Middle Grade: I finally got to read Fake Mustache and it was quite the adventurous romp. It is a lifting-the-spirits kind of book that I needed mid-week.
Picture Books: I really scored at the bookstore this weekend! I bought Duckling Gets a Cookie by Mo Willems and Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons.
The Duckling is once again absolutely adorable and understandably frustrating to the Pigeon.Pete the Cat is of course his laid back groovy self again. The punch line is fantastic!
Newberry: I also made a little headway here. I finished Roller Skates which has a feisty and fabulous main character. Lucinda races along living life fully. I love her, but wish that the book didn't have so many negative racial/economic comments. They weren't always outright awful, but there is a patronizing tone towards people of diversity or with economic challenges. Lucinda is very open and accepting of everybody and cares fiercely for people, but the book is just very dated in the way her class knows best.
The White Stag was not a favorite for me, but at least it wasn't terribly long or boring. It just wasn't my thing. It was historical warrior stuff. I couldn't help but think of the Pevensie children chasing down the white stag in The Chronicles of Narnia though so that was one positive.
For Next Week:
I am reading Unwanteds (A 2011 Nerdie nominee), Thimble Summer (Newbery) and Why Culture Counts (Professional). I would like to finish all of those and the poetry book that I am reading Poetry Out Loud. I would also like to read some of the brand new books that just came in at my school library. It has been hard not to take home piles of them, but I just have too much to do. Happy Reading!
Read White Stag ages ago and didn't care for it much either. Don't remember it very well though (but I don't think I'll ever reread it!) Thimble Summer is cute. I'll be interested to her what you think of Unwanteds. I've been debating for a while whether or not I want to read that one.
ReplyDeleteI keep picking up Unwanteds and putting it down again. I am not falling into the setting. It is just not convincing me somehow, but I don't dislike it. I think I will finish it, but I am not racing through.
DeleteWhy Culture Counts sounds like a very interesting read. My Graduate work was based on teaching students in urban areas with high levels of poverty. I will have to look for this book, let me know what you think of it after you read it!
ReplyDeleteI have read about 3/4 of Why Culture Counts and it has been quite interesting. I am reading it with a small group of teachers and it has given us a lot to think about and discuss. We are wrestling with how to create a more culturally responsive community within our school.
DeleteI didn't know about Ducky or the new Pete the Cat- I will have to get my hands on those. I also cannot wait to read Fake Mustache- Tom is always so funny!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy The Unwanteds- it is really quite a unique, adventurous book.
Happy reading this week! :)
I have to say my students have adored Pete the Cat and his Groooooovy Buttons. They like the Duckling book, but it almost seems that they enjoyed the trailer just as much as the book. :)
DeleteI have mixed feelings about The Unwanteds so far. Maybe it is because I have been busy and have been reading it in very small bits and pieces, but I just haven't settled into the setting yet. That might improve as I get into it farther.
Enjoy Unwanteds- it is a fun book that celebrates creativity.
ReplyDeleteI haven't gotten to Duckling yet, but I love all of Mo's books so I need to get to it. I also really want to read Fake Mustache- I love Tom Angleberger's books as well.
Happy reading this week! :)
Fake Mustache is in my book bag right now--glad to hear it won't disappoint! Mo's Duckling and Pete the Cat were big hits here at our house. I'm glad to know that Roller Skates isn't too much further down the road for me in the Newbery Challenge. Datedness aside, she's sounds like a fun, spunky character. I'm currently pushing my way through Young Fu, which isn't as horrible as I was bracing myself for!
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