It’s Monday! What are you reading?
I have been sharing a reading photo of the week each week. Now that it is summer, I am not surrounded every day with little readers so . . . I am choosing moments from the year not previously shared. I love this Henry and Mudge love!
From the classroom 2014/2015 archives:
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.
On the blog:
For Top Ten Tuesday: Titles that feature wonderful male/female friendships in MG literature
Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: A Room Full of Nonfiction A mini tour of the nonfiction in my classroom
A Celebration post about #booklove starring The Good Little Book
Sunday Reflections: Literary Nest Building 101
Books I read and loved:
A Rock Can Be . . . by Laura Purdie Salas with illustrations by Violeta Dabija
I love this nonfiction series – lovely poetry, stunning illustrations and interesting and detailed back matter. A must have for classrooms and/or libraries.
What this Story Needs is a Pig in a Wig by Emma J. Virján
Super silly. Super simple. Perfect for kids just learning to read – lots of repetition – a quality little book.
The Good Little Book written by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Marian Arbona
I adore this book on many different levels. What a perfect book to get us thinking about heading back into classrooms! The end pages are incredible!
To the Sea by Cale Atkinson
Love the tones in this sweet little book about friendship and being noticed.
Ask Me written by Bernard Waber and illustrated by Suzy Lee
I actually hugged this book in the bookstore after I read it. A regular conversation between a father and his young daughter perfectly captures the energy and wonder of a particular time of childhood. Love this book! And the illustrations, wow!
Boats for Papa by Jessixa Bagley
Yes, Josh Funk if you are reading this, this book made me teary. A book about the every day moving on process of grieving the loss of a loved one and wrapping yourself up in the love of those still with you. Just beautiful.
Leo a Ghost Story written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Christian Robinson
Leo is a charmer. A ghost that needs to find out where he is appreciated.
Bug in a Vacuum by Mélanie Watt
So clever Ms. Watt! This is one thick picture book – full of the stages of grief (hilariously conveyed) and lots of humour. Just delightful. Can see using this with older grades and having students write about their own self-talk through the stages of grief attached to a particular event.
Blue on Blue written by Dianne White and illustrated by Beth Krommes
Rain, beautiful rain. This book celebrates the dark colours and images of a rain storm. The illustrations are incredible.
The Tea Party in the Woods by Akiko Miyakoshi
This is a wonderful title. Such creative twists on Little Red Riding Hood – crafted into quite a different tale. Love the shades and repetitive colours.
Leroy Ninker Saddles Up written by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
I read this to myself and had to whisper certain lines aloud because I was certain they would be a treat to say. Yep! Wow Kate DiCamillo can write!
Survival Strategies of the Almost Brave by Jen White
An emotional middle grade novel about two sisters who need to take care of each other when their Dad leaves them at a gas station. I couldn’t put this book down.
Death by Toilet Paper by Donna Gephart
From the title and the cover, one would think this is a light hearted novel. There is humour but it is full of emotions. In fact, I woke up early one morning worried about the character and had to finish the book to make sure all was okay. What do you do when you are twelve, you have lost your Dad and money is an issue? This title explores this reality in creative, but always authentic and sensitive ways. Fantastic characters and family dynamics.
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
I read this in one sitting and if I had time, I would have started on page one and read it all over again. So beautiful. So heartfelt. So human.
Updates on my 2015 Reading Goals:
2015 Chapter Book Challenge: 50/80 complete
Goodreads Challenge: 309/415 books read
#MustReadin2015: 16/24 complete
Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 58/100 titles
Diverse Books in 2015: 33/50 books read
Up next? I am still reading and LOVING The Queen of Water by Laura Resau and then will begin Read Between the Lines by Jo Knowles
There's a Book for That 
You always suggest such awesome books! Love Leroy Ninker Saddles Up!
Kate’s writing is just incredible isn’t it?
Thank you, Carrie! I love HOUSE ON MANGO STREET and BLUE ON BLUE! Most of the rest of these pbs are either on my tbr list–or I’m putting them there right now:>)
Blue on Blue is pretty spectacular! Happy reading 🙂
I do think all of Laura’s books are wonderful, and would always be great n-f mentor texts for n-f research & writing. Loved Death By Toilet Paper, funny & poignant all at the same time. I may have to purchase the tea party book, the line of holds at the library is “long”! Thanks Carrie, wonderful group of books.
They are really wonderful, agreed! I love that they allow us to look at the natural world in such a variety of ways – celebrating both beauty and function.
I love the picture books on your list that I know about and have added some to my to read list. I brought Death By Toilet Paper here to Oliver with me. Minimal internet and no TV means lots of reading. I agree with you about Kate DiCamillo!
I have a feeling you will really like Death by Toilet Paper.
Oh dear, this blog post is going to be soooo expensive for me. So many PBs I haven’t seen yet and NEED. NOW. House on Mango Street is one of my favorite mentor texts for teaching writing. I never get tired of certain pieces–reading them and writing off of them. I read Leroy Ninker out loud to my son and yes, so many wonderful sentences to savor. I loved Death by Toilet Paper–such a surprisingly deep title.
There are a LOT of amazing picture books out this year. It’s hard to have any self control!
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Mango Street. And I’ve read most of the books you mentioned this week. I love Leo and I’m writing a post about invisible friends.
Mango Street really a beautifully written book. Can’t wait for your post!
This is the first I’ve heard of Bug in a Vacuum! I enjoy Watt’s work, so I will definitely be looking that one up. I read Ask Me this week too, but didn’t enjoy it as much as most people have. I wonder if I would have gotten more out of it if I had my own or at least spent more time with small children. The illustrations are certainly gorgeous though. I have always wanted to read The House on Mango Street, but just haven’t gotten to it yet. I may need to put it on my #MustReadin2016 list!
I think Ask Me rings very true if you have spent time around little ones. It really captures a way of communicating that certain kids have (at a particular age) perfectly. Mango Street is a MUST read!
I’m looking forward to seeing A Rock Can Be… I loved the others in the series. I am also eager to meet Leo. 🙂
I kind of wanted to invite Leo to come and live with me.
Oooh, lots of book matches on this list! I think I’ve read everything except what you’re currently reading and the Survival book (it’s in my pile) and Vacuum (darn library still doesn’t have it!).
Bug in a Vacuum is VERY well done. Hope you can find a copy soon.
I ALWAYS have my library page open when I visit your blog so I can request materials right away. I am so bummed though because Bug in a Vacuum and The Good Little Book are not in the Maine library loan system yet. I did get Ask Me. Thanks for the wonderful book excitement! I can’t wait to share your blog with the new school! 🙂
Thank you so much Nicole! Have a wonderful first few weeks back!
Wow. So many fabulous books this week. Your summary of Survival Strategies of the Almost brave definitely has me wanting to pick it up!
It’s quite a dramatic MG title. Really engaging.
Love all the picturebooks you shared. I have half a heart to just borrow as many picturebooks as I can when I do our weekly visit to the library and just immerse myself in all that I missed. I am glad to see a new Suzy Lee title! 🙂 Boats for Papa sounds like a must-read too! 🙂
Yes, Suzy Lee’s illustrations here are divine. Full of colour! Loved them.
Happily placed one book on hold after another, thank you, as usual for the wonderful shares… 🙂
Happy reading! Hope you find some favourites 🙂
Ahhh…. you always have so many excellent books on your blog! Survival Strategies sounds awesome, and the picture books you shared look great! I’m desperately trying to make it through a few more Must Read books before posting on Thursday!
I have only added a few since July – too many other novels I requested from the library for summer reading had to get read!