Monday, July 13, 2015

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 7/13/15


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.


Happy (almost) Blog Birthday to Me!

  • Tomorrow, July 14th marks exactly a year since my first real blog post - an #IMWAYR post, of course! - went live. I cannot believe what an incredible community I've become a part of, how much I have learned, and how much my teaching practice has grown. I am hoping to put together something exciting tomorrow to honor the big day, so please check back!

Last Week's Posts

  • Poetry Friday Roundup. This week I had the distinct pleasure of being the host for the weekly Poetry Friday Roundup. Stop by and check out the dozens of wonderful poetry posts!
  • #3rdfor3rd: Zita the Spacegirl. This highly enthusiastic book review from third-grade Lily introduced me and the rest of the class to the irrepresible Zita.

Picture Books


Marilyn's Monster (2015) by Michelle Knudsen and illustrated by Matt Phelan. This charming picture book makes an excellent bookend to last year's Caldecott-winning Beekle. I am definitely adding this one to my collection of Fun Picture Books about Imaginary Friends (Visible and Invisible).


Crossing Bok Chitto: a Choctaw tale of friendship and freedom (2006) by Tim Tingle and illustrated by Jeanne Rorex Bridges. I need to read everything Tim Tingle has written, for sure. In this, his first picture book, he shares a powerful historical tale of the connections between the Choctaw and runaway slaves in Mississippi. A great addition to any study of US history and the run up to the Civil War. (H/T Cheriee at Library Matters.)


When the Animals Saved Earth: an eco-fable (2015) retold by Alexis York Lumbard and illustrated by Demi. The origins of this story go back more than 1,000 years and links through several major world religions. It tells a creation story from the perspective of the animals, who have a unique take on the "arrival" of humans. This is a great book for getting kids to think about other points of view, as well as to talk about environmental issues.


A Pair of Twins (2014) by Kavitha Mandana and illustrated by Nayantara Surendranath. This historic fiction (fantasy?) story tells about the linked lives of two babies born on the same day: the daughter of the chief mahout (elephant trainer) and the daughter of the star of the bull elephants. In a growing story of girl-power, the young Sundari changes expectations about what girls (and girl elephants) are capable of. Again, I would have liked an author's note, if not talking about whether there is any truth to the story, but even just background about the elephants and the Dussehra festival.


A Good Trade (2013) by Alma Fullerton and illustrated by Karen Patkau. This rhythmic story set in Uganda follows a young boy, Kato, through his day. He gathers water, finds a flower, and receives new shoes from an aid worker. But alas, this is another picture book that is dire need of an author's note and context for kids. I'm really not sure what the "take home message" is supposed to be here. [Read my deeper analysis of this book and its author here.]


My Name is Yoon (2003) by Helen Recorvits and illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska. Jennie Hunt commented on my post about Books about Modern Immigration and Immigrants suggesting I check this one out. Yoon feels very unsure about her move to America, and she chooses a variety of new words to write instead of her name. While I liked the story, I felt like the style of illustration distracting.

Young Fiction


Marty McGuire (2011) by Kate Messner with illustrations by Brian Floca. This charming chapter book is the first of a series starting irrepressible third grader Marty McGuire. I love how Kate Messner captures so much about Marty so quickly. Definitely a book I'll be coming back to in terms of strong characters and telling descriptions. I think this one will be a big hit with my students too.

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!

I am also participating in a month-long professional development book club discussion of the book Digital Student Portfolios by Matt Renwick.

#Bookaday Challenge update: days read a book 39/42, books read 64/90

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

Dive into Diversity Challenge update: 145 books, 31 dedicated posts

Happy Reading!

23 comments:

  1. Crossing Bok Chitto sounds interesting. I'll have to get it for my library!
    Lisa
    LisaTeachR'sClassroom

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    1. Definitely, Lisa! It's a book that could work for so many topics and learning situations.

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  2. Marilyn's Monster is still one of my favorite picture books for this year, even though I read it several months ago. Such a delight.

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    1. Thanks, Hannahlily! I'm curious whether my kiddos who fell in love with Beekle will have room in their hearts for Marilyn too.

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  3. We had Tim Tingle visit our library the year Crossing Bok Chitto was on our state list. He was great! Never heard of Marilyn's Monster. How did I miss that? Our kids love Marty McGuire!

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    1. Wow, what a gift for your kids! I'm sure his visit was memorable.

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  4. Marilyn's Monster was a fave this year.
    I love the Marty McGuire books but I've had a lot of trouble getting kids to check them out. I need the right student.....

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    1. Our first graders did a production of Frog Prince last year, so I'm hoping to use that as an in with the series too.

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  5. I got Marilyn's Monster from the library & my granddaughters loved it so much I bought it for them. What a sweet & funny book. I'll look for Crossing Bok Chitto, Katie. It sounds very interesting. I don't know about TimTingle, will look for his other books, too. I love My Name Is Yoon, have used it when my students researched and wrote about their names. Among others, it gives a new perspective about names, doesn't it? Thanks for all!

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    1. Marilyn's Monster is a sweet book, and I can see why your granddaughters loved it!

      My favorite books to use when sharing about names include My Name is Sangoel and The Name Jar. I had hoped for more with the Change Your Name Store, but that's another one on theme.

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  6. Just finished Marilyn's monster and absolutely loved it. Crossing Bok Chitto and My Name is Yoon is going on our "to read" list. These look amazing!

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    1. You will not be disappointed by Crossing Bok Chitto!

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  7. I loved Marty Maguire. Second book is also very good. I think there's a third that I haven't read? Will have to check on that. Marilyn's Monster was a recent favorite for me--I agree that it makes a great pairing with Beekle.

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    1. Thanks! I've been a great year of blogging, and I'm looking forward to more. I did see that there are at least two more Marty McGuire books, yay!

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  8. Crossing Bok Chitto has been on my son's holiday wish list for a year. I am hoping he gets it this year! Your review made me excited to read it. :) I own The House of Purple Cedar (Tim Tingle) and plan to read it soon. Have a great week!

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    1. Thanks, Ricki. I keep thinking I have checked out every Tingle book from our library and then I get another recommendation!

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  9. Happy almost Blog birthday! Isn't this the best community? I too love Marilyn's Monster and Marty Maguire. I just bought the 3rd title for my classroom.

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    1. Absolutely. #IMWAYR has definitely become a staple. So many good books and great discussions! Looking forward to checking out the other Mary McGuire titles too.

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  10. Yay! Happy blogiversary!! We are so glad that you joined our blog community. Love stopping by weekly :)
    Love the review of Zita! I love Zita as well!!
    Glad you enjoyed Marty. She is such a great girl role model!
    How can I not want to read something illustrated by Phelan. His art is so beautiful.
    I haven't read that PB or any of the ones you mentioned--thank you for sharing!

    Happy reading this week! :)
    Kellee
    Unleashing Readers

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    1. Always glad to rec'd new books. Thank you, again, Kellee for creating such an incredible, inspirational, and supportive community! It's really made an impact on my reading and that of my students as well.

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  11. I have A Pair of Twins from my library stack waiting to be read - I am looking forward to reading it. I hear you about some picture books that lack significant back matter providing context and background information about the kind of research done by both author/illustrator. I also checked whether our library has Crossing Bok Chitto - sadly we don't have it. I shall definitely recommend for purchase through my research funds.

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    1. Crossing Bok Chitto is definitely worth it!

      I don't understand (other than b/c page count) why publishers wouldn't push for back matter. It can add so much to a story, and especially with the push for diverse books, readers want to know WHY an author is qualified to tell this story too.

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