It's Monday! What Are Your Reading? Catching Up!

Here is my attempt to catch up on what I have been reading since school started - several weeks worth!  

One of the biggest gifts that I have received this school year so far, is the gift of working with Kindergarten students once again.  It has been four years since I have had this opportunity.  Sometimes  there is a flip side to good news - for me the flip is that, at this time, I won't be working with 4th and 5th grade readers.  I am a middle-grade book lover.  For sure I'd rather read a young YA book than an adult novel, so I won't give up my attempt to read as many of these novels as I possibly can. 

With this gift of reading with K kids, I am more determined to learn about the picture books I have been missing.  Here are just a few that I have read in the last few weeks...

Do Cows Meow?  and Do Crocs Kiss?  both by Salina Yoon.  These flap books are perfect for pre-k kids and many of the Ks I work with are learning to expand their English, so the simplicity of this text along with the excitement of the flaps should be a hit!

Oopsy, Teacher!  by Stephanie Calmenson - have loved Late for School, so I was thrilled to find this gem!  The message that teachers too make mistakes even though they can be trying their best is one that we need to continue to communicate with our students.  And who wouldn't love a book that features a creative teacher who turns a tough day into a party day? 

The Jungle Run by Tony Mitton - The bright cover pulled me to this book in the new book section of the library.  The clever and determined smallest animal perseveres even when all the other animals tell her she is too little.  Another great message for young listeners.

Laugh-Out -Loud Baby by Tony Johnston - Loved learning that there is a tradition in the Navajo culture to celebrate a baby's first laugh.  There is so much joy in this book.

I picked up The Great Unexpected by Sharon Creech and could not put it down until I finished it.  Sharon Creech never disappoints.  Truly.  I simply love her books.  I think readers will enjoy trying to solve the mystery of how all the characters will come together.  Great story of connectedness and definition of family.  While definition of family is a common theme it is one that I never grow tired of and Creech brings an ever twisting turning storyline as she speaks to this theme.  I also loved the fanciful traditional tales interwoven throughout the story.

I finished the last disc of Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead.  I'll just say that driving isn't nearly as fulfilling as it was when those 4 discs were playing!  Another great read with themes of personal struggles and bullying, as well as family struggles.  Great look at how we meet adversity and deal in our own way.  The contrast of the two families the reader gets to know is intriguing.

I continue to try to keep up with at least a few adult fiction books which is always a challenge for me during the school year.  This week I finished Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry.  Our school book club chose this book and I had never read it.  I think what I loved the most about this book was that I didn't have it all figured out and that there were surprises for me.  I guess it felt good not to predict and solve the entire book before the last chapters.  This would be an important thought to keep with me as I conference with young readers.  I think sharing the joy of not being right in my predictions or not having it all figured out would make for interesting discussions.

Happy reading wishes to everyone!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It has been a fabulous summer of reading so far.  Part of the joy is passing on books or titles to others and receiving titles from, thanks to technology, my ever widening reading community.  Recently Stella at My World-Mi Mundo posted about her experience as she finished See You at Harry's .  After hearing her and others talk about this book I knew I had to read it!  I read it in one day and immediately passed the book to a friend.  Last night I received a message from this friend saying, "Thanks for making me cry a ton today."  If you know me at all, then you know I went into paranoid mode!  Ah, finally, I realized I had not hurt her, rather the book had touched her.  A touching, deep read - many different layers of real  issues -  just get the tissues ready.

Several weeks ago I went out of my reading norm with Divergent.   While on a different level of intensity, I followed reading Divergent with a postapocalyptic YA The Prince Who Fell from the Sky.  It did feel good to move out of the comfort zone with both of these book and I loved them.  I think middle school and high school readers probably already know Divergent and are waiting for the 3rd book of this series!  I look forward to recommending The Prince Who Fell from the Sky to intermediate grade readers.

I am a huge fan of Deborah Wiles, her books just delight and reach me.  I have to say as I was reading Three Times Lucky, I was reminded of some of the Deborah Wiles characters who are unforgettable.  While the characters are uniquely each author's own, I just fell in love with the characters in Three Times Lucky easily as well.  I can't wait to share this book with 4th and 5th graders!  Sheila Turnage has created a book that makes you laugh, presents a mystery, offers memorable characters and reminds us how family is defined by our hearts.

Just a fun teacher note... the last time I blogged about Jake and Lily and mentioned that I knew just the twins who needed to read this book.  Funny thing, now every time I see these two the brother tells me how slow his sister reads and that it will be the end of the summer before he gets the book!  Yes, confirmed... the perfect twins for this twin/sibling book!