It's Monday! What are you reading? 10-17-22

 

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.

Y'all... I have been so all over the place with my reading. I can't seem to commit to just one book. So this is what I am currently reading in bits and bobbles:

 

Attack of the Black Rectangles by Amy Sarig King

The Honeys by Ryan LaSalla

 

Chlorine Sky by Mahogany L. Browne

Developing Digital Detectives: Essential Lessons for Discerning Fact from Fiction in the 'Fake News' Era by Jennifer LaGarde and Darren Hudgins

I recently read and loved: 

Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson

ZJ's dad, a professional football player, is experiencing headaches, memory loss, and mood swings at a time when the world didn't know about CTE yet. While this is a quick read as it is a novel in verse, it is absolutely heartbreaking and can be triggering in places. The Family Business by Lenore Appelhans, illustrated by Ken Lamug Lucky the Racoon is excited to join the family business of dumpster diving to find their food, but when he finally gets to join his siblings, he gets more than he bargained for when humans are always chasing them off. A fun story about honoring your gifts and talents rather than forcing yourself to go against your own disposition. I Am Quiet: A Story About the Introvert in All of Us by Andie Powers, illustrated by Betsy Petersen Quiet kids often live rich, inner lives and what we often think is shyness is actually just a kid who likes spending time inside their own imaginations. Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civils Rights Movement by Angela Joy, illustrated by Janelle Washington This picture book biography on Mamie Till-Mobley, the mother of Emmett Till, is incredibly well-written and emotionally captivating. A must for every school library and history classroom. Purchasing books from any of the above Bookshop affiliate links support independent bookstores and gives me a small percentage of the sale.

It's Monday! What are you reading? 10-3-22

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. Books I recently read and enjoyed: Love That Story: Observations from a Gorgeously Queer Life by Jonathan Van Ness In the follow up to his memoir, Over the Top, Jonathan Van Ness brings a side of depth and social justice to his sunny disposition in this series of intersectional essays. Come Fly the World: The Jet-Age Story of the Women of Pan Am by Julia Cooke I really enjoyed learning more about American history (Cold War, Vietnam War, etc.) through the lens of what it was like being a stewardess for the most glamorous airline of the jet age. Forever Home by Henry Cole A young boy wants a dog so badly that to prove to his dads that he can be responsible, he walks an empty leash every day. One day, he discovers a stray dog that he wants to rescue and his dads finally decide he's ready for his own dog. The only problem is... they can't find him when they go looking for him. Sonny Says Sorry by Caryl Hart, illustrated by Zachariah OHora A sweet book about how apologies should be accompanied by action to make right the wrong you did. Books Aren't for Eating by Carlie Sorosiak, illustrated by Manu Montoya A delightful book that sends the message that books fill you up... but if you're a goat, you need to remember that they shouldn't fill up your stomach, but rather your brain. :) The More You Give by Marcy Campbell, illustrated by Francesca Sanna I love that this book is described as a modern-day response to The Giving Tree. Because instead of giving of yourself so much that you become nothing but a stump for your child to sit on, this is a book that shows how giving can give back... by creating a whole forest. Everything in Its Place by Pauline David-Sax, illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow Nicky loves her school library so much that she spends her recess helping the librarian re-shelve books. But when the librarian has to be gone for a week at a conference, Nicky must actually go to recess, which she is dreading. This is a sweet story about taking risks, getting out of our comfort zones, and also still embracing a love a books as one navigates outside that comfort zone.

Currently reading:

Odder by Katherine Applegate

Currently reading with my ears:

The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper

Purchasing books from any of the above Bookshop affiliate links support independent bookstores and gives me a small percentage of the sale. 

It's Monday! What are You Reading? 9-12-22

 

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.

Check out my current giveaway:

Dear Wild Child

I recently reviewed:

My Pet Feet by Josh Funk

I recently read and loved:

Ethel's Song: Ethel Rosenberg's Life In Poems by Barbara Krasner

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg grew up to witness the poverty and injustices of the Great Depression and World War II. For that reason, they found themselves identifying politically with the communist party. Unfortunately for them, this was probably the worst time in American history to identify as a communist… right after the end of World War II and the start of the Cold War resulted in a groupthink of paranoia that led the U.S. into the McCarthy era Red Scare that ruined many people’s lives with a simple accusation of being a communist. Unfortunately for the Rosenberg’s that accusation also came with charges of espionage… of selling nuclear secrets to the USSR and a death sentence. This novel in verse covers a very intense story in American history and will make readers want to learn more about the Rosenbergs.

Nana, Nenek, & Nina by Liza Ferneyhough

A beautiful celebration between cultures of grandmothers' love

Patchwork by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Corinna Luyken

Matt de la Peña always knows how to tug on those heartstrings in his profound and literary picture books. In Patchwork he reminds adults and kids alike that we all contain multitudes; we are a patchwork of interests, ideas, ideals, strengths and weaknesses.

Lunch from Home by Joshua David Stein, illustrated by Jing Li

This book is a great conversation starter about food and family traditions and why those things need to be respected (and embraced!) at school. The story is a model and invitation to show kids that they can and should view different foods with curiosity rather than disdain. We don’t all need to bring sandwiches and chips for lunch every day, nor should that be the expectation in a country as beautifully diverse as ours.

If You're a Kid Like Gavin by Gavin Grimm & Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by J Yang

A wonderful picture book to add to the conversation that trans kids are humans to be loved and cared for, not problems to be solved Currently reading: Odder by Katherine Applegate Currently reading with my ears: Come Fly the World: The Jet-Age Story of the Women of Pan Am by Julia Cooke Purchasing books from any of the above Bookshop affiliate links support independent bookstores and gives me a small percentage of the sale.

Dear Wild Child Giveaway

 A father's poetic lament to his daughter over the loss of their family home they built to a wildfire. The author's note at the end is a perfect thesis to the book: "The climate is changing. Weather is becoming less predictable and more extreme. We will lose what we love. And to fix what's broken, we will all need to become resilient and more empathetic, collaborative, and creative."

"The art echoes the text’s emphasis on beauty rather than loss. . .In the event’s aftermath, the affecting story’s tone remains openhearted, concluding with sentiments that encourage resilience and reflect on the nature of home."

―Publishers Weekly

"It’s a touching sentiment that reminds readers of all ages that our lives are defined not by our material possessions but by the memories we make... Intricate and emotional."

―Kirkus Reviews

In the shade of ancient redwood trees, by a creek, not far from the ocean, a father builds a house for his newborn daughter, where she grows up wild and strong in their coastal canyon home. When a wildfire takes back their beloved house, a father writes his now-grown daughter a letter telling her it’s gone. Inspired by the real letter the author wrote his daughter, this poignant story—written together by father and daughter—joyfully declares that a home is more than just wood and stone; it is made of love and can never be taken away. You carry home with you wherever you go.

About the Author & Illustrator
Wallace Grayce Nichols is a student of sustainable design, problem solver, and water lover. Her father, 

Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, is a marine biologist and the author of the bestselling book Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do. Home is the slow coast of California. Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Drew Beckmeyer is a fine artist, illustrator, and elementary school teacher. He lives in Northern California. Website | Instagram

Additional Links:

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My Pet Feet by Josh Funk, illustrated by Billy Yong

When the letter R suddenly goes missing, a little girl has to figure out where it went, or else run the risk of having pet feet instead of a pet ferret. There are also a slew of other mishaps that a missing letter R might cause you to encounter... such as a galloping hose instead of a horse, a flock of cows instead of crows, and a babbling book instead of brook just to name a few.

I can't even imagine the mental gymnastics that had to occur in order to write a book with no Rs, but Josh Funk manages to make mental gymnastics fun and entertaining. This book is no doubt going to be an uproarious read aloud favorite with groups of kids.

My Pet Feet by Josh Funk, illustrated by Billy Yong

Published: August 23, 2022

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Pages: 48

Genre/Format: Picture book

Audience: Primary

Disclosure: Digital copy provided by author

Purchasing from the above Bookshop affiliate link supports independent bookstores and gives me a small percentage of the sale. 

It's Monday! What are you reading? 8-1-22

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.

Last week I read and loved:

Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole by Susan Cain

I'm obsessed with this book. I spent a better part of yesterday making a bittersweet Spotify playlist and a TikTok review because I am currently in ADHD hyperfixation mode. Cain's book Quiet changed my life by giving me permission to embrace my introversion. And this book equally changed my life by giving me permission to embrace my melancholy side. 

Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega, illustrated by Rose Bousamra

An important middle grade graphic novel about a young girl who wants to embrace her natural curly hair rather than being forced to go to the salon every week with her mami to straighten her hair. This book is an important mirror for young Black girls who want to embrace their natural hair and a window for white readers who are used to seeing their physical features as a cultural default.

Currently reading:

Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith, Derrick Barnes and Dawud Anyabwile

Currently (still) reading with my ears:

Invisible Storm: A Soldier's Memoir of Politics and PTSD by Jason Kander

Purchasing books from any of the above Bookshop affiliate links support independent bookstores and gives me a small percentage of the sale. 

It's Monday! What are you reading? 7-25-22

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.

Last week I read and loved:

I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day

A really lovely and important middle grade book that tackles a difficult topic but isn't heavy-handed about it. It is a book about family history, family secrets, and indigenous identity. It's also a great entry point to discuss the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 that is alarmingly being brought again before the Supreme Court this fall. 

Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas

This book’s premise can be distilled down as New Kid meets Bring It On but with swimming instead of cheerleading. It’s a story that imparts a lot of hard truths about why so many Black Americans never learned or teach their kids to swim, but it’s mostly a page-turning story of friendship, teamwork, and overcoming adversity. Yes We Will: Asian Americans Who Shaped This Country by Kelly Yang Wonderful book that connects narrative elements along with peritext and backmatter to tell the story of inspiring Asian Americans. I love that each page spread featured a different Asian American illustrator, further highlighting the accomplishments of Asian Americans. The Surprise by Zadie Smith and Nick Laird, illustrated by Magenta Fox What a delightfully odd and heartwarming story about a guinea pig that does Judo and doesn't know her place in a family of pets that are very dedicated to their schedules. The delightful oddness of the story puts me in mind of Phil Stead's picture books.  Currently (still) reading: Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole by Susan Cain Currently reading with my ears: Invisible Storm: A Soldier's Memoir of Politics and PTSD by Jason Kander