Monday, April 6, 2015

It's Monday! What are you reading? 4-6-15

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?

My Monday posts are generally just a highlight of what I've been reading during the week so if you'd like to see all that I've been reading, follow my Goodreads page.


Last week I finished reading:

The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart
I have a longer review of this book scheduled for tomorrow, but here's a sneak peek: despite the fact that The Honest Truth has only been in stores for a couple months, I do believe we already have a children's classic on our hands.


I finished reading with my ears:

Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick
I immediately ordered Purple Heart for my classroom library after I finished this. Patricia McCormick is definitely a go-to author for me.


Favorite picture books I read last week:

Bunny Roo, I Love You by Melissa Marr, illustrated by Teagan White
This book comes really close to being saccharine, but maintains a dignified sweetness to it. I loved the color palate of the illustrations and the simple message.

 
Special Delivery by Philip Stead, illustrated by Matthew Cordell
 Both charming and utterly ridiculous, Philip Stead proves yet again that the best children's book authors are a little bit eccentric. Or at least their books are anyway.

I'm curious though why Phil decided not to illustrate this himself or have Erin illustrate it. I'm hoping to get the chance to ask him that soon since he lives in Ann Arbor and I've been to a few events with him and Erin at local bookstores. 



Wish by Matthew Cordell
Undoubtedly this book will be the new go-to baby gift for expectant moms and dads - especially if those soon-to-be parents encountered hardships in their desire for a child of their own.


Bird and Diz by Gary Golio, illustrated by  Ed Young
A book that is likely to interest more adults than kids but in the hands of a passionate, knowledgeable adult, it could get an already musically inclined kid interested in jazz.
 


Current giveaway:

Won Ton + Won Ton and Chopstick by Lee Wardlaw


Currently reading:

Wild Things! Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature by Betsy Bird, Julie Danielson, and Peter Sieruta


Currently reading with my ears:

The Schwa was Here by Neal Shusterman

11 comments:

  1. I'd really like to get linked in with this group. I looked at the Book Journey page and the other two also linked me to Book Journey, but I couldn't find any information on it. Is it still possible to join your community?

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    1. Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers hosts the KidLit version of It's Monday, linked above.

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  2. I have Wild Things but have not dipped into it yet. I need to do that soon.

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  3. I found Wild Things snarky and fun, but found myself wanting some of it to go deeper. Purple Heart looks like it could be pretty intense. Bird and Diz will be one I think I'll read for me.

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  4. I think I need to find Won Ton.
    I have Wild Things on my #mustreadin2015 list. It will probably be a summer read.
    The illustrator for Special Delivery (and author of Wish) lives in the same town as me. I've probably passed him in Target and never known... :)
    And yes, I totally wanted to abandon The Alex Crow right away. It took me 1/2 the book before I even cared about the characters. But it was my first Andrew Smith book and I felt I had to continue it! But I agree with you, there are way too many great books waiting to be read to spend time with books that are eh.

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  5. That is a huge compliment about The Honest Truth. Man, I need to read it!!
    The picture books you read all look so good! I need to get my hands on them.

    Happy reading this week! :)

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  6. Thanks for the heads up about The Honest Truth, Beth, & Purple Heart is on order. I do need to get Special Delivery, enticing!

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  7. Well, I just want so desperately for there to be more hours in my day and week. I want to read these novels, and they are on my list, but I want them now and I want time to read them now!

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  8. Okay so now I need to go request The Honest Truth. My honest truth of this Monday - I think I have requested ten books! Hope they don't all come in at once.

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  9. I so don't need more books to read--but it's sounding like The Honest Truth is a must! I've dipped into Wild Things and enjoyed what I've read so far. I need to get back to it. Special Delivery didn't work for me. I need to reread it. I was reading it in difficult circumstances--to a very dysregulated kid who was falling asleep as I was reading it. A Sick Day for Amos McGee is in my all-time kidlit top 5, but Stead's other books have been hit or miss for me. I do like Cordell's illustrations, though.

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  10. I just borrowed The Honest Truth from the library based on Earl's recommendation as he did note that it is perfect for our current reading theme. I would definitely start it this week, I'm very excited about it. :) I've been trying to look for Wild Things while I was in the US but didn't find it then unfortunately.

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