It's Monday! What are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. It's a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now...you just might discover your next “must-read” book!

Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children's literature - picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit - join us! We love this meme and think you will, too. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

If you go to my Goodreads account, you can see what I have read recently & click on the books to learn more.

Last Week in Books:

The Joyful Book wasn't my favorite Todd Parr book, but it was okay. I really enjoyed Sunflower Lion. It's clever and Henkes made a picture book a chapter book. I think that was fun. Gurple and Preen was just as silly and fun as I had anticipated. The Oboe Goes Boom Boom Boom is a creative way to add some humor to learning about the instruments. Nina Soni Sister Fixer was a cute sibling early chapter book. I liked the first Nina Soni book better, but this one was still nice. Joey is a picture book biography of Joe Biden that is pretty glowing, but it really spends a lot of time on his childhood and it was nice to find out more about that part of his life. The Wedding Party was another hilarious romance from Jasmine Guillory and I needed that escapism after finding out we had three two school days to prepare to go back face to face. Eek. Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice was actually written and in the publishing process prior to her becoming the VP pick for Biden. It is certainly timely. I liked the emphasis again on the younger years in this picture book biography. Land of Cranes is a middle grade novel in verse about a family that has been separated due to immigration complications. The young girl and her mother are essentially in a cage near the border and the father has been deported already. It's hard to read knowing there are children right now who are not with their families. From You to Me is a middle grade novel that deals with grief in a family and also friendship and more. I'm writing quickly and heading to bed before what feels like the first day of school. It's exciting and nerve wracking just like first days always are, but there's an extra level of stress. It's will be an interesting week. 

The Coming Week: 

I started reading Three Keys (loving it) and am still reading The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde. Have a great week!

Reading Challenge Updates: 

Goodreads Challenge 2019 - 498/500

Diversity on the Shelf 2020 - 294/250
Chapter Books 2020 - 188/200

#MustReadin2020 - 28/36
#YARC2020 - 60/55
Muslimshelfspace - 26/30

It's Monday! What are you reading

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. It's a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now...you just might discover your next “must-read” book!

Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children's literature - picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit - join us! We love this meme and think you will, too. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

If you go to my Goodreads account, you can see what I have read recently & click on the books to learn more.

Last week on the blogs:

Review: The Ninth Night of Hanukkah

Last Week in Books:

My Brother the Duck is a humorous story, but the illustrations weren't my favorite. Best Friend in the Whole World is sweet and teaches a bit about empathy along with friendship. Not 'til Tomorrow Phoebe is a cute story about how hard it is to wait. Those three were nice, but the stand-outs were definitely All Because You Matter and Evelyn del Ray is Moving Away. All Because You Matter is simply beautiful and Evelyn is a book about friendship that will make folks smile. Besides, I haven't met a Meg Medina book that I haven't liked.

The Barren Grounds by David A. Robertson was a treat. It is obviously giving nods to Narnia, but is still distinct as a portal fantasy. The main characters are Indigenous with one who is in touch with his culture and the other who has been cut off from her family and history so long she doesn't know her past. It's beautiful and I can't wait for the rest of the series.

Chirp by Kate Messner is a fantastic middle grade book. It deals with quite a few things, but the thing that really makes it stand out is how it deals with consent. I really appreciated the book and so wish that it had been around when I was in elementary school. It may have helped me. 

The Boys in the Back Row was a delight. The boys are band geeks and Mike Jung made me laugh and cry.

I was also excited to have a Jasmine Guillory book for Friday night. Her books always make me laugh and smile and Party of Two was no exception. Her romances are hilarious and a bit steamy. 

The Coming Week: 

I started listening to Charming as a Verb. I'm also reading The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde. Have a great week!

Reading Challenge Updates: 

Goodreads Challenge 2019 - 484/500

Diversity on the Shelf 2020 - 284/250
Chapter Books 2020 - 181/200

#MustReadin2020 - 28/36
#YARC2020 - 60/55
Muslimshelfspace - 26/30

Book Review: The Ninth Night of Hanukkah

 

Title: The Ninth Night of Hanukkah

Author: Erica Perl

Illustrator: Shahar Kober

Publisher: Sterling Children's Books

Review copy: Final copy via publisher

Availability: On shelves now

Summary: It’s Hanukkah, and Max and Rachel are excited to light the menorah in their family’s new apartment. But, unfortunately, their Hanukkah box is missing. So now they have no menorah, candles, dreidels, or, well, anything! Luckily, their neighbors are happy to help, offering thoughtful and often humorous stand-in items each night. And then, just as Hanukkah is about to end, Max and Rachel, inspired by the shamash (“helper”) candle, have a brilliant idea: they’re going to celebrate the Ninth Night of Hanukkah as a way to say thanks to everyone who’s helped them!

This book is not only a heartwarming and fun story, it’s also an invitation to join in a beautiful new Hanukkah tradition!

Review: I love the unique take this book has on the holiday. I've often read or heard about the story of the Maccabbean soldiers and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight nights, but hadn't really thought much about the shamash candle. I'm not Jewish, but really appreciated this focus on helping and appreciation for the helpers in our lives. This certainly seems like a book that Jewish families could enjoy, but any family can connect with being helpers and thanking or honoring those who have helped us. This is a story that has the warmth of family, community, and sharing and it feels like a warm hug. I would definitely recommend it for anyone looking for books about Hanukkah, but also for those wanting books about kindness, helpfulness, community, and appreciating those "who help heal the world."

It's Monday! What are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. It's a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now...you just might discover your next “must-read” book!

Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children's literature - picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit - join us! We love this meme and think you will, too. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

If you go to my Goodreads account, you can see what I have read recently & click on the books to learn more.

Last week on the blogs:

Group Discussion--Punching the Air

Rich in Color

 

 Book Review: Super Fake Love Song by David Yoon

Rich in Color

Last Week in Books:

I had the good fortune to see Mitali Perkins read Between Us and Abuela online Monday evening for a library event. The following night, I was able to attend Mike Jung's launch party for The Boys in the Back Row. It was a fantastic experience and you can enjoy a taste of it by watching the music video that we got to see. 

My favorite of the week was Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance. Many of the stories were awesome and the one by editor Bethany Morrow just keeps bouncing around in my head. 

I shared Yasmin the Soccer Star with 5th grade because we are going to be meeting virtually with Saadia Faruqi later this month. I have just finished reading her two middle grade books myself and will share portions of A Thousand Questions with my students over the next few class meetings so they can ask some good questions when they see her.

The Wrong Mr. Darcy was an adult rom-com, but it was just meh so if you're looking for a rom-com, I'd recommend the YA above Super Fake Love Song instead.

The Boy with the Butterfly Mind was very interesting, but stressful. It was a dual perspective, but it was difficult being in their minds since they were going through a lot.

Unpresidented is a biography of Donald Trump. It didn't give me a whole lot of new information, but I did learn a few things and was reminded of some things. It was not a terribly enjoyable read, but that was simply because of the topic, not the writing.

I Believe I Can is a nice gentle and inspirational picture book that brought a smile to my face.

Here are the books I've been sharing with students in Sept. and Oct.

The Coming Week: 

I have finally started The Barren Grounds and am really enjoying it. Have a great week filled with reading.

Reading Challenge Updates: 

Goodreads Challenge 2019 - 474/500

Diversity on the Shelf 2020 - 282/250
Chapter Books 2020 - 179/200

#MustReadin2020 - 28/36
#YARC2020 - 59/55
Muslimshelfspace - 26/30

It's Monday! What are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. It's a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now...you just might discover your next “must-read” book!

Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children's literature - picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit - join us! We love this meme and think you will, too. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

If you go to my Goodreads account, you can see what I have read recently & click on the books to learn more.

Last week on the blogs:

Interview with Ibi Zoboi & Yusef Salaam

Rich in Color

  

Book Reviews

Last Week in Books:

This was a middle grade week for me. Geeks, Girls, & Secret Identities by Mike Jung was a fun superhero romp. I am going to be at Mike's book launch for The Boys in the Back Row this Tuesday. I realized I had read Unidentified Suburban Object, but not his first so this seemed to be the time to do it. 

Class Act was a digital ARC and I think it comes out this Tuesday too. I always worry about sequels, but I think I may have liked this one even more than New Kid. It was great to get to know Drew better.

A Thousand Questions is a really lovely book. Like the other two, friendship plays a pretty strong part in this story. I really loved this one and enjoyed getting to see Karachi through several perspectives. My fifth graders are going to meet Saadia Faruqi virtually at the end of the month so I was glad to get my hands on this ARC. It will also be available this Tuesday.

The Coming Week: 

I think I'm going to finally get to The Barren Grounds and I'll be re-reading David Yoon's YA rom-com book Super Fake Love Song to review at Rich in Color on Friday. Have a great week filled with reading.

Reading Challenge Updates: 

Goodreads Challenge 2019 - 467/500

Diversity on the Shelf 2020 - 279/250
Chapter Books 2020 - 175/200

#MustReadin2020 - 28/36
#YARC2020 - 59/55
Muslimshelfspace - 24/30

Book Review Sunday

Title: How to Spot an Artist 

Author: Danielle Krysa 

Publisher: Prestel 

Review copy: Final copy via publisher 

Availability: On shelves now 

Summary: A book about being an artist...even when someone tells you not to be. This book is for all the art kids out there: the creative young people who love to draw, paste, cut, glitter, and tape their way through life. And what to do when art bullies--or your own inner critic--show up saying nonsense like, "You'll never be good enough!" Hint: make stuff! 

Review: This is a playful book about making art. There is a growing number of books like this encouraging young readers to continue to make art. I'm sad we need these books, but until we don't, I'll keep sharing books like this with young people. Many people stop creating because what they make doesn't seem to be perfect or what other people make. They also seem to forget that even artists need to practice their skills so they don't have to create something perfect the first time. 

The story has creative characters rather than actual people and I think that adds to the humor and lightness of the book. I appreciate that it points out that our inner critic can be bullying us and shaming us. This is the tricky part of making art--doing it in spite of our worries. 

Recommendation: This is a nice book to encourage creativity. If you already have Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg and What if... by Samantha Berger and want more titles to support hesitant artists, this would be another title to add. I also think it would pair really well with Lois Ehlerts picture book memoir The Scraps Book: Notes from a Colorful Life.

Title: The Scary Book

Author: Thierry Dedieu

Publisher: Prestel Junior

Translator & Project Manager: Melanie Schöni (translated from French)

Review copy: Final copy via publisher

Availability: On shelves now

Summary: Snakes, bats, and spiders aren't that frightening--but just wait till you see what they're like on the inside! This delightfully ghoulish book is filled to the brim with creatures perfect for some Halloween fun. Whether it's a big bad wolf or a skeletal ghost, each monster is hiding its really horrible side beneath a foldable flap. Lift the foldout on the crab to reveal sharp teeth and tentacle tongues or pull down the flap on the spider to discover its recently caught snacks. Thierry Dedieu's colorful illustrations bring humor and lightheartedness to many spine-chilling creatures. A perfect blend of silly and scary, this big board book helps kids overcome their worries with laughter. Encourage your children to embrace their spooky side with this Halloween treat!

Review: This is definitely an interesting book. The initial illustrations seem slightly creepy, but when the folded flaps are expanded, there are some ghoulish images inside each creature. I can see this being a delight for young readers who want to have a tingle of fear, but who like to control how much and when they want to see it. They can slowly pull down the tabs or even skip some of them if they are too concerned. I am constantly being asked for scary books in my library for 4-11 year olds. It seems like the 4-6 age range really want to be spooked, but in books they do have the control of the page turn, or in this case, the flap reveal. I do wish they had used the word venomous instead of poisonous with the snake and that it didn't show a wolf as a creature that eats humans, but still, this will delight many young thrill seekers. 

Recommendation: This is a fun book that many readers of spooky fare will enjoy and it will be a hit for Halloween. The flaps will make this one that won't last a long time in a circulating library, but will be enjoyed  while it holds up. 

Title: The House of Happy Spirits: A Children's Book Inspired by Friedensreich Hundertwasser

Author: Géraldine Elschner 

Illustrator: Lucie Vandevelde

Original Co-author: Josef Krawina

Architect: Peter Pelikan

Publisher: Prestel

Translator: Paul Kelly

Review copy: Final copy via publisher

Availability: On shelves now

Summary: The Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser believed that humanity and nature shared a harmonious partnership, a philosophy that he demonstrated with his architectural creations. Filled with color-saturated illustrations that echo Hundertwasser's bold style, this story introduces young readers to the idea of environmentally conscious and playful architecture. When construction starts on a new building in Lea's neighborhood, she fears that her favorite tree will be chopped down. For days she watches anxiously as the tree is covered up and surrounded by bricks. Finally, she learns that the tree has been spared and made the centerpiece of a fantastic new building, where it will live a long and healthy life. Lucie Vandevelde's joyful drawings convey a kid's-eye view of city life, complete with people, pets, automobiles, and machinery. As the new building emerges, readers will come to learn about some of Hundertwasser's celebrated and offbeat principles--such as the rights of tenants to paint the walls outside of their windows, that trees should be given their own rooms, and that "straight lines lead to the downfall of humanity." A brief biography of Hundertwasser at the end of the book fills readers in on the work of this pioneering artist whose ideas were once radical but are now integrated into many architectural concepts.

Review: I can just imagine children pouring over this book. There are so many patterns and colors and unique creations. It's vibrant and gives the eyes so much to explore. The story combines architecture and a concern for nature.

What I truly love is that this is based on an actual place. It's fabulous that they chose to include some photos and information about the artist that inspired the story. It would be great to pair this with The Secret Kingdom: Nek Chand, a Changing Inida and a Hidden World of Art

Recommendation: For readers who like something a little quirky or enjoy art and architecture, this will be a winner. I found the art charming and quite fun. That and the historical aspect were more enthralling than the story, but if unique is what you are after, this is for you.