Monday, February 9, 2015

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 2/9/15


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.


Last Week's Posts


      Picture Books


      What Do You Do with an Idea? (2013) by Kobi Yamada and Mae Besom (Independent Publisher Book Awards, gold). I have been waiting for our library to get a copy of this book for months and months, but the day finally arrived. This lovely book contemplates the question of what one does with an idea in a figurative and imaginative tale. This would be an interesting one to use in discussions with children about big ideas, inventors, innovators, or even to kick off their own genius hour-style projects.

      Middle Grade


      How I Became a Ghost: a Choctaw Trail of Tears Story (2013) by Tim Tingre. This book sat around on my TBR stack for so long that I had to return it and re-request it from our library system. I regretted not having read it immediately once I was only a few pages into the story. This powerful series opener is narrated by Isaac as he describes both the title event as well as quite a few more on the beginning of his tribes forcible ejection from their homeland along the Trail of Tears. I am really looking forward to the rest of this series!


      May B. a Novel (2012) by Caroline Starr Rose. This novel-in-verse perplexed me immensely. I had read some reviews that focused on the fact that the main character was a pioneer girl with dyslexia, which intrigued me, but her dyslexia had really nothing to do with the story. I also found myself wondering whether the novel-in-verse format would be harder or easier for a student with dyslexia to decipher. The story struck me as bizarre, the verse format did not engage me, and I will remain on the lookout for great books to encourage students with dyslexia. Any recommendations?

      Award-Winning Books Reading Challenge update: 2

      Dive into Diversity Challenge update: 20 books, 8 dedicated posts

      Happy Reading!

      9 comments:

      1. Several people have recommended May B. to me, so now I'm really curious to read it. Loved What Do You Do With An Idea? Thanks for sharing!

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        1. Thanks! May B. was not what I was looking for, but with a different purpose, it may be a better fit for you.

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      2. Love What Do You Do With An Idea! It is a great creativity and conversation starter.
        Fish in a Tree and Bluefish may not help students with dyslexia, but both have students with a reading disability and they may find a connection with the protagonists.

        Happy reading this week! :)

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        Replies
        1. Thanks, Kellee! I actually just put in a request for Fish in a Tree, and I will definitely look up Bluefish too. It's always great when kids can see themselves in books!

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      3. After I read how I became a ghost, I purchased a copy for our library. One of our teachers is reading it to her class. I am just delighted when they come into the library and tell me about it.

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        1. I could see it as an amazing read aloud, for sure, Cheriee. Great choice!

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      4. I am going to get this book What Do You Do with an Idea?

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        Replies
        1. It is really fascinating. I think you will enjoy it.

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      5. Hi Katie - have you read Margarita Engle's "The Wild Book" yet? It's a novel-in-verse that highlights Margarita's grandmother's life and her dealing with dyslexia during her time. I thought that was beautifully rendered.

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