Monday, June 29, 2015

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 6/29/15


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

  • Read Around the World: Central Asia. I shared a favorite book from Central Asia as part of the Read Around the World summer series on Multicultural Kids Blogs. Bonus links to some fun felt-related craft projects too!

    Picture Books

     

    Papa and Me (2008) and Mama and Me (2011) by Arthur Dorros and illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez. These two picture books celebrate the special relationships between a parent and a child. In each, the two go off on some special adventure and share a mix of Spanish and English in their dialog. Both books are a great way to add diverse families to your bookshelf.


    How to Read a Story (2015) by Kate Messner and illustrated by Mark Siegel. It is impossible to read this book and not want to immediately grab a huge pile of picture books, a reading buddy, and snuggle up for some amazing read alouds! I cannot wait to share this book with my third graders this fall as they prepare to be reading buddies with the kindergarten class. So fun!


    When Turtle Grew Feathers: a folktale from the Choctaw Nation (2007) by Tim Tingle and illustrated by Stacey Schuett. This entertaining variant of the Tortoise and the Hare explains both how turtle ended up with a "cracked" shell and why rabbits no longer challenge turtles.


    What Forest Knows (2014) by George Ella Lyon and illustrated by August Hall. If you ever need a mentor text to study the power of an economy of language, study the books of George Ella Lyon. This sparse, lyrical text is further enhanced by the soft style and color palette of the illustrations. Superb. (H/T Elisabeth at The Dirigible Plum.)

    Middle Grade


    The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate (coming July 7th, 2015) by Jacqueline Kelly. I was delighted to discover that there was finally a sequel to The Invention of Calpurnia Tate. In this story, Callie continues her scientific explorations with her grandfather, while also trying to keep a damper on younger brother Travis and his new "pets." This is a lovely historical fiction piece, and I love how the author weaves in details about gender relations and Callie's frustration with her limited role in her early 1900s world. (Digital ARC provided via Net Galley in return for an honest review.)

    Young Adult


    Trickster: Native American tales, a graphic collection (2010) assembled by Matt Dembicki. This "graphic novel" collection brings together 21 stories by Native American storytellers from across the US paired with illustrators. This is a great collection of tales, and the graphic novel or comic format makes this an especially appealing book for reluctant readers. Though labelled as Young Adult by my public library, the stories do not contain graphic or mature content (other than what you would expect from a traditional tale).


    Read Between the Lines (2015) by Jo Knowles. I had heard some really positive buzz around this book, even though I do not often read Young Adult fiction. When I realized that Jo Knowles was also one of the amazing instructors for the upcoming Teachers Write, I moved this book to the top of my TBR pile.  (A review copy of the book was provided by the Candlewick Best in Class mailing. All thoughts are my own.)

    This is an incredibly interesting and nuanced portrayal of one day in the life of a community. The story is told through several different perspectives all on this single day. I really appreciated how this format served to underscore the extreme self-centeredness of teen life, especially as the characters struggled to look beyond themselves and to express empathy for others. A powerful story.

    Challenges and Summer Plans

    This summer I am again joining in the amazing community and discussion of #cyberPD. This summer's book is Digital Reading: What's Essential in Grades 3-8. Click here to read more about #cyberPD or click here to join the Google+ discussion group!

    #Bookaday Challenge update: days read a book 25/28, books read 42/90

    Award-Winning Books Reading Challenge update: 12 books, 2 dedicated posts

    Dive into Diversity Challenge update: 135 books, 30 dedicated posts (this week: Read Around the World: Central Asia and Featured Illustrator Meilo 2: part 2)

    Happy Reading!

    12 comments:

    1. Good work on the challenges. I normally do #bookaday, and have been reading the books, but keeping track... ah, summer. I don't have to, so I may not! I'll look forward to your Read Around the World posts.

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      1. Thanks! I've already given up on actually tweeting #bookaday every day, but I am keeping a list. A student gave me a "Reading Journal" as a gift, so I am at least keeping a running list of titles there (and many make it to IMWAYR too). Happy reading!

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    2. Your post reminded me that I bought How to Read a Story a couple of weeks ago and lost it somewhere in my house before I could read it. Will have to find it, LOL. It's kind of embarrassing to lose books in your own house! I need to get that Tim Tingle title. Loving the Native American PBs you've featured. I need to get going with Digital Reading. I'm also trying to participate in the virtual book club on Cynthia Lord's new novel that starts July 6 and have yet to start either book. Given my paltry summer reading stats so far, this does not bode well....

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      1. I am always amazed that I have not permanently lost any library books, but it definitely comes to their 4 week due/renew time before I realize that I have never even glanced at them yet! Oops indeed.

        Virtual book club sounds fun! I am looking forward to getting insights from Kate Messner during Teachers Write about her process and newest books!

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    3. You've got some of my favorite authors on your list--but I haven't yet read these books by them. All the picture books looks amazing. I am glad to hear Calpurnia's story continues. I loved the first book.

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      1. Thanks, Kay! One of the things I love about blogging about books is that it helps remind me about favorite authors and do a better job of seeking out their books that I have missed. So many treasures!

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    4. I really love everything Tim Tingle writes and look forward to reading this title. I've got to get a copy of the first Calpurnia story!

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      1. Agreed about Tim Tingle, Cheriee. I was surprised I hadn't already checked the library for everything he has ever written.

        You'll love Calpurnia!

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    5. I did not know of the Calpurnia Tate sequel - hooray!

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    6. Glad to see that we already have What Forest Knows in our library - so I will definitely pick this one up over the weekend. I own a copy of The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate but haven't even gotten around to reading it yet! And now, there's a sequel! I have to catch up soonest! :)

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      1. Definitely! Calpurnia is a great character.

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