It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 7/24/23

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop co-hosted by Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts which focuses on sharing books marketed for children and young adults. It offers opportunities to share and recommend books with each other.

The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up below, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs.

Happy reading!

Tuesday: Rivka’s Presents, by Laurie Wallmark, Illustrated by Adelina Lirius

Friday: Students’ Voices: Book Recommendations from Laura L., Anna Liz R., Mai B., & Brielle P., 2022-23 8th Graders

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Unpacking the Layers of Meaning Hidden within a Picture Book” by Carin Berger, Author of In the Night Garden

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Kellee

It has been a wonderful vacation for the Moye family–we spent time in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia then went on an Alaskan cruise. If you’ve never experienced Alaska and ever have the chance, I HIGHLY recommend it. It is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen.

All Ages Picture Books

• The Queen of Chess: How Judit Polgár Changed the Game by Laurie Wallmark, Illustrated by Stevie Lewis: Judit is so ridiculously inspiring! I’m so glad the author chose to tell this story to highlight her brilliance, tenacity, and legacy. Wallmark crafted her story chronologically through Judit’s first 15 years, but makes sure to tie in heart to the biography, specifically tension of games and Judit’s resilience, and Lewis’s illustrations bring the story to life and add to this biography that is for all ages. And like Booklist says, I am so proud that this story is out there to “[dispel] the notion that women are inferior chess players, this biographical picture book spotlights a triumphant child/heroine.”
• Marker by Anna Kang, Illustrated by Christopher Weyant: What a fun companion to Eraser! This time, we visit the teacher’s desk and look at the pressure of perfection and how important mistakes are for life and growth. And like always, Weyant’s illustrations are perfection. I just am such a fan of his style!
  • GIVEAWAY TIME! Comment below or tweet and mention @UnleashReaders (by Friday) to be entered into a giveaway of a copy of Marker and its companion, Eraser, courtesy of Two Lions (U.S. and Canada addresses).
• A Book for Bear by Ellen Ramsey, Illustrated by MacKenzie Haley: Oh, this book has quite the surprise at the end, and I LOVED it! This is a book about books and two friends who love to read, sadly, one is a bear who can’t visit anywhere to pick out his own book. You’ll root for the duo as they try to come up with the perfect plan to find the perfect book. What a clever book by Ramsey with such happy illustrations by Haley that is just a pleasure to read!

• Weather Together by Jessie Sima: I love this series, and this is a wonderful new addition to it. Also, did you know there is a show?!?! I can’t wait to watch it!
• Âmî Osâwâpikones/Dear Dandelion by S.J. Okemow: This book was everything. I randomly picked it up at a book store in Vancouver, and I am so glad I did. It is BEAUTIFUL. It is about nature but also about resilience and goodness, all through the story of dandelions. I highly recommend picking this one up.
• Like the Moon Loves the Sky by Hena Khan, Illustrated by Saffa Khan: I couldn’t believe I hadn’t read this sweet book by Hena Khan yet. It is as wonderfully written as her novels and just a wonderful message from mother to child.
• The Song that Called them Home by David Alexander Robertson, Illustrated by Maya McKibbin: This picture book, based on the folklore of Memekwesewak, is crafted so well. The story transports you to Lauren & James’s story and the illustrations are animated movie level so it feels like you are there. I loved learning about this new-to-me story from indigenous legends.

Middle Grade

• Marisol Rainey series by Ein Entrada Kelly: Trent and I listed to this series, and I am a huge fan of Marisol, her adventures, and how her stories are written. The audiobooks were also quite good.
• The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Pla: I’ll be reviewing this tomorrow!
• Worldwide Crush by Kristin Nilsen: I’ll be reviewing this soon!
• Yokai Cats Vol. 3 by Pandania: This is by far the weirdest cat manga that Trent reads. I think I’m good with reading the first 3, but Trent LOVES them–he thinks they’re hilarious.

Adult

• Murderland by Thomas B. Cavanagh: This murder mystery was written by my son’s sensai’s dad, and it is a perfect read for anyone who loves detective mysteries with some murder and a bit of humor. What adds a bit more fun is that it takes place here in Orlando within an imaginary theme park.

To learn more about any of these books, click on any title/image to go to the book’s Goodreads page or check out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

This is my week off–see you next week!

Kellee

I am currently reading both Kiss the Girl by Melanie Jacobson and Totally Psychic by Brigid Martin. I also have a ton of manga piled up to read that I hope to finish before students return to school on August 10th. As for listening, I will have to pick something as I return to work today–I’ll let you know in 2 weeks. Happy reading!

Tuesday: The Fire, The Water, and the Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Pla

Thursday: Cat Jokes vs. Dog Jokes: Cat Jokes Told by Dogs, an Epic Comedy Battle by David Lewman, Illustrated by John McNamee

Friday: Student Voices: Book Recommendations from Kellee’s Students

Sunday: Author Guest Post by Hasan Namir, Author of Banana Dream

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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