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.
Before I get started on sharing a number of fantastic titles, have you heard our exciting news? The strike is OVER!!! I explain it here (there is even dancing) Possibly when you read this post, I will actually be inside my school! Full days begin Tuesday! Hurray!
The “best of the week” in picture books:
Shh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton
First, I have to rave about the colours in this book. Shades of blue like I have never seen done. And then some reds and fuschias – wow. But, this isn’t a book you would start by describing as beautiful (even though I just did . . . ) because first it is clever and amusing and wonderfully funny!
The Zoo Box written by Ariel Cohn and illustrated by Aron Nels Steinke
I had no idea that this book was a graphic style picture book until I opened it up. What a wonderful surprise! Shades of Jumanji fantasy with lots to explore more deeply. I don’t want to spoil anything. Go find yourself a copy and jump into the book! But, be careful, something might jump back out!
The Grudge Keeper written by Mara Rockliff and illustrated by Eliza Wheeler
I had this title on one of my picture book wish lists that I made this summer when all of my book shopping was put on hold. The very generous Mara Rockliff sent me a copy! I already know that this will be a book I share with the students in the first few weeks back. I think I will not talk about it here now because I have the feeling I will be sharing more of this title with student reactions quite soon.
Volcano Rising written by Elizabeth Rusch and illustrated by Susan Swan
One of the very best, if not the best nonfiction picture book I have read on volcanoes. Two layers of text (one section with more details for those who want to read more information) and incredible illustrations. A title I am making sure we purchase for our school library.
Emily and the Mighty Om written by Sarah Lolley and illustrated by Sleepless Kao
Lots to love in this book with messages about slowing down, breathing deep and yoga poses.
Penguin and Pumpkin by Salina Yoon
The ending is my very favourite part of this book. So very sweet. I do love Penguin but my favourite tale is still the first: Penguin and Pinecone.
Fox and Squirrel Make a Friend by Ruth Ohi
I loved the first Fox and Squirrel title and I adore this one too. Wonderful friendship story but light and playful. Ideal for younger students.
Little You written by Richard Van Camp and illustrated by Julie Flett
The perfect baby gift for first time parents. Flett’s illustrations are so stunning and the spirit of this book is pure celebration.
Hostage Three by Nick Lake
This book was great. So gripping. Emotional. Intense and beautifully written. The characters were so raw and vulnerable which compounded the intensity. A highly recommended young adult read.
Next up? I am reading All the Truth That’s in Me by Julie Berry
A kind of yikes: I was 54 books behind on my Goodreads goal this a.m. Now I am 42 books behind. Many picture books today! Trying to get this down to zero – recording it here and making it public, will be motivation. Would have thought a strike would have given me more time to read, but it just kind of froze the world. Piles of books did not get read. After just this weekend, I feel my reading spirit returning.
Reading Goal Updates:
2014 Chapter Book Challenge: 62/100 novels complete
Goodreads Challenge: 427/650 books read (currently 42 books behind)
#MustReadin2014: 20/30 complete
Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 107/65 complete
There's a Book for That 
Lots of good reads here. I’m so glad a customer recommended The Grudge Keeper because there’s so many things going on with it, it’s awesome!
I agree. Love the whole concept and also the language. Some tasty words.
I lovedyour description of The Zoo Box. Great teaser-something might just jump back out. If the volcano book is a new release title then I am going to purchase it. The I Survived series has come out with a Pompeii survival book and it would be a good pairing. I remember when I was a kid we were fascinated by the story of Pompeii.
This is a perfect book for your library collection and it is recent – 2013. Just so well done.
Great books here, must find The Grudge Keeper. It really does seem like one to have. Also, The Zoo Box and Shh, We Have A Plan-fun to see. I also will try to get to Hostage Three, it does sound good Carrie. Have a fun day, and week!
Hostage Three was a really pleasant surprise – the story isn’t pleasant but the quality of the book is fantastic. Really well done. I was happy to find so many great picture book titles this week 🙂
So glad you are finding your reading spirit returning. As always, you’ve introduced me to some new books. Added several to my goodreads want to read list. Love thinking about you in your classroom today! I still haven’t read Nick Lake’s Printz Award winner. Recent Printzes and me just don’t mix for some reason. But I do want to read it at some point–I have completist reading goals for the Printz. Someday I’ll catch up on all the titles!
I didn’t read In Darkness either. Really liked this title though so I might give it a try. I had lots of fun with kids today – it was just an hour but tomorrow is full day. We read The Fly – one of Disgusting Critters titles. Oh to read aloud again to a bunch of kids!
Hope you had a great first day!!!
The Zoo Box was a fun find! I think if you read it with older kids you can even have a conversation about consequences, about natural habitats…. So many great things in that book!
I really enjoyed the new Penguin, but not as much as the other ones. It was lacking a bit, but I enjoyed the fall colors!
Have a fantastic week at school!
Thanks Michele. The Zoo Box is pretty great. Hoping we get it for our school library.
Thank you for sharing Volcano Rising! We’ve been looking for a great volcano book. 🙂
This is your Volcano Book! I was thrilled to find it.
We are completely intrigued by your lack of description of The Grudge Keeper – Thank you. It is now on our “to read” list 🙂
The Grudge Keeper is really delightful. I hope you find it and enjoy!
Wow! Volcano Rising looks stunning! I definitely need to check that one out.
Yay! So happy for you that the strike is over!!! Huzzah!
Thanks Beth. It was so special to be back.
So many interesting picture books. I want to grab them all. I only know Little You (which I love). I will start by looking for Emily and the Mighty Om and Shh! We Have a Plan. Thanks for the fun titles.
My pleasure. Always so great to be delighted by picture books. Especially the surprises!
Hooray that the strike is past, best of luck with the transition back, enjoy sharing those books. Gorgeous selections this week, wish I could get my hands on all of them! 🙂
Hooray is right! What a thrill to be able to start reading aloud again 🙂
The Grudge Keeper is the title that leapt out for me. Sounds exactly like my kind of book. The book about yoga reminded me of the Janet Wong and Julie Paschkis collaboration “Twist” – yoga poems – have you read that one yet? They would be a good pair, I think. Will check out Volcano as I am avidly looking for nonfiction titles for my 12 year old girl to read.
The Grudge Keeper is very special – rich in discussion possibilities! I haven’t read the yoga poems but will now look for this collection.
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