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.
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.
Middle Grade Fiction
I had the opportunity to read a NetGalley digital ARC of this middle grade novel in exchange for a review. This realistic fiction book tells the story of a precocious, think-outside-the-box third grade girl who is more interested in making crafts from items she finds in trash bins than working on her spelling or handwriting. At the beginning of the story, Meena is experiencing some friendship drama and is super excited about a class project to design a Valentine box. But as Meena starts to experience some strange things - lost time in which she doesn’t remember what has occurred, dizziness, stomachaches – the reader comes to understand that there is a serious medical issue at play.
Meena experiences a seizure which results in an emergency run to the hospital, a series of uncomfortable medical tests, and being watched constantly by everyone for signs that she might have another one. After much worry, Meena and her parents find out that she has epilepsy. And once they get this diagnosis, there is a sense of relief and hope that it will be easily managed.
I think that it’s terrific that this book has been written. I really don’t know much about epilepsy, as I’ve never really experienced anyone in my family or my classrooms that have dealt with this condition. The author folds a lot of useful information into the context of an easy-to-read narrative that just about all kids of this age group will recognize: the ups and downs of life in third grade with behavior clips moved up and down, homework assignments, and recess. Young readers will be able to empathize with Meena’s worries as she undergoes CT scans, an MRI, getting shots, and feeling like her parents and teachers are constantly spying on her. The author also includes a note at the end the tells readers about her experiences with her daughter, who is like Meena and has epilepsy also. This is definitely a book that should be shared with kids in grades 3 and up.
Meena experiences a seizure which results in an emergency run to the hospital, a series of uncomfortable medical tests, and being watched constantly by everyone for signs that she might have another one. After much worry, Meena and her parents find out that she has epilepsy. And once they get this diagnosis, there is a sense of relief and hope that it will be easily managed.
I think that it’s terrific that this book has been written. I really don’t know much about epilepsy, as I’ve never really experienced anyone in my family or my classrooms that have dealt with this condition. The author folds a lot of useful information into the context of an easy-to-read narrative that just about all kids of this age group will recognize: the ups and downs of life in third grade with behavior clips moved up and down, homework assignments, and recess. Young readers will be able to empathize with Meena’s worries as she undergoes CT scans, an MRI, getting shots, and feeling like her parents and teachers are constantly spying on her. The author also includes a note at the end the tells readers about her experiences with her daughter, who is like Meena and has epilepsy also. This is definitely a book that should be shared with kids in grades 3 and up.
I had the opportunity to read a NetGalley digital ARC of this middle grade novel in exchange for a review. Middle grade readers will definitely be able to relate to the ups and downs of friendship at this sensitive age. At this age, kids can be friends one minute and enemies the next, and usually the rift in the friendship is over a misunderstanding. Once the relationship suffers this kind of blow, it can be really hard for both former friends to extend themselves and/or apologize for what happened.
Cora and Sybella have been best friends since second grade when Sybella was a new student and Cora brought her into the imaginary world she inhabited with her twin brother, Kyle. Through the years, the three were inseparable. But when they entered fifth grade and were assigned to separate classrooms, they also started to pursue separate interests and there were strains placed on the friendship by Marnie, new to the school. Add to that Cora’s unhappiness over her parents’ divorce and her mom’s yearlong job in Belgium, and a simple mistake blows up into a huge chasm in her friendship with Sybella.
This friendship drama is set against the backdrop of Cora’s father’s work as a garbologist at the University of California. The family’s efforts to use less, recycle more, and keep trash to a minimum along with Cora’s participation on the Trash Team at school could definitely inspire kids to hold their own “Trashlympics” and “Capture the Trash” events in their own communities. At the least it might help kids think about how to minimize their own impact on the environment.
This book comes out in August and would be a good realistic fiction book to have on the shelf. It would be good for readers who enjoy relationship drama, particularly for those in grades five and up.
Cora and Sybella have been best friends since second grade when Sybella was a new student and Cora brought her into the imaginary world she inhabited with her twin brother, Kyle. Through the years, the three were inseparable. But when they entered fifth grade and were assigned to separate classrooms, they also started to pursue separate interests and there were strains placed on the friendship by Marnie, new to the school. Add to that Cora’s unhappiness over her parents’ divorce and her mom’s yearlong job in Belgium, and a simple mistake blows up into a huge chasm in her friendship with Sybella.
This friendship drama is set against the backdrop of Cora’s father’s work as a garbologist at the University of California. The family’s efforts to use less, recycle more, and keep trash to a minimum along with Cora’s participation on the Trash Team at school could definitely inspire kids to hold their own “Trashlympics” and “Capture the Trash” events in their own communities. At the least it might help kids think about how to minimize their own impact on the environment.
This book comes out in August and would be a good realistic fiction book to have on the shelf. It would be good for readers who enjoy relationship drama, particularly for those in grades five and up.
Picture Books
This clever picture book blends humorous dialogue with artwork that was created with photographs and hand-drawn images collaged in Adobe Photoshop to create a story of an Eraser that is obsessed with perfectly clean pages and a mischievous Pencil that is determined to make his mark and keep Eraser busy. Just as soon as Eraser gets one page cleaned up, Pencil gathers up his friends to mark up the next. Young readers will be anxious to find out if these two will figure out a way to strike a balance and be friends. This book would pair well with Eraser by Anna Kang, in which another Eraser tries to get the other school supplies to appreciate her.
With brightly colored illustrations and rollicking rhyming text, this uplifting picture books encourages young readers, especially girls, to be themselves and to dress the way they think is best instead of according to the rigid expectations of others. A group of young ladies are attending a slumber party, and their play involves several costume changes and readers realize that all of the outfits are just right for a girl - "What you think determines which outfit's okay. Don't judge your appearance by what others say. Make your own rules in this big wide world. Set your sights high...dress like a girl!"
Many years ago, my sister tried to give our cat, Stanley, a bath. It was a summer day and she was trying to bathe him outside. With a loud yowl and painful scratches all up her arms, we all learned quickly that this was a terrible idea. This "How To" book is so much fun. With hilarious illustrations and text, young readers will get a kick out of finding out what it took a lot of trouble for my sister and me to find out. This would be a fun way to talk about sequencing in stories and also conflict and resolution. It also could be a great way to introduce "How To" writing and help mentor students trying to write their own instruction manuals.
Fans of detective stories will get a kick out of this cute picture book. Muffin the cat keeps an eye on everything that goes on in the neighborhood. But when a strange noise comes from the open window of the Little Bear Bakery, Muffin doesn't hesitate to investigate. When the cat discovers a hungry little bear in the middle of all of the tasty baked treats, the cat gets busy solving the problem. Young readers will giggle as they see how the cat takes care of the problem. This would be a fun way to discuss conflict and resolution in literature. Young writers might be able to use this as a mentor text to help them create their own detective stories.
This funny picture book will definitely get a giggle or two from young readers, especially with its surprise ending. The robot in the story was just minding his own business when out of nowhere he was in love. As the robot's love grew, he went crazy trying to see the object of his affection as much as he could and work up the courage to say "hello." The humorous illustrations help to make this a fun book to share during the days leading up to Valentine's Day.
This lovely picture book with beautiful watercolor illustrations and simple rhyming text celebrates all of the seasons and weather conditions with young readers. The underlying message is to get outside and explore and play and enjoy all that nature has to offer in each of the seasons. Lots of kids these days are reluctant to go outside and play, preferring sedentary pastimes of television and video games. This book would be a terrific way to encourage kids to embrace the seasons. And with the onslaught of nasty, winter weather that we've been experiencing lately, I can think of plenty of grown-ups (myself included) that could use the reminder!
Sometimes it's tough to be a little kid, especially when it seems like everyone around you is bigger than you are and able to do so many more things. And when you're little it also seems like it takes forever to grow into the things you want to do. The little girl in this cute picture book wishes she weren't so small - she bounces around on the school bus, she has a difficult time writing on the chalkboard at school, and even the family dog is taller than she is. But as she considers her circumstances, she comes to realize that she does have some advantages over those around her that are some much larger and there's even a nice surprise waiting for her one day that means she's no longer the smallest in the family. The sweet story and the wonderful illustrations make this a book that lots of young readers will be able to relate to.
The engaging narrative text and the gorgeous illustrations come together to make a terrific nonfiction picture book that tells the story of a real-life octupus' escape from a New Zealand aquarium. Young readers will be fascinated by the details of Inky's life in the Pacific Ocean before he was caught in a lobster trap and brought to the aquarium. Inky's treatment at the aquarium was very good and he was happy, but lobsters are very curious and adventurous. And so when someone forgot to latch his tank properly, Inky was able to get away. At the end of the story there is an author's note, a set of interesting octopus facts, and a list of resources for further research. This is a terrific nonfiction resource to have on any bookshelf.
Beautifully painted illustrations and lyrical text take young readers through the years and places in the life of the renowned artist, Marc Chagall. From a small Russian village, to the streets and cafes of Paris, to America, the story is told as Chagall looks out windows. An author's note and a list of sources for further research help make this a terrific nonfiction resource for young readers.
This inspirational picture book has a great message to help young readers develop a growth mindset. The little pig admires the birds in the sky so much he dreams of one day being able to fly south with them. He works hard on learning, developing flight plans, collaborating with encouraging friends. And each time he fails, rather than giving up, he continues. I love that even when he figures out how to fly successfully, he begins working on a way to fly even higher. His success breeds further success and nothing is the same. This could start a great discussion about other goals that could be achieved with hard work and perseverance. This could also be a good mentor text to help young writers tell their own stories of reaching goals by not giving up.
This cute picture book tells the story of a little boy who is determined to prove the existence of the legendary yeti. Henry is obsessed with yetis and desperately wants to see one and prove they exist. Everyone around him discourages him, but he's determined to go on an expedition to find out for himself. With humorous illustrations and a fun adventure story, young readers will have a great time finding out if Henry can ever find what he's looking for. This would be a good mentor text for young writers trying to tell their own fun adventure stories.
What a great selection of books. Thanks for sharing them with us today.
ReplyDeleteWow, I've only read ONE of the books from this blog post! So I need to go make sure I have a few of these on my TBR list for 2019. Sometimes Rain especially grabbed my attention -- what a beautiful cover image (and an important message). Thanks for all the shares, Jana!
ReplyDeleteYou always add to my book lists, Jana. Sometimes Rain looks wonderful, as does Robot In Love, among others. I loved the book about Inky, great that it was based on a real octopus. Thanks for all. Happy you had a sweet Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteThe Friendship Lie is on my TBR list. I didn’t realize it’s on Net Galley. I have kids who pick up Robot in Love and even though they’ve already read it they still giggle about the toaster.
ReplyDeleteI am interested in reading The Friendship Lie and Meena. Libraries don't have Meena yet, hoping to find that one soon!
ReplyDeleteGreat selection of books today. I have looked at The Friendship Lie on NetGalley too. I almost requested but I have quite a few on there and I am worried I won't get to them all. A lot of your picture books look great as well. I hope to check out There is No Bear in this Bakery, Perfect and I am Small among others. Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteYou have a lot of interesting books on your list here! I've enjoyed the ones I've read and am looking forward to reading many of these others. Meena Meets Her Match sounds like an important story. Now I'm off to see if my library has Inky's Amazing Escape: How a Very Smart Octopus Found His Way Home.
ReplyDeleteSo, I need all of those picture books, right now!
ReplyDelete