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!
Saturday: Sofia’s Kids’ Corner: The Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Serving Students with Service” by Gayle Forman, Author of Not Nothing
**Click on any picture/link to view the post**
Kellee
Picture Books
- Who’s Writing this Story?! by Robin Newman, Illustrated by Deborah Zemke: I love fractured fairy tales and the idea of breaking the 4th wall, and this book combines the two. What a fantastic read–it will be loved by many because of its humor, its look at the writing process, and its uses in the classroom/discussions.
- We Are the Builders! by Deepa Iyer, Illustrated by Romina Galotta: I love this book showing all the different aspects of a successful community as well as how many accepting places there are for so many different people. I love the author’s social change ecosystem map that was shared in the backmatter, and I can’t wait to see how it is used by so many educators and parents to look at HOW WILL YOU CHANGE YOUR COMMUNITY?
- The Boy and the Elephant by Freya Blackwood: I’m so glad this beautiful wordless Australian picture book is being published here as its main question is one that American children definitely need to consider. The boy’s despair is palpable through the illustrations but so is his hope. Kirkus is so right: “A contemplative look at finding your place in a busy world.” Gorgeous, in so many ways.
- Look at these beautiful interiors!
- Look at these beautiful interiors!
Middle Grade
- The Beautiful Game by Yamile Saied Méndez: In this soccer (futbol) focused book, Mendez looks at the gender binary; what it means to be a talented young girl athlete, particularly as the athletes get older and co-ed becomes less societally acceptable; and how puberty and periods affects all who deal with them. Any reader who loves soccer and realistic fiction around strong female characters will want to pick up this book.
- The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner: Kate Messner’s return to middle grade novels is another amazing novel in verse! I am so lucky to have gotten an early look at this 2025 book; it is definitely a must read! I can’t tell you much more yet, but I will say that it is a book that will appeal to all types of readers and was a joy to read.
- New Disney Comic Collections from Papercutz — Phineas and Ferb Classic Comic Collection 1 by Scotter Peterson & The New Adventures of Turning Red: Besties 4Ever by Sloane Leong: These comic collections are going to find so many fans who love the shows they are based on. I was excited to see new stories in both that kept true to the characters of both.
Young Adult
- A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology edited by Dhonielle Clayton: What a variety of short stories! All the stories are speculative, meaning it includes both science fiction and fantasy, and take on a fantastical story that will suck the reader right in. Just like any anthology, I had favorites, but I think they all were worth the read. (I was lucky enough to be asked to write a teaching guide for this anthology, and I had such a great time writing it!)
- Authors: Samira Ahmed, Jenni Balch, Libba Bray, Dhonielle Clayton, Zoraida Córdova, Tessa Gratton, Kwame Mbalia, Anna-Marie McLemore, Tochi Onyebuchi, Mark Oshiro, Natalie C. Parker, Rebecca Roanhorse, V. E. Schwab, Tara Sim, and Nic Stone
- And Then There Was Us by Kern Carter: Centered around 18-year-old Coi, she finds herself facing uncertainty in her mental health and life after her estranged mother dies. Although this book was tough to read as it details child abuse and emotional trauma, I found that going through the healing and forgiveness process Coi tackles in the book was worth it.
You can always learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.
Ricki
It is my week off; I’ll update you next week.
Kellee
- Reading: How to Lose a Best Friend by Jordan K. Casomar
- Listening to: This Ravenous Fate by Hayley Dennings
**Once I finish these two books, I’ll have read 38 of the authors coming to the 2024 ALAN workshop, of which I am President!**
Tuesday: Clouds in Space: Nebulae, Stardust, and Us by Teresa Robeson, Illustrated by Diāna Renžina
Sunday: Author’s Guest Post: “Why I Write About Messy Teens–And Why We Should Honor the Mess Inside All of Us” by Jen Ferguson, Author of A Constellation of Minor Bears
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!
and
Between the two of you, you’ve got all levels covered! Whew! From wordless picture books to YA, you guys are on top of it. Hadn’t heard about the new Messner title, so put that on my TBR list!
I loved The Beautiful Game (my granddaughter is a 7th grader who loves soccer). I just added The Shape of Things to my TBR list since I love everything Matt Tavares creates. Have a great week!
You’ve been reading so much lately, Kellee, and it all looks amazing!! I am stunned by the spreads you shared from The Boy and the Elephant—so gorgeous. I hope I can find time to track that book down. Also, how wonderful that Kate Messner is writing a new MG novel—I’ve only read one of hers, All the Answers, but it was phenomenal. Everything you’ve shared looks excellent.
Also, I’m not sure if I knew you were president of ALAN—that is *so cool*!!! I admire that you’re reading as many of the authors you’re hosting as you can—I’m sure they will appreciate that greatly.
Thank you both for hosting us, as always, and enjoy your week!