It's Monday! What are you reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. Jen Vincent over at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee Moye from Unleashing Readers decided to put a children's and YA spin on it and they invite anyone with an interest to join in. You can participate by creating your post then visit one of their sites to add your site. Finally, visit at least three participant blogs and comment to spread the love.
The Past Week:
Professional
If you are curious about how to use comics and graphic novels in your classroom or library, Adventures in Graphica is the perfect book to get you started.
Young Adult
I really enjoyed The Raven Boys, but I think I may have liked Dream Thieves even better. I will do a full review later this week. I am not sure what it is about The Raven Cycle that keeps me entranced, so hopefully I will figure that out before I write the review. I do know that I am eagerly waiting for the next one.
Picture Book
I would probably have loved this more if I didn't already adore Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems. It has the same type of plot line. Monstergarten was just okay for me. It might be interesting to read both and compare them with students.
Non-fiction
This or That is fun and could be used for debate. Where on Earth? is a great book to dip into once in awhile. I loved the fantastic infographics that they provide. People who like geography will love this one.
The Coming Week:
I am still listening to Looking for Alaska in the car, but lately people have been in the car with me so it is slow going. I just started To Be Free: Understanding and Eliminating Racism by Thomas Peacock. He came to town in the spring and spoke at a local elementary school. I finally got the book during my American Indian Studies class. I am also going to be reading If You Could Be Mine for a review on Rich in Color. I may get to The Boy on the Porch and/or If I Ever Get Out of Here. What will you be reading this week?
Cover images from Goodreads.
Every week I promise myself that I will find some time to read The Dream Thieves before it expires on my Net Galley account. I really liked The Raven Boys. What a writer Maggie Stiefvater is. I enjoyed Looking for Alaska too and would like to hear it on audio to gain a better sense of each character.
ReplyDeleteThose expiration dates really get me motivated sometimes, but once in awhile I completely miss them. I am liking Looking for Alaska more this time. I don't know if it is the audio or just that I am taking my time with it. I tend to read really quickly and don't always connect with characters when I zoom through.
DeleteHi Crystal, I just read the first chapter of The Raven Boys and it is very promising. However, I still am deeply into Storm of Swords and another coming-of-age novel (TS Spivet) that I have a feeling I won't get around to reading that one just yet. Thanks for sharing all these. The Dream Thieves sounds like a lovely sequel.
ReplyDeleteThe Raven Boys will be worth the wait. :)
DeleteI think I have some kiddos who would love the survival debate book. I am also interested in Adventures in Graphica. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThere is a series of the debate books. I think they would be great for students to present their case.
DeleteI really liked Looking for Alaska on audio, but it took some time to get into it. I just finished reading An Abundance of Katherines. I really liked it, but I think I'd like to listen to the audio too. I've noticed the same thing about connecting better with the characters on audio.
ReplyDeleteI laughed through An Abundance of Katherines. It was my first John Green book. I am glad I gave Looking for Alaska another shot.
DeleteI've heard quite a few people tell me I need to read Adventures in Graphica. I think it's time to put it on my to-read list.
ReplyDeleteIt has a lot of helpful hints and great resources. I got it because our fifth grade does a GN unit now.
DeleteThanks for more about The Dream Thieves-I'm waiting for it to come out-want that hard copy! Thanks for the review of the DK Where On Earth. It sounds like something for one of the classrooms that's studying the earth this year. You have lots of interesting books to read, too. Glad to see the titles!
ReplyDeleteI love when a sequel is even better than the first book! I can't wait for Dream Thieves-I am looking forward to the audio of that one. Have a great week! http://wp.me/pzUn5-1Ck
ReplyDeleteI know. Some second books are like place holders for the third, but not in this case.
DeleteI completely agree with you about The Dream Thieves. There is something magical about Maggie Steifvater's books for me and I absolutely enjoyed this one more than the first. I cannot wait for the third book to find out how everything will work out for the characters. I also think Adventures in Graphica is a great professional book for teachers. I love how he incorporates comprehension strategies into his lessons about conventions in graphic novels.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad that it will be such a long wait for the next book, but my TBR is out of control. I guess I will have a few books to read in the meantime.
DeleteAh! I am so glad to see someone else reviewed The Dream Thieves. I just got the galley, and I keep putting it off because I heard it was very different. I was having cold feet! I am going to have to read it next!
ReplyDeleteIt is different, but in a good way. Have a great time reading.
DeleteWow, I can't wait to read Raven Cycle. I have it scheduled for either next week or the first week of Sept. I am glad you liked it even more. It gives me hope that I will love it since I really enjoyed the Raven Boys.
ReplyDeleteHave a great time falling back into the Raven Boys' world. :)
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