Every Most Mondays, I send out a #booksaroundtheroom via Twitter, so my students can share what they’re reading with the world. “It’s Monday! What are you Reading?” is a meme co-hosted by Jen and Kellee at Teach Mentor Texts. Just like #booksaroundtheroom, it is a way to share books you’ve been reading, reviewing, and loving during the last week. I read a lot, both on my own and with my two kids, Corbchops (4.65) and The Iza (2.58). I’m excited to hear what you’ve been reading.
My son was sick last week. Which is always unpleasant, and for more than just the fact that he is miserable. First, his sister will probably get sick, too is sick too, now. Second, it takes me out of my classroom. If you’ve been following along with these Monday posts, you’ll know that I’ve been out of the classroom with meetings and things a lot lately. Last week would have been a break from sub plans, but no such luck. This week, I’ve got two meetings that take me out of class. My son and I did a little sick-on-the-couch reading, though.
In my class, we finished reading a wide selection of picture books and voted on which four we would read to classes and donate to the library for World Read Aloud Day. Here’s how I chose the books: All picture books on the Schu-Jonker Top 20. All 2013 Caldecott Medal and Honor books. Plus Kel Gilligan. We voted, and our selections are: Kel Gilligan, Creepy Carrots, This Is Not My Hat, and Bear Has a Story to Tell.
Here’s what I’ve enjoyed during these last seven days:
Middle Grade:
I finished three middle grade novels and two informational books last week.
- Bobby vs Girls (Accidentally) and Bobby the Brave (Sometimes), by Lisa Yee. I picked these books up kid of randomly. I haven’t read any other Lisa Yee books, though they are on my list. But I do love me some Dan Santat! They were great books for the second-fifth grade set.
- The Tombs of Anak, by Frank Peretti. My in-class SSR books are always student recommendations. A girl recommended this book, the third in the series. It was an exciting Indiana Jones-style adventure mystery, with a clear Christian slant. I liked it.
- Impossible Rescue: The True Story of an Amazing Arctic Adventure, by Martin W. Sandler. This was a bit dense for me (well, not for me, but I think for middle graders), the bane of nonfiction writing. The story was interesting and incredible, though. If you have students that loved the fantastic Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World, then they would probably love it.
- Butterflies and Moths, by Nic Bishop. More great informational writing and photography from Nic Bishop. I thought this one was a little less…something…than Frogs and Snakes. Still great, though.
Graphic Novels:
I read one graphic novel last week. I love graphic novels.
- Belly Flop!, by Stephen McCranie. I finally got around to reading the third volume in the Mal and Chad series. It was good, but I’m ready for Stephen to either start something new, or inject some new life into the series. It started to feel very…familiar.
Picture Books:
I read 8 picture books last week. My favorite three were:
- Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors, by Joyce Sidman and Pamela Zagarenski. I really liked these poems about colors and seasons and change.
- Sleep Like a Tiger, by Mary Logue and Pamela Zagarenski. This was the only book recognized by the Caldecott committee that I hadn’t read before. I thought it was wonderful. Though now I wonder if Pamela Zagarenski puts crowns on all her characters.
- Look! Another Book!, by Bob Staake. Corbchops and The Iza love Bob Staake’s first Look! A Book! It is so fun to pore over and discover new things. This one is more of the same. In this case, the same is good.
Reviewed:
On the TMCE Guys Read blog, I reviewed Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally), by Lisa Yee.
AND
Right now, I’m reading:
The Seven Tales of Trinket, by Shelley Moore Thomas.
SO
What are you reading?