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!
**Click on any picture/link to view the post**
Kellee
Picture Books
- An Adventure for Lia and Lion by Al Rodin: Rodin’s illustrations are pure pieces of art. It did not surprise me to read in his bio that he studied art at Cambridge because each page stands on its own as a piece of art. And along with the art, is an imaginative journey with two headstrong characters who find that you can be friends despite both wanting to be leaders.
- Where to Hide a Star by Oliver Jeffers: I loved this new BOY story. It was a fun adventure which tied together other Jeffers books and promotes the the idea of love, sharing friends, and letting go of those you love when you need to. Another Jeffers classic!
- Emilio Sloth’s Modern Manners by Renée Ahdieh, Illustrated by Alea Marley: Emilio Sloth is ADORABLE and is a great teacher when it comes to manners, including greeting others, listening, accepting differences, and making friends. Emilio would be a great way to start a school year or refresh on reminders of manners, all with illustrations that could make anyone smile.
Middle Grade
- A Two-Placed Heart by Doan Phuong Nguyen: A Two-Placed Heart is a story of the struggles and joys that come with immigrating to the United States as well as the gap age can be when one sibling remembers the country they were born and the other doesn’t. This story is about two sisters, their different journeys, but also their love for one another. I can see why the author chose to write this book in verse. The figurative language, rhythm, and lyrical feel adds to the emotions our narrator feels.
- Spirit Sleuths: How Magicians and Detectives Exposed the Ghost Hoaxes by Gail Jarrow: Oh man, I LOVED this book. Anyone who says nonfiction is boring has to grab this one and give if a try. This book is the story about the history of spiritualism (mediums, psychics, etc.) and how Harry Houdini as well as other magicians and private investigators debunked fake mediums all over the world. It was just fascinating to learn about the treachery and diabolical actions of people pretending to speak to the dead.
- Big Tree by Brian Selznick: This is a very unique and special book. Originally written as a screenplay for Spielberg that was put to the side because of COVID, Big Tree is the story of two seeds starting during the crustaceous period through today. It shows how the natural world is all connected and is based on fascinating science. And, of course, the story is accompanied by Selznick’s BEAUTIFUL pencil drawings.
Young Adult
- The Immeasurable Depth of You by Maria Ingrande Mora: This book is hard to summarize, but it isn’t hard to review. It is an important addition to books about mental health; it definitely was a hard read, because the topic is hard, but it is also real (even though there is a ghost) and moving.
- A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal: This book is for all of you fantasy, historical, romance fans who want heists and romance and underground conmen. I mean, the cover itself shows you the vibe of the book, and it holds up.
- Promises of Gold by José Olivarez: This book of poetry is about love. But it is not full of love poems. It is about familial love and friend love and self love and romantic love and love of a country and love of life. This anthology of poems truly does fulfill its promise of gold.
And you can always learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.
Ricki
This is my week off; see you next week!
Kellee
I’m currently reading quite a few books, which is not like me, but it is working for me right now.
- Reading:
- An Outbreak of Witchcraft: A Graphic Novel of the Salem Witch Trials by Deborah Noyes, Illustrated by M. Duffy
- Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White
- The White Guy Dies First: 13 Scary Stories of Fear and Power edited by Terry J. Benton-Walker
- Listening to:
- The Lies We Conjure by Sarah Henning
- Amari and the Despicable Wonders by B.B. Alston (with Trent)
Tuesday: Bound to Dream: An Immigrant Story by Charles Ghigna, Illustrated by Anna Forlati
Sunday: Author’s Guest Post: “All in the Family” by Sarah Everett, Author of The Shape of Lost Things
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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