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

 

 

Quest by Aaron Becker

 

2014-book, adventure, bebrave, creativity, fantasy-science-fiction, friendship, journey, mock-caldecott-2015, picture-book     Aaron Becker did it again. I was eagerly awaiting my signed copy of the second book in the trilogy he started with the Caldecott Honor masterpiece, JOURNEY, and it did not disappoint. This stunning adventure starts with the kids we met and loved in the first book, armed with their purple and red markers, and immediately whisks us away on an adventure to save a king who surprises the boy and girl with a map and a mysterious over-the-the-shoulder carrying case right before being captured. The girl figures out the mysterious carrying case is perfect to hold their markers and the orange one the king tosses them before being taken away. What follows is a feast for the eyes and a breathtaking quest. Along the way, more markers are collected, more creative ways to travel are drawn, and more chases cause white knuckles. The story culminates in a spectacular, colorful rescue. Amazing. Like JOURNEY, you'll want to "read" this beautiful picture book again and again, and each time you'll discover something new. Bravo, Aaron!!     Going Places by Peter and Paul Reynolds   2014-book, creativity, imagination, individuality, mock-caldecott-2015, picture-book   I love the joy this book exudes - creativity, individuality, and thinking outside the box...the perfect book to add to your repertoire of encouraging kids to ask questions and come up with new ideas. Be sure to celebrate International Dot Day this year on September 15th!     A Dance Like Starlight by Krisy Demsey, illustrated by Floyd Cooper   2014-book, african-american, character-traits, civil-rights, dance, gifted-girls, historical-fiction, lyrical, mock-caldecott-2015, mock-newbery-2015, multicultural, picture-book, poetry   This is a beautiful story of hopes and dreams. The author imagined what it must have been like for a little girl to have seen real-life Janet Collins, the first African American hired to perform under contract with The Metropolitan Opera, dance.     Mr. Wayne's Masterpiece by Patricia Polacco   2014-book, fears, memoir,  teachers-who-inspire   This is the true story of young Patricia's fear of speaking in front of people and the drama teacher who helped her believe in herself. Because of Mr. Wayne's inspiring teaching and encouragement, she can stand in front of audiences today and talk about her beautiful books.     Frank! by Connah Brecon 2014-book, arc, humor     I looked forward to following Frank's escapades and excuses for why he was always late. The lively and whimsical illustrations captured Frank as a cute and lovable bear who wasn't "rude or unreliable" nor "a dawdler or a meanderer. He just liked to help out." When he started going to school, he arrived late for a variety of reasons, one of which was saving a cat from a tree. This is where the storyline seemed to get out of control and the message confusing. Some kids will still enjoy the entranc...more I looked forward to following Frank's escapades and excuses for why he was always late. The lively and whimsical illustrations captured Frank as a cute and lovable bear who wasn't "rude or unreliable" nor "a dawdler or a meanderer. He just liked to help out." When he started going to school, he arrived late for a variety of reasons, one of which was saving a cat from a tree. This is where the storyline seemed to get out of control and the message confusing. Some kids will still enjoy the entrance of the giant zombie lizard king and the dance off, but I would have enjoyed the book more if the story would have stayed consistent with the introduction and original theme. This book will be released at the end of September.   MIDDLE GRADE     Boys of Blur by N.D. Wilson   2014-book, abuse, adventure, allusion, divorce-or-separation, fantasy-science-fiction, intermediate-kids-book, mock-newbery-2015,  setting   Wow - this was a strange and gripping story. What impressed me most is the strong sense of setting. It reminded me a bit of Tangerine by Edward Bloor with the mysterious Floridian setting - also The Riverman by Aaron Farmer. Allusions and parallels to Beowolf, lots of action and danger, and friendship/family themes make this a complex and compelling book.     Revolution by Denorah Wiles   2014-book, character-development, civil-rights, family, fears, friendship, historical-fiction, home, intermediate-kids-book, mock-newbery-2015   When I heard, after reading Countdown, that Deborah Wiles was going to write a 60s trilogy, I was thrilled. Revolution did not disappoint. It's another beautiful tribute to the tumultuous and ground-breaking 60s, complete with photographs, songs, speeches, poems, slogans, quotes, signs, etc., that accompany an amazing story. In this novel, it is 1964, and Sunny is living in Greenwood, Mississippi, a hotbed of controversy during the civil rights movement. Sunny thinks Greenwood is going to be inv...more When I heard, after reading Countdown, that Deborah Wiles was going to write a 60s trilogy, I was thrilled.  It's another beautiful tribute to the tumultuous and ground-breaking 60s, complete with photographs, songs, speeches, poems, slogans, quotes, signs, etc., that accompany an amazing story. In this novel, it is 1964, and Sunny is living in Greenwood, Mississippi, a hotbed of controversy during the civil rights movement. Sunny thinks Greenwood is going to be invaded, but in reality, it becomes the setting for Freedom Summer - a time when civil rights activists stop at nothing to register Mississippi's black citizens to vote. When Sunny accidentally bumps into someone in the pool when she and her stepbrother sneak a late night swim, she steps into something that will change her forever. No one can say it better than Wiles herself: "At heart, Revolution is a story about what it means to be a citizen of this country, to live in a democracy, to be a member of a family, to nurture your friendships, to look beyond what you understand, to ask questions, and to tend to your community, your own backyard." She is an amazing writer. I want to listen to the audio now - I hope it's as wonderful as the audio of Countdown!   PROFESSIONAL     The Writing Thief: Using Mentor Texts to Teach the Craft of Writing by Ruth Culham   I enjoyed this book on using mentor texts to teach the craft of writing. The title reflects the same idea as Austin Kleon's Steal Like an Artist. The concept is that great writers steal from great works. Throughout the book, guest authors write about who and what have inspired them. Culham also provides many specific mentor titles for various kinds of writing traits within modes of writing. "By using mentor texts, the reader can virtually position him-or herself to sit beside the author and stud...more I enjoyed this book on using mentor texts to teach the craft of writing. The title reflects the same idea as Austin Kleon's Steal Like an Artist. The concept is that great writers steal from great works. Throughout the book, guest authors write about who and what have inspired them. Culham also provides many specific mentor titles for various kinds of writing traits within modes of writing. "By using mentor texts, the reader can virtually position him-or herself to sit beside the author and study how the text is constructed and how it communicates." Keep this book beside Lester Laminack's Cracking Open the Author's Craft, Ralph Fletcher's Craft Lessons, and Mentor Texts by Lynne R. Dorfman.  Our building will be doing a book study using Culham's 6+1 Traits of Writing this fall.   CURRENTLY READING     CURRENTLY LISTENING TO     My family loves to read, too!   My mom:   My dad:   My husband, Ed:   My daughter, Libby (21)   My daughter, Katie (18)   What are YOU reading this week?