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.
If you want to know more about what I am reading, visit me at my Goodreads shelf. Images via Goodreads unless otherwise noted.
The Past Week
It was so fun to watch the ALA Youth Media Awards and find out about several other awards this past week. Links to the award lists and information about the books can be found here. Six of the eight books I read this week were as a result of those lists. I loved When the Beat was Born. The text bounced along and it was fascinating to read about DJ Kool Herc and learn about the beginnings of Hip Hop. I thought it would be great to pair with Hip Hop Speaks to Children. Another fun biography was The Mad Potter. George E. Ohr was quite a unique individual and his pottery is a reflection of his personality. I found Handbook for Dragon Slayers to be a nice change of pace. I haven't read a lot of young fantasy lately. I'm glad it won the Schneider Award so I could find out about it. Maria Had a Little Llama was very cute and I know teachers will enjoy showing it to students for comparing with the original Mary Had a Little Lamb. Darius & Twig was a nice story of friendship. The Lord of Opium grew on me. I am not sure if I would have finished it if it wasn't on audio, but somewhere in the middle I finally started to care a bit about what was happening. School for Princes: Stories from the Panchatantra was quite interesting. I did not know these Indian fables though one of them does seem to be the basis of Rikki Tikki Tavi. Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote definitely gets at the human issues of illegal immigration. It would be a good way to introduce the topic with upper grade students. Overall, it was an excellent week of reading.
The Coming Week:
I am still listening to Barbara Kingsolver's The Lacuna. I have started to read I am Malala. It is a bit dry and doesn't really sound like a teenager talking, but I am still barely into the book. The history is making me trudge rather than breeze through. I am also reading a professional book called Privilege, Power and Difference. After these, I will finally get to Open Mic. Other than that, I am not sure what will come next.
Have a great week!
I requested When the Beat Was Born from my local library, along with Can't Stop Won't Stop which is authored by DJ Kool Herc. I have a student who writes and raps, and he will love these!
ReplyDeleteOh, I didn't know the title Can't Stop Won't Stop. Thanks!
DeleteCrystal,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about I am Malala. I, too, have found it has not captured my interest. I read a bit at a time, but I need to be reading another book just for the enjoyment. I recently started Catherine Ryan Hyde's When I Found You. Interesting premise. Unique characters. I am enjoying the book.
I guess I am glad it's not just me. I think the idea of I am Malala is good, but the execution is not what I would have hoped.
DeleteIt's been awhile since I've read a Barbara Kingsolver novel. I think I have a copy of Lacuna too! Hope I can read along with you. School for Princes sounds like a perfect fit for our current theme on Bluebloods; Darius and Twig also caught my eye, will try to find that one too. :) Have a great reading week! Just added you on Goodreads.
ReplyDeleteYes, School for Princes would work. It is a collection of stories and you could read a few or all of them. Thanks for stopping by.
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