It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 8.30.21

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.

Last Week's Adventures

It was the last Chapter Book Summer series - books about cooking!  Make sure you enter the giveaway!

Don't miss any of the Chapter Book Summer 2021 series posts.  Catch them all here.

Picture Books

Twinkle Twinkle Little Kid

written by Drew Daywalt

illustrated by Molly Idle

We all know to make a wish upon the first star we see, but did you ever imagine a star making a wish on the first kid they see?  Find out what happens when a young boy and a star make a wish upon each other, but won't reveal their wishes.  Cute story with fun illustrations from Molly Idle!  Look for this one on Sept. 7th!

The Girl With Big, Big Questions

written by Britney Winn Lee

illustrated by Jacob Souva

This would be a great book to use when introducing a Wonder Wall at the beginning of the year.

Pride Puppy!

written by Robin Stevenson

illustrated by Julie McLaughlin

An ABC book that cleverly tells the story by going through the alphabet.  A family is getting ready to go to a local Pride Parade and when they get there, their dog gets loose.  We see the puppy going through the parade and it's a mixture of chaos and celebration!  I like at the end of the book there are more words in alphabetical order that you are supposed to go back and find in the coordinating illustrations.

Shabbat Shalom!

written by Douglas Florian

illustrated by Hannah Tolson

This board book tells in simple rhyming phrases about a family celebrating the Shabbat.

Moth and Butterfly Ta-Da!

written by Dev Petty

illustrated by Ana Aranda

A compare and contrast about moths and butterflies in a narrative style that is accompanied by beautiful and bright illustrations by Ana Aranda.  I love the way Petty adds lots of facts into this story that will be a delight to read aloud.

Middle Grade

Not a Unicorn

by Dana Middleton

I've seen a lot of books about self-identity and learning to like yourself, but this had a unique take on the subject.  

Jewel is in eighth grade, she enjoys being with her friends, and loves sharing a graphic novel series with her friend.  And she's a girl who has a unicorn horn.  And she doesn't like it.  She doesn't like the attention.  She doesn't like the accidents that have happened because of it.  The biggest positive is it comes with her own unicorn, Carmen.  Other people can't see Carmen, but she's there for Jewel.  Bottom line?  Jewel wants her horn gone.  She's even done some secret research to find a doctor who can remove it.  But will that come at a cost?

This story about self-identity will be enjoyed by readers 5th gr+ and I like that it takes a new spin on this concept.

Publishes Sept. 21st, thank you to the author for the review copy!

Born Behind Bars

by Padma Venkatraman

I absolutely adore how this author crafts her stories and I will continue to always read what she writes!  I'm grateful she has given us another story that takes place in India (and readers of The Bridge Home will get a fun surprise) as it truly is a window for letting readers understand a different living experience.

This story follows Kabir who literally was born behind bars, since his mother is jailed due to false accusations.  It's the only life Kabir has known, and while not ideal, his loving mother has cared for him and taught him and given him all the support he has needed so far.  But when it is decided he is too old to live in the jail, Kabir must leave with an unknown uncle and live outside of the jail.  Unfortunately, the "uncle" is only using Kabir to see him, so he runs away before that can happen.  Kabir soon meets Rani, another child living on the streets of India.  She teaches Kabir how to manage living on the streets and to keep following your dreams.

With quick chapters, this book was hard for me to put down.  Another must have for middle school readers.

Publishes September 7th.

What About Will

by Ellen Hopkins

This is Hopkins' second middle grade novel in verse and she continues to show that she is adept at writing not only powerful YA novels, but also important MG stories, as well.  

Trace's older brother, Will, had a brain injury due to a powerful hit during a football game.  It left him with depression, anger control issues, facial tics, and an inability to move his facial muscles.  Will is pulling away from Trace and the rest of his family, and is gaining friends from the wrong crowd.  Trace is worried about Will, especially when he seems to be stealing items and money.  But with an absent mom and a dad who seems to be more into his new girlfriend than his family, Trace ends up taking on too much by himself.

A very strong novel about a family dealing with a child addicted to drugs and dealing with an injury, this story is an important one for middle school readers.

Publishes September 14th.

Currently Reading

how to find what you're not looking for

by Veera Hiranandani

Looking forward to this middle grade story!

Wow, what a summer we had!  As soon as my daughter made the Tokyo Paralympic Team this past June, it was nothing but swim.  I'm surprised I read and blogged the amount that I did!  She had an amazing experience in Japan.  Her swim didn't go quite how she wanted it to go, but as a 16yo, she has a lot of swimming in front of her.  The experience and all that she learned will only help her grow.  Not too many people can say they made a Games Team, and I know she is proud of that!

Now it's fall and school has started.  And we're getting our kitchen and a lot of our first floor done!  Nothing like continued chaos!  I'll be taking a break from blogging in order to have time to get the daily things done at home.  I'll still be reading and posting some must-read books on Twitter and I'll be back to blogging later this fall.  I have some posts that will be going up later this week.  After that I'm hoping to have my new blogging site up and ready.  It's been tricky to get it changed over to the new platform!  I hope you'll follow me there!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 8.16.21

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.

Last Week's Adventures

Last week was the annual Picture Book 10 for 10 day.  Here are 10 (+1) books about identity!

Hard to believe the Chapter Book Summer series will be coming to an end soon!  Don't miss these chapter books about dogs!

Picture Books

What Are Your Words?: A Book About Pronouns

written by Katherine Locke

illustrated by Anne Passchier

These books are needed so readers hear these experiences being told in stories.  I do think there needed to be a bit more explanation, especially for readers who are just starting to understand that pronouns are something we identify with instead of are assigned to us.  I have to imagine it's a challenge to explain it without it sounding like an explanation! 

When Lola Visits

written by Michelle Sterling

illustrated by Aaron Asis

Celebrating Lola's visit and the many special things they do together before the end of summer and start of the next thing.  It's celebrating those special moments together, but also feeling those sad and empty feelings when a loved one leaves.  This story captures the high and lows and how life continues to move on.

This Very Tree

by Sean Rubin

There are a few books that are being published about the "Survivor Tree".  I like that this book recognizes the tragedy of 9.11, but doesn't dwell on the terror of it for young readers.  It focuses on the story of this tree and what it represents to the survivors, the people of New York, and America.  Something else that is unique is that it's narrated by the tree.

Branches of Hope: The 9/11 Survivor Tree

written by Ann Magee

illustrated by Nicole Wong

Another story about this important tree.  While the story is essentially the same, the illustrations show a comparison of the tree changing and growing with a young girl.  The girl is first shown on 9/11 as a young girl, but as the tree grows, the girl does as well.  

Walking for Water: How One Boy Stood Up for Gender Equality

written by Susan Hughes

illustrated by Nicole Miles

Add this book to your changemaker list.  A story about how a kid started making a difference.  Twins Victor and Linesi have different places to be during the day.  While Victor attends school, preparing himself to have a job in his future, his twin Linesi does not get to attend school, as she must do the tedious work of getting water for their family.  Inspired by his teacher talking about gender equality, Victor stands up in order to make a difference.

Flip! How the Frisbee Took Flight

written by Margaret Muirhead

illustrated by Adam Gustavson

We all know about the frisbee, but where did it start?  While there isn't a definite answer, Muirhead focuses in on one person, in particular - Fred Morrison, in California!  Fred got his start by flipping a popcorn tin to his girlfriend after a Thanksgiving dinner!  They moved on to pie tins eventually, and it caught on quickly!  But did it start somewhere else first?  On the east coast, kids were buying pies from someone named Joseph P. Frisbie and using the empty pie tins to flip to one another.  And of course there's the famous Greek statue featuring a man getting ready to throw a disc.  

This fun book makes you see where some of the origins of this popular toy started!

My Two Border Towns

written by David Bowles

illustrated by Erika Meza

This is such a powerful story.  Told from the perspective of a young boy, he goes between two towns that are on either side of the US/Mexico border.  The young boy is happy to see people on both sides, in towns that seem almost mirror images of each other.  But on return, the boy and his father stop on a bridge and he gives necessary items to a family that is stuck in between - a family that is seeking refuge from the United States but is unable to get in.  

This beautiful story paints a realistic picture from a child's view of living in a United States border town, while having the freedom to visit back and forth.

Publishes Sept. 14th.  Thank you to Penguin for the advanced review copy.

Middle Grade

Stowaway

by John David Anderson

A different genre for Anderson as he pens his first science fiction novel!  I read this one as an e-galley, and I think I would have enjoyed it even more if I had a physical copy.  When I read digitally, it's in smaller segments spread out over a couple of weeks.  This was a novel I wish I could have had longer time periods to read, especially since it is lengthy (close to 400 pages, which is a fairly typical amount for Anderson).  This story has a lot of adventure - I mean, there are space pirates - a lot of heart, and a great moral dilemma.  You won't get everything answered as there looks to be a sequel.  I really enjoyed reading his Nerdy post about this one.  I recommend this one to 5th grade and up because of some mild language (again, if you've read Anderson's previous books you won't be surprised) and the length.  

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the e-galley.

Young Adult

This Is My America

by Kim Johnson

Wow, powerful book.  When I read Angie Thomas' The Hate U Give, it helped me understand that racial injustices for a Black person are not easily solved.  There are so many parts that a Black person deals with that I, as a white person, never never understood.  For me, you're wrong (shooting someone) and you should go to jail.  That is so not the case (as we see time after time after time...) and it helped shed light for me.  The same goes for this novel, except we're digging more into the justice system when fingers are pointed to a Black person for committing a crime.  Too often decisions are made before there is any evidence.  Loosely based on Bryan Stevenson's Equal Justice Initiative, this book is brilliantly told from a teenage girl who is doing her best to help her father, and now her brother, escape from a system that wants to put Black people away.

Adult Novel

The Last Thing He Told Me

by Laura Dave

This one was good!  I thought it was well thought out and the plot keeps you turning the page.  It's not one that I could guess what was going to happen - in fact I had several incorrect guesses because it didn't fall back on typical cliches that you see in mysteries.  I thought it had a smart ending that I certainly did not see coming.  It was a real page turner for me, I finished it in 2 days, which is really fast for me these days!

Currently Reading

Once Upon a Camel

by Kathi Appelt

Appelt is so good at animal stories.

Thank you to all the well wishes for my daughter.  It was such a stressful week making sure she was ready to go.  She landed in Tokyo and is settling in at training camp!  It's going to be a busy two weeks!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 8.09.21

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.

Last Week's Adventures

Do you ever talk about  being a changemaker in your classroom?  Some books you'll want to have!

Some chapter books that are real mysteries for readers who are starting to read chapter books!

A new professional read that will have you thinking about your nonfiction units all year long.  And there's a giveaway!

Picture Books

Kiyoshi's Walk

written by Mark Karlins

illustrated by Nicole Wong

This would be good to use as a mentor text for writing - how do you get your ideas?  While this focuses on poetry, all writing can be discussed.  Kiyoshi goes for a walk with his grandfather and is taught how his grandfather gets his ideas to write his beautiful haikus.

Halal Hot Dogs

written by Susannah Aziz

illustrated by Parwinder Singh

A story that celebrates the traditions of a Muslim child (the author is Palestinian-American Muslim, so I'm assuming the same, although it does not specifically mention) and his family.  Lots of traditional foods are mentioned and there is a glossary at the end that gives more specifics about the food.

We Became Jaguars

written by Dave Eggers

illustrated by Woodrow White

Oooh, I loved this one.  A story about a young boy and his grandmother who go on an imaginative journey as jaguars.  It was lyrical and beautiful and fun!

Peace

written by Baptiste Paul and Miranda Paul

illustrated by Esteli Meza

The concept of peace can be a tricky one for younger readers.  The comparisons the authors give will help make the idea a bit more concrete.  The authors have a note at the end that talks about how while peace is often thought of between humans, but peace has a direct correlation with animals and nature, which we see throughout this book.  Beautiful.

My Voice is a Trumpet

written by Jimmie Allen

illustrated by Cathy Ann Johnson

Written by country music artist, Jimmie Allen, this book talks about the many ways someone can use their voice to do good.  While there is quick mention that sometimes voices can be quiet, it really focuses on the importance of using your voice to create change and do good.

Young Adult

Furia

by Yamile Saied Méndez

This was on my #mustread list and I'm glad I finally got to it.  I loved the message of girl power, feeling strong about yourself, and not succumbing  to toxic masculinity.  Great messages for girls today.

Adult

The Plot

by Jean Hanff Korelitz

I bought this one earlier this summer because it was touted as amazing and you won't believe the twist.  

Yeah, I guessed the twist well in advance.

I had a hard time getting into this one and I kept waiting for it to get to where I wouldn't be able to put it down.  It never happened.  By the time it picked up at all, I knew who the bad guy was, just needed to get to the end.

I'm in the minority about this one, but it reminded me why I don't love adult reads.  I have a few more to go in my pile too...

Currently Reading

The Last Thing He Told Me

by Laura Dave

This one gripped me from the beginning!  I want to read it quickly to find out what happens!

I apologize for not commenting on blogs last week and I'm sure this week will be iffy too.  My daughter leaves for Tokyo this coming weekend and things have been crazy around the house!  Lots of Games preparation here!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 8.02.21

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.

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!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 7.26.21

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.

A note to my email subscribers - starting Aug. 1st, you will no longer receive my blog posts through email.  This is something that Blogger is no longer supporting.

I am in the process of moving my blog to a new site.  Very soon you'll find me at www.mrsknottsbooknook.org.  There you will be able to follow me via email again, but you will have to sign up for it again.  I'm hoping to have this set up before the end of the week so you'll know the site is up and running!  Thank you for supporting my blog and here's to more years!

Last Week's Adventures

The Olympics are here!  That will leave kids extra excited about finding sports books this fall.  Here are some nonfiction books you'll want to have ready!

On Chapter Book Summer series - diverse chapter books to hand to those readers who are ready to move on from Henry and Mudge and Frog and Toad!

Picture Books

What the Road Said

written by Cleo Wade

illustrated by Lucie de Moyencourt

I really liked this one.  Big questions, unknown answers.  The story of our journey on this road called life.  This is one of those books that can be used for little to big kids, to teens, to adults.

A Day for Rememberin': Inspired by the True Events of the First Memorial Day

written by Leah Henderson

illustrated by Floyd Cooper

I did not know any of the background to this story or how Memorial Day came about.  Its origins come from the end of the Civil War and the day was known as Decoration Day.  This is a fictionalized account of that day when Black people in Charleston, SC memorialized the soldiers who died under terrible conditions during the Civil War at the Washington Race Course.  There were a number of cities that have claim to being the birthplace of this day, this particular book memorializes the events in Charleston.

Sadly enough, I read this book on the day of the illustrator, Floyd Cooper's, passing.  We've lost a legend in the kidlit world.  Rest in peace and power, Mr. Cooper.

Stroller Coaster

written by Matt Ringler

illustrated by Raul the Third and Elaine Bay

What a visual delight!  I'll enjoy coming back to this book again and again because I'm always going to find something new!

Parents will nod their heads while reading this book, all remembering a time when the stroller supplied respite to a cranky and tired child.

Kids will love seeing the roller coaster of a ride this stroller goes on!

The rolling around the neighborhood reminded me of My Papi Has a Motorcycle.

This is a book I'll remember for awhile!

Dakota Crumb Tiny Treasure Hunter

written by Jamie Michalak

illustrated by Kelly Murphy

Dakota Crumb may be tiny (as a mouse), but she's off on a big adventure to find all the (small) treasures in a museum.  Why?  There's a fun surprise at the end of this story!  I also liked the additional to-find items listed in the back, young readers will enjoy going back and finding the hidden items!

Thank you to Candlewick for the review copy.

Lift As You Climb: The Story of Ella Baker

written by Patricia Hruby Powell

illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

A powerful story about a champion of civil rights and social justice.  Definitely a book you want in your collection if you teach about the 1960s civil rights movement.

And amazing illustrations!!

Graphic Novel

Clash

by Kayla Miller

This is the fourth book in the graphic novel series and probably my favorite.  I love Olive and I love watching her fit in with many groups and also help all of those groups blend together.  It's great to have friends that have commonalities, but it doesn't mean you can't be friends with other kids and groups too!  But all of that changes when Nat moves to the school.  The readers can visibly see her watching Olive, seeing how friendly she is and how well the other kids respond to her.  So Nat decides to go after Olive's friends and make them like her even more than they like Olive.  Ugh, mean girl drama!  I don't like those kids in real life and you can't help but not love Nat.  But you'll certainly love Olive!  A great addition to the series.

Middle Grade

Long Lost

by Jacqueline West

I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this story, but it was not a ghost story mixed with a mystery!

Fiona and her family are moving to an old town in MA in order to be closer to her older sister, Arden's, skating rink.  In fact everything seems to be about Arden and Fiona escapes to a place that seems to be just hers - the library.  She finds a book in the library, The Lost One, which ends up being an old, unfinished mystery.  But even the book itself is mysterious, it's not catalogued, even though it is in the library.  And it seems to be moving, even when Fiona brings it to her home, it ends up disappearing.

I read through the book very quickly, it was a page turner... and one I wanted to read in the daylight!  I think this one will appeal to readers who enjoy spooky stories!

Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom

by Sangu Mandanna

A story rich in Indian mythology, this story will be gobbled up by those who are enjoying Rick Riordan's imprint series that feature mythology stories from other cultures.  

This one took a long time to get going for me.  That sounds strange because there is action the entire time.  I think I had trouble with the characters which is why it took a long time for me to fall into the story.  It wasn't until the last 100 pages did I really love it.  There are a lot of characters in this one, to the point I really needed to write down the names and pieces about them so I could better follow the story.  I kept thinking this story would have been better with a cast of character directory at the beginning of the book to be able to reference while reading it.  I can't help but wonder how that will affect young readers.

This story is about Kiki who lives in London with her mom.  Kiki suffers from anxiety and uses drawing as a way to escape from her reality.  She has drawn an entire kingdom in her notebook, complete with characters - some based on her own relatives - and others from the mythology stories her mother has told her.  However, due to an open tear in the page of her notebook, some characters are allowed to escape into Kiki's world.  Now Kiki has to enter the kingdom she has created and face one of the worst monsters in her myth stories, all while battling her own anxieties.

I liked the inclusion of art, as well as Kiki's social emotional battles.  It made her a more multidimensional character.

While the story could be a stand alone, the author has left it open for future sequels.

Currently Reading

Furia

by Yamile Saied Méndez

Another book from my #mustreads list!

Happy reading to all!