It’s Monday! What are you Reading?
My favourite reading photo of the week is of these two sisters reading early Friday a.m. before school had even started. Older sister invited little one to sit and listen. This captured moment is why I love having a room full of books that are beloved!
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. It’s the best way to discover what to read next.
I had a funny picture book reading week. I read a number of “new to me books”, but only a few stood out. My favourites of the week:
Louise Loves Art by Kelly Light
Cute on every level. A celebration of a creative little artist who is also a big sister.
Little Elliot Big City by Mike Curato
This book could just be sweet and well, sweet. Yet, it has something more. The old fashioned era depicted in the illustrations? The nuances? The perspectives the illustrations reveal? Not sure. But this little title is light in words but heavy in impact. Themes of kindness, friendship and gratitude.
Come On, Rain! Written by Karen Hesse and illustrated by Jon J. Muth
A summer day that craves a rain storm. Hot, hot, hot. Beautiful images conveyed through both illustrations and text. Delicious words. Illustrations to linger on.
Mingan: My village Poems by Innu Schoolchildren by Rogé With participation of Joséphine Bacon, Rita Mestokosho and Laure Morali.
I featured this book in my Wednesday nonfiction post but loved it so much I am highlighting it again here. Poems and Portraits. Student voice. Stunning.
Stand Straight Ella Kate: The True Story of a Real Giant written by Kate Klise and illustrated by M. Sarah Klise
A fascinating story of a young woman who really did grow to be a giant. It turns out that it wasn’t only her height that made her stand apart from other women of the times.
I also read two brilliant middle grade novels
Nest by Esther Ehrlich
A difficult title to write about because there are plot points integral to the story that if revealed, give things away. I will say that this book captured me. I loved the character of Chirp, her neighbour Joey. Both so solid, yet so vulnerable. I love their observations. Their coping strategies. Their complicated friendship. Emotionally difficult. Absolutely beautiful. Highly recommended.
Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin
I started and finished this book in one sitting. Before the rest of the house was awake. I couldn’t imagine putting it down. Rose is a girl I might have met, but this novel gave me a deeper peek into how she ticks and for this, I am very grateful to Ann M. Martin. Any title that helps a teacher think bigger, better, more carefully about students that may come our way, is a true gift. Rose may do a lot of things very differently. She also does a lot much more bravely. Such a read.
Next up? I am reading The Turtle of Oman: A Novel by Naomi Shihab Nye
Reading Goal Updates:
2014 Chapter Book Challenge: 74/100 novels complete
Goodreads Challenge: 542/650 books read (40 books behind)
#MustReadin2014: 21/30 complete
Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 122/65 complete
There's a Book for That 
Mike Curato visited our school & was fabulous. Nest is in my TBR pile; thanks for the encouragement to start it. Loved the sweet spunky of Rose in Rain. Reign and heard Kelly Light speak @ NCTE. Thx for sharing an awesome list!
Nest is heavy but I think, really important. Of course, I can’t talk about why . . . as then I would be giving away plot points. Yes, I adored Rose. Have been talking her about her all day to anyone who gets trapped listening to me. Such a book.
I would have a hard time handing Nest to a student because it seemed needlessly depressing. Everyone else seems to love it, though. I am hoping that 2015 brings books that are not quite so sad.
I hear you – sometimes there seems to be lots of sad. But, I think there is lots of sad in the world and books let us muck all about in these emotions – knowing that not all stories have a happy ending. Yet, finding ways to cope is key. I really loved the book.
Can’t wait to read Little Elliot Big City and Louise Loves Art! Mingan looks quite interesting… Agree with you on the other books, wonderful ones shared this week!
I think you would love Mingan. Hope you can find a copy and read it!
I have the Mingan book on my list, & found that there is another about Haiti too. Both look good, Carrie, so thanks for those. I too loved Nest and Rain Reign, special stories of special circumstances.
I have ordered both Mingan and Haiti titles for my classroom collection. I want to use them as inspiration for student writing. I think they are so powerful. I agree – both of these novels so wonderful. Stories we need to hear.
I passed by Kelly Light at ncte but didn’t catch her. I love Louise so much! I think that book has one of the best beginnings.
Ncte took my time up this week, but so amazing! I couldn’t help but think of you as I was talking to Aly!
Have a great week!
Louise is a delightful little book! Hope you had a wonderful time at NCTE. Loved reading the tweets! I was living (and learning) vicariously.
Just ordered Louise for my two artsy daughters! Thanks for the recommendation!
Enjoy! She is a charming inspiration!
Come On Rain is gorgeous, isn’t it? I was so impressed by the quality of writing in that title. I have been reluctant to purchase Little Elliott from exactly that worry–that it would be only sweet. And that’s not to say that I don’t love sweet books, because I do. But I want the sweet books I purchase even to resonate just a bit in some bigger way. So glad to know this one does! I won’t hesitate anymore about buying. I started Nest last week–so good! You have also sold me on Mingan–must order!
Mingan is a wow. Just that cover. Wow. I ordered my own copy too and plan to share. Often. Come on, Rain is beautifully written.
I was so upset to have just missed the last available copy of The Turtle of Oman at NCTE! You’ve read some lovely picture books this week – Nest looks particularly enticing.
Nest is a fantastic book. Sad. Important.
I will have to get Louise Loves Art for our Library. Miss B dropped in this morning (I think it was today) to tell me how much she loved Rain Reign. It’s probably a good think that our school copy is down at the board getting catalogued, or I might get distracted from what I’ve already got on the go.
It would have been today. We both read it yesterday! A book impossible to put down. So great. It will distract you when it arrives. And it should!
Carrie – Thanks for telling us about Nest. We would have picked it up just because of the beautiful cover. So glad you loved it
It’s an emotional read but so so worth it.
Glad to hear your thoughts about Rain Reign – I’ve read such conflicting reviews about it. I own a copy of Come On, Rain. Definitely one of my favourites. So gorgeous. 🙂 I featured Ella Kate a few years back – I love the collaboration between M. Sarah and Kate Klise! 🙂
I hope you read and enjoy Rain Reign. think it is a book with rich discussion possibilities!