Every Monday, 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 (4.5) and The Iza (2.5). I’m excited to hear what you’ve been reading.
We are getting back into the swing of things at school, and at home, as well. Our routines have been re-established, our brains have been re-programed, and our sleep schedules have been re-aligned. Mostly.
Actually, it was an extra busy week, with school stuff scheduled before or after school on Monday through Thursday. This week is not much different, with similar stuff going on Monday through Wednesday. But then we have a three-day weekend!
Here’s what I’ve enjoyed during my first full week back at school:
Middle Grade:
I finished one middle grade novel, two novels-in-verse, and two informational books last week.
- Goblin Secrets, by William Alexander. I think this might be my first steampunk novel. Unless Peter Nimble counts as steampunk.
- 42 Miles, by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer. My school librarian recommended this to me when I shared my poetry #bookgap with her.
- Diamond Willow, by Helen Frost. I loved the shaped prose poetry and the magical mix in this novel-in-verse.
- We’ve Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children’s March, by Cynthia Levinson. I never knew the role children played in the quest for civil rights in Birmingham. This seemed like a perfect book to pair with The Watsons Go to Birmingham–1963, Glory Be, and The Lions of Little Rock.
- Beyond Courage: The Untold Story of Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust, by Doreen Rappaport. I read several informational books about World War II this year (Bomb, Hitler Youth) and, while very good, most of them were incredibly scary. This one was scary, too, but the hope, courage, and perseverance of its subjects was incredible.
Picture Books:
I read 8 picture books last week. My favorite three were:
- The Other Side, by Jacqueline Woodson and E.B. Lewis. I read this to my class while we were working on endings for our narrative stories. We found it very interesting.
- Spiders, by Nic Bishop. After reading Snakes, Nic Bishop’s Nerdy nominee, I put every single book of his on hold at my public library.
- Robot Zombie Frankenstein!, by Annette Simon. This book is wild and crazy fun.
Reviewed:
On the TMC Guys Read Blog, I reviewed Lincoln’s Grave Robbers, by Steve Sheinkin.
AND
Right now, I’m reading:
Flight, Vol. 5, edited by Kazu Kibuishi.
SO
What are you reading?