Monday May 13th, 2019

Trying to post at least once a month to be part of this amazing reading community and to share all the wonderful titles I have been reading.

A few #kidsarereading photos for inspiration. Our visit to the Vancouver Public Library. Everyone left with a book and a library card if they didn’t have one. Our arms full of books, our heads full of stories, we skipped all the way back to school. Summer reading – we are getting ready for you!

Love how my students want to read EVERYTHING. The size of the book box is never big enough.

Nothing is quite as lovely as buddy reading moments.

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.

Books I read:

Tomorrow Most Likely by Dave Eggers and illustrated by Lane Smith

What will tomorrow bring? A delightful and beautifully illustrated collection of possibilities.

Growing Season by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

A sweet little book about friendship, flowers and all kinds of growing.

Dog Vs. Ultra Dog by Troy Wilson with art by Clayton Hanmer

So much in this book – having faith, wanting to matter – an emotional book wrapped up in super hero style and cute humour.

Our World is Relative written by Julia Sooy with illustrations by Molly Walsh

You know when you play 20 questions with a group of kids and they ask questions like, “Is it big?” or “Is it little?” and you keep trying to prompt, “Bigger than a . . . ” Well, this book would be perfect in times like this! My only complaint – that measurements are not in our Canadian metric system. Otherwise, so ideal! I will be sharing this one in the classroom often. Releases August 13th 2019

Bat and the Waiting Game by Elana K. Arnold

This character! Bat is beyond endearing. I absolutely adore him.

The Dollar Kids by Jennifer Richard Jacobson

Such an interesting subject for a novel. A former mill town needs to attract residents to keep its schools and town from completely shutting down. A number of homes are offered to families for just $1.00 if they meet criteria and comply with specific conditions over the next year. This is the perfect chance for Lowen and his family to have a new beginning and more opportunities. It’s also a way for Lowen to try to leave behind the memories of a young friend who was shot. Would be a fantastic middle grade read aloud.

The Lost Girl by Anne Ursu

There is always something remarkable about Ursu’s titles. Part magic, part harsh reality, unbelievable and completely relatable. Devastating and full of hope. Wow.

This is How it Always Is by Laurie Frankel

A rare adult read highly recommended by my sister. Rosie and Penn have 4 boys and then they have Claude. Another boy who actually wants to be a girl. And then everything becomes about how to best let this little human be who they are supposed to be. A truly must read novel.

Up next? I am reading The Size of the Truth by Andrew Smith

Monday March 13th, 2017

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

Each week I share a reading photo of the week. Or two, or three . . . 

Friday afternoon reading peace.

Monday March 13th, 2017

This is kind of my all time favourite photo right now! These two are celebrating Spring Break reading choices. Reading is the thing!

Monday March 13th, 2017

More Spring Break reading plans

Monday March 13th, 2017

#classroombookaday titles

Monday March 13th, 2017

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.

IMWAYR 2015

On the blog:

It’s Slice of Life Season so many posts (and not quite as much reading):

Reading Workshop Truths: Slice of Life #12 12 truths of Reading Workshop

Inspiration sources: Slice of Life #11 On Spring Break, where will I find writing inspiration?

The Buddy Reading Phenomenon: Slice of Life #10 Buddy reading is about so much more than reading

Finding Community: Slice of Life #9 Feeling at home in my new school

But I’ve got this: Slice of Life #8 I want my room to be where life long readers are made

Kid collecting: Slice of Life #7 My morning walk involves a kid or two

Room 202: Slice of Life #6 Wondering why my new classroom feels so much like home

Books I enjoyed:

Bloom by Deborah Diesen and illustrated by Mary Lundquist

A beautiful book about seasons and time and growing. A perfect gardening book. Also a perfect parent child connection book.

Liam Takes a Stand by Troy Wilson and illustrated by Josh Holinaty

Sibling rivalry can sometimes be way over the top. What if you’re the littlest brother? This book will make you smile. And kind of thirsty.

Noisy Night by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Brian Biggs

Lots of noise in this very tall apartment building? Who is making it? A fun story time read aloud. Warning: it might get loud!

The Fabulous Friend Machine by Nick Bland

Oh yes – clever commentary on our social media world.

A Year of Borrowed Men by Michelle Barker and illustrated by Renné Benoit

During the war, three French Prisoner’s of War are sent to work on Gerda’s farm in Germany. Told from a child’s perspective, this book is a very human look at hard times in European history. Full of tender and sweet moments and the harsh realities of suspicion sand cruelties of war.

The Dance of the Violin by Kathy Stinson and illustrated by Dušan Petričić

A story of young violinist Joshua Bell. He wants to compete in an important competition. Can he convey the movement he hears as he plays? Or will nerves win out? Incredibly illustrated.

The Great Antonio by Elise Gravel

This Toon tale made me a little sad. A biography of sorts of The Great Antonio, the true story of Antonio Barichievich, Montreal strong man. All the things he could do! Gravel doesn’t shy away from featuring Antonio’s eccentric and troubled later life.

Upside Down Magic by Sarah Mylnowski, Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins

I had a group of students reading this book for Book Club and it was the only title I hadn’t read. I quite enjoyed this story of a special Upside Down Magic classroom for a group of children who can’t seem to learn or execute magic in more normal ways. Well developed and sensitive characters elevate this young middle grade novel beyond a simple fantasy story.

Reading Progress updates:

2017 Chapter Book Challenge: 12/75 complete

Goodreads Challenge: 73/365 books read

Progress on challenge: 3 books ahead of schedule!

#MustReadin2017: 6/30 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 13/50 titles

Diverse Books in 2016: 11/50 books read

Up next? I am reading Scar Island by Dan Gemeinhart 

Monday February 23rd, 2015

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

I have been sharing a reading photo of the week each week. This one was taken during a sharing time about what we noticed about the characters in the picture books we had been reading. I love the focus and the attention!

Monday February 22nd, 2015 #IMWAYR There's a Book for That

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.

imwayr

I am in the middle of report cards and was away for part of last week- hence, this post will be brief just sharing a few images of titles I read this week. I hope to have more to share next week when these reports are complete! My Saturday Celebration post highlights a little of my “busy” past week.

Something about a Bear by Jackie Morris

As always, the art . . . wow. Nonfiction title about various bears.

Something about a bear Monday February 22nd, 2015 #IMWAYR There's a Book for That

In my Heart: A Book of Feelings written by Jo Witek and illustrated by Christine Roussey

The most special thing about this title? The cut out pages. Lovely exploration of feelings.

Monday February 22nd, 2015 #IMWAYR There's a Book for That

Perfect Man written by Troy Wilson and illustrated by Dean Griffiths 

All kinds of endearing.

Perfect Man Monday February 22nd, 2015 #IMWAYR There's a Book for That

If: A Mind Bending Way of Looking at Big Ideas and Numbers written by David J. Smith illustrated by Steve Adams

Some of these concepts will be beyond my students, some they will absolutely be able to grasp.

if . . . Monday February 22nd, 2015 #IMWAYR There's a Book for That

Up next? I continue to read The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds and then plan to start Arcady’s Goal by Eugene Yelchin

Updates on my 2015 Reading Goals:

2015 Chapter Book Challenge: 8/80 complete

Goodreads Challenge: 66/415 books read

#MustReadin2015: 5/24 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 17/100 titles

Diverse Books in 2015: 5/50 books read