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 BOOK
What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada, illustrated by Mae Besom
2014-book, creativity, curiosity, imagination, mock-caldecott-2015, personification, picture-book, writing-connections
LOVED this book. I think it would make a great companion book with The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires as texts that inspire creativity and imagination. Great to use in the writing workshop.
MIDDLE GRADE BOOK
I loved this latest installment of the Silver Jaguar Society mystery series. Anna, Henry, and Jose are back, and we're introduced to Hem. Is he friend or foe? This time the three friends get involved in an international art heist, and someone is a double agent, but who? We get to go to Paris in this one, and since I've been there, it made it fun to picture the places mentioned, especially the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore. The ending seems to leave it open for more adventures involving our three friends. I sure hope so! Couple of fun things I posted about while reading: the teacher in the book is Mr. Sharp. ;-) I also loved that there is an excellent example of "close reading" of a poem the kids found. This book pairs up well with Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett and Moxie and The Art of Rule Breaking by Erin Dionne.
 |
Close reading example
Libby and I in the Shakespeare & Co. Bookstore
ADULT BOOK
Every book club member and literary type should read this book! There were so many things I loved about it. I loved the setting, the book store, the romance, the precocious child, the many book titles and allusions, the wit, the twists, the family dynamics...everything really. I'm going to pass this book around. In fact, I already handed it to my friend, Jill. Can't wait to talk about it at book club TONIGHT!
Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon
I recently read Show Your Work, a gift from Brenda Power during our Choice Literacy retreat, and I liked it so much, I had to read Kleon's previous one, Steal Like An Artist. I'm not sure I liked it as much, but there are still lots of nuggets of wisdom in this little book that I took away. Favorites: Nothing is original, Build Your Own World (Geography is No Longer Our Master - thank you, online PLN!), Be Nice (The World is a Small Town), and Marry Well. ;-) |
CURRENTLY READING
CURRENTLY LISTENING TO
Off to read about what YOU'RE reading this week!
I'm so glad you loved AJ Fikry. I think it needs to win an honorary Nerdy award this year. I know it's adult fiction, but that book is everything we are about in novel form.
ReplyDeleteI really want to read What do You Do with an Idea but my library doesn't have it yet. I think I might need to nudge them to purchase a copy. :)
I think a Nerdy award for an adult book is a great idea!
DeleteI loved the other two books in the Silver Jaguar series and I cannot wait to read Manhunt. I also absolutely loved AJ Fikry. I want to get more picture books to support my writing workshop and What Do You Do With an Idea? sounds like one that I need to get. Have a great reading week!
ReplyDeleteYou'll love Manhunt, too, Andrea. :-) What Do You Do With an Idea would be a great way to kick off writing workshop at the beginning of the year!
DeleteI took the time to listen to the Ted Talks. Thanks. I am encouraged by this. I want to steal like an artist.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it a fun concept?
DeleteThe Fikry bookis on my TBR. Seems an amazing read.
ReplyDeleteI think you'll love it!
DeleteOh, I have such a soft spot already for What Do You Do With an Idea? It's not often I end up with regret for not buying a book (mostly because I rarely leave one behind), but this is a book I should have snagged when I discovered it. I haven't read The Most Magnificent Idea, but based on others' comments, I suspected they would be a good pair. Thank you for sharing your love for this one-I'm glad others are finding it, too.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, Melissa. The Most Magnificent Thing is one that I have buyers regret over - I definitely should have bought it! I bought What Do You Do with an Idea right away!
DeleteI read What Do You Do with an Idea? this week too. I simply loved it. Glad you read it, too!
ReplyDeleteI need to reread the Idea book. I read it so quickly, I don't think I had time to appreciate it! And AJ Fikry really needs to move up in my TBR pile. There's so many books....
ReplyDeleteSome wonderful titles here! What Do You Do with an Idea is such a gorgeous book with so much potential. I have requested The Storied Life of . . . and look forward to reading it! I have only heard amazing things.
ReplyDeleteOh, I think I am going to have to grab up The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry that sounds so cool. :)
ReplyDeleteAJ Fikry is on my list and I'm moving it up. I loved the Idea book--I'm still planning to give it to a couple favorite graduates as presents! Thanks for the recommendations!
ReplyDeleteI just loved The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. I laughed, I cried. I just wanted to get up and move to that island. Great book.
ReplyDeleteLaura
It's Monday, What are you reading?
I saw Idea this week, but didn't pick it up and read it--man! I wish I had. Really want to read it now.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading this week! :)
Since I enjoyed Steal like an artist, think I must find Show Your Work soon! :)
ReplyDeleteExcited by the idea of applying "What Do You Do With an Idea?" to writing workshop - great tip!
ReplyDeleteI already own a copy of AJ Fikry - I guess I'd have to move it up in my TBR stack, looks like a book that every reader must read, as you said. Love that picture of you and your daughter at the Shakespeare & Co. Bookstore - absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDelete