My choice? Ten dinner invitations I would accept in the world of MG and YA books. If these characters invited me for dinner, I would be there with bells on. Why? The conversation, the quirky family dynamics, the interesting characters and in some cases, a really true sense that the food would be great! It is dinner after all 🙂
If they asked, I would be there – in these books:
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
Really I want to hang on every word from the Grandfather and some of those dinners did sound pretty amazing.
How to Outrun a Crocodile when Your Shoes are Untied by Jess Keating
It might be squishy at that table when they move to the zoo but I have the feeling dinner conversations would be fascinating.
The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy
Partly it’s because I adore these boys. Partly it’s because I love the Dads. And oh, such a beautiful, messy, busy, loving family vibe.
The Truth about Twinkie Pie by Kat Yeh
It may be that I want to try one of these sugar filled dessert recipes just to see if I explode but also, I really am rooting for these girls.
The Penderwicks in Spring by Jeanne Birdsall
I would come and eat with the Penderwicks at any age and stage. I love this family up, down, sideways and around in circles.
Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage
I could hang out in this diner all day spying on small town curiosities. But I would definitely do a dinner or two.
After Iris by Natasha Farrant
I actually may not get served dinner in this eccentric family – but wow, would I like to do take out pizza with this sibling group.
The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron
Yes, I would like to squeeze into the trailer and dine with Lucky and Brigitte. And for dessert? Cookies of course. With Miles.
Listen, Slowly by Thanhhà Lai
Oh how I would love to attend dinner with this family. And I am sitting next to Grandma.
Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles
Well. I would eat any meal with this family. It could be funeral fare. It could be leftovers. Sign me up.
And you? Which book do you hope invites you for dinner?
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 read a few picture books and many early/young chapter books and graphics this week.
Any Questions by Marie-Louise Gay
What a beautiful picture book. It highlights the story telling process, the magic of children’s questions and the imaginative journey of a gifted author/illustrator into the land of stories. Once upon a time . . . Marie-Louise Gay tells us that a story begins with a blank white page. But her pages are never blank and white – when they are gifted to us, lucky readers, they are full of whimsy, happy clutter and childhood. Layer upon layer for read through after read through with little readers. Always something to happen upon on each page even if you miss it the first time through.
The book trailer is delightful – especially hearing Marie Louise-Gay‘s warm and animated voice. After meeting her on Saturday at the Vancouver Children’s Literature Round Table’s Breakfast, it is even more charming. I am thrilled to bring my signed copy of her book into school this week!
Of course, I also had to purchase the two Marie-Louise Gay books I didn’t have in our class collection.
When Stella was Very, Very Small by Marie-Louise Gay
All of the Stella titles feature Stella as a young girl but this title takes us back to her toddler days. She is, of course, charming, curious and cute as a bug.
What are you Doing Sam? by Marie-Louise Gay
I particularly love the Sam titles – the interactions between Stella and Sam that begin with Sam are quite charming. In this book, Sam decides to teach his dog Fred some tricks. This is quite an interesting endeavour. Fred, as usual, has his own ideas.
Extraordinary Warren: A Super Chicken by Sarah Dillard
This was a wonderful find at the bookstore this weekend. Thanks to a donation to classroom libraries at my school, I got to go book shopping. My plan was to purchase more early chapter series and graphic titles for our class collection. This reads as part graphic, part early chapter. Filled with humour, adventure and interesting character interactions, I predict this will be a hit with many little readers in my room!
Baby Mouse: Monster Mash (#9) by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
It is October. Halloween is approaching. Reading this title was only fitting. Love the layers to the story about friendship, peer pressure and bully behaviour.
Picture Day (Missy’s Super Duper Royal Deluxe #1) by Susan Nees
Another Branches series by Scholastic. I wondered if this title was going to be a “pink” book considering the cover and all of the rosy hues. I was pleasantly surprised by the character development and character interactions in an early chapter book title full of busy illustrations. Missy’s friend Oscar has some creative ideas about saving Missy’s identity crisis on picture day when her mother stifles her creative fashion spirit.
Class Pets (Missy’s Super Duper Royal Deluxe #2) by Susan Nees
I tried out another title just to check consistency and I enjoyed this one too. Perfect level for beginning chapter book readiness. Lots of colourful photos, easy to connect to school settings/plot lines and lots of humour.
Monkey Me #1 Monkey Me and the Golden Monkey by Timothy Roland
This Branches series is a little more complex than the Missy titles – more text and less illustrations. Still, great for a young chapter book series. After eating a special banana at the museum, Clyde has the tendency to become a monkey (literally) for portions of every day. Sometimes more than once. Silly, humorous and full of adventure.
I also finished After Iris by Natasha Farrant
I so loved this book – I am a fan of the chaos, eccentricities and love in this Gadsby family. The parents? Yikes. The “au pair”/guardian? Fantastic. The sibling interactions? So true. Told through Blue’s film transcripts and diary entries, this is a must read middle grade novel. One of my #MustReadin2014 titles.
Up next? I am still reading The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson – so happy with this title as I think both of my children will love it. Thinking of purchasing it as a futre family read aloud. We are big fans of fantasy. Still reading Okay for Now to my children- such a book to inspire discussion
Reading Goal Updates:
2014 Chapter Book Challenge: 65/100 novels complete
Goodreads Challenge: 471/650 books read (currently 48 books behind – not getting this much lower but keeping it under 50! I need a picture book blitz day or two or three)
#MustReadin2014: 21/30 complete
Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 111/65 complete
I have been sitting at 20/30 titles read on my #MustReadin2014 list for so long that I thought I had read nothing since the summer update in July. This morning I finished a book on the list which brings me to 21/30 titles read so I thought, hurrah! I can list one book. But then I realized I have actually read four novels from this list. Wow!
What have I read since the beginning of July?
Cress (Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer (Read July 5th, 2014) YA novel 4 stars
I am fully captivated by these Lunar Chronicles stories even though I never thought I was going to be. I read Cinder on a whim and was hooked. I particularly love how all of the characters from previous books still play starring roles in the ongoing storylines. Dramatic, suspenseful, interesting characters. Great YA fantasy!
The Summer of Letting Go by Gae Polisner (Read July 15th, 2014) YA novel 5 stars
Should have been just so sad but somehow this title was light and full of hope. Truly beautifully done -this is the YA fiction I want my daughter to read as a teen. Easily one of my favourite YA titles of 2014. I loved the vulnerability in the characters, the exploration of grief, the superb writing and of course, little Frankie Sky.
We were Liars by E. Lockhart (Read July 15th, 2014) YA novel 5 stars
Eerie. Haunting. Painful. Beautiful. Captures family dynamics – holding these messy aspects up in all of their raw and real glory. If you have read this book, you know, it isn’t possible to write details that aren’t spoilers.
After Iris by Natasha Farrant (Read October 13th, 2014) MG novel 5 stars
I so loved this book – I am a fan of the chaos, eccentricities and love in this Gadsby family. But whoa, these parents . . . I gave my children extra attentive hugs today in response!
@NatashaFarrant1 Sigh I just finished your beautiful book. Feel like bustling my family away to a holiday house, beach walking & eating pie
How is your To Be Read list treating you? I am excited still to tackle the rest of my list while I still do other reading. However, I can already predict that I might not get to two titles on my list. One, because I just can’t lay hands on it. And the other? Every time I do pick it up from the library, I end up returning it unread. Hmm . . . But I won’t call it yet.
I think it is interesting that certain books call to us at certain times. Some of my #MustReadin2014 titles sit on my bookshelf staring at me and I keep passing them by and reach for other books. It’s not that I don’t want to read them. I just don’t want to read them now. And then the mood hits . . . 🙂
If you have been participating in #MustReadin2014 and written an update post, link up below and share on twitter using the #MustReadin2014 hashtag! Please note that you need to click on the link below and it will take you to another page.
Want to know more about #MustReadin2014? Read here This post also includes links to all of the bloggers who wrote Must Read lists.
There's a Book for That 