It's Monday, What Are You Reading? April 22, 2019

Please visit the amazing blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers who host this terrific meme each week.

I have not posted an IMWAYR post in ages. 

Here are some books I have read recently. 

Currently Reading

A Couple of New Titles Perfect for Spring!

A Little Chicken
by Tammi Sauer
Illustrated by Dan Taylor
Published March, 2019
Sterling Children's Books
Hardcover
Picture Book
Fiction
32 pages
Review copy provided by publisher.




Goodreads Summary
Dot is scared of lots of things: wolves, bears, the occasional lawn ornament. But when one of her mother’s eggs rolls out of the nest, this nervous chick must find the courage to save the day—and her new sibling! So she bravely ventures down the steep hill, into the deep pond, and into the dark woods. Perfect for any kid who needs a little encouragement to face the challenging world, this story proves that sometimes a big hero is just a little chicken.

My Thoughts
This fun read will appeal to little ones as they read to see if Dot can save the her future sibling even though she is scared. I loved the illustrations and page layouts. The repetitive phrase, "CLUCK-CLUCK. No luck." will invite kids to read along. 

See what others have to say about this book:

Kirkus

Katie Reviews Books

Visit Tammi Sauer's website

Visit Dan Taylor's website

Growing Season                    

by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

Published April, 2019
Sterling Children's Books
Hardcover
Picture Book
Fiction
40 pages
Review copy provided by publisher.

Goodreads Summary
El and Jo are the smallest students in their class—and best friends, too, like peas in a pod. Even their names are short. But in springtime, something BIG happens: Jo starts growing like a weed, while El feels smaller every day. On the last day of school, their teacher asked every child to pick a plant to care for over the summer. All the other kids reach over El to grab their plant, and she has to take the very last one: a tiny, flowerless aster. At first, she’s disappointed. But as summer progresses, the aster begins to bloom—and so does El!

El and Jo are the shortest kids in class, and they’re inseparable. But what happens when Jo starts to grow? This sweet picture book explores the joys and challenges of friendship and growing up. “A sweet story with emotional depth.” —Kirkus

My Thoughts

This story is perfect for spring time. Just as flowers are starting to bloom, our students have grown in many ways as well. 

When Jo starts to grow taller than El, she experiences many feelings that would make for great discussions. 

The illustrations are very sweet with adorable culturally and physically diverse characters. It would make an excellent addition to your library!

See what others have to say about this book:

Kirkus

Publishers Weekly

Katie Reviews Books

Visit Maryann Cocca-Leffler's website .

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? January 14, 2019

Please visit the amazing blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers who host this terrific meme each week.

Here is my reading from the past few weeks. Click on the book covers to learn more about the books.

I LOVED the character of Little Charlie. 

I listened to this one on audio. So good! Grades 5+

Merci has a lot to deal with including navigating middle school and her grandfather's advancing Alzheimer's Disease. Grades 4-6.

I enjoyed this story and kids will like it as well. I wanted a bit more development and felt it moved a little too quickly. But you will want it for your classroom. Grades 4-5. 

Isabella's family becomes "blended" after her parents' divorce. She feels "blended" with a white mother and black father. Draper explores both of these aspects well. It ended abruptly in my opinion, but I did enjoy it. Grades 5-8. 

Currently Reading

Listening to...

What are you reading friends?

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? November 26, 2018

Please visit the amazing blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers who host this terrific meme each week.

Here is my reading from the past few weeks. Click on the book covers to learn more about the books.

What are you reading friends? 

The Haunted Serpent by Dora M. Mitchell

The Haunted Serpent 
by Dora M. Mitchell
Published June 5, 2018
Sterling Children's Books
234 pages
Middle Grade Fiction
Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary
Spaulding Meriwether, Thedgeroot Middle School's new resident weirdo and son of questionable television ghost hunters, just wants to fit in. But after a revenant chases him through the woods, Spaulding suspects there’s something afoot in Thedgeroot. (At least he thinks it’s a foot. Maybe it was a hand. It’s hard to tell when you’re running away.)
Then he notices the chimneys of the abandoned factory at the edge of town puffing smoke—and his dead next-door neighbor materializes, along with David, the missing pet boa constrictor that supposedly ate him. Spaulding can’t help wondering if these strange happenings have anything to do with his undead friends in the forest. Of course, Spaulding just has to investigate—but he may be biting off more than he can chew.

My Thoughts
Just in time for Halloween, a fun middle grade mystery! The characters are interesting and the story line will have students trying to solve the mystery right along Spaulding and his friends. The book is spooky without being too scary, and who doesn't want to read a book with a giant snake, a grumpy ghost-man and an exciting adventure! 
There are illustrations sprinkled throughout that readers will enjoy. I would recommend adding this fast-paced mystery to your collection! 

See what others have to say about this book:

Kirkus

Kids Reads

Visit Dora M. Mitchell's website

It's Monday, October 8, 2018

Please visit the amazing blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers who host this terrific meme each week.

Here is my reading from the past few weeks. Click on the book covers to learn more about the books.

What Are You Reading Friends? 

Eraser by Anna Kang and Christopher Weyant

Eraser 
by Anna Kang 
Illustrated by Christopher Weyant
Published Sept. 1, 2018 
Two Lions
Hardcover Picture Book
Fiction

Goodreads Summary
Eraser is always cleaning up everyone else’s mistakes. Except for Ruler and Pencil Sharpener, none of the other school supplies seem to appreciate her. They all love how sharp Pencil is and how Tape and Glue help everyone stick together. Eraser wants to create so that she can shine like the others. She decides to give it a try, but it’s not until the rubber meets the road that Eraser begins to understand a whole lot about herself.

Inspired by a school essay their daughter Kate wrote in the third grade, the author and illustrator behind Theodor Seuss Geisel Award–winner You Are (Not) Small have created a desktop drama about figuring out who you are, finding happiness, and the importance of second, third, and maybe even fourth chances.

My Thoughts
This book tackles the themes of finding ones purpose and value and puts it in the cutest book! Poor eraser thinks that she meant for more than just being on the "cleanup crew".  She is snubbed by some of the other school tools for not being creative so she decides to leave and ends up in the trash bin. There she meets several rough drafts who sing her praises and show her how valuable she really is. 
I really enjoyed this story and I think kids will too. It reminded me a lot of one of my favorites, Exclamation Mark by Amy Krouse Rosenthal where exclamation mark feels that he is inferior to all the other forms of punctuation. This story lends itself to lots of discussion or debate with young readers. 
The illustrations are fabulous with each school tool character having a unique personality. Pencil feels superior since he is called upon to create. Glue sneezes a lot because he is all "clogged up", and scissors makes sure to always walk. 
The ending is very satisfying as the team of tools works together to create a great project. 

I would recommend this book most for grades 2-4. 

Check out the book trailer.

See what others have to say about this book:

Kirkus

Kidlit Frenzy

Reading Rumpus

Visit Anna Kang's Website.

Activity kit here.