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.

This week I celebrated my birthday. Another year older and another great year of reading awesome books. Thank you to everyone who sent me such kind birthday greetings and wishes. I had a nice fun lunch at Molly Woo's, a local Asian bistro in a shopping center near my home. I also received a fun gift of an AppleTV device that allows me to enjoy streaming content on my television. Now that I can watch all of the awesome Netflix shows on my television, I have to remember that I still love reading books. Anyway, here's what I managed to read this week:

Young Adult/Adult

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

I found an original edition of this in an old box of books in my basement. I have always enjoyed the movie version, so I picked it up. This coming of age story from the early twentieth century, follows Francie Nolan, an adolescent girl growing up in Brooklyn, New York. The story takes us through the years as she deals with poverty, alcoholism, the changing roles of women, and her own entrance into adulthood. While the story is definitely dated (published in 1944), I loved it. The characters really stuck with me, so much that I even dreamed about them one night. I was kind of sad when I finished the book, as I wanted to continue with Frankie’s journey! The book does have adult themes, so I definitely think it’s for grownups.

For Every One by Jason Reynolds

This book is a letter and poem, like the title says, for everyone. Everyone feels alone and in need of encouragement from time to time. And while there are no quick and easy answers, it helps to know that others feel the same way. This could definitely be a great pick-me-up for anyone that feels discouraged or a way to initiate a terrific conversation.

Picture Books

April Fool! by Harriet Ziefert, Chris L. Demarest (Illustrator)

Kids always get a big kick out of playing tricks and making up crazy stories on the first day of April. The little boy, Will, tells all of his friends a fantastic tale about an elephant he saw on his way to school. Fun, colorful illustrations and rhyming text make this a book that would be fun to share with beginning readers.

The Easter Bunnies by A.J. Wood, Caroline Repchuk

This fun, rhyming picture book has flaps to lift up and pop up illustrations that will provide interactive, counting fun for young children. This would be a fun read aloud book to share with little kids during the Easter season.

The Chocolate Rabbit by Maria Claret

This is a cute picture book that tells readers about the first chocolate rabbit. There was a family of rabbits that helped their artist father gather eggs for him to decorate for Easter. The little boy rabbit, Bertie, was trying to get a glimpse and a taste of a pan of chocolate that was cooling on the stove. An accidental slip leads to a big mess and the beginning of a tasty tradition. This would be a nice book to share with kids during the days leading up to Easter or to have as part of a seasonal collection.

Silly Tilly and the Easter Bunny by Lillian Hoban

When I first wake up in the morning, it is definitely difficult for me to function before I’ve had my coffee. Tilly the Mole woke up and she knew today was a special day. In the excitement of trying to get her act together for the Easter Bunny, she has to find her Easter bonnet, make tea, and remember what she was trying to remember. Young readers will enjoy finding out if she can get it together in time to greet Mr. Bunny. Simple text and sweet, colorful illustrations make this book a good one to share with kids in the days leading up to Easter.

Happy Easter by Kurt Wiese

Procrastination leads to all sorts of crazy things happening. Mama Rabbit waited until the day before Easter to color eggs and hide them in people’s gardens. She sent her children off to get eggs from the Red Hen. Red Hen reluctantly gave them a pile of eggs that weren’t hatching. There was a big surprise in store for the rabbits. Young readers will enjoy finding out what happens. This book was originally published in 1952, and I think the simple narrative and sweet illustrations make this a fun book to include in your Easter book collection.

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.

What a beautiful weather week it has been here in central Ohio! For a few days the temperatures climbed up to nearly 60 degrees. Last Tuesday was a terrific day to visit the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to celebrate International Polar Bear Day. As we leave February behind, hopefully we'll leave the worst of winter behind, too. I know we're not completely done yet, but in a few weeks it'll be spring and hopefully we'll have more warmer days. In the meantime, here's what I've been reading:

Middle Grade Fiction

Like Vanessa by Tami Charles, Vanessa Brantley-Newton (Illustrator)

I had the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this middle grade novel from NetGalley in exchange for this review. I was drawn to this story because the main character, Vanessa Martin, dreams of one day becoming Miss America after Vanessa Williams becomes the first black woman to win the crown in 1983. I was thirteen and an eighth grader in 1983 also, and so absolutely gobbled up all the cultural references sprinkled throughout the book.

I also remember what it was like to be that age, when other kids could be so snotty and mean to those who weren’t popular or good-looking like them. Vanessa studies hard to get good grades, would rather read a good book than run around with the popular girls, and has an awesome voice from singing in her church choir every Sunday. When her choir teacher, Mrs. Walton, pushes her to enter the First Annual Miss King Middle School Pageant, Vanessa reluctantly agrees to give it her best shot. It isn’t easy for her because her father is adamant that he does not want her to participate, her mother left the family many years before, and her grandfather (Pop Pop) and cousin (TJ) are the only ones at home to help her prepare.

The author does a good job of capturing the adolescent voice and drama of Vanessa’s character. I remember how terrifying it could be to sing for an audition on a stage in front of half the school, many of whom are whispering and giggling. Vanessa goes through so much during the preparations for this pageant: the pain of her family’s heartache from her mother’s absence, the growing pains of friendships being strained, and trying to become the kind of girl who wins competitions like this pageant. I love that kids from all backgrounds will be able to recognize themselves in Vanessa’s story. I think this would be a great book to share with kids in grades six and up.

A Pup Called Trouble by Bobbie Pyron

An advanced copy of this middle grade novel was provided to my #BookRelays group by the author. I really enjoyed this animal adventure story. The young coyote pup, Trouble (so named because of his habit of letting his unbridled enthusiasm and curiosity get him into trouble), learns some invaluable “lessons in friendship, bravery, love, forgiveness, belonging, and home.” The awesome storytelling and wonderful themes reminded me a bit of The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford.

As a young, rambunctious coyote pup, Trouble has a difficult time obeying his mother, and staying away from the Makers (humans). Curiosity leads him to climb into the back of a produce truck on a nearby farm, and soon Trouble finds himself in the heart of New York City. Now there’s disaster waiting around every corner, and all Trouble wants to do is figure out how to get back home! In order to survive and find his way back to his family, Trouble makes friends with an unlikely assortment of wild animals: a crow, an opossum, a fox, and an owl.

Picture Books

Pizza Pig by Diana Murray

Pizza Day is always the best day in the school cafeteria and who doesn’t enjoy a pizza party every now and then? Just about everyone loves pizza. So this fun rhyming picture book that tells the story of the awesome pies at Pizza Pig’s shop will have young readers puzzled when everyone is enjoying their meals except one shy turtle. When the staff at the restaurant notice that the sad-looking turtle isn’t eating the pizza, Pig does everything he can to figure out how to make her happy. The simple rhyming text and adorable colorful illustrations make this a terrific book to share with beginning readers.

First Year Letters (Mrs. Hartwell's Classroom Adventures) by Julie Danneberg, Judy Love (Illustrator)

I’ve always loved to start the school year with the book First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg as a way to discuss how everyone is excited and anxious on the first day of school. This sequel, shows how Mrs. Hartwell’s year is going through a series of letters that the students write to her. Mrs. Hartwell sets up a classroom mailbox so her students can practice letter writing. This hilarious picture book is a great mentor text to help young writers see examples of letters and it may also inspire kids to try to tell their own stories through letters.

Lion Dancer: Ernie Wan's Chinese New Year by Kate Waters, Martha Cooper (Illustrations)

This fascinating nonfiction book tells young readers about Chinese New Year by showing how one family in New York City’s Chinatown celebrates this special holiday. With awesome color photographs and a simple narrative style, the author of Sarah Morton’s Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl takes kids through the special day by following Ernie Wan, who has the exciting honor of performing his first Lion Dance on the city streets. While this book was written in 1990, the pictures aren’t too outdated for kids today. This is a good resource to have on the bookshelf for those who would like to learn more about this holiday.

The Jacket I Wear in the Snow by Shirley Neitzel, Nancy Winslow Parker

Anybody that’s ever bundled up to go outside and play in the snow knows that while warmth is important, sometimes you can overdo it and become very uncomfortable. The narrator of this cute, rhyming cumulative tale has on so many clothes that are too stiff, wrinkled, or caught up in the zipper that finally tears bring help from Mother. Simple text for beginning readers and full-color artwork created with watercolor paints, colored pencils and a black pen make this a fun, wintertime book to have on the primary bookshelf.

Bunny Trouble by Hans Wilhelm

Finding a healthy balance between the work you’re expected to do and an activity that you’re passionate about is not easy, especially for kids. Ralph’s rabbit colony was responsible for decorating all of the eggs delivered by the Easter bunny, and so he was expected to help get this huge job done. But he also loved playing soccer, and dreamed of one day being a famous player. Unfortunately, Ralph spent so much time practicing his footwork and kicks, it interfered with the egg decorating. Young readers will enjoy finding out how he learns to strike a balance between the two. Engaging text and adorable illustrations make this a fun book to share with kids in the days leading up to Easter.

A Cache of Jewels and Other Collectible Nouns (World of Language ) by Ruth Heller

With lyrical rhyming text and lovely colorful illustrations, this book helps young readers understand what collective nouns are and gives many examples. For young readers who love the sounds and textures of different words, this book would be a treat. This would be a good resource to have in a collection of books you might keep near your writing center.

The Mystery of the Missing Red Mitten by Steven Kellogg

This cute mystery picture book reminds me of The Mitten by Jan Brett. If you ever take a glance in the Lost and Found at an elementary school, you’ll see that lost mittens are a very common problem. In this story, a little girl has lost a red mitten and she and her dog retrace her steps from a day spent playing all over the neighborhood in the snow. The artist created black and white illustrations, except for a red cardinal, and red mittens. This would be a good book to include in a collection of wintertime books.