It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey as a way to share what you have read and/or reviewed in the past week. It's also a terrific way to find out what other people are reading.
Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee Moye of Unleashing Readers have given this meme a children's literature focus: picture books, middle grade novels, etc. They "encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting the other bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.
Last week my parents came to visit. We had a terrific time catching up and enjoyed relaxing and spending time together. I love it when they come to see us, as it makes it seem like it's not so long until we get to come and see them and the rest of the family during the holidays. We had pretty good weather. Then after they left, the temperatures plummeted and it was time to curl up by the fireplace with a cup of tea and my books. Here's what I've been reading the past week:
Middle Grade Fiction
I had the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this middle grade historical fiction novel from NetGalley in exchange for this review. This book is a follow-up to Neri’s 2016 novel, Tru & Nelle. It continues the fictionalized account of Truman Capote’s and Harper Lee’s friendship during their childhood. I loved the first book, and I think this is a nice sequel.
While this is a historical fiction story, it was inspired by real people and real events that took place in the 1930s. Truman Capote and Nelle Harper Lee were childhood friends in Monroeville, Alabama. This novel opens a few years after the events of the first book, with a custody hearing in which Truman chooses to live with his mother and her husband in New York City. A few years later, Truman is sent to a military school from which he is running away – back to Alabama. Truman arrives in town a few days before Christmas, and it seems there is nothing but trouble from the moment he returns. And while Truman believes he is cursed, against the backdrop of the South during the Jim Crow era, he and those around him learn the true meaning of the grace and giving during the holiday season.
The skillful character development continues in this story, with a strain on Tru and Nelle’s relationship because they are growing up into young adults and are unsure how they are supposed to feel about each other. I think that young readers who enjoyed the first book, will enjoy this one as well. I do think that the second book is dependent on the first book – if a middle grade reader hasn’t read the first book, they probably won’t understand or appreciate the first book.
While this is a historical fiction story, it was inspired by real people and real events that took place in the 1930s. Truman Capote and Nelle Harper Lee were childhood friends in Monroeville, Alabama. This novel opens a few years after the events of the first book, with a custody hearing in which Truman chooses to live with his mother and her husband in New York City. A few years later, Truman is sent to a military school from which he is running away – back to Alabama. Truman arrives in town a few days before Christmas, and it seems there is nothing but trouble from the moment he returns. And while Truman believes he is cursed, against the backdrop of the South during the Jim Crow era, he and those around him learn the true meaning of the grace and giving during the holiday season.
The skillful character development continues in this story, with a strain on Tru and Nelle’s relationship because they are growing up into young adults and are unsure how they are supposed to feel about each other. I think that young readers who enjoyed the first book, will enjoy this one as well. I do think that the second book is dependent on the first book – if a middle grade reader hasn’t read the first book, they probably won’t understand or appreciate the first book.
The Tales From Deckawoo Drive series’ books are such a treat, I devoured this latest story in one sitting. The Lincoln sisters are such different characters. In Where Are You Going, Baby Lincoln? Baby Lincoln took a necessary journey of self discovery. Now it’s Eugenia’s turn. A large, unexpected package is delivered to Eugenia one day, and rather than enjoying the surprise of it, she’s very annoyed by the intrusion into her neat and orderly world. When it turns out to be an accordion, she’s even more appalled. Unable to return it, readers will have a delightful time finding out how she deals with it. There is such a great opportunity to discuss growth mindset goals as the message of stepping outside of our comfort zones and finding the joy that lives in the hearts of every person is revealed in this fun tale.
Picture Books
The books of E.B. White were among my favorites when I was growing up, especially Charlotte’s Web. I would read those books over and over again. This wonderful picture book biography of one of my favorite authors is one that should be in every classroom library. Not only would it pair well with Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little, and Trumpet of the Swans, but it could be an inspiring mentor text for young writers to find their own stories in the world around them. The kid-friendly text, along with Lauren Castillo’s wonderful artwork, make this a terrific nonfiction resource.
This clever picture book shows young readers how much fun collaboration and cooperation can be. Sam is enjoying himself drawing until Eva comes along and wants to draw with him. The stories that are shown through their art are competing and topping each other “dueling banjo” style. Each change in the story is for the better in a way that reminds me of Battle Bunny by Jon Scieszka, until it gets out of hand. Young readers will enjoy seeing if these two can work things out. The digital illustrations show the characters Sam and Eva in black and white and their artwork in color, which makes the story pop even more. This would be a fun book to have on any elementary bookshelf.
Getting ready for Christmas is one of the best times of the year, and young readers usually love the fun colorful books that celebrate that. This fun picture book by the author of Flora and the Flamingo shows the silly complications that can occur when T. Rex and his friends come to help you get ready for the holidays. Festive illustrations in warm, cheerful colors show the mayhem of big dinosaurs helping to make decorations, bake cookies, and hang stockings. The story kind of reminds me of the crazy mishaps in the Clifford the Big Red Dog series by Norman Bridwell.
Building forts is one of those activities that just about every kid has tried at least one time or another. So this charming picture book will definitely be one that kids can relate to. The poetic text and warm, inclusive illustrations take readers through each of the seasons by listing the fun things to do, and each season includes fort-building! This could be a terrific mentor text to help young writers describe the seasons in their own way.
While lots of kids enjoy going to school, I think many of them don’t realize how fortunate they are to live in a country where their right to get an education is vigorously defended. Malala Yousafzai’s story is so inspiring and I think kids will enjoy it because she is young and relatable. This is a terrific story to help develop a growth mindset and also a great mentor text to help young writers make changes in the world around them with their own pens and pencils.
This picture book is a fun follow-up to Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book!). Snappsy likes peace and quiet, while Bert is ready to party all night with popcorn, pizza, and dancing. Snappsy insists that he wants to be alone in his house, but Bert has other plans. The humorous back-and-forth in the text, and the colorful comics-style illustrations are sure to make this a popular book in an elementary classroom library.
Amelia Bedelia, the famous confused maid, lends a hand at school when the third grade Thanksgiving pageant is about to be canceled because all of the teachers are out sick. But there’s all sorts of mix-ups because Amelia misunderstands phrases like “dressing room” and “break a leg”. Amelia Bedelia books are usually popular with middle grade elementary kids, and so this would be a good one to include in a seasonal classroom collection.
This is a well researched and well written account of the first Thanksgiving. Beautiful oil paintings illustrate this nonfiction picture book that gives detailed information about the pilgrims of the Mayflower, the friendship of Squanto, and how they celebrated their survival and good fortune. This would be a good one to share with kids during the month of November.
I love hearing about Tru & Nelle, didn't realize it was a sequel, too. Somehow I'll find time to read it. Capote write the short Thanksgiving Visitor a long time ago and I loved it. I shared the new Eugenia Lincoln book today too, lots of fun, and loved A Boy, A Mouse and A Spider, no surprise! Thanks Jana. I'm glad you had fun with your parents!
ReplyDeleteYou just reminded me of A Boy, a Mouse, and a Spider. It's one I've been waiting to read. Amelia Bedelia books are popular with elementary readers, too. Many kids find them very funny. I don't think I have the one you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteGreat round up of books, as always! A Boy, a Mouse, and a Spider is a favorite! Great ladder for Some Writer!
ReplyDeleteI loved A Boy, A Mouse, and a Spider especially because it is a biography picture book and I struggle to find great nonfiction picture books to share with students and teachers. Sam and Eva is also a favorite to teach collaboration.
ReplyDeleteYours is the second review of Eugenia Lincoln and the Unexpected Package
ReplyDeleteI've read this week and I love the series so much that I had to see if my library has a copy. They do and it's in!