It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
For readers of all ages
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop we host which focuses on sharing what we’re reading. This Kid Lit version of IMWAYR focuses primarily on books marketed for kids and teens, but books for readers of all ages are shared. We love this community and how 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. The Kid Lit IMWAYR was co-created by Kellee & Jen at Teach Mentor Texts.
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: Pigeon Private Detectives #1: The Case of the Missing Tarts by Christee Curran-Bauer
Thursday: Saints of the Household by Ari Tison
**Click on any picture/link to view the post**
Kellee
Middle Grade
- The Partition Project by Saadia Faruqi: Oh man, readers. You have a special book waiting for you in the future. I am just such a fan of Faruqi’s way of intertwining history and contemporary stories in Yusuf Azeem, and The Partition Project is another example of her brilliance. In this story, which will pair beautifully with Night Diary (which gets a shout out), we both traverse Maha’s school and family story but also her Dadi’s recollection of the Partition.
- Stuntboy, In-Between Time by Jason Reynolds, Illustrated by Raúl the Third: Like the first one, I listened to the audio of this series which just takes it do another level, in my opinion. It is so fun to hear how the story is produced! I then look at the illustrations, and I get all of the experience. If you loved the first Stuntboy, this sequel is a great continuation of Portico’s story.
Manga
- Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear Vol. 3-6 by Kumanano & 029, Illustrated by Sergei: This series is just so wholesome yet also full of action, humor, and great little stories. I love Yuna, her soft spot for kids & their needs, and her epicness! I highly recommend this series, specifically to fans of Sword Art Online
- Spy Family Vol. 6-9 by Tatsuya Endo: I am so sad that I am done with all of the Spy Family mangas that are out! I love this odd, little family and their adventures. Definitely a favorite manga series!
Picture Books
- The Young Teacher and the Great Serpent by Irene Vasco, Translated by Lawrence Schimel, Illustrated by Juan Palomino: This is a story about the passion of a teacher, the enthusiasm of students, the reality behind a legend, and the love of a community. On top of the beautiful story are illustrations that bring the setting and story to life.
- On the Edge of the World by Anna Desnitskaya, Translated by Lena Traer: This memoir is a perfect ladder between picture book memoirs and graphic memoirs because it is a picture book structured like a graphic novel. On top of this ladder opportunity, the book has allusions to The Hobbit, examples of chronological steps, options to discuss geography, and the use of morse code. All of these lead to a book that needs to be read with/by kids!
- Building a Dream: How the Boys of Koh Panyee Became Champions by Darshana Khiani, Illustrated by Dow Phumiruk: This story of determination, based on a true story from the late 1980s, will tug at heart strings, cause readers to cheer, and connect with so many. Soccer (football) is such a beloved sport in much of the world, I know that so many will be excited to read this underdog story of these amazing children.
- The Brand-New, Never-Used, Perfect Crayons by Leanne Hatch: “Beauty in imperfection” is such an important lesson to learn. There is so much pressure on our kids for perfection, and this story speaks of how perfection doesn’t always lead to the outcome that you want and that reaching a goal can be messy but is worth it. It is so clever how the story is told because it makes it less didactic than other books with the same theme, and the illustrations are just so colorful–matches the crayon main characters!
Young Adult
- Heat Wave by TJ Klune: I am so glad I went back to this series and finished it up. What an epic conclusion on all fronts!
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 from IMWAYR–see you next week!
Kellee
- Rereading: Marvellers #2: The Memory Thieves by Dhonielle Clayton
- Rereading (listening): Cinder by Marissa Meyer
- Listening (with Trent): Consider the Octopus by Nora Raleigh Baskin & Gae Polisner
Tuesday: If You Meet the Devil, Don’t Shake Hands by Sylvia Whitman
Friday: Student Voices: Book Recommendations from Anja K., Meghan K., & Teresa Z., 7th graders, and Silvia S., 8th grader
Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Teaching the Next Generation about September 11th” by Jacqueline Jules, Author of Smoke at the Pentagon: Poems to Remember
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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So many books to note, Kellee! Thank you! Wishing you a great day today!
The Partition is my second favorite horrible historical event (after the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire), so I am definitely looking forward to Faruqi’s book! Thanks for the heads up!
The Young Teacher looks stunning
I’m currently reading the first Marvellers book, so I’m glad to see the sequels are already out there!