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: 

National Novel Writing Month really puts a damper on my reading. I only finished three books at home besides the picture books I have been re-reading at school with my classes. My favorite book this week was El Deafo. It's is a fantastic middle grade graphic novel. I read it because the CCBC-net discussion was focusing on graphic novels this month and that was one of the titles. I had also been meaning to read it so I was glad I had the extra encouragement. Cece Bell shared some of her own experiences as a child this story. She was born hearing, but became deaf when she was a young. She shares what that was like with humor and heart. I loved reading El Deafo and will be sure to hand it to many students.

A Writer's Notebook was a nice reminder of the many ways that a writer can utilize a notebook to capture moments in life that can be used in our writing. I am looking forward to doing some of the things Ralph Fletcher recommended. Students may appreciate seeing the work of young students highlighted along side of work of professional writers .

I reviewed Hunt for the Bamboo Rat over at Rich in Color. It was a high energy survival story that takes place mostly in the Philippines during WWII. Readers get to see the war from a different perspective since the protagonist is Japanese American working for the U.S. military.

The Coming Week:

I am way behind on my National Novel Writing Month project so I may not get to very many books. If I do read something it is likely to be picture books for Alyson Beecher's Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge. I will be re-reading on of my favorite books, Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building with a few more first grade classes and finishing up reading the Golden Archer Nominees with a few classes:

The Dark by Lemony Snicket
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
Oh, No! by Candace Fleming
Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses by James Dean
That Is Not a Good Idea! by Mo Willems

I hope you have a great week filled with wonderful reading experiences!