It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Jen & Kellee over at Teach Mentor Texts host a meme every Monday that invites people to share the children's and young adult books they have been reading over the past week and what they plan on reading the following week.

This past week:

Newberry Challenge: Onion John was my most recent Newbery book. I found it touching in many ways. I loved the friendship between young Andy and Onion John. Expectations and people's ideas of what is best for others cause all kinds of complications in this middle grade novel. Krumgold managed to make me care about the characters.

Picture Book: I found the new book Bad Apple pretty cute. It is also about friendship between two very different "people" and how others see the relationship.

Early Reader: Fiercely and Friends is a fun series. I got to sneak preview The Sneaky Snow Fox through Netgalley.  I haven't written up a review yet, but did enjoy this entertaining early chapter book.

Graphic Novel: Sita's Ramayana was a fascinating look at an ancient Hindu poem with amazing Indian artwork. I found this book very powerful. There is action, adventure, love, war and all kinds of things going on, but underneath there are truths pulsing like "Violence breeds violence, and an unjust act only begets greater injustice." 

Professional Book: I loved Choice Words and the inspiration that I got from it. I am hoping to use some of what I learned in the coming year. Choice Words will hopefully help me to reflect honestly on how I speak with students and the types of questions that I am using during class.

I also re-read A Monster Calls (for WI Battle of the Books) which once again, required tissues. In fact, the story was even more gut wrenching this time than last if that can be believed.

For the coming week: I am in the middle of Hattie Big Sky and Show Me a Story: Why Picture Books Matter. I will continue to read Battle Books. I am not sure how much I will be able to read though as I am gearing up for the start of school and will be spending a lot of time at work. Hopefully, reading will still happen. :)