Monday, November 16, 2020

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:

Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots is a light-hearted way to have a discussion around facts & opinions. I will be buying this one because it's pretty fun. 

Ready to Fly: How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile Ballerina is a quick picture book biography of a young Black girl who wanted to dance so badly, that she began to teach herself how using books from the bookmobile. 

The House at the End of the Road is a lovely story of some young people and their relationship with an elderly gentleman down the road. 

Zero Local is a wordless book and shows some people spreading kindness in their community.

Where is the Sun? is a cute Eric Carle book, but once again the science isn't quite right and that annoys me a bit. It speaks of the sun moving in the sky. I guess I don't need a book to teach science, but the sentences that imply that the sun is doing all of the moving didn't have to be in the book. It wasn't necessary for the story, so why have incorrect things in there? The Hungry Caterpillar had a cocoon (moths) instead of a chrysalis (butterflies) and it seems minor, but un-teaching things is almost harder than teaching them. Sorry about the rant.

The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane was a nice middle grade about friendship and family. What makes it stick in my memory is that there is a road trip. I tend to like road trip books. 

Raybearer is the beginning book in a fantasy series. It was unique and fun and was a distraction from general life stress.

Suggested Reading is a book about some students in a private high school that are trying to get around the censorship of certain books. One of the characters even starts a subversive hidden library of banned books. 

Born to Fly was a winner for me for a few reasons. I always had a fascination with flight as a child. We had flown commercially multiple times when I was in elementary school and then I got to have a ride in a private plane several times too. I remember writing my first major biography report on Amelia Earhardt. I have also loved every single book Sheinkin has written. His narrative nonfiction is excellent. 

Recipe for Persuasion is an adult romance that was loosely based on Austen's Persuasion. It was a nice read, but I enjoyed the first in the series more. It had been based on Pride and Prejudice. 

A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow was a delightful YA romance. I love books involving food and tea was a bonus. With 2020 being what it is, I have been on the hunt for books that make me smile and this one sure did.

I finally finished How to Be Remy Cameron. It was digital and I was reading it on my phone, but I am not a fan of that format so I read it in bite sized pieces over two weeks. It was a humorous YA with some romance and a young man trying to figure himself out.

The Coming Week: I'm still reading Freedom is a Constant Struggle. I'm not sure what else I will be picking up. Fortunately, there is nothing that I have to read for any particular task this week so I am free to choose something fun and I'll likely look for romances. Happy reading!

Reading Challenge Updates: 
#MustReadin2020 - 27/36
#YARC2020 - 64/55
Muslimshelfspace - 26/30

Monday, November 9, 2020

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 Blog: 
Last Week in Books:


Too many to count, but I really enjoyed the YA books Born to Fly and Raybearer and The Mental Load which is a graphic novel for adults. 

During the stress of the election, I found that picture books were just the thing for those times when my brain felt too scattered for heavier or lengthier texts so I read quite a few of those. I read the longer books over this weekend when I felt my stress level drop significantly. 

The Coming Week: I'm still reading Freedom is a Constant Struggle and How to Be Remy Cameron. I have a committee meeting next week and am trying to read as many kidlit novels as possible between now and then so those should keep me busy. Happy reading!

Reading Challenge Updates: 
#MustReadin2020 - 27/36
#YARC2020 - 63/55
Muslimshelfspace - 26/30

Monday, November 2, 2020

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:

Picture Books

Shubh Diwali is a beautiful book about a family and how they celebrate Diwali.

Bunbun & Bonbon: Fancy Friends is a super fun and silly brief graphic novel about a bunny and a piece of candy and the beginning of their friendship. 

Early chapter books & Middle Grade

Lost in the Tunnel of Time is an early chapter book series. I didn't realize that at the time so I will need to go back and read the first one in the series. It was a fun adventure that involved the history of the underground railroad in the children's community. 

Twins is a fantastic graphic novel about twins who are beginning to spread their wings (willingly and unwillingly) and seem to be growing apart. It's great realistic fiction and I know many readers will love it. 

Three Keys was just as enthralling as the first book Kelly Yang wrote about a family with a motel. This book dealt even more with immigration and activism. 

Young Adult

Flamer is an excellent and powerful graphic novel about a young man at camp who is learning about himself and moving towards acceptance. 

Shine is a rom-com about a rising k-pop star and is written by the former lead of a k-pop group called Girls Generation. 

The Coming Week: 
This past week was quite an interesting one. We went back to face-to-face learning on Monday. On Wed. afternoon, we were informed that we would be back to completely virtual learning on the following Monday. That experiment lasted one week. Our community numbers are rising and we also had students and/or student family members test positive during this week of in person learning. It was nice to see students in person, but it sure didn't last long. 

Because we had our "first" day of school and our "last" day of school all in one week and had to adjust to the new schedule it was quite stressful. This week, academic stress should be less, but election stress is amping up. 

I will likely be looking for books that will make me smile. I just started How to Be Remy Cameron and am reading Freedom is a Constant Struggle. I wish you all a great week!

Reading Challenge Updates: 
#MustReadin2020 - 27/36
#YARC2020 - 63/55
Muslimshelfspace - 26/30

Sunday, October 25, 2020

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

Monday, October 19, 2020

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:

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

Saturday, October 17, 2020

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."

Monday, October 12, 2020

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:
Rich in Color
 
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: 
#MustReadin2020 - 28/36
#YARC2020 - 59/55
Muslimshelfspace - 26/30