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**
Teaching Tuesday: My Classroom After Parkland
Wednesday: Sylvia Rose and the Cherry Tree by Sandy Shapiro Hurt
Wednesday: My School’s Solidarity with Parkland
Thursday: Adventures in Science: Human Body by Courtney Acampora
Friday: My Rotten Stepbrother Ruined Cinderella by Jerry Mahoney
Last Week’s Journeys
Kellee
Spring Break is upon us!!! And as I write this on Sunday, I have already taken advantage of some extra time to read!
- Sugar by Jewell Parker Rhodes: This book was recommended to me by one of my 7th graders, and I am so sorry it took me so long to read it. Sugar is such a wonderful protagonist, and I loved the racial themes shared in this middle grade book, specifically the highlight on Chinese workers in the south as this is a gap in taught history because I had no idea about it. The student and I had a great conversation about it, and when I shared it was a companion to Ninth Ward as they both take place in Louisiana, she took that home for Spring Break.
- The Runaway King by Jennifer Nielsen: I know that some people said they didn’t like the sequels as much as The False Prince, but I enjoyed the second book as much as the first though it is a bit different. The secret is out, so now it is all about adventure, treachery, and bravery!
- Open Mic: Riffs on Life Between Cultures in Ten Voices edited by Mitali Perkins: Our March Skype visit is Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich and our May Skype is Mitali Perkins, so Open Mic is being read by almost all of my students in the book club, so I picked this one up first, specifically because those kids who have finished it already ADORED it. I am so in love this this short story collection! I love the short insight into different lives; it truly builds empathy and understanding!
I had a pile of graphic novels that I was so excited to tackle! It is always awesome when I get the time to read some extra than just what I need to read.
- Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang: Wow. Everyone, you hear that? WOW! This is a beautiful book, both inside and out. Jen Wang’s dressmaker designs are phenomenal, and her story of the two characters who stole my heart is perfectly paced and has amazing secondary characters. I recommend this to all of you.
- Secondhand Heroes series by Justin LaRocca Hansen: I had one of my students read one of the Secondhand Heroes books and was so mad that I didn’t have all three–now I do, and I can’t wait to have him read them so we can talk about them! I also plan on reviewing these closer to the 3rd’s publication date.
- Monsters Beware by Rafael Rosado and Jorge Aguirre: Claudette is such a kick butt main character! And I think this may be my favorite of her stories. And I will say, I think this may be the final one; if it is, it is a perfect end.
- Scarlett Hart: Monster Hunter by Marcus Sedgwick and Thomas Taylor: Another kick butt female main character. Scarlett’s story reminded me of a combination of Batman and The Monstrumologist. I do want MORE though. So many questions are unanswered, and I hope that the author/illustrator duo are planning more.
- Peter & Ernesto: A Tale of Two Sloths by Graham Annable: Who doesn’t love sloths?!?!? And Peter & Ernesto are two special sloths. Peter is completely content at home, but Ernesto knows there is a big world to see. When Ernesto leaves to go adventure, Peter must fight his fears to go make sure his friend is okay.
- Yellow Kayak by Nina Laden and Melissa Castrillón: Trent is so lucky to receive Powell’s Books’ BOOX (book box) each month. This month included Yellow Kayak, and I was so happy to see Nina Laden’s name as we loved her Peek-A books when Trent was an infant. Yellow Kayak is beautiful! The illustrations are all inclusive and so detailed and dreamy. The story is poetic and meaningful. A wonderful read.
- Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James: I am so glad that I finally got my hand on Crown! I can definitely tell why it won so many accolades at ALAMW as it is quite perfect in its illustration and word combination and mood-setting swagger poetry. Perfect.
- Owl at Home by Arnold Lobel: On our way to school, Trent and I listen to audiobooks, and we’ve recently discovered the Read-to-Me books on Hoopla through our library. Trent’s newest find is Owl at Home which is less picture book and more early chapter book. Trent loves Owl and thinks he is hilarious. It has been a multi-read, and I’m sure it’ll continue.
Ricki
My son and I finished the first book in the Secondhand Heroes series by Justin LaRocca Hansen. He imagines that he and his brother are the heroes and loves reading it.
I’ve read the graphic novel Mr. Wolf’s Class by Aron Nels Steinke three times this week. The first two times were with both of my sons on my lap. The third time was with my 17-month-old. They are both obsessed with this book. It’s in our playroom, and they choose it over their toys.
I REREAD All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. This book gets me every single time. I am looking forward to teaching it tomorrow and talking about adolescents and mental health.
Wow. This new release is going to captivate readers. Mary’s Monster by Lita Judge. It’s a nonfiction account of Mary Shelley’s life. I had no idea that she was a 16-year-old pregnant runaway when she write Frankenstein. This woman was a genius.
This Week’s Expeditions
Kellee
I hope to get a lot of reading done this week! I’m still listening to the 3rd book in The Ascendance Trilogy though I don’t know how much listening I’ll do since I am not driving to and from work. I plan on reading Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich’s other two titles: Eight Grade Superzero and Two Naomis. And after that, I don’t know what I’ll jump into.
Ricki
I hope to finish listening to The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore this week. My commute is very short, which cuts down on my listening time. I am really enjoying this one, though.
Upcoming Week’s Posts
Teaching Tuesday: Most Talked About Books in our Classrooms Right Now
Wednesday: George the Hero Hound by Jeffrey Ebbler
Thursday: I Walk with Vanessa by Kerascoët
Friday: The Life and Times of Birdie Mae Hayes: The Gift by Jeri Anne Agee
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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I did love the Nielsen books, have Mary’s Monster but may not get to it very soon. The Stars Beneath My Feet is on my list! Hopefully someday! Have a great week!
I want to keep reading Shadow Throne!!! So wonderful!
I definitely want to read Mary’s Monster. It sounds wonderful. I really enjoyed The Ascendance Trilogy – all of them were great for me.
I can’t wait to see how it ends 🙂
My husband has been asking me to read All the Bright Places, so I guess I need to dive right in. Interestingly enough, I’ve been asking him about reading Mary’s Monster since he’s read and re-read Frankenstein. It seemed a natural go-to for him. 🙂 I listened to The Stars Beneath Our Feet and thought I should mention that at the very end, David Barclay Moore comes on and talks about his past experiences. It was well worth the listen! Have a great reading week!
I can’t wait to listen to Stars after Ricki is done 🙂
I love Owl at Home! My four-year-old is a very early reader, and it’s one of her favorites to read as well. I also really enjoyed Two Naomis. Have a great reading week!
Is she already reading it?! That is awesome!
Trent is 4 also–isn’t it the most fun age?!?!
And I look forward to Two Naomis 🙂
Kellee,
Open Mic sounds like a profound kind of read. I’ve been reading lots of positive stuff about Prince and the Dressmaker, so I put it on hold. We have just discovered Nina Laden’s board books are are loving them.
Ricki,
Mary’s Monster looks like an interesting read. I was listening to someone talking about his new book on the radio this morning and he mentioned that it’s not the monster who’s really scary. It’s the way ordinary people act towards it. This idea stuck with me then, and now reading about this book, really resonates with a new kind of understanding.
Open Mic is wonderful not only because it is profound but also because it is funny; the authors weren’t afraid to make it real yet funny.
Nina Laden’s books are wonderful–enjoy!
I have to check out some of the graphic novels. Mr. Wolf’s Class, especially, sounds like one my students would enjoy.
All are recommended 🙂
Kellee, those were very beautiful posts last week.
I know both of you like audio books, but I just can’t get into them. I’ve listened to many, but when given the choice, in the car I prefer music.
I read I Walk With Vanessa at NCTE. It’s a beautiful book. Looking forward to reading it again!
I had no idea you didn’t listen to audiobooks!!! I do love them. I listen to music at work, when cleaning, or in the shower 🙂
And thank you, Michele! My heart were in those posts.
I am especially intrigued by Sugar by Jewell Parker Rhodes and the Open Mic book – not to mention the Lita Judge graphic novel of Mary’s Monster – unfortunately we don’t have the last one in our library yet. 🙁
I keep hearing about Mary’s Monster! Definitely have to make time to read it!