It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 6.07.21

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.

I took last week off from blogging!  For the Memorial Day holiday I was excited to relax and just get some things done inside and outside of the house.  Then it was the last two days of school!  I was able to find some solid reading time over the Memorial Day weekend and I'm looking forward to continuing it now that summer is here!  Let summer reading officially begin!

Picture Books

     

El Toro and Friends:  Training Day and Tag Team

by Raúl the Third

colors by Elaine Bay

Readers may already be familiar with some of the characters from the new series "El Toro and Friends" from Raul the Third's ¡Vamos! series.  This series is being marketed towards the Elephant and Piggie crowd - in a similar size and length - and while it may not have the same humor, it does have very likable characters.  The stories are a bit longer in word length, but I love the inclusion of Spanish sentences and traditions and scenes found in Mexico.  I hope to see this series continue!  It's a must have for K-3 libraries.

Memory Jars

by Vera Brosgol

We've all had that feeling - loving something so much that we just want to bottle it up and keep it forever.  That's exactly what Freda does in the story but then figures out, when it's bottled up, you don't get to experience it and the joy that something special brings.

Coquí in the City

by Nomar Perez

Drawing upon his own experiences from when he was 10, Perez writes about immigrating to a new home, but remembering and treasuring the things you love about your native country.

Sunrise Summer

written by Matthew Swanson

illustrated by Robbi Behr

Partly autobiographical, this story is about how a family travels to a remote area of Alaska each summer to catch and sell salmon.  It was fascinating to read, and not at all what I expected!  In the story, the oldest sibling is of the age where she can help in the preparation and catching of the salmon.  Loosely based on the illustrator's experience from when she was younger, there is additional information in the backmatter that further explains that the author and illustrator's family has continued this tradition.  

Middle Grade

The Shape of Thunder

by Jasmine Warga

Wow wow wow!  Warga's ability to write about such a sensitive topic without it being about that topic and make it deep and compelling!  Just amazing.  This book is about friendship during the very center of grief and whether it can heal or not.  It's about healing and trying to find a way to change events that hurt our very core.  What it's not about is a school shooting.  It's the aftermath of one, but Warga focuses on family, friendship, identity, grief, and hope.  So well done.

Sisters of the Neversea

written by Cynthia Leitich Smith

By now, you should know that most version of Peter Pan are problematic.  I grew up with the Disney version and I still enjoy the ride at the Magic Kingdom.  But when as I watch it now I realize a lot of it is just wrong.

Cynthia Leitich Smith's book, as part of her new imprint Heartdrum from Harper Collins, sets out to change a lot of these wrongs, including shining a light on the mischief maker and head racist himself, the character of Peter Pan.  Set in today's world, this modern retelling is so enjoyable and I loved the way Smith wove the familiar story with today's younger generation and their better understanding of the world around them.

Just a heads up, this story is great for kids in third grade and up, but does have numerous ways the word "ass" is used - jackass, silly ass... it didn't really add to the story, wish the language hadn't been used!

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

The Best Worst Summer

by Elizabeth Eulberg

Having grown up in the 80s and having a huge crush on Joey McIntyre from NKOTB made me really really like reading this book!  The 80s references were rad!  Of course, to our readers they are all ancient and old, but it will make this book really fun to talk about with readers.

Told in dual storylines, one taking place in 1989 and one in the present day, the universal themes of friendship, family, and racism are familiar regardless of the decade.  Perfect MG to kick off my summer reading!

Young Adult

Every Body Looking

by Candice Iloh

This novel in verse captures that feeling of finally coming into your own identity and figuring out who you want to be, instead of who the grown-ups around you want you to be.

Well written, but a slow story.  I did like how it bounced back and forth between the main character's, Ada, ages.  Ada finally starts to come into her own by the end of the book and that's exactly when I wanted more!

This was one of my May #mustreadin2021 books.

A Vow So Bold and Deadly

by Brigid Kemmerer

If you have not read this trilogy, change that now.  I remember receiving an ARC of the first book and slowly reading it while working out.  It was a take on the Beauty and the Beast story.  I liked it, but really fell in love with it towards the end.  Loved the second book and loved loved loved this last one.  I enjoyed how the present day characters fell into the fairy tale setting and brought a dose of reality.  The stories remain pretty chaste until this last book, and even then the romantic scenes are pretty mild.  Always good to have a YA feeling story for older MG readers.

Currently Reading

The Gilded Ones

by Namina Forna

I am about 2/3 of the way done with this one and I can tell you it's EXCELLENT!!  The world building, the plot, the characters!  So well done!

I've been giving myself some binge reading time the last three days.  While I know that won't happen everyday of summer vacation, I am hoping it continues!  I have such a stack to get through this summer!  Happy reading to all!

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - learning about germs and the coronavirus - 5.19.21

Germs.  We probably know more about germs than we have ever wanted to.  But young readers might have a lot of questions about germs, what they do, and how illnesses can be prevented.  Here are some books that will help answer some questions!

Germs Up Close

by Sara Levine

This book is a great place to start talking about germs and learning more about them.  The book breaks them down into four types of germs that cause illnesses.  The photographs show what these germs look like under a microscope.  Levine breaks each of them down and explains what they are, the bad parts and even good parts about them, and details some of the more well known versions of those germs.  Included at the end when discussing viruses is COVID-19.  Levine also gives ways to prevent germs from spreading, including mask wearing and vaccinations.

June Almeida, Virus Detective! The Woman Who Discovered the First Human Coronavirus

written by Suzanne Slade

illustrated by Elisa Paganelli
While COVID-19 is new to us, the coronavirus is not new at all.  Many of may remember the SARS virus that was a concern in the early 2000s.  However, coronavirus was actually first discovered in 1964, by a woman!  

Slade lays out the life of June Almeida and her love for science from when she was a young girl.  We learn how her plans to study were sidelined, yet she was able to follow her passion and find work that would allow her to fuel her love of science.  And thank goodness it did because the work she did  from 1947 to the 1980s is making an impact today.

A Shot in the Arm!

by Don Brown

This is part of the "Big Ideas That Changed the World" series and it couldn't be published at a better time.  Of course the info about the COVID-19 vaccine is already out of date in this book, the important part is understanding the history of vaccines.  This graphic novel takes a look at where vaccines originated, and what is interesting is you can see where some of the science from those original vaccines are still used today!  Definitely a book you'll want in a grade 3-8 library!

Coming soon!  I'm looking forward to:

Dr. Fauci:  How a Boy From Brooklyn Became America's Doctor

written by Kate Messner

illustrated by Alexandra Bye

publishing June 29th

And a book I reviewed earlier, post here:

The Polio Pioneer: Dr. Jonas Salk and the Polio Vaccine

written by Linda Elovitz Marshall

illustrated by Lisa Anchin

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 5.24.21

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.

Picture Books

Daisy

by Jessixa Bagley

This sweet book is perfect for your identity, central theme, friendship collections.

Daisy is teased because she doesn't have the perfect flower name and as a result, tends to keep her head down and not look for interactions.  But she does find treasures - treasures that may be unwanted to others but look beautiful in her eyes.  And then one day, new treasures show up at her secret hiding place.  Who knows Daisy enough that they are leaving special things for her to find?  Readers who look at the illustrations very carefully may just find that secret friend!

My First Day

written by Phùng Nguyên Quang

illustrated by Huynh Kim Liên

Gorgeous illustrations and story about a boy going on a journey by himself.  His destination is unknown for the majority of the story.  This story could be used to talk about going on a journey, traveling on your own and growing up.  Pair with Camp Tiger or other books that show kids traveling to places differently than we do in the United States.

Tiny Kitty, Big City

by Tim Miller

Told in sparse text and full spread layouts, readers will follow along with a kitty who resides in a big city.  Tiny kitty has ups and downs in this big city and lots of feelings - good and bad.  But it has a heartwarming end that will be very satisfying for readers.  Be sure to see the jacket flap where it tells this story is based on some real life kitty rescuing!

Blue Floats Away

written by Travis Jonker

illustrated by Grant Snider

So much is packed into this story.  Blue lives a contented life as an ice berg, connected with his mom and dad.  But when he is separated from them (hello, global warming), Blue discovers that while change can be new and unknown, there is sometimes a lot to learn when having new experiences.  With a minor lesson with the water cycle and backmatter that gives a brief background on global warming, this book has a lot to discuss!

Home is In Between

written by Mitali Perkins

illustrated by Lavanya Naidu

I imagine there are many immigrant children who feel exactly like young Shanti.  Wanting to keep her identity from the country she was born in, but wanting to learn and adapt as many American traditions as possible, leaves her feeling in between.  A mirror and window book (Sims-Bishop) for many readers.

Our Little Kitchen

by Jillian Tamaki

A small moments story about one day in a community kitchen that feeds a meal, once a week, to people in the community.  The food that is used is locally grown or donated, and readers see how a meal is put together when you work with what you have.  Don't miss the author's note at the end that sheds light on her experience.

Wanda's Words Got Stuck

written by Lucy Rowland

illustrated by Paula Bowles

Wanda the Witch would rather be quiet, simply because her words get stuck.  She wants to be brave and talk to her classmates, but somehow her words don't some out.  But with a new friendship, Wanda finds her words come to her when she needs them most of all.

Thank you to Candlewick for the review copy.  

Middle Grade

Not All Heroes

by Josephine Cameron

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for the e-galley.

Reading digitally is funny for me.  I find it hard to get attached to characters and really fall into the story.  When I am able to do that, I know it's a book that I would have loved even more had I read a bound copy.  That was the case for this story.  I loved meeting Zinnia and finding out what was going to happen to her.  Zinnia is a kid dealing with grief as her family navigates life without her little brother.  Zinnia has trouble fitting in at school but she's about to get some relief because her nineteen-year-old aunt is coming for a stay and Zinnia is very close with Aunt Willow.  Things start to look up when Willow arrives as they both get to know the family who lives above them.  They turn out to be Real Life Superheroes and Willow and Zinnia find themselves a part of the group quickly.  

This book is about friendship and identity, family and healing, and learning what a hero is really all about.

While this is a character driven novel, there are some exciting plot sections that give it a boost of action.  I think this story will draw a lot of readers to it!

Paper Heart

by Cat Patrick

I loved reading Tornado Brain last year and was excited to find out there was going to be a companion novel.  This time it's told by Tess, Frankie's twin sister (Frankie was the narrator of Tornado Brain).  While it's helpful to have read the first book, this is considered a companion novel so it is it's own separate story, but I do think having some background is helpful.

The story takes place not too long after the end of the events in Tornado Brain.  Tess is going away with her aunt's family to Wyoming.  It's a welcome break from being home after Colette's death and she gets to attend an art camp.  However, Colette had visited the cabin with Tess and family in a previous summer, so there are still a lot of memories that Tess has to wade through.  She also has a lot of anxiety, not only about the death of her friend, but about who she is and where she fits in with her family.  Tess has an inner voice that the reader gets to hear and we understand how her grief and anxiety are taking hold of her and it becomes a very tough summer to get through.  But with new friends and a sometimes surprising ally in her older cousin, Tess grows as a character.

I think I actually enjoyed this one even more than Tornado Brain.  I can't put my finger on why, but I'm glad to see that the next book is even stronger than the first!

Thank you to Penguin Young Readers for the review copy.

Currently Reading

Every Body Looking

by Candice Iloh

This is from my #mustread list for the month of May.  I have two books on the list for this month so I guess I need to get reading!

Seven more days of school.  I can see a tiny sliver of light.  Much to do before we get to the end, but I'm definitely ready to relax and clear my head before the next school year!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 5.17.21

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

I shared some longer nonfiction books that are sure to intrigue readers!

Picture Books

Hair Twins

written by Raakhee Mirchandani

illustrated by Holly Hatam

Celebrates a father-daughter bond over hair styles!  While the young girl in the book gets to have different styles, she especially loves when her Papa and her get to "twin" with their hair buns.

Without it being a book about the Sikh custom of not cutting your hair and men wearing turbans, it celebrates that part of their everyday life.

My favorite line is when they are going to to the park to "meet my friends and the grown-ups who them love."

This one would pair well with Matthew A. Cherry's Hair Love and Simrat Jeet Singh's Fauja Singh Keeps Going.

What the World Could Make: A Story of Hope

written by Holly M. McGhee

illustrated by Pascal Lemaître

This is a beautiful book about the magic of the world and the beauty we can find in it.  Two rabbit friends celebrate the gifts that the earth gives us in each season and while the gifts don't last forever, it's the memories we make with them that do last forever.  And they return to us year after year.  Although I personally may want that lilac smell to last forever!  It's lilac season now :)

Oscar's Tower of Flowers

by Lauren Tobia

A wordless picture book about growing and sharing.  

Someone Oscar loves is going away and it looks like it will be awhile before their return.  Oscar stays with a grownup who knows just how to pass time - planting lots of flowers and plants from seeds.  When the apartment is overgrown with growth, Oscar has great fun giving them away, and making new friends.

Thank you to Candlewick for the review copy.

Wonder Walkers

by Micha Archer

I love Archer's artwork and I think this is one of her best.  Two siblings go for a wonder walk where they question and wonder about the world around them.  Perfect for inquiries about the environment and seeing things in a new way.

This book would be perfect to use as a picture walk - I know many schools and libraries are doing this right now!

More Than Sunny

by Shelley Johannes

I ADORED this book!  The illustrations drew me in and I spent so much time looking at them.  I loved the goofy rhymes and the opposites each sibling found.

It's a story about two siblings through the different seasons.  While they may find opposites in the things they do, they each find a new way to look and wonder about their world around them.  I think this one is going to be well loved by readers!

Middle Grade

Flight of the Puffin

by Ann Braden

Braden's debut middle grade, The Benefits of Being an Octopus, was one that stayed in my mind long after I closed the pages.  Now her sophomore title, under the guidance of editor-extraordinaire, Nancy Paulsen, is even more amazing.

Flight of the Puffin is about how one small act of kindness can cause ripples that reach far and near.  Sometimes that one small act is actually so big, it can affect a person's life.  An act of kindness doesn't have to cost money, but it should come from the heart.  

This is the story of four kids.  Kids who don't necessarily know each other or live anywhere near each other.  But one character does one thing, one small gesture, that makes an impact, a different impact, on each of their lives.

Highly recommend for intermediate and middle school readers.

Finding Junie Kim

by Ellen Oh

This book needs to be in every middle school classroom library and school library and public library, right now!

Junie Kim is about finding your voice and figuring out how you want to use it when fighting racism.  Everyone has a different comfort level, but being silent, even when it's easier, is letting racism win.  Junie listens to the stories of her beloved grandparents and learns how she wants to use her voice.  

This book was important for me to read because I really didn't know much about the Korean War.  I know we touched on it in 8th grade social studies, but I don't remember really being taught about it.  Add that to the other whitewashed topics of my youth.... Native Americans and their brutal removal and myths... Japanese internment camps...  I loved how Oh brought current events and lived wisdom of the older generation together to form this story. 

With the wide Asian American racism that we see today, it is so important for readers to have Junie's story.  I live in that "I had no idea this was happening" bubble, and that's not ok.  I'm sure many other privileged young readers need to know this is what is happening and they need to find their voice too.

I recommend this one for readers in 6-7th grade.  There are some trigger warnings: suicidal thoughts (the main character contemplates swallowing a lot of ibuprofen pills to make the pain she feels from the racial slurs she hears at school go away), details about the horrors of war, and mild language (multiple uses of bastard, hell, freaking, sucks).  I know I would have been ok with these topics in grades younger than this, but I do think it's important to mention them.

Thank you to Edelweiss for the e-galley.

Currently Reading

Paper Heart

by Cat Patrick

I loved Tornado Brain and I was excited to see this would be a companion novel.

We're inching closer to summer reading!  Who is ready?  I certainly am!

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - longer form nonfiction - 5.12.21

While I like to focus on picture books, sometimes some longer nonfiction comes my way.  Here are some recent titles:

History Smashers: The Titanic

written by Kate Messner

illustrated by Matt Aytch Taylor

The most recent title in Messner's historical accuracy series.  There are so many myths that surround this doomed ship.  But with the amount of times we've heard them over and over, most of us just assume everything is true.  Like how it was touted as being "unsinkable".  Or that the icebergs were a surprise to those on The Titanic.  Myths are debunked and truths are upheld and attentions will be captured with this book!  As with the other books in this series, graphic novel panels are scattered throughout the book to carry some of the storyline, as well as illustrations and some photographs.

What Breathes Through Its Butt? Mind Blowing Science Questions Answered

written by Dr. Emily Grossman

illustrated by Alice Bowsher

When you have a question like that as your title, it just automatically draws you in - no, I don't want to know the answer to that.... well, maybe I kind of do!

Dr. Grossman gives us the answers to 30 questions that you never knew you wanted answered, like "which of these might determine how much you sweat?" and this could be very helpful, "how do you block a tickle?"  After each question she gives a multiple choice answer and then breaks down the science behind each wrong answer and the correct answer.

I do wish there had been backmatter and source notes included in the back of the book.  I think it would be difficult to include source notes for every bit of information included (since all of the multiple choice answers are always fully explained), it does leave you wondering when an author does not include source notes.

I like that this is a book that you can look in the table of contents to find the questions you really want answered or you can read it from cover to cover.  No doubt, there will be many intriguing answers for all readers to discover!

Bionic Beasts: Saving Animal Lives with Artificial Flippers, Legs, and Beaks

written by Jolene Gutiérrez Gutieeeee

Living in the wild is tough for an animal and injuries occur that are life threatening.  Thankfully there are places and people who want to rehabilitate these animals.  Perhaps they won't be able to live in the wild again, but their lives are saved by some of creative thinking!  This book explores some of the different ways technology and people have found ways to create prosthetics to help these animals live longer and more fulfilling lives.

I love that each of the stories end with an experiment or activity that gets readers thinking about solutions in new ways.  

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 5.10.21

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

I caught up on some new nonfiction picture books in this post.

Picture Books

The Bruce Swap

by Ryan T. Higgins

I love Bruce books.  But this one, may have had me laughing out loud the most.  I read it outloud to my 15yo and even she smirked.  If she smirked, do you know what is going to happen when you read it out loud to young readers?  They are going to lose their minds laughing!  Which is perfect, because this book is all about fun.  Fun Kevin comes to visit but the mice and geese don't realize it's Kevin and not Bruce.  And that's when it gets super fun for the readers.  Hurry hurry hurry and get this one.

wishes

written by Muon Thi Van

illustrated by Victo Ngai

Whoa, so much to unpack in a book that consists of 75 words.  Each page is a new wish that is asked by an object to make the journey of a refugee family a little easier.  The illustrations are stunning and you'll constantly find another detail you had originally missed.  

Do not miss the author's and illustrator's notes at the end of the book.  Their words brought me back for yet another reading to catch more details I had missed.

No Pants!

by Jacob Grant

Who hasn't argued with a little one about the need to wear pants when leaving the house??  Of course, because of the pandemic, some adults may need the reminder to wear pants when leaving the house!

Young Pablo is getting ready to leave the house to go to a party and is having an argument with his father about the need to wear pants.  This story has a humorous ending that will create some giggles among young readers.

Someone Builds the Dream

written by Lisa Wheeler

illustrated by Loren Long

Love the focus of this book!  Often we celebrate the creators, but not the people who actually put something together.  Celebrating the construction workers, the builders, the factory workers and many more who make a difference in the actual creation of things.

In My Mosque

written by M.O. Yuksel

illustrated by Hatem Aly

Loved this book.  A simple introduction to things you might see in a mosque, including parts of the building to clothing to foods to the customs that occur inside a mosque.

Additional information is included in the backmatter for further reading and understanding.

I love that the book starts and ends with the message of everyone being welcome.

Graphic Novel

Max Meow: Cat Crusader

by John Gallagher

The second book in this series just recently published and I was surprised I had not heard more about this series.  It has a DogMan look to it so you know there is immediate kid-appeal.  This one was just ok for me, but I can see how readers will enjoy it.  Sometimes I have to take a step back and understand that I am not the targeted audience.  While the plot line seemed weak at times, it's still pretty straight forward and young readers will be able to follow.  The big reveal at the end a bit confusing because there had been no development of the character.  I actually had to flip back and find where we first saw the character because I had no recollection.  I have the second book so I'll have to see if the series gets better.  

If your DogMan books are always checked out, this would be a good one to have to hold them over.

Middle Grade

This might be one of the few IMWAYR posts where I do not have a completed middle grade novel to share.  This week I've read bits and pieces from a couple of books (noted below), but just didn't finish.  And let me tell you, my books have PILED up!  I wish I could say I'll have time this week to get to some, but I already know two evenings that already have plans on them.  Sigh, soon.... soon I may have more time!  And more books piled up by then....

Young Adult

Firekeeper's Daughter

written by Angeline Boulley

While I did not finish any MG this week, I did finally complete this book and it was stellar!  I wish it hadn't taken me three weeks.  What is interesting to note is even though I had to read it in bits and pieces, I still found in fascinating.  Which tells me I would have loved it even MORE had I been able to inhale it.  The mystery was fascinating and it kept me turning pages as fast as I could.  I loved the integration of the Anishinaabe traditions and language and loved how it added to the story.

While this is the author's debut novel, I will certainly read any future stories!

Currently Reading

Flight of the Puffin

by Ann Braden

Finding Junie Kim

by Ellen Oh

I started both of the stunning books and by chapter one, I was gripped by the story.  Both are important in their own way.  Looking forward to finishing them this week.

Hope you found more time to read this week than I did!