It's Monday! What are you reading? 7-8-13

 

Originally hosted by Sheila at Book Journey, Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers also host a kidlit version of It's Monday! What are You Reading?


Last week was an amazing week. I started my new job as social media coordinator for NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English), which I'll be doing from home, but I went to Urbana, Illinois for an orientation and to meet everyone. I went right from Urbana to Chicago where this year's ALA (American Library Association) convention was being held. I didn't do an "It's Monday!" post last week because I was still at ALA and then drove home to Michigan.


Check out my recap of ALA and the magical Newbery banquet. It was an experience I will never forget.

The past two weeks I finished listening to:

Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool
I didn't know how I felt about this book until the very end. And then those last few lines just made it absolutely perfect. Such a beautiful story and an example of a perfect ending. I can see why this one is getting Newbery buzz. And I especially love that this is a book that has definite boy-appeal.

The Wig in the Window by Kristen Kittcsher
What a fun, sassy mystery! I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook narrator as well. She really brought this story to life even more than if I had just read the book myself. 


Picture books I read and enjoyed these past two weeks:

Year of the Jungle by Suzanne Collins, illustrated by James Proimos
Yes, THAT Suzanne Collins. She has this new picture book coming out in September. I picked this one up at ALA and it did not disappoint.  Lots of symbolism to unpack in this story about Suzanne Collins's father going off to Viet Nam when she was in first grade.

The Red Hat by Lita Judge
When a few woodland creatures spot a red hat hanging up to dry, they can't resist taking it down and playing with it... only their good-natured mischief gets them into a pickle.

I ADORED this nearly wordless picture book. I especially love the bear's "Doot-do-doo" as he attempts to pretend like the didn't do anything wrong, along with the "tink-a-tink tink" of the knitting needles. 


The past two weeks I reviewed:
 
Giants Beware! by Rafael Rosado and Jorge Aguirre
A Curious Man: The Strange and Brilliant Life of Robert "Believe It Or Not!" Ripley by Neal Thompson (I'm also giving away a hardcover of this book as well)

What Would Brian Boitano Make? by Brian Boitano
Bogart and Vinnie: A Completely Made-Up Story of True Friendship by Audrey Vernick, illustrated by Henry Cole


Currently reading:

Reality Boy by A.S. King
I've been coveting this one since I heard King read from the prologue at Nicola's a few weeks ago. I was able to snag a copy at ALA and I'm so happy I did. 


Currently listening:
 
Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama
This book won an Odyssey honor at this year's ALA Youth Media Awards, plus Elizabeth had the Nerdy Book Club over her house for a party during the weekend of ALA so I feel like I should probably read (i.e., listen to) her book. I'm actually really enjoying it so far despite my usual distaste for mermaid stories.


Current Giveaways:
Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr and The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson (ends 7/9)
Audiobook of The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (ends 7/15)
A Curious Man by Neal Thompson (ends 7/15)