It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!
It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover the next “must-read” book!
Kellee and Jen, of Teach Mentor Texts, decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too.
We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.
Last Week’s Posts
**Click on any picture/link to view the post**
Tuesday: Ten Reasons We Love Being Moms to Readers
Thursday: What Do You Do With a Problem? by Kobi Yamada
Friday: Review and Giveaway!: Can You Canoe? And Other Adventure Songs by The Okee Dokee Brothers
Giveaway open until Thursday!
Last Week’s Journeys
Kellee
The school year is over, graduation has passed, Future Problem Solvers International Competition is done, and summer had begun–I think I can start getting back to normal over here! I want to apologize for being a bit MIA recently with visiting blogs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and throughout the week–life has just been so busy! Thank you for understanding!
Because of the craziness, I wasn’t able to read as much as I’d hoped, but I did get in First Step (review on Wednesday), Ms. Bixby’s Last Day (review on Friday), and six graphic novels:
Sweaterweather by Sara Varnon was a short story comic collection which was exactly what I would have expected from Varnon. Her comics are clever and cute, and I loved her little notes at the beginning of each new story.
Varmints by Andy Hirsch was quite a wild, western adventure following two siblings, Opie the hothead and Ned the sweetheart, trying to find their Pa. There are problems around every corner, and you never know how they are going to get through the situation, but somehow they do! I know my students who like adventurous graphic novels will be a fan of this one. The story ended with a cliffhanger, so I am assuming there will be more to come!
Science Comics: Volcanoes by Jon Chad was an interesting combination of science fiction and informational nonfiction. The story takes place in the future where a new ice age has set in and a society is looking for heat. When Aurora discovers a book about volcanoes she cannot stop teaching her siblings and guide about them because she feels like they can save their civilization. It is through Aurora that we learn about volcanoes in a very detailed way. I think the author did a good job combining nonfiction and fiction, and you definitely learn a lot about volcanoes during the story.
Bera, the One-Headed Troll by Eric Orchard is a dark yet heartwarming story about a troll that wants to save a baby. Bera, who has no idea what to do, sets off on a quest to hopefully save the child. I loved how the author/illustrator built a fantastical world that was very dark but threw in Bera who has a heart of gold. You will root for her the entire book!
Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton was perfection! This is the graphic novel equivalent of Elephant and Piggie and is a ladder to Phoebe and her Unicorn. Filled with laugh-out-loud moments as well as thoughtful moments covered in friendship and cuteness, Narwhal equals such a charming graphic novel for all ages.
Hilo is the first book in a series that I know will be popular in my classroom. Funny, adventurous, and science fiction–all things my graphic novel readers love! Also, the end is a great cliff hanger which will keep readers wanting more!
Ricki
I finished my author friend’s untitled, secret fantasy that she is working on and sent her some feedback. It was really fun to read a book in its entirety with an editor’s eyes. I’ve never done this with a full book, and I had a lot of fun with it. I am hoping the work is published, and I will share news later!
Henry and I read Belle, the Last Mule at Gee’s Bend by Calvin Alexander Ramsey and Bettye Stroud. I loved learning new information about MLK Jr. and the mules of Gee’s Bend. This nonfiction was a great read!
This Week’s Expeditions
Kellee
Since summer is upon us, I hope to partake in #bookaday (or in my world: read as much as I can). I brought home a pile of books from school that include books from my #mustreadin2016 list as well as the Sunshine State Young Reader list (I’m going to read all 15 this year!). I also have 7 novels (and a ton of picture and nonfiction books) to read for review this summer. I am so looking forward to jumping feet first into all of this reading!
Ricki
I’ve always meant to read Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. This week, I saw it in the library and nabbed it. I enjoy reading graphic novels in between transcribing for my dissertation because my fingers get tired!
I reviewed Merciless last year, and Danielle Rollins saw the review and sent me her newest book, Burning. I am very excited to read it. Thrillers make my heart flutter!
Upcoming Week’s Posts
Tuesday: Most Anticipated Releases for the Second Half of 2016
Wednesday: The First Step: How One Girl Put Segregation on Trial by Susan E. Goodman
Thursday: Nibbles: The Book Monster by Emma Yarlet
Friday: Teacher Appreciation Book Tour with Review and Giveaway!: Ms. Bixby’s Last Day by John David Anderson
Sunday: Author Guest Post!
So, what are you reading?
Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!
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Looks like I missed some great posts last week! Have another great week, and reading reading! I loved Sweater Weather, very cute. And I have Narwhal. . . but haven’t read it yet. Now I will! Thanks, Ricki and Kellee!
Happy reading!
Enjoy Narwhal! It is so much fun! There is going to be some major hype in the future about it.
The guest post by Jobin was very interesting! More info about the 48 HBC at http://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/2016/06/more-details-about-48hbc.html
We are glad you liked it!
Wasn’t it?! I thought it was a great post!
Loved Sweater Weather! It was so much fun and it inspired my artistic side.
I can definitely see it inspiring artistry! 🙂 I loved learning about her process.
I’m looking forward to Narwhal! Looks so fun.
And I can’t wait to hear what you think about Nibbles. I loved Orion, but when I read her other books they didn’t do much for me.
Henry really enjoys Nibbles. He laughs hysterically every time we read it. 🙂
I think you’ll love both titles, Michele 🙂
Wow, great reading week for both of you! Welcome to summer!
Kellee, I have Bera the One-Headed Troll sitting here on my shelf – I need to start it (so much easier to squeeze graphic novels in! my one exception to only reading one book at a time). Glad to hear it was good!
So glad you’re finally getting to read Persepolis, Ricki! It’s a really powerful, fascinating book – can’t wait to hear what you think. As you know, I just finished Persepolis 2.
Enjoy your books this week!
Sue
2016 Big Book Summer Challenge
Yes! You were one of three people who mentioned it last week, and I finally caved and drove to the library to get it!
P.S. Do you two have any Big Books in your summer to-read piles?
I will most certainly add one in honor of your challenge! I still haven’t decided which one yet!
I have Marvel by Selznick in my pile! I cannot wait to read it 🙂
Kelle I’m glad you are able to get back in your reading groove again. I’ve also got Narwal from Net galley but have just per used it. It does look like fun. Good luck with all those books you brought home for the summer. I end up bringing some home from work, reading some and a whole bunch more, and then bringing so many back unread!
Ricki, Persepolis has been on my to read list forever. I will try to get to it and see how our impressions jive and differ. Good luck with your work on your dissertation.