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.
Last Week on the blogs:
At Rich in Color, I reviewed Into the Dangerous World
an illustrated novel by Julie Chibbaro with art by JM Superville Sovak
Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday
Tuesday Tucks Me In by Fmr Cpt. Luis Montalván with Bret Witter
Photographs by Dan Dion
I celebrated my children this week
by Judith Robbins Rose
Read Last Week:
Between the World and Me will need its own post. I copied down several pages of quotes and notes while reading Ta-Nehisi Coates' powerful letter to his son and the world. I hope many many people read and see through his eyes.
Nimona was hilarious and also a little more thought provoking than I expected. I was left wondering and wanting more. The tiny print was super hard on my old eyes though. If there are more, I hope there are more books, the print is bigger.
I really had fun reading The Potato King. It's about the Prussian king who (so the legend goes) introduced the potato to his reluctant subjects. The art is fun. I can see it being a great springboard for making potato prints.
Owl Babies is sweet and has beautiful pictures.
Happy! is exactly what you might expect. The lyrics of Parrell Williams' song are illustrated with photos of young children who look happy. It's fun.
When Reason Breaks was intense. I appreciated it while still having some concerns about some of the things that happened. It was one that I couldn't put down.
Jackaby delivered as promised. It was described as being a cross between Dr. Who and Sherlock. I loved the mystery and the bit of fantasy/horror mixed in along with a splash of humor. I laughed throughout.
Lenny & Lucy was absolutely adorable. I love the artwork and the sweet story.
Zombelina was cute. The text was okay, but the illustrations were the standout for me. I bought it because *zombies* and it is humorous too.
Beautiful Hands is one of those inspirational types of books that adults will probably love more than children. It's focus is on creativity and the wonderful things young hands can do. The illustrations are pretty and could lead to readers making their own.
Urban Tribes is another wonderful compilation by the editors of Dreaming in Indian. I only got to see the digital ARC (thanks Annick Press), so I think some of the images were missing, but what I saw was excellent. Again it is nonfiction that shares the art and voices of many Native young people (young being teen through twenties or even later - I couldn't tell the top age). It highlights the diversity and provides a platform for their voices to be heard. I'll do a full review at some point here or at least on Goodreads. We will be having a book discussion on this title in a few weeks at Rich in Color also.
I also finished Zebra Forest. I'm glad I read and reread Treasure Island as a child. I think it gave me a connection with this book I wouldn't have had otherwise. It was okay. I am not sure why it was on my #MustReadin2015 list.
The Coming Week: I'm listening to Harriet the Spy and seeing if it goes better that way. I'm reading Never Always Sometimes for a review at Rich in Color and have finally started Out of Darkness. I have a lot of books to review, but don't know which ones I will hit this week. It will be a fun collection though I'm sure. Have a great week!
Diversity on the Shelf/Diverse Books - 175/100
Goodreads - 441/520
#MustRead2015 - 44/53
Diversity Reading Challenge - 12/12
Pura Belpré Challenge -86/86 (some were read prior to this year)
I enjoyed your review of Into the Dangerous World, but I'm in the mood for some kind of joyful romp - a mystery would be ok too. Jackab might fit the bill for me but it isn't available at my local library. I do have the next in the Lockwood and Co series, and maybe that will do the trick. I'm glad you persisted with Nimona in spite of the very small print!
ReplyDeleteI bet that next Lockwood would work. I found Jackaby to be a little like Lockwood & Co. I like that there's so much humor.
DeleteThanks for your review of Look Both Ways. I bought it, but haven't read it yet. I thought it would be for a bit younger reader, but seeing the topics, maybe not.
ReplyDeleteLoved Lenny and Lucy this week!
I have Beautiful Hands, just need to read it!
I am glad I am not the only one who finds books on my #MustReadin2015 list and can't remember why I put them on there! I'm heading right over to read your Into the Dangerous World review. Chibbaro wrote one of my favorite YA novels, Deadly, and I've been waiting for her to come out with another book for years!
ReplyDeleteBetween the World and Me is on my TBR list but I can't remember if I added it for this year or next! Glad you liked Jackaby! Great reading this week.
ReplyDeleteI've been listening to a whole bunch of Ta-Nehisi Coates' interviews, and just finished the Atlantic article - now for the book!
ReplyDeleteSo much to comment on!
ReplyDeleteI saw Lenny and Lucy on another blog, and it looks great!
Jackaby is another on my radar. I am glad it lived up to its reputation.
I think Owl Babies is super cute, and Trent loves owls right now, so it is a favorite.
Nimona was just recommended to me! I'll have to move it up my TBR.
Happy reading this week! :)
Oooh thanks for sharing! I want to check out the book Look Both Ways in The Barrio Blanco.
ReplyDeleteBetween the World and Me is on my nightstand. I am reading it in a book group, but we aren't starting for another week or two. I am really looking forward to it!
ReplyDeleteBetween the World and Me sounds like a very powerful read. I am so happy to see Nimona here - we are on the same wavelength this week. I found it to be such a thought-provoking graphic novel - really brilliantly executed. - Myra from GatheringBooks
ReplyDeleteWow, sounds like a good reading week! I definitely want to pick up Nimona - read quite a few good things about it. Owl Babies is a classic, I'm always sharing it with families at the library, such lovely illustrations. Thanks for sharing!
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