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
- Middle School Book Club Books: difficulties. Sharing a roundup of great titles to use for middle school book discussions!
- Diverse Books for Children: favorite holidays books. We will only run one linkup for December, and the theme is favorite holiday books.
Picture Books
The Storyteller (2016) by Evan Turk. My jury is still out on this one. I was in Morocco almost exactly a year ago, and in some ways this book seems more pan-African or pan-Islamic than really Moroccan (although the artistic nods to Marrakesh are well done). I also felt like the story itself was a bit judgmental, accusing the modern day inhabitants of forgetting their own stories. I know some people are really drawn to the art style as well, but I wasn't one of those people. What do you think?
Before Morning (2016) by Joyce Sidman and illustrated by Beth Krommes. I loved the style of the illustrations for this book, as well as the sparse, poetic text. The one thing that pulled me out of the story, however, is the backstory in the illustrations (specifically that planes would be grounded due to snow but a pilot could hitch a ride on a plow and get home?). Maybe that's just me.
Middle Grade
Stella by Starlight (2015) by Sharon M. Draper. I listened to the audiobook on a recent road trip and was captivated by the story. Most Civil Rights or KKK stories for middle grade seem to take place in the 1960s when change is finally in the air, but this book takes place in North Carolina in the 1930s. I though the book did a great job of highlighting the tension between the two sides of this racially divided town, as well as creating complex characters on all sides. Highly recommended.
Happy Reading!
I loved Stella by Starlight. I had the same issue with Before Morning though it didn't keep me from loving it. I appreciated your thoughts about The Storyteller.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Crystal. My main complaint with Before Morning is that it drew me out of the story and the moment. I think if I agreed to suspend disbelief when rereading that I would enjoy it more.
DeleteI still need to read The Storyteller, so many holds at the library, but I will! And I love Before Morning, a beauty to re-visit all the seasons! Stella by Starlight is wonderful, I agree. I wish everyone could have read it this fall since it has part connected to voting rights. Thanks, Katie.
ReplyDeleteGreat point about voting rights too, Linda!
DeleteI'm in the middle of Stella by Starlight now and really enjoying the setting and time period. I have requested The Storyteller from the library. What you've written sounds problematic, so I'll definitely be reading with this in mind. I did like Turk's art quite a bit from the Grandfather Gandhi books.
ReplyDeleteI'm really curious to hear what you think about The Storyteller! I know it hasn't bothered others in the same way.
DeleteStella by Starlight is a fabulous read! The cover of Before Morning sure is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHi Katie, I did enjoy The Storyteller - didn't pick up on the judgment part, I will have to re-read it to see whether I pick up the same elements as you did. And I did enjoy the art.
ReplyDelete