It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - July 23, 2018

July 23, 2018 Alyson Beecher

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kid lit focus. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kid lit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Here's what jumped out of the pile these past couple of weeks....

Undocumented: A Worker's Fight by Duncan Tonatiuh (Abrams ComicArts, August 7, 2018) - This one is coming out soon and this accordion style book is a must have. Books help students (and adults) become more aware of all kinds of issues and concerns and to build empathy and understanding. And given the attitude towards migrants and undocumented workers, Tonatiuh helps readers understand a little slice of worker's rights.

Perfect by Max Amato (Scholastic, January 2019) - Mark your calendar for January. I picked this one up at ALA Annual and had to share it. This will be a fabulous read aloud.

Red by Jed Alexander (Cameron, May 1, 2018) - I love wordless picture books and I love twists on fairy tales. This one offers both.

The Book Tree by Paul Czajak (Barefoot Books, September 30, 2018) - I picked this up at ALA Annual and I love when I find a book from a small press that I love. This one imagines a world without books and the spirit of storytelling and imagination that can't be squashed.

The Very Last Castle by Travis Jonker; Illustrated by Mark Pett (Abrams Books for Young Readers, October 9, 2018) - I am so excited for Travis and his debut picture book coming this fall. It will be a great read aloud.

Ode to An Onion: Pablo Neruda and His Muse by Alexandria Giardino, Illustrations by Felicita Sala (Cameron Kids, September 11, 2018) - This was another find from ALA and I really enjoyed this story about Neruda and his friend, Matilde.

Mr. Monkey Bakes a Cake by Jeff Mack (Simon & Schuster, July 3, 2018) - I love this new early reader series and hope there will be lots more.

Peter & Ernesto: A Tale of Two Sloths by Graham Annable (First Second, April 2018) - A fun graphic novel for young readers.

Cici's Journal: The Adventures of a Writer in Training by Joris Chamblain, Illustrations by Aurélie Neyret (First Second, November 2017) - A graphic novel in the spirit of Harriet the Spy.

Front Desk by Kelly Yang (Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine, May 29, 2018) - I finally read this one and loved it. This book will be good for discussing immigration, poverty, racism, and empathy.

Professional Reading...

Being the Change: Lessons and Strategies to Teach Social Comprehension by Sara K. Ahmed (Heinemann, March 2018) - Recently, I was at the Scholastic Reading Summit at Universal City and got to hear Sara present. I am excited to begin this one.

In case you missed it...

#Road2Reading Challenge: Tails From History

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: My 2019 Mock Sibert Thoughts - So Far

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - July 2, 2018

July 2, 2018 Alyson Beecher

A lot has been happening the past couple of weeks, so think of this as an extra huge round up post. This past Saturday, I attended the SoCal Launch Party for Everything Else in the Universe hosted by Tracy Holczer.

Don't you just love the Dragonfly sandals Tracy found to match her book?

If you missed her interview a few weeks back, check it out here.

Here's what jumped out of the stack...

All That Trash: The Story of the 1987 Garbage Barge and Our Problem with Stuff by Meghan McCarthy (Simon & Schuster, February 2018)

What Can a Citizen Do? by Dave Eggers, Illustrated by Shawn Harris (Chronicle Books, September 11, 2018)

We've Got the Whole World in Our Hands by Rafael Lopez (Scholastic Books, October 9, 2018)

Pearl by Molly Idle (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, October 9, 2018)

Surprise by Caroline Hadilaksono (Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Books, September 25, 2018)

King Alice by Matthew Cordell (Feiwel & Friends, September 25, 2018)

Potato Pants! by Laurie Keller (Henry Holt & Co, October 2, 2018)

Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, April 10, 2018)

Books I am currently reading...

Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson (Nancy Paulsen Books, August 28, 2018)

Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Scholastic Books/Graphix, September 25, 2018)

In case you missed it...

ALA Part 1 and Part 2

Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon

Ocean Meets the Sky Interview with The Fan Brothers

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: Hawk Rising

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? - From Picture Books to YA - 6/18/18

June 18, 2018 Alyson Beecher

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kid lit focus. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kid lit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

This week I wasn't able to get through that many books but the ones I did read were outstanding.

Here's what jumped out of the stack...

Dreamers by Yuyi Morales (Neal Porter Books, September 4, 2018) - Mark your calendars or pre-order this title. It is such a beautiful book. Given the news lately, this book is well-timed. Morales talks about her own experience coming over the boarder with her infant son and how she experienced life as an immigrant. The book also celebrates the role of the library in her life.

Turning Pages: My Life Story by Sonia Sotomayor; Illustrated by Lulu Delacre (Philomel, September 4, 2018) - Here is another book to pre-order or mark-to-read. Sotomayor tells about her life growing up and what led to her becoming a Supreme Court Justice. I love that she honors libraries and their role in her life.

Niblet & Ralph by Zachariah OHora (Dial Books, June 5, 2018) - Always happy to see a new book by OHora and especially one about cats.

The Wall in the Middle of the Book by Jon Agee (October 2, 2018) - Agee has a way to create a book with humor and multiple layers. Mark your calendar for this one as well.

In case you missed these posts from last week...

Book Review & Giveaway: What Do They Do With All That Poo?

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: Dog Days of History

#Road2Reading Challenge: Dory Fantasmagory: Head in the Clouds

YA Lit Friday: Review of War Storm

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you Reading? From Picture Books to YA - June 11, 2018

June 11, 2018 Alyson Beecher

In the past few weeks, I have been working through reading stacks of picture books and packing up ones to share with teachers. Here were several that jumped out of the stack...

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson (Nancy Paulsen, August 28, 2018) - Mark your calendars. You will want to pick up this beautiful book and share it with students. If I had unlimited funds, I would purchase it for all of the Elementary Principals in my district.

Natsumi! by Susan Lendroth; Illustrated by Priscilla Burris (G.P. Putnam, March 2018) - This was just a fun read. I could see where it was leading but it still made me smile.

Max and Marla Are Having a Picnic by Alexandra Boiger (G.P. Putnam, March 2018) - This is such a sweet friendship book.

Julían is a Mermaid by Jessica Love (Candlewick Press, May 2018) - Probably one of my favorite picture books of 2018. Text and illustrations are both gorgeous.

A Stone for Sascha by Aaron Becker (Candlewick Press, May 2018) - Becker has a new wordless picture book and it is beautiful. I can see how reading this several times will make it a richer experience.

Rabbit Moon by Jean Kim (Arthur A. Levine Books, January 2018) - What a fun adventure story and connecting with new friends.

Pignic by Matt Phelan (Greenwillow, March 2018) - I love Matt Phelan's art and this was simply a fun read.

Lost in the Library by Josh Funk; Illustrated by Steve Lewis (Macmillan, August 28, 2018) - I need to start a shelf on good reads for books that are essentially a love story to bookstores, and libraries, and lovers of books. Mark you calendar. This one comes out at the end of August.

The Brilliant Deep: Rebuilding the World's Coral Reefs by Kate Messner; Illustrated Matthew Forsythe (Chronicle Books, April 2018) - Kate Messner has a new picture book that explores the world of coral reefs.

Little Brown by Marla Frazee (Beach Lane Books, October 2, 2018) - Mark your calendars. This one may not be out until October but it is certainly one you will want to pick up and share with students. I suspect that there can be some good discussions arising from this one.

Fox & Chick: The Party and Other Stories by Sergio Ruzzier (Chronicle Books, April 2018) - This early chapter book is a lot of fun.

Here's what jumped out of Carolyn's stack...

Nice Try, Jane Sinner is the kind of book that you think is just a romantic comedy, but ends up painting one of the most accurate pictures of teenage mental health struggles and angst that I have had the pleasure to read (albeit in an incredibly absurd and comedic context). The book deals with romance, growing up, family dynamics, religion, and mental health (as well as the realities of reality television) in an altogether fresh, charming, witty (and at times, touching) way.

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 6/4/18

June 4, 2018 Carolyn Gruss

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kid lit focus. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kid lit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Today's #IMWAYR is being hosted by YA Friday blogger Carolyn Gruss. Here's what she has to say:

This is my first #IMWAYR post, and (to no one's surprise) my recent reading material skews pretty heavily towards young adult. Since I recently returned home for the summer, I've been organizing my room and I've realized just how many unread books I have lying around my room (some of which aren't even mine)! So, to combat this aggressive tsundoku, I've challenged myself to read a book a day this summer; this has been somewhat successful, as I've averaged only about half a book a day so far, but I have a couple of months to catch up before the summer is over. Without further ado, here's what I've been reading so far!

After getting my hands on the Selection series short story collection Happily Ever After earlier in this year, I reread the original Selection series. And since I already owned the sequel series, which follows Princess Evelyn (daughter of the Selection series' protagonist America), I figured I might as well binge all of the Selection series. Thanks to finals, however, I wasn't able to read The Heir and The Crown until I got back from college, but the rest of the series was fresh enough in my mind that I was able to slip right back into Cass' world of futuristic royalty without any confusion. This sequel series is well-crafted, and it offers readers a rare treat: getting to see, in an extended context, how the choices and events of the final book of the (original) series have impacted the world a generation later. Oh, and getting to see Evelyn turn the gendered tables of the Selection process around was also fun.

I originally read The Kiss of Deception when it was first released, but as I was merely borrowing the book from a friend, I never kept up with the series. When The Beauty of Darkness was released, I bought the entire series, but I never got around to reading it until now (partially as The Beauty of Darkness clocks in at a rather intimidating 679 pages). The Remnant Chronicles is a captivating series, filled with fantasy and, as the titles imply, plenty of deception, betrayal, and darkness. And although the hardcover editions are huge, they're well worth every word.

I normally don't gravitate towards books in verse, but when Alyson told me about Hidden's premise—intertwining stories of an accidentally kidnapped girl, the unwitting kidnapper's daughter responsible for keeping her alive, and their conflict-ridden reunion at summer camp years later—I knew I had to read Hidden. In an author's note at the end of the book, Frost reveals the way she wrote hidden messages in one character's verse, and the book was so good that I immediately reread it. Overall, HIdden is a beautifully written and brilliantly crafted masterpiece of a book.

If I'm being completely honest, this was not my first attempt at reading the wildly popular I'll Give You the Sun. I've picked up the book a couple of times, but never could quite get into it (the first chapter was a little overwhelming for me). Finally, I sat down and told myself I owed it to all the people who gave the book glowing reviews to try it, and lo and behold—I loved it. This isn't the first time I've ended up loving a book it took me a couple of tries to get into—the same thing happened with me with Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl and Eleanor and Park. By no means is it an easy read, but I'll Give You the Sun is touching and beautifully heartbreaking and incredibly important.

While I'm a pretty big fan of historical fiction, I hadn't ever read any historical fiction focusing on Pompeii before, so I was intrigued by the prospect of exploring the tragedy of Pompeii through the lens of its residents. A good work of historical fiction is able to keep the reader guessing (and hoping) what the final fate of the characters will be, even when the reader already knows the historical ending, and Curses and Smoke is no exception.

If you've been following my YA Friday feature, you know that I loved Red Queen and Glass Sword. So, when War Storm (the fourth and final book in the Red Queen series) was released this past month, I immediately got my hands on a copy. But first, in order to do the book justice, I went back to the very beginning and reread the entire series. I have so much to say about War Storm, which you'll hopefully be reading in my impending review, but let me say this about the Red Queen series: rarely have I seen such a carefully planned and meticulously executed series. Each book has a distinct portion of the overarching story, and other than a switch from Mare's single perspective in Red Queen and Glass Sword to multiple perspectives in King's Cage and War Storm, the series is perfectly precise and smooth while retaining a sense of individuality for each book.

I love short story/novella/prequel/sequel compilations, so naturally, I enjoyed Cruel Crown. I have a little bit of trouble figuring out where to place in terms of reading order—yes, it was published in between Red Queen and Glass Sword, but both short stories are prequels, and yet they both have some minor spoilers for Glass Sword (I think—I elected to wait to reread Cruel Crown until after I had finished War Storm, to better discern where I should place it the series). But regardless of placement, Cruel Crown offers an enlightening glimpse into two previously-unexplored characters and sheds light on their impact in the main novels. For any Red Queen fan, reading Cruel Crown is a must.