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
- Great Gift Books: 2016 edition. Themed for all kinds of readers: the author, the inventor, the traveler, and more!
- Mock Newbery Contenders: 2016, part 1: fantasy. This first in a series of three posts introduces some of my favorite fantasy books published this year that will be included in our school's Mock Newbery.
- Diverse Books for Children: favorite holidays books. This linkup is running through all of December, and the theme is favorite holiday books.
Picture Books
Somos como las nubes / We are Like the Clouds (2016) by Jorge Argueta and illustrated by Alfonso Ruano. This collection of bilingual poetry shares powerful insights into the decisions and journeys behind Central American immigration to the US. This is not a single narrative but rather a collection of individual voices. The realistic illustrations and difficult moments depicted make this a powerful picture book for older readers. It is definitely one I will be using with my middle schoolers.
Poetry
Falling into the Dragon's Mouth (2016) by Holly Thompson. The novel-in-verse format makes for a quick read of this story told from the perspective of a bullied American middle schooler in Japan. The author (herself an American living in Japan) clearly wishes to highlight some potential issues with the Japanese school system, and I would be curious about Japanese reactions to this book. For me, the resolution of the story seemed far too quick and tidy.
Happy Reading!
I just bought Somos Como Las Nubes this week but haven't had a chance to look at it much yet. My husband was so struck by the art that he followed me around the house showing off several pictures! It's a title I'm really excited about.
ReplyDelete(I think I actually like the illustration better than some of the poems - more impactful in some ways.)
DeleteI am excited to check out your other links here. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carrie, enjoy!
DeleteThank you for all of the links to your lists of books - So helpful!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to hearing your thoughts on those too!
DeleteBoth the books you mentioned here sound interesting. Intriguing covers on each of them, too. I'll have to check them out.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes to bilingual poetry! I am going to have to get my hands on that book. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear what you think, Ricki.
DeleteFunnily enough I'm currently in Japan, and there are often stories in the news about bullying in schools, it does sound like a big problem. Recently cases were coming to light about displaced children from the areas hit by the 2011 tsunami being blackmailed by fellow students threatening to reveal their situations. I'd be curious to hear a Japanese response to the story, too.
ReplyDeleteI think I need to do some deeper Google searching. I'm sure book reviewers in Japan are aware of the story.
DeleteI heard about Dragon's Mouth last week, and I put it directly on my TBR. It sounds fascinating!
ReplyDeleteHappy reading this week :)
Thanks, Kellee!
DeleteI found Somos como las nubes / We are Like the Clouds to be very powerful. I think the illustrations add a lot.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely.
DeleteSomos como las nubes has been added to my list. Poetry and powerful art make for an unbeatable combination! Falling into the dragons mouth reminded me of A Tale for the Time Being, by Ruth Ozeki, an adult title I finished recently. It deals with a Japanese girl who has spent time in America and is badly bullied when she returns home to Japan.
ReplyDeleteInteresting ... thanks for sharing, Cheriee.
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