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.
Spring Has Sprung!!!
It seems like it happened overnight. One minute it was winter with all of the nasty weather that comes with it. And then it seems like one morning we opened the curtains and everything was in bloom all at once! My husband fired up the mower and started beating back the vegetation. I put on my sneakers and headed out the door to enjoy my walks again!
And while it feels wonderful to get back outdoors and exercise, we've also had plenty of rainy days to remind me that it still feels good to be able to relax with some good books. So 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. Just in time for summer, this story opens on the first day of summer on Rachel’s thirteenth birthday. Just the fact that she has all of summer rolling out in front of her seems like an amazing birthday gift. But as the hot, lazy days play out, she has more stress and tension than fun, playful times.
Middle grade kids will definitely be able to relate to the problems that seem to pile up in Rachel’s life – an annoying younger sister who enjoys stinking up the bathroom before Rachel’s turn to brush her teeth, a summer job taking care of the new neighbors’ farm animals that has plenty of challenges, and the changing nature of friendships that has Rachel questioning who she’s supposed to “like” and how she’s supposed to feel about it. On top of all of those typical adolescent stressors, there is the growing financial distress that her family is experiencing and her parents’ increased arguments that grow out of the worries.
Jo Knowles, as in her other middle grade novels like See You at Harry’s and Still a Work in Progress, does a great job of bring authenticity to the characters and their reactions to their challenges. Kids understand the anxiety of not having a new bathing suit to wear to the big pool party, the strange feeling of adolescent mood swings in the face of new problems and feeling like others are pushing you to have more serious relationships than you’re ready for. I also like the positive ways that Rachel deals with her emotions that takes into consideration the feelings of those around her.
I also think that while the book deals with mature themes (deciding whether you’re attracted to boys or girls), the subject is dealt with in a very sensitive and age appropriate manner. This is a book I would recommend for kids in grades six and up.
Picture Books
Everyone has someplace where they belong, even if it's difficult to figure out where that is. This clever picture book uses a cute story about Koala's first time at summer camp and the challenge she had of finding her cabin. She was pretty sure that she belonged in the Bear Cabin, since she had many things in common with the Grizzly Bear. But Kangaroo's insistence that Koala was wrong wound up leading to a wonderful discovery that Koala and Kangaroo belonged in the same cabin and actually were related to each other. This book would be a help to those trying to introduce young readers to the science concept of classification of animals. It includes interesting facts about marsupials and also has a fun ending that could lead to some further research.
Young children that are beginning to notice the world around them need to recognize themselves, their families, and their communities in the books that they read. This lovely picture book mixes welcoming and engaging digital artwork with bouncy rhyming text to celebrate the magnificent uniqueness of everyone. This would be a terrific book to read aloud to groups of young children anytime, but might be especially helpful at the beginning of the school year.
When my grandparents would take my sister and me camping each year, I often wondered why we never saw lots of wild animals beyond squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits. This hilarious picture book shows what happens when humans go off to camp in the great outdoors - they move into their comfortable homes for a week of vacation indoors. Humorous artwork and clever turnabout will have young readers giggling as the animals have all sorts of fun, and eventually get tired and homesick for the nice peaceful woods. This imaginative story could serve as a great mentor text for young writers looking for a way to twist a whimsical narrative.
With lovely lyrical text and beautiful artwork, this book tells the story of a young boy who loved the moon. He spent his time writing poems on kites, studying, and dreaming. One day this boy became an astronaut and the first man to set foot on the moon. This book is dedicated to Neil Armstrong, fifty years after his amazing journey. This might be a good way to introduce young readers to this important historical figure.
Summer is a time when lots of people load up their cars and hit the roads for family reunions. Told from the point of view of Lil Alan, this gorgeously illustrated picture book shares the experience of a special family visit and the pride and emotion that it inspired: "On reunion morning, we rise before the sun. Daddy hums as he packs our car with suitcases and a cooler full of snacks. He says there's nothing like going down home." The visit is described with great detail, paying close attention to the senses: "Granny spreads her arms wide and wraps us both inside. 'My, my,' she says, and showers our cheeks with peppermint kisses." The occasion is a special anniversary and everyone in the family has prepared a special gift for Granny, except for Lil Alan. Young readers will appreciate his dilemma as he works against time to come up with something truly special. In an age when most people are attached to their phones and hooked on social media, I love the message of this book as it celebrates family. Everyone in the story is present in the wonderful moments, and we definitely need more of that. This book would pair well with The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant, another book that paints a beautiful portrait of visiting families.
Summer is a time when lots of people load up their cars and hit the roads for family reunions. Told from the point of view of Lil Alan, this gorgeously illustrated picture book shares the experience of a special family visit and the pride and emotion that it inspired: "On reunion morning, we rise before the sun. Daddy hums as he packs our car with suitcases and a cooler full of snacks. He says there's nothing like going down home." The visit is described with great detail, paying close attention to the senses: "Granny spreads her arms wide and wraps us both inside. 'My, my,' she says, and showers our cheeks with peppermint kisses." The occasion is a special anniversary and everyone in the family has prepared a special gift for Granny, except for Lil Alan. Young readers will appreciate his dilemma as he works against time to come up with something truly special. In an age when most people are attached to their phones and hooked on social media, I love the message of this book as it celebrates family. Everyone in the story is present in the wonderful moments, and we definitely need more of that. This book would pair well with The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant, another book that paints a beautiful portrait of visiting families.
Summer is a time when lots of people load up their cars and hit the roads for family reunions. Told from the point of view of Lil Alan, this gorgeously illustrated picture book shares the experience of a special family visit and the pride and emotion that it inspired: "On reunion morning, we rise before the sun. Daddy hums as he packs our car with suitcases and a cooler full of snacks. He says there's nothing like going down home." The visit is described with great detail, paying close attention to the senses: "Granny spreads her arms wide and wraps us both inside. 'My, my,' she says, and showers our cheeks with peppermint kisses." The occasion is a special anniversary and everyone in the family has prepared a special gift for Granny, except for Lil Alan. Young readers will appreciate his dilemma as he works against time to come up with something truly special. In an age when most people are attached to their phones and hooked on social media, I love the message of this book as it celebrates family. Everyone in the story is present in the wonderful moments, and we definitely need more of that. This book would pair well with The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant, another book that paints a beautiful portrait of visiting families.
Summer is a time when lots of people load up their cars and hit the roads for family reunions. Told from the point of view of Lil Alan, this gorgeously illustrated picture book shares the experience of a special family visit and the pride and emotion that it inspired: "On reunion morning, we rise before the sun. Daddy hums as he packs our car with suitcases and a cooler full of snacks. He says there's nothing like going down home." The visit is described with great detail, paying close attention to the senses: "Granny spreads her arms wide and wraps us both inside. 'My, my,' she says, and showers our cheeks with peppermint kisses." The occasion is a special anniversary and everyone in the family has prepared a special gift for Granny, except for Lil Alan. Young readers will appreciate his dilemma as he works against time to come up with something truly special. In an age when most people are attached to their phones and hooked on social media, I love the message of this book as it celebrates family. Everyone in the story is present in the wonderful moments, and we definitely need more of that. This book would pair well with The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant, another book that paints a beautiful portrait of visiting families.
Summer is a time when lots of people load up their cars and hit the roads for family reunions. Told from the point of view of Lil Alan, this gorgeously illustrated picture book shares the experience of a special family visit and the pride and emotion that it inspired: "On reunion morning, we rise before the sun. Daddy hums as he packs our car with suitcases and a cooler full of snacks. He says there's nothing like going down home." The visit is described with great detail, paying close attention to the senses: "Granny spreads her arms wide and wraps us both inside. 'My, my,' she says, and showers our cheeks with peppermint kisses." The occasion is a special anniversary and everyone in the family has prepared a special gift for Granny, except for Lil Alan. Young readers will appreciate his dilemma as he works against time to come up with something truly special. In an age when most people are attached to their phones and hooked on social media, I love the message of this book as it celebrates family. Everyone in the story is present in the wonderful moments, and we definitely need more of that. This book would pair well with The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant, another book that paints a beautiful portrait of visiting families.
When my grandparents would take my sister and me camping each year, I often wondered why we never saw lots of wild animals beyond squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits. This hilarious picture book shows what happens when humans go off to camp in the great outdoors - they move into their comfortable homes for a week of vacation indoors. Humorous artwork and clever turnabout will have young readers giggling as the animals have all sorts of fun, and eventually get tired and homesick for the nice peaceful woods. This imaginative story could serve as a great mentor text for young writers looking for a way to twist a whimsical narrative.
When my grandparents would take my sister and me camping each year, I often wondered why we never saw lots of wild animals beyond squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits. This hilarious picture book shows what happens when humans go off to camp in the great outdoors - they move into their comfortable homes for a week of vacation indoors. Humorous artwork and clever turnabout will have young readers giggling as the animals have all sorts of fun, and eventually get tired and homesick for the nice peaceful woods. This imaginative story could serve as a great mentor text for young writers looking for a way to twist a whimsical narrative.When my grandparents would take my sister and me camping each year, I often wondered why we never saw lots of wild animals beyond squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits. This hilarious picture book shows what happens when humans go off to camp in the great outdoors - they move into their comfortable homes for a week of vacation indoors. Humorous artwork and clever turnabout will have young readers giggling as the animals have all sorts of fun, and eventually get tired and homesick for the nice peaceful woods. This imaginative story could serve as a great mentor text for young writers looking for a way to twist a whimsical narrative.
When my grandparents would take my sister and me camping each year, I often wondered why we never saw lots of wild animals beyond squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits. This hilarious picture book shows what happens when humans go off to camp in the great outdoors - they move into their comfortable homes for a week of vacation indoors. Humorous artwork and clever turnabout will have young readers giggling as the animals have all sorts of fun, and eventually get tired and homesick for the nice peaceful woods. This imaginative story could serve as a great mentor text for young writers looking for a way to twist a whimsical narrative.
When my grandparents would take my sister and me camping each year, I often wondered why we never saw lots of wild animals beyond squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits. This hilarious picture book shows what happens when humans go off to camp in the great outdoors - they move into their comfortable homes for a week of vacation indoors. Humorous artwork and clever turnabout will have young readers giggling as the animals have all sorts of fun, and eventually get tired and homesick for the nice peaceful woods. This imaginative story could serve as a great mentor text for young writers looking for a way to twist a whimsical narrative.
When my grandparents would take my sister and me camping each year, I often wondered why we never saw lots of wild animals beyond squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits. This hilarious picture book shows what happens when humans go off to camp in the great outdoors - they move into their comfortable homes for a week of vacation indoors. Humorous artwork and clever turnabout will have young readers giggling as the animals have all sorts of fun, and eventually get tired and homesick for the nice peaceful woods. This imaginative story could serve as a great mentor text for young writers looking for a way to twist a whimsical narrative.
Your spring looks SO lovely, Jana. We've had a few beautiful and warm days (even mowed our lawn) and then the next three days they're forecasting snow. This is kinda what spring is like in our area, though. Someone even told us it snowed in July before we moved here. YIKES! You have so many wonderful shares, today. Koala Is Not a Bear is new to me and should probably go in my mother's home library since she has a think for koala bears. The cover to There's Only One You is so lovely and inviting. I'm adding this to my list as it's completely new to me! Have a wonderful reading week!
ReplyDeleteNice house and great books. I also read and like Where the Heart Is and have an interest in some of the picture books you have included here. Thanks for the suggestions and have a wonderful reading week.
ReplyDeleteI have a few of these, but still haven't shared them, like Going Down Home With Daddy. Thanks for sharing Koala is Not A Bear, sounds just right for that problem faced by kids. I love your pictures, so green. Sad to say we're supposed to have snow this afternoon into evening. It's back! Finally, I adored Jo Knowles new book, and it does include some growing up issues that kids will appreciate. Thanks, Jana
ReplyDeleteGoing Down Home With Daddy sounds fantastic. As soon as I started reading your description I thought of When the Relatives Came and then I got to the end and saw that you made the connection as well! When the Relatives Came is a favorite of mine. Happy spring!
ReplyDeleteYes - I think the grass turned back to green overnight! Of course we had some snow to deal with this weekend, but thankfully it's gone now!
ReplyDeleteLoved Going Down Home With Daddy - such a beautiful story, words and illustrations!
Hurrah for spring! We have even mowed our lawn. Where the Heart Is had me in tears a number of times. All of the picture books you have shared look beautiful. I'm especially interested in Going Down Home With Daddy. I love to be together with my massive extended family who supported my immediate family when times were hard.
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