five Minutes (That's a lot of time) (No, it's not) (Yes, it is)
written by Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick
illustrated by Olivier Tallec
The title really says it all.  The entire book is different scenarios that take five minutes, but depending on what it is is the perspective of how long it feels.
Waiting to be called back to the dentist... fast 5 minutes.
In the dentist chair... slow 5 minutes.
Kids will relate to this book!


Talia and the Very YUM Kippur
written by Linda Elovitz Marshall
illustrated by Francesca Assirelli
Grateful my friend Kristen Picone told me about this one!  I do not have many books that celebrate the Jewish New Year, will be adding this one to my list.
Talia helps her grandmother prepare for a special feast but in her young mind, Yom Kippur becomes YUM Kippur and break-fast is breakfast.  Fun story!


Inky's Amazing Escape: How a Very Smart Octopus Found His Way Home
written by Sy Montgomery
illustrated by Amy Schimler-Safford
A fun story about a very curious octopus.  Inky the octopus escaped from the National Aquarium in Wellington, New Zealand.  Inky had been brought there after being caught in a lobster trap by a fisherman.  Injured and young, he was kept at the aquarium but not for long!  Inky escaped through a small drain pipe in the floor that lead back into the ocean.  Making international news, Inky became a superstar!  


Why?
written by Adam Rex
illustrated by Claire Keane
If you've ever seen the Disney show "Phineas and Ferb", then you'll know the voice of Dr. Doofenshmirtz.  That's the voice I had in my head when I read this story.
A super villain (the Dr. D. voice) crashes into a mall, ready to cause havoc everywhere when a young toddler stops him with her questions of "why?"... he entertains these questions and the answers finally get him to the root of his problems.


What is a Refugee?
by Elise Gravel
I really like the explanation this book provides about refugees, what is a refugee, why would they need to leave, what their feelings are, and what it's like to assimilate into a new place.  At the end, Gravel includes statements from young refugees that will help young readers understand these are young people just like them.  There is also a list and short bio of "famous" refugees.
The only thing I'm not sure about are the illustrations.  Lots of white refugees and light brown skin color refugees.  Some of color, an even smaller number wearing hijab.  I'm not sure the illustrations are representative of all refugees, but I also don't want to make assumptions.  Just something I noted.

Middle Grade


The Real McCoys
by Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr
If you have kids who love the hybrid style book like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, this is a series you want for your library.  There are three books published so far and I'm hoping for more! 
The series is a mystery - Moxie is looking for a new partner for her detective agency since her best friend has moved away.  For the time being, she's trying to solve them on her own.  The first mystery is solving who took the beloved school mascot, Eddie the Owl.  She has a list of suspects and trying to figure out who positively took it is a tough case to crack.  Luckily her brother, Milton, is able to step in and help out.
I loved how the text and illustrations went together in this novel.

Currently Reading


The Toll
by Neal Shusterman
I'm trying to savor this one and since I have zero time to read, the 1-2 chapters I read each night is definitely helping me read this slowly....


It's my busy time of the year!  NCTE and then we roll into the holidays and my daughter has the Paralympic Swimming Nationals.  I have a full week of posts for you this week and then I'll be in and out until 2020!  Hope you're finding more time than me to read!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 11.04.19

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 nonfiction picture books to check out!


Picture Books


The Buddy Bench
written by Patty Brozo
illustrated by Mike Deas
The Buddy Bench has grown in popularity at primary and elementary schools across the United States.  This book would be a helpful introduction.


Reading Beauty
written by Deborah Underwood
illustrated by Meg Hunt
From the creators of Interstellar Cinderella, we have another fractured fairy tale to enjoy.  This time, it's a twist on the Sleeping Beauty story except instead of spinning wheels being taken away, it's, gasp, books!


Unicorns 101
by Cale Atkinson
An "all about" book about a fun and mystical topic: unicorns!  Bright, very colorful, and of course, glittery - kids will enjoy this spoof on these mystical creatures!


The Bravest Man in the World
by Patricia Polacco
A story about the Titanic and one of its musicians that went down with the boat, Wallace Hartley.  Told in Polacco's storytelling style, it's one that young Titanic aficionados will enjoy and one that shows strong character traits.


I Want a Dog
by Jon Agee
A good book to use to talk about growth mindset - you don't always get what you want and sometimes that can be a good thing!


Terrible Times Tables
written by Michelle Markel
illustrated by Merrilee Liddiard
Looking for a unique way for kids to learn their times tables?  Modeled off of the old primers for readers, the book has nine different chapters with stories that follow a school calendar year and rhymes to help learn times tables!


A Night at the Bookstore
written by Josh Funk
illustrated by Jessica Gibson
Perfect book for young readers to get them thinking and talking about all the things books provide!  And they will fall in love with characters Barnsie and Noble!
I loved seeing the familiar Barnes and Noble sights in this book.


Chapter Two is Missing!
written by Josh Lieb
illustrated by Kevin Cornell
I wasn't sure whether to put this one under picture books or chapter books since it's a combination of both.  This is a book that will have kids bringing the book to the bathroom (there's a valid reason) and you'll hear some snickers as kids read it!

Middle Grade


Stuffed
by Liz Braswell
This one took me by surprise!  I really didn't know anything about it at all and I was so happy with it!  It's creepy but it's full of heart.  It's going to be so well loved by readers.  I can see it passed hand to hand!
Clark has an army of stuffies and he needs them because they protect him and his family members from the Monsters that come at night.  He creates a barrier of stuffies on top of his bed but sometimes when they fall off... they are taken and when they are found they are definitely worse off.  An evil Monster is in the house and seems to have taken over Clark's dad.  It's up to Clark and a very special stuffy to save him.
The way the book ends definitely leaves an opening for a book 2.  Hoping there are more adventures to come!


Bounders 4:  The Heroes Return
by Monica Tesler
At some point I often stop reading all of the books in a series.  There are so many books to read!  I read the first few in a series so I know what is going on but I often don't finish the series.  
Not so with this one.  I will see this series to the end... which apparently is book 5.  I need to have a conversation with author Monica Tesler!  I love this series.  I want more.  I will keep on with all of the adventures with this Bounder group!
If you have middle grade readers, you need to make sure this series is in their hands.  Action, adventure, science, travel.  It is so fun!

Currently Reading


The Real McCoys
by Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr
This is a definite must-have for your Diary of a Wimpy Kid readers - it's a perfect ladder book!

Anyone else getting bogged down by life and it really affecting your reading?  Story of my life right now!