It's Monday! What are you reading?

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:

Geisel Award Challenge

 

Mr. Schu and Colby Sharp are at it again. They have set up a new challenge. They are going to read all of the Geisel honor and winner books. Of course, they have also invited others to participate. This is a challenge I can easily join since the books are brief and fabulous. It will also only take about 9 weeks since the award began in 2006. I loved the first week. I had read several of them before so they were old friends, but somehow Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas had slipped by me. I am so glad that this challenge helped me discover this gem. I will be sharing it with my students this coming week. On top of the fun books, we get Saturday morning videos from Mr. Schu and Colby. This is good news indeed. :)

Diversity on the Shelf Challenge

First They Killed My Father was quite a difficult memoir to read since the author lived through the genocide in Cambodia in the 70s. Yes, she lived through it, but she saw and experienced many horrifying things and lost family members. Though it was troubling, I was glad to understand more about Cambodia's history. The Pot That Juan Built was uplifting and inspiring. I shared it with my third grade students this week. We were fascinated by Juan Quezada's beautiful pottery and the process that he goes through to create it. I reviewed the book here. It also qualified for the Latin@s in Kidlit challenge and that was one of the reasons that I picked it up.

The Coming Week:

I set aside Privilege, Power and Difference. I may pick it up later, but if I am going to read a professional book, I am going to choose a different one right now. I also set aside Juneteenth. I got completely lost in some of the monologues. I own it so again, I may pick it up sometime in the future. I am completely absorbed by Americanah and suggested it for our book group next month so I will finish that up this week. I had to run out an buy it after hearing this interview with Zadie Smith.

On audio, I've started The Rock and the River in the car and Luka and the Fire of Life on Playaway. I am still reading House of Purple Cedar too. I am reading an ARC of Death Spiral from NetGalley also. Whew. There are a bunch of library books sitting on my shelf, but I don't know if I will get to them. What will you be reading?