It’s Monday! What are you reading?
Join Kellee and Jen’s meme to share all the reading you have done over the week – everything from picture books to young adult novels! Connecting with the #IMWAYR community is such a great way to hear about fantastic books “new to you.”
I read a lot of picture books this week. Here are my favourites:
Pecan Pie Baby by Jaqueline Woodson and illustrated by Sophie Blackall. A perceptive little story about a young girl who is anxious about a new baby coming and changing the connected relationship between her and her Mama. Love Sophie Blackall’s illustrations – all the tender snuggles between pregnant Mom and daughter.
Ladybug Girl by Jacky Davis and David Soman I’ve read other Ladybug girl stories but not this original book and I like it best of all. Lovely illustrations and the highlights of outdoor pretend play.
Clancy and Millie and the Very Fine House by Libby Gleeson and illustrated by Freya Blackwood The best part of this story is the celebration of play through some very imaginative building with boxes. (Fantastic illustrations by Blackwood) Of course, it’s also a great book to touch on anxiety about moving somewhere new.
C.R. Mudgeon by Leslie Muir and Julian Hector There is much to this little book. A tribute to friendship, a reminder to break out of your comfort zone and be ready for new things and the celebration of individuals who really truly grab on to the world and shake all there is to find within it out! Go read it . . . so worth it!
Some Cat! This was a wonderful read aloud in my room. I shared my students’ reactions here.
Because Amelia Smiled by David Ezra Stein The pay it forward story line isn’t unique for a picture book but none of us can hear this message too often: kindness passed on grows and strengthens. Loved the illustrations. Beautifully colourful and whimsical. I read this to my class and it sparked a lovely brainstorming session on how we can create more kindness in our classroom.
Wanted: The Perfect Pet by Fiona Robertson A boy wants a dog. A dog wants a friend. Really, they need each other. If you just look at it in the right way . . . Touching story of the need for a companion and how far some might go to find that connection. Chapter format in a picture book.
Bullly by Patricia Polacco Handles middle school issues of cyber bullying, friendship and loyalty very well.
I also read some fantastic nonfiction. Read this post for more details.
In novels . . .
I finished The Diviners by Libba Bray. This was one of my must read in 2013 titles as I’m trying to read more fantasy novels.
Wow . . .this was some book! Dramatic. (I loved the 1920s setting and characters.) Funny. At times, absolutely scary. Eerie and shivery kind of scary. Horror. Paranormal activity. Special powers. It was the kind of read where it is necessary to say to yourself, “just a book, just a book . . . ” Some nights I would turn off my light and then haunted by worries about a specific character, turn the light back on and read on.
This is a long read (578 pages) but highly addictive. The ending definitely leaves many things unanswered (hooking readers for the next in the series . . .)
I also read How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr.
I read this book quickly finding myself very attached to what might happen to all of the characters. The story is about two teenage girls (Jill and Mandy) who find their lives completely colliding when Jill’s Mom decides to adopt Mandy’s baby in an open adoption. Pregnant Mandy comes to live with Jill and her Mom and brings with her sadness, secrets and longing for a different life. Jill is still reeling from the recent death of her father and finds it difficult to be open to anyone. Somehow though these characters find a way to make sense to each other and the ending is . . . (I don’t want to spoil it but must say, it really touched me)
Currently, I’m reading The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver to my children and The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron (think this is the fourth time I’ve read this book!) with my student book club at school. We are really enjoying The Spindlers – it’s full of delightful and unique characters from “below” My son is finding the idea of spindlers a little spooky but every time I stop reading, he begs me to continue!
I am also reading Delirium by Lauren Oliver (the author that seems to be everywhere I look this week!)
Our guidance counselor wanted me to order Bully so she could use it with classes. You’ve been busy reading this week!
It has been a lovely reading week! Bully would be fantastic with older classes and so relevant with the cyber bullying theme.
I’ve seen CRMudgeon on our library bookshelves but had to let go of it as I borrowed most fiction picture book nominees for 2012 that I could find. I’d probably circle around and find it yet again based on your review. I love everything that Jacqueline Woodson writes so I would also try to find this one. I already borrowed Because Amelia Smiled and I’m hoping I can review it in the next few weeks. Libba Bray’s book sounds inviting. I try to shy away though from very thick books – I still have a few that I haven’t finished reading yet – hopefully this 2013 I’d get to read my first Libba Bray book. 🙂 Have a great reading week!
Libba Bray is quite the writer. So much energy to her books. In this case, scary energy! I just passed Because Amelia Smiled to our Grade 5/6 teacher to share with a lesson about random acts of kindness.
C.R. Mudgeon – need to read! It looks so cute, Carrie. and I don’t know if I can get to The Diviners, but it sounds wonderful. Perhaps I can listen to it? Thanks for more terrific books-all look good. I need to find Bully too.
It’s supposedly AMAZING as an audio book! But advice I got in a comment from Beth is to listen during the day! So you don’t haunt your dreams!
LOVED Diviners! That is one of the rare books that I will reread. I keep hearing great things about How to Save a Life. I missed it when it was new. I should go back and give a read. Have a great week!
Diviners is a book I won’t soon forget and I’m so intrigued with how the story will roll out in the next book. I think I’m definitely hooked into this series and characters.
I only listened to the audiobook of The Diviners during the day because I wanted to actually be able to sleep at night. I loved that book though. It was amazing.
That was probably very wise. Definitely more than spooky! Do you think you will read the next in the series?
C.R. mudgeon looks so funny! I also read Because Amelia Smiled this week. I have also shared 2 of the picture books you suggested (so far), Emily’s Art and One. Great choices.
Gigi I’m so glad that that list was helpful! I really think Emily’s Art is such a special book. I’m so pleased you are getting so much enjoyment out of picture books lately!
The Diviners is really quite a good book. I wasn’t sure if I liked the last few chapters which was a little like seeing a movie preview on TV, but now I know that a sequel is coming.
Anne @ My Head is Full of Books
It definitely was wrapping things up but not too much as more to come . . . Many unanswered questions I hope are tackled in the next book.
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Love many of those picture book titles esp that Pecan Pie Baby. I just checked out the Diviners, but it is such a looong book I might have to renew it several times. I will be reluctant to start it until I have a big chunk of time. I think I won’t want to put it down. I love Libba Bray.
Definitely is looong 🙂 But it reads pretty quickly as it is so suspenseful! A perfect book though for a holiday break.