Monday, June 10, 2019

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading. To find out what other bloggers are reading, check out the host blogs or follow on Twitter at #imwayr.


Recent Reads...


Bear Came Along by Richard T. Morris

While being curious about the river, Bear accidentally falls in, starting off an adventure in which other woodland animals unexpectedly join in. The animals' adventure has a moment of suspense, but ends in fun. This is a charming book that shows the positives of connection with others. There is humor in both the text and the illustrations. The use of color is interesting, too, as the book starts of with mostly grays and browns and gets increasingly more colorful. I shared this with first graders last week and they enjoyed it and had great ideas about the lesson of the book.


The Peculiar Pig by Joy Steuerwald

Penny is quite different from her pig siblings. Although Mama Pig loves the little dachshund as much as the others, the piglets find Penny very peculiar. To the piglets' surprise, it turns out that peculiar saves the day. This is a sweet book with a lesson about how differences can be strengths. The illustrations are the cutest. Thanks to the publisher for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with a review copy.


Untitled by Timothy Young

A coatimundi and a capybara are waiting for the author to start writing and liven up their story. While they wait they imagine the adventures they would like to go on. A twist at the end gives them an unexpected surprise and has them hoping for a sequel. The book is funny and will likely lead readers to want to research the two types of animals featured in the book. Thanks to the generosity of the author, Timothy Young, I received a copy of the book to share with my students.


Finding Orion by John David Anderson

Rion Kwirk feels that he doesn't fit in with his quite unusual family. Even the funeral of Rion's grandfather, Papa Kwirk, proves to be unconventional. It leads to an adventure as the family goes on a scavenger hunt through which they discover more about Papa Kwirk's life. This is a quirky, but heart-warming story about family and forgiveness. I was lucky enough to win a copy of this book, thanks to Nicole at Bluestocking Thinking and the publisher.

Monday, June 3, 2019

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading. To find out what other bloggers are reading, check out the host blogs or follow on Twitter at #imwayr.

Recent Reads...


The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes

A boy is beginning his first day of kindergarten. From the moment he wakes and throughout his day of learning and interacting with friends, the boy exudes confidence and enthusiasm. Showing the delights and possibilities that the first day of school can bring, this book can help to ease first day jitters. The book reads like poetry and the illustrations are bright and joyful. Thanks to the publisher for a review copy of the book. The book publishes in July.

Awesome Dog 5000 (Book 1) by Justin Dean

Marty and his friends discover a robot dog which leads them to an adventure in which they are battling the evil super villain, Dr. Crazybrains. There is lots of action, but also lots of kid humor. The short chapters and illustrations will also make this a book that appeals to many kids. It publishes in July. Thanks to the publisher for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advance reader's copy.

Sea Sirens (A Trot and Cap'n Bill Adventure) by Amy Chu and Janet K. Lee

While Trot surfs with her cat, Bill, she keeps her eye on grandfather who has dementia. When a wave takes them under, Trot and Bill find themselves in a magical underwater world ruled by the Sea Sirens. The kingdom of the Sea Sirens is enchanting and beautiful, but also dangerous as they have been at war with the Serpents for years. Trot and Bill must face the Serpents when grandfather's life is put at risk. This graphic novel is gorgeously illustrated and the ending promises a future adventure. 

Refugee 87 by Ele Fountain

In an unnamed country, the military has taken control. Shif's mother has hatched a plan for him to escape, but before he can do so he's captured by the military along with his friend Bini and they are both thrown into a prison. This is a story of courage, survival, and friendship that is heart-wrenching, but ends on a note of hope. The book is marketed as appropriate for ages eight through twelve, but I think readers at the younger end of this range may find Shif's situation frightening. It's a gripping, honest read that gives insight into the refugee experience.
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