Reading Teacher Writes

IMWAYR: Appreciation – National Poetry Month

I’m taking the time to appreciate things more this week, and celebrating National Poetry Month continues with odes and “fun” poems. Last week I finished a bunch of children’s poetry books.

This week, I’ll continue to read poetry, especially Odes to Common Things by Pablo Neruda, and I’ll start a new YA novel, Love From A to Z by S. K. Ali.

It’s Monday! What Are YOU Reading?

This meme is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover your next “must-read” book!

Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and Kathryn decided to give “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Book Review: Tracking Pythons by Kate Messner

I recommended Tracking Pythons: The Quest to Catch an Invasive Predator and Save an Ecosystem to a student and I found that I loved it, too. I’m not a snake person, but this research trip that turned into an informative and interesting book for (older) children made me motivated to read more, as the back matter of the book suggests.

Author Kate Messner traveled to meet and travel with the team of scientists, including Ian Bartoszek, who were charged with tracking pythons and studying the ecosystems these gigantic snakes destroy. I learned how (NOT!) to catch a python, how much one python can eat as it grows to 15 feet long (!), and even something about responsible pet ownership of snakes. Many of the stories were humorous, such as Ian’s story of weighing one of the captured pythons at a supermarket’s scale (109 lbs!). Another scene included (gross!) pictures of a python who had eaten a deer. Back matter included “Invasive Species Most Wanted List” and a timeline of the Burmese pythons’ Florida invasion.

I was left in awe: “It’s always a mistake to underestimate the power of a Burmese python.”

This is an excellent nonfiction read for older elementary children or teens who need a mentor text for their own research projects.

Book Review: LIFT by Minh Lê and Dan Santat

LIFT is a fantastical picture book for any child or kid-at-heart. I don’t know a child who hasn’t wanted to push elevator buttons to see where the big silver box takes them. After her little brother beats her to the “push” one day, Iris becomes upset. She is supposed to push the button! Later, the building elevator breaks. No more buttons – Oh, no! Iris spies and swipes the old elevator button from the scrap pile (left behind by construction workers) and takes it to her bedroom. Push! Where THIS elevator button takes Iris is an alluring adventure.

Minh Lê’s simple, imaginative words and Dan Santat’s rich, wondrous illustrations make this marvelous story a must-read for 2020. (Coming May 5, 2020 from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)

IMWAYR: Poetry Month Continues

National Poetry Month continues…PLUS I’m listening to Jason Reynolds read Look Both Ways this week on Facebook Live and today I was able to find Pablo Cartaya talk about his books during the virtual VA Children’s Book Festival (on Facebook). I love it when authors read their own books for us. It made me more relaxed and focused on something other than the news of COVID-19 and cold weather.

It’s Monday! What Are YOU Reading?

IMWAYR: Spring Break at Home

It’s Spring Break! Since we are home for the duration, I decided to re-read some amazing books along with the authors this week. One of the positive memories I will take away from the COVID-19 mess is the authors and illustrators who generously give their time to read aloud to a wide virtual audience, including teachers, parents, and students. Thank you so much!

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson (April 6 – 10 on Facebook Live at 10:30 am ET)

Dear Dragon and Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast: The Case of the Stinky Stench by Josh Funk (Saturdays at 11 am on Instagram Live)

Tomorrow’s highly-anticipated book birthday — Gae Polisner’s Jack Kerouac is Dead to Me — finally arrives. Happy Book Birthday! We will celebrate by eating cake and listening to Gae read aloud at her Virtual Facebook Live Launch party! (April 7 on Facebook Live from 7-9 pm ET)

Stay safe and healthy out there!

It’s Monday! What Are YOU Reading?

IMWAYR: Stay-at-Home Guidelines and Authors Who Help Us Deal

It’s been a rough start this week. Monday, Monday…we are still under stay-at-home orders and there’s lots of time to read, but I’ve also been stuck. Three authors have stuck with me so far, and have made reading time more comfortable in the discomfort of this COVID-19 virus outbreak.

Kwame Alexander is reading The Crossover aloud on Instagram Live each morning this week. Today we started with the first part of the book, where we meet “Filthy McNasty”, his twin brother, and his family. What an excellent book! Listening to Kwame read is making my re-read so much more fun. Kwame, we love you! Thanks for reading to us.

Jeff Zentner has generously given his time to read The Serpent King aloud every other night on Instagram Live. As a bonus, he gives insights and notes about his writing process, plus some music, and even jokes. I love laughing again. Hey! “Since we are all home anyway…why not?” Thanks for your time, Jeff!

One more author on my mind is Tomie DePaola. We lost a great literary genius and a really nice person today. RIP. We already miss you so much!

It’s Monday! What Are YOU Reading?

Celebrate reading with your loved ones this week while you’re stuck at home. Wash your hands! Stay safe and healthy.

IMWAYR: Week Two COVID-19 Virus Lockdown — Lots of Time to Read

It’s week two of the weirdest time in our recent history, the COVID-19 Virus National Lockdown. Starting Wednesday, residents of Indiana are under a “stay at home” order from the governor. There’s lots of time for reading now. This week, I have the books I won in the #giveaway from Jess Redman. I’m excited to read these!

Miraculous and Quintessence by Jess Redman, and The Queen Bee and Me by Gillian McDunn

Stay safe and healthy out there! It’s Monday! What Are YOU Reading?

Book Review: Green Lantern: Legacy

Mihn Lê adds to the popular trend in middle grade books — comic book heroes — with Green Lantern: Legacy. (DC Comics, 2020)

Teen artist, Tai Pham, hangs out and draws in his grandmother’s (Bà’s) store, Jade Market, after school, dreaming of his future. Another brick through the front window, another attack. The family (who lives in the apartment upstairs) wants Bà to sell the store, but she refuses, saying, “We will not let fear drive us from our home. Not again.” She refers to leaving Vietnam many years ago and shows her resolve to keep what she and her family have gained from years of work in Coast City. Jade Market is not just a store. It is home.

When Bà passes, her jade ring becomes Tai’s keepsake. What he learns is that ring chose him to join in a secret — a society of space cops called Green Lanterns — who work against fear, and Yellow Lanterns, to save the earth. Can he handle the power and pressure? Tai’s friends may be able to help him, but he must find his inner strength to carry on his grandmother’s legacy.

This new graphic novel is sure to capture attention from a wide range of readers. Andie Tong’s colorful comic illustrations and Minh Lê’s captivating text make this book a must-read for middle school readers, and there are references to woo the adult crowd, as well. Add Green Lantern: Legacy to your reading list today.

IMWAYR: Hope and Joy

I’m in need of HOPE and JOY right now, so I’m spending the week reading some titles that make me smile.

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks

It’s Deja and Josiah’s last night working at the pumpkin patch…ever. They will be off to college in the fall and it’s the last night to live it up. Deja encourages Josiah to finally talk to “The Fudge Shop Girl,” Marcy. He doesn’t know if he can muster the courage.

Josiah finally finds Marcy after a night of burnt succotash, chasing the goat that got loose, and searching for the little sneaky child who always slips away. Do his dreams of love come true? Find out who else is hanging out at the pumpkin patch at the end of the season. All the high school workers have stories. You might just be surprised.

This “last-night-take-a-chance” friendship story is a colorful graphic novel that middle school and high school kids are going to love.

Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices, edited by S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed. Isn’t the cover beautiful? I’m starting this one tonight.

It’s Monday! What Are YOU Reading?

IMWAYR: For the Students

I’m reading with the students this week. We are working on nonfiction texts during library time, and these titles are interesting and make us ask, “Really?” (“Really?” Strategy from Reading Nonfiction by Kylene Beers and Bob Probst. Good stuff!)

I liked this newest title from Lauren Wolk, too. Echo Mountain is coming out in April. I can’t wait for readers to meet Ellie and her family. Thank you, Dutton Children’s Books for providing the advanced readers copy.

Picture Books are Perfect! Looking forward to spring, I reread this awesome picture book by Phil Bildner. “Did you know?” The unique style — directly speaking to the reader — the author tells the story of tennis champs Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert and their amazing rivalry and friendship through many years of competition.

It’s Monday! What Are YOU Reading?