It’s Monday! What are you reading?
Join Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers and share all of the reading you have done over the week from picture books to young adult novels. Follow the links to read about all of the amazing books the #IMWAYR community has read. You are guaranteed to find something new to add to your list.
I read a real range of titles this week. My favourites:
Everybody Bonjours! written by Leslie Kimmelman and illustrated by Sarah McMenemy
A simple little picture book that is a great reminder about how important it is to learn a few words of the language when one goes to visit a new country. Being able to greet people with a hello and a big smile goes a long way.
Jessica Finch in Pig Trouble written by Megan McDonald and illustrated by Erwin Madrid
Perfect for those readers just beginning chapter books. Judy Moody helps her friend solve a mystery. Well sort of . . . A wonderful surprise at the end. I bought a handful of copies of this book and in the spring my students held a little reading club to read this title together. Hope more in the series are on their way.
Lulu’s Mysterious Mission written by Judith Viorst tand illustrated by Kevin Cornell
I adore Lulu. I love her cheeky nature, her creativity, her misbehaviour and her unintended failures. Of course, Viorst writes with such voice. Another delightful book in this series!
Electrical Wizard: How Nikola Tesla Lit up the World written by Elizabeth Rusch and illustrated by Oliver Dominguez
I learned so much from reading this book: how inspirational and transformative Tesla was with not only his invention of electricity but also how much his inventions have shaped modern life as we know it. I also had no idea about his rivalry with Thomas Edison and how Edison treated Tesla who had viewed him as a hero. Fantastic scientific notes in the back of the book give so many more details for the eager reader. Perfect title for intermediate students.
Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes written by Nicola Davies and illustrated by Emily Sutton
I am very excited to share this book with my students. It is the perfect introduction to microbes – making sense of a confusing concept in a way that allows students to understand aspects of the microscopic world. Wonderful illustrations by Sutton compliment the engaging style Davies writes in.
Yikes, I am slipping on my reading goals. One would think being on strike would afford me a lot of time. Unfortunately, I use up a lot of time reading articles, blog posts and twitter communications about B.C. Education trying to figure out what the heck is happening. Not sure why I bother sometimes. The constant and unchanging news? We are on strike. Yes, there is lots of drama and mud slinging, but in the end, I spend too much time walking circles on a sidewalk.
I am however almost finished Revolution by Deborah Wiles. It is so very, very good.
Hoping for more reading time next week. My mind needs distraction!
Reading Goal Updates:
2014 Chapter Book Challenge: 60/100 novels complete
Goodreads Challenge: 411/650 books read
#MustReadin2014: 20/30 complete
Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 106/65 complete
There's a Book for That 
Your book choices for today’s post look really good. I also read Revolution and just loved it. What an important book for kids to read in today’s world.
No kidding. I am looking forward to a chunk of time to just sit and read this book. Did you read Countdown? Loved that too.
I’ve ordered Jessica Finch for the library. I’ve also ordered Electrical Wizard – so many connections to recent fiction with Tesla referenced. (I’ve put them in my book order but am not sure what to do about ordering since I’m not sure if the order will be delivered) I’m almost finished listening to Wildwood (just love this series – read the second one first and have put the third on hold from the VPL) and am reading The Spy Catchers of Maple Hill.
I really want to read Spy Catchers too. Loved her first book. The Tesla title is a fantastic book for the library. Oh how I wish we could have a visit in your wonderful library . . .
I’m about to start Revolution, then guess I should go back to read Countdown. Somehow I missed that one entirely. My daughter (grown of course) has read much about Tesla & it’s a big deal to her how Edison is so championed over him. She’ll love this new picture book & be happy that someone is telling that story! Thanks Carrie-always sending good wishes!
Thanks Linda. I always know you are there rooting for us here in B.C. – the land of pure crazy. Revolution and Countdown are both fantastic.
I’ll have to look at the Tesla book, since he shows up as a character in so many time travel fantasies, and my boys love researching him for History Day!
It is really well done. As I say, I learned a lot and the information in the back of the book is a great reference.
Hello my friend! I love your books this week – and our great minds think alike as I also featured the Bonjour book in my post! I’m excited about the new Nicola Davies – she is one of my favorite NF writers! Electrical Wizard sounds so interesting – a must or our library! Stay strong and hope we will be sharing these books with our students very soon!
I sure hope so too. Can’t believe how much I miss the read aloud experience.I would agree that both Electrical Wizard and Tiny Creatures should be in school libraries!
Will have to get the Tesla book–looks like a good one to add to my growing collection of PB biographies. And a new Nicola Davies! That’s cause for celebration. I haven’t kept up with the Lulu series. Your post reminds me that I need to get them from the library. My reading goals file was on my old computer and hadn’t been updated in over a month. Finally got it updated today and realize I need to get cracking on a few of my challenges, especially Newbery, #MustRead, and YA Shelf of Shame. I have tried to read Countdown 3 times and keep abandoning it. Not sure why I struggle with it.
Sorry to hear that about Countdown. I think it is one of those books that you have to devote a chunk of time to beginning. Once you have read a big chunk and “settle” into the era, you are hooked. This Tesla biography is ideal for your collection and also for your son’s classroom. Ideal book for older readers to fall into.
I have the microbes book on hold at the library. I love the Lulu series and I’ve owned this one since it came out but just haven’t gotten to it. I love Lulu. She’s rather snarky 🙂 I’ve seen a few other Judy Moody and Friends books in the Scholastic catalogues. They are good for those kids who are ready for something a little longer. Hope your week goes better!
Lulu is wonderfully snarky, agreed. Such a fun series of books to read aloud. Lulu is very popular in my room. Thanks for the wishes – I keep thinking things can’t get worse. But they do. This drama in B.C. Education is actually unbelievable.
Everybody Bonjours looks like a cute book.
So sorry to hear you’re on strike. I can’t imagine how frustrating this must be for you!
Thank you Beth. This is the worst time of my career. I have been thinking of you and the video you made last year – Why I stay? I think some teachers will be done after this experience. Not me, I just want back in my room.
Jessica Finch looks like fun…and a welcome break from Juney B Jones which my daughter is currently obsessed with! Thanks for sharing!
It is a cute little title. I look forward to getting more of these books.
I just borrowed Electrical Wizard and Tiny Microbes from the library this weekend and really looking forward to featuring both books for our current reading theme. My daughter loved Judy Moody when she was younger and couldn’t get enough of those series. Love the idea of a book club for young beginning readers, sounds fun! Still praying that things will be better for you in BC soon. 🙂
So glad Myra – great titles, both of them! Thanks for the prayers, we need all the help we can get. It is becoming unbelievable.
Wow, I didn’t know Lulu had so many books! You will be seeing Tiny Creatures and Electrical Wizard on my blog in the future, because I’ve got to get my hands on them now! I read to my students while they eat their afternoon snack, and it’s a wonderful time to share picture books-and I am always looking for variety! Thanks Carrie-I hope you’re doing well 🙂
I look forward to seeing what you think! Both great books. I am excited to share Tiny Creatures with my class – a really great introduction to microbes. Then again, by the time I get back into the classroom, they might all have grown up and have degrees in science. This strike situation is completely insane and seems like it will never end.
Love the books you shared this week, added some to my immediate book order, thanks. Thinking of you and dealing with the strike. Spinning wheels… finding positive moments is the priority in my opinion when you’re in such a crazy situation… I made myself a little sick over things for a few years in my old district with budget cuts, fighting for jobs, etc… had a hard time finding balance back then. Best wishes to you!
Thanks so much. There is lots of crazy here
I also get lost in the news sometimes, but you have a good reason! While you may not be up to the goals you set yourself, you are doing a wonderful job in my book! I love seeing the plethora of new texts you post each week!
Ricki, this means a lot to me. Thank you.