It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!
It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. 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!
Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee 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.
Congratulations to
KATIE from THE LOGONAUTS
for winning a copy of Emmanuel’s Dream
Last Week’s Posts
Tuesday: Top Ten Books That Feature Characters Who Show Resilience Despite Disabilities
Wednesday: Great Picture Books Kellee Has Read Recently
Friday: National Readathon Day Overview
**Click on any picture/link to view the post**
Last Week’s Journeys
Kellee: I finished 3 new picture books with Trent this week: This is Silly! by Gary Taxali, Pete the Cat and the New Guy by James Dean, and Baby Bear’s Books by Jane Yolen. This is Silly is quite an odd book, but has some wonderful illustrations; Pete the Cat and the New Guy has a good lesson, but isn’t as good as the other Pete books; and Baby Bear’s Books is about a young bears love of books. I did start reading The Dungeoneers by John David Anderson and listening to Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick, but I wasn’t able to finish them.
Ricki: I started back in school this week. I am in my fourth semester of the Ph.D. program, and it is getting tougher as each semester goes on. I will be sure to keep up with my reading though—it makes me feel alive! I did a lot of reading in a grant proposal book, so I am a bit behind in my pleasure reading. I did read three great picture books. My favorite this week was Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell (a great book to teach bullying). But I also very much enjoyed Me…Jane by Patrick McDonnell and Up and Down by Oliver Jeffers.
This Week’s Expeditions
Kellee: I hope to finished The Dungeoneers and Never Fall Down. The Dungeoneers is really starting to get good! It is about a young boy who, in place of a punishment for pick-pocketting, is asked to join a guild. He is currently being tested to see how good he is. Loving the characters! Never Fall Down, on the other hand, is not an especially fun book, but it is eye-opening, heart-wrenching, and gripping. I never want to stop listening once I start. Hopefully I have enough time this week to listen to a good chunk.
Ricki: I know I will finish Audacity by Melanie Crowder this week. It is a beautiful book in verse, and I absolutely love it. I almost finished it the other night, but an amazing, incredible, (teething,) baby woke up and needed his mama.
Upcoming Week’s Posts
Tuesday: Top Ten Books We’d Love to Read With Our Book Club (If WeHad A Book Club)
Wednesday: Mock Sibert Winner Announced!
Sunday: Guest Post: “Beyond Setting: A Couple of Thoughts and Some Fun Writing Prompts” by Tricia Springstubb, author of Moonpenny Island
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!
GIVEAWAY!
We are also happy to be able to offer an amazing giveaway from Candlewick Press:
TIME MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES TOP 100 YOUNG ADULT AND CHILDREN’S BOOKS OF ALL-TIME
CANDLEWICK PRESS EARNS 10 “BEST OF” NODS IN THE DISTINGUISHED RANKINGS
One of the most prominent news magazines in the U.S., TIME magazine, has declared we are living in a “golden age” of children’s and young adult books. A claim supported by ongoing sales reports that books for young readers and teens continue to dominate the bestseller charts and lead industry growth as they find wide audiences beyond their intended age demographics.
With the assistance of industry experts, reviewers, and major literacy non-profits, TIME has compiled a list to honor the all-time classics, both old and new.
Candlewick Press, a leading independent children’s book publisher based near Boston, Massachusetts, is proud to announce ten titles from its publishing list have been selected for inclusion – all remarkable works of writing and illustrating – that have established themselves as enduring favorites via critical and commercial success. Both National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Kate DiCamillo, and celebrated novelist, Patrick Ness, have the remarkable achievement of having two of their works selected. Candlewick’s titles include:
YA/Novels:
Feed by M. T. Anderson
Anderson takes on consumerism in this smart, savage satire that has captivated readers with its view of an imagined future that veers unnervingly close to the here and now.
* A National Book Award finalist
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo , illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
Kate DiCamillo takes us on an extraordinary journey, from the depths of the ocean to the net of a fisherman, from the bedside of an ailing child to the bustling streets of Memphis. Along the way, we are shown a miracle — that even a heart of the most breakable kind can learn to love, to lose, and to love again.
Note: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is in the Top 25 to be voted on for Best of the Best ranking by reader vote: http://time.com/100-best-young-adult-books/
Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo
Rob, sickly and devastated by the death of his mother, moves to a hotel with his father for a new start. But after he comes across a caged tiger in the woods outside the motel, the unexpected find helps him overcome his sadness and open up to a new friend.
*A National Book Award finalist
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, illustrated by Jim Kay
An unflinching, darkly funny, and deeply moving story of a boy, his seriously ill mother, and an unexpected monstrous visitor.
* Soon to be a major motion picture
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
A dystopian thriller follows a boy and girl on the run from a town where all thoughts can be heard — and the passage to manhood embodies a horrible secret.
Boy Proof by Cecil Castellucci
An unforgettable debut novel that follows an antisocial cinephile as she meets a quick-witted artist who’s savvy enough to see through her sci-fi disguise.
* Celebrating 10th anniversary in February 2015
Children’s/Picture Books:
I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen
Told completely in dialogue, this delicious take on the classic repetitive tale plays out in sly illustrations laced with visual humor– and winks at the reader with a wry irreverence that will have kids of all ages thrilled to be in on the joke.
Note: I Want My Hat Back is in their Top 25 to be voted on for Best of the Best ranking by popular reader vote: http://time.com/100-best-childrens-books/
Journey by Aaron Becker
Follow a girl on an elaborate flight of fancy in a wondrously illustrated, wordless picture book about self-determination — and unexpected friendship.
* A Caldecott Honor Book
Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
Michelle Knudsen’s disarming story, illustrated by the matchless Kevin Hawkes in an expressive timeless style, will win over even the most ardent of rule keepers. An affectionate storybook tribute to that truly wonderful place: the library.
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
Imagine the fun of going on a bear hunt-through tall, wavy grass (SWISHY SWISHY!); swampy mud (SQUELCH SQUELCH!); and a swirling whirling snowstorm (HOOOO WOOOO!) – only to find a “real” bear waiting at the end of the trail! For brave hunters and bear lovers, a classic chant-aloud.
ABOUT CANDLEWICK PRESS
Candlewick Press is an independent, employee-owned publisher based in Somerville, Massachusetts. For over twenty years, Candlewick has published outstanding children’s books for readers of all ages, including books by award-winning authors and illustrators such as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Kate DiCamillo, M. T. Anderson, Jon Klassen, and Laura Amy Schlitz; the widely acclaimed Judy Moody, Mercy Watson, and ’Ology series; and favorites such as Guess How Much I Love You, Where’s Waldo?, and Maisy. Candlewick is part of the Walker Books Group, together with Walker Books UK in London and Walker Books Australia, based in Sydney and Auckland. Visit Candlewick online at www.candlewick.com
Twitter – @Candlewick
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/CandlewickPressBooks
Instagram – http://instagram.com/candlewickpress
Pinterest – http://www.pinterest.com/candlewickpress/
E-Volt Twitter – @evoltbooks
E-Volt Tumblr – http://e-volt.tumblr.com/
To celebrate, Candlewick would like to offer a complete set of the chosen YA books to one lucky winner.
and
Wonderful books on that Candlewick list-wow! You all are reading some good ones, too. I just read A Letter for Leo today-so wonderful! Have a great week!
Love the illustrations of Ruzzier, so I look forward to reading A Letter for Leo.
We were pretty excited to share the giveaway. Thanks for stopping by, Linda!
Candlewick is a great publisher. I did not like Pete the Cat and the New Guy. And I need to read Stand Tall since it is such a popular book about bullying.
They are such a great publisher! 🙂
Stand Tall is an important one for kids to read, I think.
I agree, Earl. They produce some incredible books!
Now added Audacity to my TBR pile… can’t wait! Agreed on Pete the Cat and the New Guy… Sigh. Too much of a good thing? Quality has dropped. Happy reading to you both…
I think it was trying too hard. I miss the simple, signing, repetitive of the original.
Debbie, it is a historical fiction that is similar to one of my favorite books, The Jungle. It is different from every book I’ve read in that era, though. I recommend it!
Ricki, your commitment to reading for pleasure through your PhD program is inspiring. I think it’s so important to find a little time each week to keep your own reading life alive. I largely lost my love of reading during my PhD–I didn’t make space for my own reading life and only read for school. Big mistake! Though I will say that I will never forget the delight of absolute reading freedom when I finished!
Elisabeth, thank you for these kind words. If I don’t finish in four years, I am worried it will because I can’t let go of my love of reading. I can’t justify that coursework trumps staying up to date in the field, though. Some semesters are easier than others. This semester is very heavy on writing, so the pleasure reading is a good break.
Sounds like you both had good reading weeks. Ricki, getting your PhD? I’m impressed!
I love when these top 100 lists come out – I will have to check the whole thing out. I LOVE the Kate DiCamillo books on the list – Edward Tulane is magnificent – we listened to it on a family road trip many years ago, and all four of us loved it.
Enjoy your books this week!
Sue
Book By Book
I love everything I’ve read by Kate DiCamillo. Flora & Ulysses may be my favorite though 🙂
Sue, I am hoping to do it! It seems like a very far away dream…yet very close, when I consider all I have to do this semester. 🙂
I can only imagine how tough it is to always get reading in for both of you! Young children and a busy schedule. But you’re right, Ricki, it does make all of us feel alive! Especially when you’ve read an amazing book 🙂
I agree, Michele. If I don’t read enough, I feel sad. So I have to keep up with reading for my mental health!
I’ve been hearing great things about Gabi, A Girl in Pieces. I definitely need to add that one to my TBR.
I wish you both happy reading, happy healthy little ones and time to get those titles finished. Ricki, I agree with Elisabeth – pretty impressive to be reading with all of the school pressures. Kellee – Flora & Ulysses has been one of my favourite read alouds ever. What a book!
I really enjoyed reading through those lists and found several that I’ve read and several more that I definitely want to read.
I’m starting The Giver series 🙂 Haven’t read the last two books.
I love Kate Decamillo’s writing, especially Edward Tullane! She really pulls the reader into her books,
Hi there Kellee and Ricki, I loved reading the books that you are all sharing with your kids – amazing too that Ricki is in the thick of her PhD program – I experienced the same thing myself – gave birth while I was doing course work for my PhD and brought my then-toddler daughter with me as I was doing my data collection/interviews. Tough, but so rewarding. Have a great reading week, you two!
I am currently reading Of Sugar and Snow, a history of ice cream