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.
Due to National Novel Writing Month and the fact that I was woefully behind, I had precious little reading time this week, but I did manage to read Backwards Moon. I won an ARC online. It's a chapter book for the younger set. It would be nice for those advancing through the Magic Treehouse Books. It isn't very long, but there are no illustrations and the words are smaller and closer together. It centers on a two young witches. Their group of witches are in danger and the two youngsters are the ones tasked with saving everyone. It's what I would think of as an entry level fantasy chapter book.
The other book I got to read was The Pilot and the Little Prince. It was a picture book biography of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry by Peter Sis. I enjoyed it, but find it somewhat difficult to read the text when it is tiny and all over the page embedded in the illustrations. This is mainly due to my aging eyes, but I did wonder if my students would do the work necessary to chase the text around. The illustrations are pure Peter Sis and I enjoyed the whimsy. A favorite illustration is paired with the text saying, "follow the face of the landscape." The next two page spread then shows a desert area with faces in the hills.
The Coming Week:
I have been reading Foreign Gods, Inc. for several weeks, but I may just get through it this week. I also want to start reading some of the Newbery contenders that I haven't gotten to yet. I am not sure what I am getting to read because I haven't been able to plan well lately with all of the writing taking up my time. It will be a surprise I guess. Have a great week!
I have not had much success sharing Peter Sis's books with my college students. They take one look at the busy pages and shut the book! I discovered today that I need to read 28 books in December to meet my goals, and 17 have to be YA so I am off to scour my shelves for short YA. Bring on the graphic novels!
ReplyDeleteYes, the busy pages are a bit much, but you can always spot a Peter Sis book. His style is definitely distinct. Good luck with your reading goals!
DeleteOh the aging eyes issue and small print! I am with you on finding some time to read in busy, busy times - hoping for a lovely week ahead of reading for all of us.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about Peter Sis' biographies. I love his art but most of the information are portrayed in aesthetically-pleasing but very challenging ways. One has to be thoroughly into his books for them to 'chase around the text' as you aptly put it.
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