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.
I hope everyone has had a restful and pleasant holiday weekend. It's been a busy few weeks as we traveled back to Iowa to attend my grandmother's funeral. She was 98 years old and lived a wonderful life. And while it's never easy to say "good-bye", we couldn't have asked for a more perfect weather day to remember and appreciate her. It was also wonderful to see friends and family and share our memories.
When we returned home, we had a nice springtime surprise in the rain gutters of our house. A pair of mourning doves made a nest and welcomed a new family member while we were away.
So this past week I've been working on getting caught up on my reading. Even with the best intentions, I didn't read very much on our trip. So, as I start to think about taking my reading outdoors on the nice spring weather days, here's what I've been reading this past week:
Middle Grade Fiction
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 Anthoni Gillis, an eleven-year-old girl who has no True Blue Friends. Her mother moves from town to town trying to rise up the ladder of success selling Beauty and the Bee cosmetics. Hoping to sell more of her products, her mother takes Anthoni to the Showboat Resort for the summer. As Anthoni tries to make a True Blue Friend, determine if there’s truth to the local rumors about the Boulay Mermaid, and help her mother bring her business back to life readers will get a great summer novel full of swimming lessons, back yard barbecues, and relationship drama.
I think that middle school readers looking for a vacation read and who enjoy friendship drama will enjoy reading this book. Anthoni is a quirky girl who enjoys comic books and friends who are strange in a good way. There’s a lot about the characters that ring true for this age group. This book has some good take-aways for adolescent kids who often have a difficult time determining who their True Blue Friends are.
Picture Books
During the Easter Sunday message, our pastor suggested that, in the spirit of making something new happen, the flower of Easter be changed from the lily to the dandelion. At the look of surprise on people's faces, he went on to talk about how the "flower" is nearly impossible to kill - it keeps coming back (resurrection), it's disliked and unappreciated by many, while others find it beautiful. Then I came home and read this amazing picture book and I got a little emotional... The father in the story is one of those dads who's all about his lawn. When he sees a dandelion, he's ready to go for the kill. But before he can get to it, his young daughter falls in love with it. The more she loves this little yellow flower, the more the father sees that in order to make her happy, he's going to have to do something new - even though his friends and neighbors don't understand at all. The message of this book is one that will resonate with readers of all ages - love means that sometimes we have to see things through the eyes of a child and really appreciate the simple beauty that is around us, even if those around us don't see it.
This awesome picture book biography will help young readers appreciate the man who helped people understand that all kinds of people make history and that everyone's story matters. Carter G. Woodson was born in 1875 to parents who had been enslaved. While the Civil War was over, life was difficult for former slaves. Because everyone in the family had to work so hard, getting an education was not easy. When he read newspapers to friends and family, he began to realize that everyone's story wasn't being told. He made it his life's work to study history and make sure that everyone learned of the contributions to the world made by African Americans. Well-researched and written in kid-friendly text, this book also has endnotes and a list of resources for further research at the back of the book.
It can be kind of scary to find yourself in a situation where you are called upon to help another, especially one who is vulnerable and alone. When a strange furry creature hatched on Otto's doorstep, Otto's first instinct was to shut the door and hope that the mother would come and take the problem away. But as it grew dark and the baby was still there, Otto opened his door and his home and practiced a risky sort of hospitality. Otto searched everywhere for the creature's mother, the creature grew to be an overwhelming size, but as the two developed a relationship it was difficult for Otto to discern the best course of action. This would be a good book to share with young readers as a way to talk about how we help our neighbors and those in need while still taking care of our own needs.
Spring is my favorite time of year. As the weather turns warmer, the windows come open and then we can hear the birds. On a nice day, I can hear the birds all over the neighborhood tweeting, chirping, and cawing. This year we've even been blessed to have a pair of mourning doves build a nest and start a family. This beautifully illustrated picture book celebrates the joy, sounds, colors, and wonder of birds. The simple lyrical text along with mixed media art will have readers anxious to open the windows or head outside. This is a good book to share with young readers during the spring months.Spring is my favorite time of year. As the weather turns warmer, the windows come open and then we can hear the birds. On a nice day, I can hear the birds all over the neighborhood tweeting, chirping, and cawing. This year we've even been blessed to have a pair of mourning doves build a nest and start a family. This beautifully illustrated picture book celebrates the joy, sounds, colors, and wonder of birds. The simple lyrical text along with mixed media art will have readers anxious to open the windows or head outside. This is a good book to share with young readers during the spring months.
With the arrival of spring and the windows coming open, I'm hearing more and more animal noises around me. I enjoy hearing birds, dogs, and the rustle of rabbits in the bushes. This fun book explores the whole world of animal noises. Meant to be read aloud with two or more voices, this book would be terrific to share in a classroom or library with larger groups of kids. The book includes this Performance Key on the Contents page: "Each reader - or group of readers - can choose one color of text to read (black or red, for example), alternating with one another. Words in blue should be spoken by all readers in unison." If your classroom has an ELMO projector, it would be awesome to have kids perform these poems as readers theater. The digital illustrations also help bring the poetry alive. There are helpful notes at the end of the book for those who wish to use this book to start a research project.
It's often fun to imagine just what kind of life all of our toys, clothes, library books, etc. have when the lights are turned off and everyone has gone to sleep. This lovely picture book is a nice collection of poems that celebrate the dancing, playing, hiding, parachuting, and frolicking that goes on during the night. For young writers in need of a good poetry mentor text, this anthology has all different types of poems that can provide inspiration. The artwork was "painted mostly in the hours after dark, with acrylics, gouache, and a touch of colored pencil on wood board."
With negotiations between the United States and North Korea in the news, this picture book illustrates the contrast between the razor-wire fencing and armed military guards along the borders of North and South Korea and the lush, nature preserve that fills the space between the borders. For over sixty years, families of North and South Korea have been separated by this zone and not allowed to see each other. This painful situation exists because the two countries have been at war since the 1950s. This would be a good way to discuss the Korean situation with young readers and present a framework in which we can hope for a peaceful outcome in which families will be able to be reunited with each other.
We were created to live in community with each other and special relationships are so important because life is so much easier when it's approached together with those that we love. This lovely picture book uses warm illustrations and simple, rhyming text to celebrate all of the happy moments that make a great friendship: playing together, working together, and spending time together. This book would make a great gift to share with someone special and it also makes a great way to start a conversation about what makes a relationship work.
With the arrival of spring and the windows coming open, I'm hearing more and more animal noises around me. I enjoy hearing birds, dogs, and the rustle of rabbits in the bushes. This fun book explores the whole world of animal noises. Meant to be read aloud with two or more voices, this book would be terrific to share in a classroom or library with larger groups of kids. The book includes this Performance Key on the Contents page: "Each reader - or group of readers - can choose one color of text to read (black or red, for example), alternating with one another. Words in blue should be spoken by all readers in unison." If your classroom has an ELMO projector, it would be awesome to have kids perform these poems as readers theater. The digital illustrations also help bring the poetry alive. There are helpful notes at the end of the book for those who wish to use this book to start a research project.
With the arrival of spring and the windows coming open, I'm hearing more and more animal noises around me. I enjoy hearing birds, dogs, and the rustle of rabbits in the bushes. This fun book explores the whole world of animal noises. Meant to be read aloud with two or more voices, this book would be terrific to share in a classroom or library with larger groups of kids. The book includes this Performance Key on the Contents page: "Each reader - or group of readers - can choose one color of text to read (black or red, for example), alternating with one another. Words in blue should be spoken by all readers in unison." If your classroom has an ELMO projector, it would be awesome to have kids perform these poems as readers theater. The digital illustrations also help bring the poetry alive. There are helpful notes at the end of the book for those who wish to use this book to start a research project.
With the arrival of spring and the windows coming open, I'm hearing more and more animal noises around me. I enjoy hearing birds, dogs, and the rustle of rabbits in the bushes. This fun book explores the whole world of animal noises. Meant to be read aloud with two or more voices, this book would be terrific to share in a classroom or library with larger groups of kids. The book includes this Performance Key on the Contents page: "Each reader - or group of readers - can choose one color of text to read (black or red, for example), alternating with one another. Words in blue should be spoken by all readers in unison." If your classroom has an ELMO projector, it would be awesome to have kids perform these poems as readers theater. The digital illustrations also help bring the poetry alive. There are helpful notes at the end of the book for those who wish to use this book to start a research project.
With the arrival of spring and the windows coming open, I'm hearing more and more animal noises around me. I enjoy hearing birds, dogs, and the rustle of rabbits in the bushes. This fun book explores the whole world of animal noises. Meant to be read aloud with two or more voices, this book would be terrific to share in a classroom or library with larger groups of kids. The book includes this Performance Key on the Contents page: "Each reader - or group of readers - can choose one color of text to read (black or red, for example), alternating with one another. Words in blue should be spoken by all readers in unison." If your classroom has an ELMO projector, it would be awesome to have kids perform these poems as readers theater. The digital illustrations also help bring the poetry alive. There are helpful notes at the end of the book for those who wish to use this book to start a research project.With the arrival of spring and the windows coming open, I'm hearing more and more animal noises around me. I enjoy hearing birds, dogs, and the rustle of rabbits in the bushes. This fun book explores the whole world of animal noises. Meant to be read aloud with two or more voices, this book would be terrific to share in a classroom or library with larger groups of kids. The book includes this Performance Key on the Contents page: "Each reader - or group of readers - can choose one color of text to read (black or red, for example), alternating with one another. Words in blue should be spoken by all readers in unison." If your classroom has an ELMO projector, it would be awesome to have kids perform these poems as readers theater. The digital illustrations also help bring the poetry alive. There are helpful notes at the end of the book for those who wish to use this book to start a research project.With the arrival of spring and the windows coming open, I'm hearing more and more animal noises around me. I enjoy hearing birds, dogs, and the rustle of rabbits in the bushes. This fun book explores the whole world of animal noises. Meant to be read aloud with two or more voices, this book would be terrific to share in a classroom or library with larger groups of kids. The book includes this Performance Key on the Contents page: "Each reader - or group of readers - can choose one color of text to read (black or red, for example), alternating with one another. Words in blue should be spoken by all readers in unison." If your classroom has an ELMO projector, it would be awesome to have kids perform these poems as readers theater. The digital illustrations also help bring the poetry alive. There are helpful notes at the end of the book for those who wish to use this book to start a research project.With the arrival of spring and the windows coming open, I'm hearing more and more animal noises around me. I enjoy hearing birds, dogs, and the rustle of rabbits in the bushes. This fun book explores the whole world of animal noises. Meant to be read aloud with two or more voices, this book would be terrific to share in a classroom or library with larger groups of kids. The book includes this Performance Key on the Contents page: "Each reader - or group of readers - can choose one color of text to read (black or red, for example), alternating with one another. Words in blue should be spoken by all readers in unison." If your classroom has an ELMO projector, it would be awesome to have kids perform these poems as readers theater. The digital illustrations also help bring the poetry alive. There are helpful notes at the end of the book for those who wish to use this book to start a research project.With the arrival of spring and the windows coming open, I'm hearing more and more animal noises around me. I enjoy hearing birds, dogs, and the rustle of rabbits in the bushes. This fun book explores the whole world of animal noises. Meant to be read aloud with two or more voices, this book would be terrific to share in a classroom or library with larger groups of kids. The book includes this Performance Key on the Contents page: "Each reader - or group of readers - can choose one color of text to read (black or red, for example), alternating with one another. Words in blue should be spoken by all readers in unison." If your classroom has an ELMO projector, it would be awesome to have kids perform these poems as readers theater. The digital illustrations also help bring the poetry alive. There are helpful notes at the end of the book for those who wish to use this book to start a research project.With the arrival of spring and the windows coming open, I'm hearing more and more animal noises around me. I enjoy hearing birds, dogs, and the rustle of rabbits in the bushes. This fun book explores the whole world of animal noises. Meant to be read aloud with two or more voices, this book would be terrific to share in a classroom or library with larger groups of kids. The book includes this Performance Key on the Contents page: "Each reader - or group of readers - can choose one color of text to read (black or red, for example), alternating with one another. Words in blue should be spoken by all readers in unison." If your classroom has an ELMO projector, it would be awesome to have kids perform these poems as readers theater. The digital illustrations also help bring the poetry alive. There are helpful notes at the end of the book for those who wish to use this book to start a research project.
With the arrival of spring and the windows coming open, I'm hearing more and more animal noises around me. I enjoy hearing birds, dogs, and the rustle of rabbits in the bushes. This fun book explores the whole world of animal noises. Meant to be read aloud with two or more voices, this book would be terrific to share in a classroom or library with larger groups of kids. The book includes this Performance Key on the Contents page: "Each reader - or group of readers - can choose one color of text to read (black or red, for example), alternating with one another. Words in blue should be spoken by all readers in unison." If your classroom has an ELMO projector, it would be awesome to have kids perform these poems as readers theater. The digital illustrations also help bring the poetry alive. There are helpful notes at the end of the book for those who wish to use this book to start a research project.
Spring is my favorite time of year. As the weather turns warmer, the windows come open and then we can hear the birds. On a nice day, I can hear the birds all over the neighborhood tweeting, chirping, and cawing. This year we've even been blessed to have a pair of mourning doves build a nest and start a family. This beautifully illustrated picture book celebrates the joy, sounds, colors, and wonder of birds. The simple lyrical text along with mixed media art will have readers anxious to open the windows or head outside. This is a good book to share with young readers during the spring months.
Spring is my favorite time of year. As the weather turns warmer, the windows come open and then we can hear the birds. On a nice day, I can hear the birds all over the neighborhood tweeting, chirping, and cawing. This year we've even been blessed to have a pair of mourning doves build a nest and start a family. This beautifully illustrated picture book celebrates the joy, sounds, colors, and wonder of birds. The simple lyrical text along with mixed media art will have readers anxious to open the windows or head outside. This is a good book to share with young readers during the spring months.
Spring is my favorite time of year. As the weather turns warmer, the windows come open and then we can hear the birds. On a nice day, I can hear the birds all over the neighborhood tweeting, chirping, and cawing. This year we've even been blessed to have a pair of mourning doves build a nest and start a family. This beautifully illustrated picture book celebrates the joy, sounds, colors, and wonder of birds. The simple lyrical text along with mixed media art will have readers anxious to open the windows or head outside. This is a good book to share with young readers during the spring months.
Spring is my favorite time of year. As the weather turns warmer, the windows come open and then we can hear the birds. On a nice day, I can hear the birds all over the neighborhood tweeting, chirping, and cawing. This year we've even been blessed to have a pair of mourning doves build a nest and start a family. This beautifully illustrated picture book celebrates the joy, sounds, colors, and wonder of birds. The simple lyrical text along with mixed media art will have readers anxious to open the windows or head outside. This is a good book to share with young readers during the spring months.
Spring is my favorite time of year. As the weather turns warmer, the windows come open and then we can hear the birds. On a nice day, I can hear the birds all over the neighborhood tweeting, chirping, and cawing. This year we've even been blessed to have a pair of mourning doves build a nest and start a family. This beautifully illustrated picture book celebrates the joy, sounds, colors, and wonder of birds. The simple lyrical text along with mixed media art will have readers anxious to open the windows or head outside. This is a good book to share with young readers during the spring months.
Spring is my favorite time of year. As the weather turns warmer, the windows come open and then we can hear the birds. On a nice day, I can hear the birds all over the neighborhood tweeting, chirping, and cawing. This year we've even been blessed to have a pair of mourning doves build a nest and start a family. This beautifully illustrated picture book celebrates the joy, sounds, colors, and wonder of birds. The simple lyrical text along with mixed media art will have readers anxious to open the windows or head outside. This is a good book to share with young readers during the spring months.
Spring is my favorite time of year. As the weather turns warmer, the windows come open and then we can hear the birds. On a nice day, I can hear the birds all over the neighborhood tweeting, chirping, and cawing. This year we've even been blessed to have a pair of mourning doves build a nest and start a family. This beautifully illustrated picture book celebrates the joy, sounds, colors, and wonder of birds. The simple lyrical text along with mixed media art will have readers anxious to open the windows or head outside. This is a good book to share with young readers during the spring months.
Spring is my favorite time of year. As the weather turns warmer, the windows come open and then we can hear the birds. On a nice day, I can hear the birds all over the neighborhood tweeting, chirping, and cawing. This year we've even been blessed to have a pair of mourning doves build a nest and start a family. This beautifully illustrated picture book celebrates the joy, sounds, colors, and wonder of birds. The simple lyrical text along with mixed media art will have readers anxious to open the windows or head outside. This is a good book to share with young readers during the spring months.
Spring is my favorite time of year. As the weather turns warmer, the windows come open and then we can hear the birds. On a nice day, I can hear the birds all over the neighborhood tweeting, chirping, and cawing. This year we've even been blessed to have a pair of mourning doves build a nest and start a family. This beautifully illustrated picture book celebrates the joy, sounds, colors, and wonder of birds. The simple lyrical text along with mixed media art will have readers anxious to open the windows or head outside. This is a good book to share with young readers during the spring months.Spring is my favorite time of year. As the weather turns warmer, the windows come open and then we can hear the birds. On a nice day, I can hear the birds all over the neighborhood tweeting, chirping, and cawing. This year we've even been blessed to have a pair of mourning doves build a nest and start a family. This beautifully illustrated picture book celebrates the joy, sounds, colors, and wonder of birds. The simple lyrical text along with mixed media art will have readers anxious to open the windows or head outside. This is a good book to share with young readers during the spring months.
Spring is my favorite time of year. As the weather turns warmer, the windows come open and then we can hear the birds. On a nice day, I can hear the birds all over the neighborhood tweeting, chirping, and cawing. This year we've even been blessed to have a pair of mourning doves build a nest and start a family. This beautifully illustrated picture book celebrates the joy, sounds, colors, and wonder of birds. The simple lyrical text along with mixed media art will have readers anxious to open the windows or head outside. This is a good book to share with young readers during the spring months.
I loved your story about the Easter sermon and then reading Dandy. I've always admired dandelions, but preferred them not in my garden. Ever since I read that they are one of the first food for bees, I've become even more fond of them. Today I even wrote a poem about them. I'm hoping that my library soon brings in Carter Reads the Newspaper. It sound like the kind of book to get students of all ages thinking.
ReplyDeleteDandy is on my list! I love both Ame Dyckman and Charles Santoso so their collaboration is epic! Maybe a Mermaid is another book I want to read but thinking it will be a good summer read. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI love your story that you wrote to go along with Dandy, too, Jana. Dandelions are a favorite flower of mine & they are bee's first food in the spring, needed before flowers bloom. Thanks for that book, new to me! I loved Laura's In The Middle of The Night, think it will be such a great one to inspired children to write their own imaginings of what happens in their homes at night. And I loved Carter Reads The Newspaper, great information in it. Thanks also for that final one, looks and sounds very cute. I'm sorry to hear of your grandmother's passing. It is always hard to say goodbye, but I'm glad you had her in your life for so long.
ReplyDeleteThe poetry books sound great. I love Georgia Heard's work - both her poetry books for children and the professional books she's written for teachers.
ReplyDeleteLove the Easter dandelion story! Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteMaybe a Mermaid is a very special book. I absolutely loved it.
Carter Reads the Newspaper looks great - I am a fan of Don Tate and Deborah Hopkinson. The Lemniscates title is also on my radar - and included it in my list of recommended titles for our librarian to purchase. :)
ReplyDeleteLoved hearing about the Easter Sunday message with Dandy -- such a neat thought. My daddy was a photographer and one of our family's most well-known photos is of me blowing dandelion seeds when I was probably 3 years old. We've eaten them before, too, so they have their healthy nutrition going for them, too. You Make Me Happy is a new-to-me-title and I'm adding this one to my list. I'm sorry for the loss of your grandmother and adore your rain gutter surprise. Every year we have a pair of pigeons who make their nest in our eaves -- maybe we should name them? LOL Have a wonderful reading week, Jana!
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