Monday, June 1, 2015

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 6/1/15


It's Monday! What are you reading? was started by Sheila at Book Journey and was adapted for children's books from picture books through YA by Jen of Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee of Unleashing Readers. You can visit either site for a round up of blogs sharing their weekly readings and thoughts or search Twitter for #IMWAYR.


Picture Books


The Wren and the Sparrow (2015) by J. Patrick Lewis and illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg. This Holocaust parable is told through the lens of music and musical instruments. The story centers around an old man, the Wren, and his young student, the Sparrow and what happens to their small Polish town during the time of the "Tyrant." The story is powerfully done and will inspire deep conversations with children about the Holocaust and its impacts on the lives of people at the time.


Stone Angel (2015) by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Katie May Green. Sticking with the theme of Holocaust parables, this story takes place in France and is told through the eyes of a young Jewish girl. Her world begins to change, and the family is forced to flee into the woods after the soldiers arrive. Much of the story revolves around their journey and the girl's continued optimism about the future. This story has a happier ending than The Wren and the Sparrow but the middle is perhaps a bit more bleak in the hardships that the family endures.


Red Kite, Blue Kite (2013) by Ji-li Jiang and illustrated by Greg Ruth. This story takes place during the Cultural Revolution in China and is told through the eyes of a young boy whose father is sent to a labor camp. Their kites become a way for the two to communicate and for the boy to keep his spirits up. The story was inspired by the author's friend and his father's own incarceration during the Cultural Revolution.

Graphic Novels


The Baby-Sitters Club: Kristy's Great Idea (2006) by Ann M. Martin as a graphic novel by Raina Telgemeier. I was delighted when I found out that Raina Telgemeier was bringing back the Baby-Sitters Club as a graphic novel series. Despite having read dozens upon dozens of these books as kid, it was interesting how little of the series stuck with me. It was entertaining to see the series reimagined, and I expect these to be very popular with students as well.

For the summer, I'll be joining Donalyn Miller's #bookaday Challenge. My plan is to read 90 books over the three months of summer vacation, as well as to continue furthering my exploration of award-winning and diversity books. Hope you'll join in the fun!

Award-Winning Books Reading Challenge update: 11 books, 2 dedicated posts

Dive into Diversity Challenge update: 125 books, 26 dedicated posts (this week: Featured Illustrator: Sean Qualls: part 2)

Happy Reading!

14 comments:

  1. AnonymousJune 01, 2015

    Stone Angel sounds fascinating, shall anticipate reading, thank you....

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    1. Definitely worth it! Can't wait to hear what you think.

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  2. We have the first four of the Baby-Sitter's Club graphic novels. I'll have to spotlight them next fall when my students return. I hadn't realized that they were done by Telgemeier. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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    1. Thanks, Kathy! They are a bit old for my third graders, but I can see them being very popular with our older elem and middle schoolers for sure.

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  3. My students love the Babysitters books, and I think they will love Roller Girl when school starts in the fall. I never have to book talk graphic novels!

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    1. Agreed! I finally gave in this past year and put the GN bins right near the book check in - saved me all kinds of time!

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  4. I loved Red Kite, Blue Kite. Such an amazing book.

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  5. I never read any of the Babysitters books, but I know I'm going to have to buy a couple adapted by Raina Telgemeier. I expect some of my students have read the series and would love revisiting in that format.

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    1. I'm sure they would enjoy them! The funny thing is that I know I read dozens (if not 100s) of the books, and I remember almost nothing about them.

      I find it amazing the kinds of books Ann M Martin has come up with lately, compared to these.

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  6. Red Kite, Blue Kite looks like a fabulous book. These babysitter graphics are extremely popular. I think I'm on my third copy of some of them. I thought they might encourage readers to try the print based titles, but nothing came of it.

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    1. Hmm, I find that really curious, Cheriee. Bit of a bummer!

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  7. 90 books! I will be excited to continue reading your weekly posts to see all of the titles you are reading. Maybe I will set a specific summer reading goal too - great idea! I really like Red Kite, Blue Kite too.

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    1. Thanks for the encouragement, Carrie! I'm already three days in and forgetting to keep track. :P Once I get "last day of school brain" turned off, I should be all set.

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