It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

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.

We had a few days break from the bitter cold. Of course it poured down rain on those days, but the temperatures were in the 60s. Once the rain went away of course the nasty cold returned. I can't wait for spring. In the meantime, hopefully everyone can enjoy sweet expressions of love on Thursday. Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Here's what I've been reading this past week:

Classic Literature/Science Fiction

Fantastic Voyage by Isaac Asimov

I’ve had this science fiction novel on my bookshelf for a long time. I think I bought it at a garage sale many years ago. At any rate, this year I’m trying to read things that are sitting around on shelves and in piles in my house. I’m trying to get control of the urge to constantly buy more books until I’ve read more of the ones I already have.

I’ve enjoyed many of Isaac Asimov’s books in the past, especially his Foundation series. This book was actually a movie first (in 1966) with the screenplay written by Harry Kleiner, adapted by David Duncan, based on a story by Otto Klement and Jay Lewis Bixby. I’m looking forward to watching it and wonder if I’ll like it as well. I almost always like a book better than a movie, but usually the book came first.

 

I loved reading this story. It is a mix of Cold War spy novel, medical drama, and pioneers exploring a new world (that of the human body). Benes is a defector from The Other Side. He possesses knowledge that can help turn the tide in the Cold War. It’s imperative that he reach his destination safely so that he can share his expertise. But when assassins attempt to stop him, he’s critically injured. His injuries require the removal of a clot in his brain. But the clot can’t be removed by normal surgical means or brain damage will result, rendering the information that Benes has useless.

In order to break up the clot, a special team along with an atomic submarine will be miniaturized to microscopic size and injected into Benes’ carotid artery. Along the way they have to fight off giant antibodies, navigate through the heart, get through the inner ear where any sound might kill them, and destroy the clot with a laser beam. The suspense as they deal with all of these dangerous aspects of the human body is awesome.

 

This is a book that science fiction fans would definitely enjoy. And it also has some biology lessons for an added bonus. While some of the information is dated, it’s just a fun, exciting book to read.

Middle Grade Fiction

Dream Within a Dream by Patricia MacLachlan 

I had the opportunity to read a NetGalley digital ARC of this middle grade novel in exchange for a review. This book tells the story of Louisa’s summer on Deer Island with her brother, her grandparents, and a budding romance with George. Each summer, Louisa’s parents leave her and her brother with their grandparents as they travel around the world studying and photographing birds in their habitats. This summer, Louisa becomes aware of her grandfather’s failing eyesight, her growing attachment to the island and its people, and her affectionate feelings for George, whose parents met in Tanzania. As the summer begins to wind down, Louisa that she really doesn’t want to leave. Young readers will enjoy finding out if she and her brother, Theo, will be able to figure out a way to be able to stick around.

Since we’re in the midst of a cold and nasty winter, it definitely is a nice escape to read about Louisa’s summer on an island. But it’s also nice to read about friendships based on a mutual love of books, art, and a community of people that enjoy helping each other and playing together. Louisa is getting older and as her romantic feelings for George become more acute and confusing, her family is very supportive and understanding of her developing relationship with the boy. There is some kissing and some tender moments, but the romance is very appropriate for kids in grades five and up.

This book will be coming out in May. So, this will be just in time for some good summertime reading. I am sure that there will be lots of kids enjoying it during their vacations.

Picture Books

Bearnard's Book by Deborah Underwood, Misa Saburi (Illustrations) 

This cute picture book is both a celebration of books and a story with a nice message for young readers about believing in yourself. Bearnard has been invited to be in a storybook and he's so excited. He's always wanted to be in a book and one look around his home tells everyone that he is a voracious reader - there are books in his bathroom, his kitchen, and bedroom. One of my favorite illustrations shows his bedroom at night and stacked around him on his nightstand and windowsill one can see Bigoudi by Delphine Perret, Frankenstein, and Cannery Row. But as he considers all of the other books he's read featuring bears, he begins to worry that he's not going to be good enough to be in a book. Thankfully his friend, Gertie, encourages him and comes to realize that he is enough just as he is. We all worry from time to time whether we are good enough for our dreams and this book definitely will help inspire young readers. It could also be a good mentor text for young writers to tell their own stories about learning that they are good enough as they are.

The Secret Cat by Katarina Strömgård 

Many young readers can definitely relate to wishing for a pet, only to have a parent say "no". The little girl in this story wishes for a cat, but her mom says she can have a fish aquarium instead. But after she goes to bed, she hears a scratching behind the wall, a soon she's taking a midnight stroll with an ever-growing cat. They walk all over town and see all sorts of other people walking their secret, magical pets. Of course, the next morning the cat is gone. Or is it? This is an imaginative story with lovely illustrations. It could be a good mentor text for young writers thinking about their own imaginary pets.

Hats Off to Mr. Pockles! by Sally Lloyd-Jones, David Litchfield (Illustrations)

This clever picture book has a terrific message for young readers about friendship and kindness. Mr. Pockles is crazy about hats and has a huge collection of them. But he's also very shy and has no friends. When he is too afraid to approach the PandaPolitan Club to inquire about their upcoming Hat Day, he goes to the local Treat Shop to indulge in the Bun of the Month. When an unfortunate mishap leads to the destruction of Lady CoCo Fitz-Tulip's special hat, Mr. Pockles sees an opportunity to share his special hat and make new friends. This would be a great way to talk about extending grace to our neighbors and how that helps build relationships and community. It also could be a great way to encourage young writers to share their own stories of giving and friendship.

The Hair Book by Graham Tether, Andrew Joyner (Contributor) 

This Bright & Early Book for Beginning Beginners was originally published in 1979, but it's been republished with a different illustrator. The rollicking, rhyming text that I grew up with in the Dr. Seuss books is still fun to share with young readers, who are becoming more conscientious about their own hair. The artwork is updated, brighter, and more inclusive so that more kids will recognize themselves and their hair in this book. This is definitely a good one to read aloud and share with little kids!

Will You Help Me Fall Asleep? by Anna Kang, Christopher Weyant (Illustrations) 

Sometimes it can be tough to go to sleep the night before a big event. And when you realize that you're having trouble falling asleep, you get even more stressed out and then drifting off seems impossible. The little frog is in this cute picture book is all excited about the next day's boat races and he's desperate to get to sleep. If he doesn't get enough sleep, he won't get to go to the races. He tries counting sheep, reading, but nothing is working. Young readers will appreciate this story and the eventual solution as the little frog finally gets sleepy. This could be a good bedtime story for little ones when they're having trouble falling asleep themselves.

Surprise! by Caroline Hadilaksono

This cute picture book tells the story of a group of forest creatures - Bear, Squirrel, and Raccoon - who are terrific friends, but want to grow their community by making new relationships. But because sometimes it's hard for those outside of a peer group to look past their preconceived notions about the unique personalities of those of other groups, these guys have trouble making new friends. But when a car arrives with a family from the city, they jump at the opportunity to throw a surprise party to welcome them. They find terrific party food and decorations in the coolers, grocery sacks, and tent while the newcomers go off on a hike. Young readers will definitely giggle when they see what a mess this welcoming party has created! The brightly colored illustrations of the family, food, and campsite are definitely welcoming and fun, making this a good book to read aloud and share with young children.

Me And My Fear by Francesca Sanna 

Starting at a new school can be tough, especially if you're from a different country and unfamiliar with the language and ways of your new classroom community. Many young readers will be able to relate to the fear that is ever-present in this young girl's life. As the stressors in her life increase, the size of the fear increases and threatens to take over her whole life, keeping her from trying new things and making new friends. A young boy in her class reaches past her fear to share something special with her, and this starts the shrinkage (but not complete disappearance) of her fear. And she also begins to realize that she isn't the only one with fear. This book is a terrific one to share with kids to start a discussion about how we welcome new friends into our communities.

A Dog Named Haku: A Holiday Story from Nepal by Margarita Engle, Amish Karanjit (Contributor), Nicole Karanjit (Contributor), Ruth Jeyaveeran (Contributor) 

It's fun to read and learn about different holidays that are celebrated in other parts of the world. This lovely picture book takes young readers to Kathmandu, Nepal to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Two brothers, Alu and Bhalu, spend the afternoon looking for a stray dog to feed and take care of. A few years before, there had been a devastating earthquake and rescue dogs played an important role in finding many people that had been buried underneath the rubble. The story includes beautiful illustrations, interesting details about the celebration, and a glossary at the back of the book.

Rescue & Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship by Jessica Kensky, Patrick Downes, Scott Magoon (Illustrator) 

This inspirational picture book is based on the real life experience of the authors. The little girl in the story was severely injured and lost the use of her legs. As she went through rehabilitation, she became stronger and stronger. Meanwhile, Rescue was training to be a therapy dog to help Jessica as much as possible. When the two came together, they were a perfect fit. According to the book's jacket, the authors "were married in 2012 and were injured during the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013. Rescue joined them several months later." This book would be good to share with young readers interested in learning more about service animals. The book includes an author's note giving more information for those that would like to learn more.

Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold

I have read this book several times throughout the years and I always seem to see something new and wonderful each time. A Caldecott winner, this beautifully illustrated book follows 8-year-old Cassie Louise Lightfoot as she flies above the rooftop of her house where her family and neighbors are relaxing on a warm, summer evening. As she flies around the city, she claims the George Washington Bridge and the union building where her father works as her very own. As she claims each landmark, she is becoming free from all of the constraints placed on her by racism and economic injustice. According to the note at the end of the book, "Tar Beach, a story quilt by Faith Ringgold, combines autobiography, fictional narrative, painting, and quilt making in one art form." This would make a terrific mentor text for young artists and writers trying to tell their own stories.

The Talking Eggs by Robert D. San Souci, Jerry Pinkney (Illustrator) 

Beautiful illustrations from Jerry Pinkney bring to life this Southern folktale in which a generous, kind child (Blanche) does everything that she's told to do by a magical old woman and is rewarded with wonderful riches. Blanche's older sister, Rose, is greedy and nasty, and when she tries to take advantage of the old woman's generosity she is paid back in kind. According to the author's note on the title page, "The Talking Eggs is adapted from a Creole folktale originally included in a collection of Louisiana stories by the folklorist Alcee Fortier and published in the late nineteenth century. The tale appears to have its roots in popular European fairy tales, probably brought to Louisiana by French emigres. Variations of the story, with Cajun or Gullah overtones, suggest it was gradually spread orally through other areas of the American South." This folktale has a terrific message of kindness and generosity. The little girl, Blanche, is poor and mistreated by her family, but she still has compassion for the thirsty old lady at the well. When she is invited to the home of the old woman she continues to be respectful and obedient and that kindness is rewarded. This could be a nice mentor text for young writers working on their own fables and folktales.