Monday, November 17, 2014

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

These are memes started by Teach Mentor Texts and Book Journey, and I'm excited to participate, along with many other bloggers, in reviewing books I read the previous week.  I'll be reviewing picture books through adult books.
 
 
PICTURE BOOKS
 
Flashlight
 
 
 
This wordless book captivated me, just like Boyd's Inside Outside. It's so clever! I enjoyed the quiet and calm mood, the creative cutouts, the curiosity of the boy, and the humorous twist when the forest creatures decide to take a turn with the flashlight.  Kids will really enjoy this exploration of nature.

Outlaw Pete

 
 
 
 
 
Be duly warned: this is not a children's book! If you know this song by Bruce Springsteen, though, you would know that immediately. However, I had to have it, and I had to rate it 5 stars because it's a brilliant song (as are 99% of Bruce songs), and I loved the art. I may use it with my 6th graders, but not my 5th graders. It would be great to use in the upper grades, however. Be sure to share the Afterword with them. It's quintessential Bruce.
 
Voyage
 
Voyage by Billy Collins, illustrated by Karen Romagna
 
 
 
 
A lyrical journey on the ocean turns into a magical reading adventure. The blues and yellows in the illustrations, the happy dolphin, the smiling moon, the swashbuckling pirate, and the transformations of the boat contribute to a wonderful poetic story.
 
ADULT FICTION
 
Leaving Time
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The interweaving of elephant grief research, the mother/daughter bond, and the missing persons/murder investigation is fascinating. I love how Picoult builds a story. I also love the multiple first person points of view in which she writes. I can't say too much or I'll spoil the famous Picoult twist, but I would have been more amazed by it if I hadn't read a book with such a similar one in the recent past. I'll be recommending it, though, and passing my copy around. I didn't think it was as good as The Storyteller and My Sister's Keeper, but it was among my favorites of hers.
 
Listen to an audio excerpt here.
 
CURRENTLY READING
 
Small Victories: Spotting Improbable Moments of Grace I'll Give You the Sun
 
CURRENTLY LISTENING TO
 
Landline Son (The Giver, #4)
 
What are YOU reading this week?
 
 

7 comments:

  1. Didn't the twist surprise you??? I was thinking the twist was going to be something waaaaay different!
    I loved Flashlight. I read it several times because I found something new each time!

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  2. I loved Flashlight too, Holly, a book that will introduce the night to young students beautifully. And Voyage looks wonderful. Thanks also for the heads up about Outlaw Pete, I think I should get this for my middle school kids!

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  3. A Bruce Springsteen picture book?! Yes please!!
    Enjoy Son, and I cannot wait to hear about Landline as I haven't gotten to it yet.

    Happy reading this week! :)

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  4. The illustrated Billy Collins book looks amazing. I am a HUGE Billy Collins fan so I must find that one!

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  5. Flashlight is a really beautiful little book. I can see it being so popular with students. I must read Landline. Love Rainbow Rowell! I read Son this summer - I liked it but a few things irked me. I will be interested to see what you think.

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  6. I didn't even know about Leaving Time. I love Jodi Picoult, so I was glad to hear about this one. I have The Storyteller in my stack of books to read, and now that I heard it is a favorite, I will need to get to it. Thank you for sharing!

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  7. Voyage sounds like a great companion book for Quest. Flashlight also sounds very intriguing. Thanks for sharing these lovely books.

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