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