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Monday, June 22, 2020

It's Monday! What are You Reading? 6-22-2020



It's Monday! What are you reading? Is a wonderful community of readers, teachers, and librarians. Hosted by Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers, participants share their reading adventures from the past week along with their reading plans for the week ahead.

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.


I recently read and loved:

This is My America by Kim Johnson
Not only is this book an indictment on the criminal justice system in America and the myriad ways, both subtle and overt, that white supremacy harms BIPOC, but it is also a page-turning mystery that will leave readers satisfied at the end.


I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes by Gordon C. James
In a society that fears Black men and treats Black boys like adults, books that remind Black boys of their goodness are so important, and also, an unlearning that must happen for white children and adults who implicitly see Black boys and men as threats.

I hope in my lifetime a book like this won’t seem like a paradigm shift and instead will only be looked upon as a sweet, uplifting book for children.


Can I Give You a Squish? by Emily Neilson
If you’re looking for a book to talk with kids about the concept of consent that is instructive but not overly didactic, look no further than Can I Give You a Squish


First Day Critter Jitters by Jory John, illustrated by Liz Climo
A variety of animals express the various reasons they're nervous for the first day of school. This sweet story manages to be both funny and poignant at the same time.


Mayhem at the Museum by Luciano Lozano
The art comes to life in this wordless picture book about a girl who ho goes to an art museum and is disappointed when she sees the sign that says “do not touch the art” but soon realizes that the art touches you.


Currently reading:

Cloud and Wallfish by Anne Nesbet

Beauty Mark: A Verse Novel of Marilyn Monroe by Carole Boston Weatherford 

Currently (still) reading with my ears:

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

6 comments:

  1. These books sound great! This Is My America sounds like a great and important book, and I really appreciate your point about I Am Every Good Thing. I just saw some praise for Mayhem at the Museum as well, and it sounds great! Thanks for the excellent post!

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  2. Those first two chapter books are on my list, Beth. I guess I can say that I can't read fast enough because that list is very long! I saw Michele K. share Mayhem at The Museum, too. It sounds terrific, & when visiting a museum, will be fun to imagine stories & actions. Thank you!

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  3. I can't wait to read Kim Johnson's new book. I really gained a lot from her convo with Nic Stone in EW last week. I also need to purchase I Am Every Good Thing.

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  4. All these picture books are in my stack to read! I also just got Clap When You Land. I have heard nothing but great things about it. It'll be my beach reading this week!

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  5. Clap When You Land is coming up in my pile!
    I enjoyed Mayhem at the Museum, but I wish there had been some notes at the end that referenced the artwork.
    I preordered This is My America after hearing Ricki talk about it. Sounds like it was a good idea!

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  6. Oooh, This is My America looks fantastic! I'm adding it to my list right now. And I really enjoyed Clap When You Land -- I listened to it as an audiobook and my only complaint is that I kept getting the two girls mixed up. lol Thanks for sharing, Beth!

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