It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 7.09.18

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

Don't miss these July sequels/follow-ups.  They are perfect for readers who are becoming more independent with their chapter book reading.

Do you know what you're reading in July?  Don't miss these July releases!

Picture Books


Mixed
by Arree Chung
This is a picture book that you can use for a wide range of ages because every age will get something different out of it.  Younger kids will see the mixing of colors and how it's great to get different colors.  Older readers will see the theme of how we all have our unique qualities and when we join together we really can create something wonderful and different.


Sugar and Snails
written by Sarah Tsiang
illustrated by Sonja Wimmer
An important book to read to show the importance of gender breaking norms.  This book takes a look at the old saying of what "boys and girls are made of" and showing we no longer should compare genders to any singular conformity.


Mom, Dad, Our Books, and Me
written by Danielle Marcotte
illustrated by Josée Bisaillon
Add this to your beginning of the year reads - I like this because it talks about the love of reading and it also talks about all the different ways you can read, it's not just pages in a book.


Faithful Elephants: A True Story of Animals, People and War
translated by Tomoko Tsuchiya Dykes
illustrated by Ted Lewin
Thanks to my Twitter friends I found this story.  Absolutely heartbreaking, but after reading it and having a conversation, I think it would be interesting to hear the thoughts.  
A story of how zookeepers had to put down the animals in a Tokyo zoo during the bombings in WWII.  


Perfectly Norman
by Tom Percival
I am so glad Kristen Picone told me about this book - love it!  Norman is perfectly normal until... he grows wings.  As much fun as they give him, he knows this is not normal.  So he hides them with his coat, but that just makes him miserable.  He's worried his friends and family won't accept him anymore.  
Wonderful book to use to talk about what we perceive as "normal".   I think this picture book is a good ladder to Wings by Christopher Myers.

Middle Grade


City of Islands
by Kali Wallace
Share this book with kids who enjoy reading books where the author has carefully crafted new and different worlds.  
Mara lives in a place that is made up of different islands and mages control the different areas.  Having knowledge of magic is special, and as always, it can be used in dangerous and wrong ways.
Because of the world building and many characters, I think students in the upper middle grade range will enjoy this story the most.

Young Adult


Graceling
by Kristin Cashore
This was my May #mustreadin2018 book... you can see I'm running just a bit behind!  Still working on my list.
I know many of you loved this book.  It took me a really long time to fall into it.  I enjoyed it, but wouldn't say loved it.  I do feel compelled to read the next two books.  I'm guessing they will be on my #mustreadin2019 list!

Adult


The Lost Family
by Jenna Blum
I don't read many adult titles anymore.  I have found them to be long and tedious.  I feel like they throw in more plot twists than necessary or have extra long descriptions just for the sake of making a longer book.  But I still like to read a couple each year, especially ones I know I might enjoy.
I picked this one because it focuses around some of my favorite decades to read about - WWII and after.  I find this time period fascinating and Blum does it very well.  Definitely an adult read, but it was one that I didn't tire of.


I'm not sure what I'm going to read next!  I have so much to choose from, I may need to close my eyes and just choose!

Spotlight Friday: July releases 7.06.18

Time to get ready for the weekend!

Kick up your feet and find a good place to read.

Sharing #booklove for your classroom or library.

Spotlighting a book or two because these books deserve the spotlight!

I think I'm missing a lot of July releases, but from what I have it will still be a busy month!


Picture Books


Mixed: A Colorful Story
by Arree Chung
published by Henry Holt & Co.
July 3rd


Quiet Please, Owen McPhee!
written by Trudy Ludwig
illustrated by Patrice Barton
published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
July 3rd


It's Your First Day of School, Busy Bus!
written by Jody Jensen Shaffer
illustrated by Claire Messer
published by Beach Lane Books
July 3rd


Super Manny Cleans Up
written by Kelly DiPucchio
illustrated by Stephanie Graegin
published by Atheneum Books for Young Reades
July 10th


The Princess and the Pit Stop
written by Tom Angleberger
illustrated by Dan Santat
published by Abrams Books
July 10th


All Are Welcome
written by Alexandra Penfold
illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman
published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
July 10th


Stumpkin
by Lucy Ruth Cummins
published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
July 24th

Nonfiction Picture Books


Red Alert! Endangered Animals Around the World
written by Catherine Barr
illustrated by Anne Wilson
published by Charlesbridge
July 3rd


Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams
written by Lesa Cline-Ransome
illustrated by James Ransome
published by Simon & Schuster
July 3rd


Epic Fails: The Wright Brothers - Nose-Diving Into History
by Erik Slader and Ben Thompson
published by Roaring Brook Press
July 10th


Pass Go and Collect $200
written by Tanya Lee Stone
illustrated by Steve Salerno
published by Henry Holt and Co.
July 17th


Vivid: Poems and Notes About Color
by Julie Paschkis
published by Henry Holt and Co
July 31st


What's Your Favorite Bug?
by Eric Carle and friends
published by Henry Holt and Co
July 31st

Transitional Chapter Books


Jasmine Toguchi: Flamingo Keeper
written by Debbi Michiko Florence
illustrated by Elizabet Vukovic´
published by Farrar Straus Giroux
July 3rd


Heartwood Hotel: Home Again
written by Kallie George
illustrated by Stephanie Graegin
published by Disney Hyperion
July 3rd


Bea Garcia: Tale of a Scaredy Dog
by Deborah Zemke
published by Dial
July 3rd


Unicorn Rescue Society: The Basque Dragon
written by Adam Gidwitz and Jesse Casey
illustrated by Hatem Aly
published by Dutton Books
July 10th


Babymouse Tales from the Locker: Miss Communication
by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
published by Random House
July 24th


Jedi Academy: The Principal Strikes Back
by Jarrett Krosoczka
published by Scholastic 
July 31st

Middle Grade


Where the Watermelons Grow
by Cindy Baldwin
published by Harper Collins
July 3rd


91-Story Treehouse
written by Andy Griffiths
illustrated by Terry Denton
published by Feiwel and Friends
July 10th


The Rhino in Right Field
by Stacy DeKeyser
published by Margaret K. McElderry Books
July 10th


The Game Masters of Garden Place
by Denis Markell
published by Delacorte Press
July 17th


City of Islands
by Kali Wallace
published by Katherine Tegen Books
July 24th


Spirit Hunters: The Island of Monsters
by Ellen Oh
published by Harper Collins
July 31st


As always, check with publishers for final publication dates.
Do you know of a book I missed?  Add it in the comments so all readers can find it!

#road2reading Challenge - July sequels 7.05.18

All journeys have a starting place.

This is a weekly place to find books and tools 

that you may use with readers at the start of their reading journey.

Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

July is the month for sequels, especially in transitional chapter books.  I'm spotlighting some sequels/follow ups and how you might want to use them in your class.



Jasmine Toguchi: Flamingo Keeper
written by Debbi Michiko Florence
illustrations by Elizabet Vukovic´
I have been in love with Jasmine since the first two books published last year.  She is a wonderful character and I just love how Japanese culture is a part of the stories.  Our third grade teachers read one of the books out loud because we were skyping with Debbi as part of World Read Aloud Day.  The third grade students fell in love with Jasmine and could not get enough of the books the rest of the year.  I really hope we have more Jasmine books coming in the future!
What I love about books in a series is how the predictability of them support readers who are becoming independent readers.  For example, after our third graders listened to one read aloud to them, they knew Jasmine, her family and her personality.  They knew her likes and dislikes.  They knew her family background and where she lives.  They knew her problems were going to be similar to things they experienced.  By having that understanding and being able to apply it to the next book, readers already have so much figured out!


The Unicorn Rescue Society: The Basque Dragon
written by Adam Gidwitz and Jesse Casey
illustrated by Hatem Aly
The second in the series does not disappoint.  More laughs and more mythical creatures and more Schmoke Brothers.
If you're thinking about a book to use as an early in the school year read aloud, consider this series.  It has something to appeal to all of your readers.  The main characters are kids, just like them.  For readers who love fantasy, there are the mythological creatures.  And for everyone - it is laugh out loud funny!
So glad to see this series will continue!


Ranger in Time: Hurricane Katrina Rescue
by Kate Messner
Ok, this was a June release, but I read it in July so I'm including it here :)
Maybe because I just visited New Orleans, maybe because I watched so much coverage of Hurricane Katrina because my daughter was a newborn when it happened, but I really had a connection to this book.  I think readers will too, not for the same reason as me, but because this is more recent historical fiction (yes, to our younger readers, most of whom were not born, this is history to them).  While we have readers who really enjoy history, there are others who have a hard time relating to the past, especially without the context.  This book, especially with the recent hurricanes, will be a little more familiar to them.
I think this book, or series, would be a fantastic read aloud for early on in 4th grade.  While historical fiction makes sense to us, we have a lot more context about the events that have happened in our past.  Our young readers don't always have that, but there are certain supports we can teach them that will help with their reading.  By doing this out loud, readers can transfer that to other texts.
Things you can model:

• before reading, utilize the additional sources that are listed in the back of the books.  Do some nonfiction picture book reading to give some background.
• when the historical part is unfamiliar, show readers how to pay attention to character feelings and reactions.  They will feel universal and help readers pay attention even when they might not understand the historical contexts.
• show readers how to pay attention to events.  By noting the plot events, it's easier to follow the arc of the story.

Babymouse Tales From the Locker: Miss Communication
by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
Babymouse is in middle school and in this book she's tackling.... social media!  Babymouse has gotten herself a phone and is learning all of the pros and cons of owning a phone and being on social media.  
The message is clear to me, but it will be driven home to younger readers by the end of the book - that in-life communication goes a lot longer than over the phone.  I have no doubt that readers who have a phone will see themselves in some of the situations.
This book is perfect for readers who are a bit older yet need some supports (illustrations, not as difficult vocabulary, not as many storylines to follow, predictable characters and situations).
Publishes July 24th


The 91-Story Treehouse
written by Andy Griffiths
illustrated by Terry Denton
These books have been so popular with readers - kids start reading them when they are young and stay with this series.  It has the "Wimpy Kid" effect - no matter how old they get, readers stick with this series!
This is the series you buy no matter what grade you teach.  Younger readers love it because of the hybrid format (illustrations infused throughout the story) and older readers love it because it's like catching up with an old friend.

Do you work with readers who are starting their journey on the road to reading?  Join Alyson Beecher from Kid Lit Frenzy and me every Thursday as we explore books and ideas to help readers have a successful start to independent picture book and chapter book reading. If you blog or have a Goodreads page, please link up with us!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 7.02.18

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

I found some fantastic up and coming picture books while wandering the expo hall at ALA.  Some books you'll want to checkout:

nonfiction picture books
early readers and transitional chapter books
picture books

Picture Books


Crunch the Shy Dinosaur
written by Cirocco Dunlap
illustrated by Greg Pizzoli
I am a sucker for interactive books - I've seen the magic they contain - kids love when they get to do something to a page that makes a difference on the next page.  
This is another fun one that features a shy dinosaur.  Interactive book... dinosaur.... yup kids will love it!


Whale in a Fishbowl
written by Troy Howell
illustrated by Richard Jones
A whale named Wednesday lives in a fishbowl, smack dab in the middle of everything, but after taking leaps in the bowl, sees a glorious expanse of blue.  
Good to use for theme - talk about home, fitting in - would be a good book to discuss with Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima.


All of Us
by Carin Berger
Add this book to your collection when talking about community, kindness.  I would match this book with Most People, The Breaking News, Come With Me.


All My Friends Are Dead
by Avery Monsen and Jory John
A small picture book that is intended for an older audience - teens will absolutely understand the tongue in cheek humor of this book.  Looking at death, myths and sticky situations, this book will have you laughing, or maybe even crying, at the different scenes.


The Sandcastle That Lola Built
written by Megan Maynor
illustrated by Kate Berube
I know young readers will enjoy this one - it often follows the structure of "The House That Jack Built" but is interrupted each time a new beach friend has a way to improve the sandcastle.  Lola and her new friends find working together a great way to create at the beach!

Graphic Novels



Hey Kiddo
by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
What an amazing story that is absolutely told from his heart.  This is the story of Krosoczka's unconventional upbringing - from his mother's absences due to addiction, to his grandparents' way of raising him, to him meeting his father for the first time.  Krosoczka absolutely bears his soul in this book and I applaud him for bringing his story to the public because it may just be a mirror book for readers, letting them know they are not alone.  And it may just be the book that gets someone to go for help.  This graphic novel is meant for the upper middle school and older reader.  
Thank you, Jarrett for sharing your story.
Publishes Oct. 9th.
Thank you to Scholastic for the review copy.

Middle Grade


The Storm Runner
by J.C. Cervantes
This is the first book in a new series under the Rick Riordan imprint.  Cervantes has given us an intense, roller-coaster ride of a story that focuses on Mayan mythology.  
This book feels like a Rick Riordan mythology story - intense, suspenseful, infused with some humor... fans of Percy Jackson will be thrilled there is another series for them.  
Publishes Sept. 18th.


Lifeboat 12
by Susan Hood
Hood enters into the world of middle grade, and does it with a splash (no pun intended).  Written in free verse and infused with plenty of history, this book was difficult to put down.  Based on an actual event, Hood tells us the story of Ken who is trying to escape London during WWII.  He is on a ship going to Canada when it is hit by a torpedo.  He ends up on a lifeboat and must work together with everyone aboard to survive.
The backmatter is full of additional sources and information.  I am really looking forward to the finished copy to see the pictures.
Publishes Sept. 4th.


Dry
by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman
I've had this one on my radar and thanks to Kellee Moye's generosity, I was able to read this one from her ALA stack.
This book is going to be well loved by the upper middle grade/YA crowd!
A different kind of apocalypse story - this time the state of California has gone dry - as in no water is available.  You can imagine the chaos and every man for himself type attitude that ensues.  
It's nonstop action where you figure out who you can trust in the worst kind of scenarios.  I flew through this book, so hard to put down!
Publishes Oct. 2nd

Professional Reading


It's All About the Books
by Tammy Mulligan and Clare Landrigan
I've actually read this book twice now - once for myself and once as a professional development book study I am doing with my staff.  
This book has made me think about books and how we have them available for our students in so many new ways.  You all know me.... I read a lot.  So what more do I need to know?  Actually, a lot!  I think we can always learn more if we open our mind to new ideas, and this one certainly has me thinking.  Whether you are a classroom teacher or someone who helps cultivate books for a school, this book is for you!

Currently Reading


Graceling
by Kristin Cashore
This is my May #mustreadin2018 book.... I'm running a bit behind!


Hoping to get a lot of reading done this week, how about you?