It's Monday! What are you reading? 9-2-13

Originally hosted by Sheila at Book Journey, Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers also host a kidlit version of It's Monday! What are You Reading?

Happy Labor Day! Many of my former colleagues begin their first day of school tomorrow. It's hard to believe I won't be joining them this year. 

Last week I finished reading:

Starry Nights by Daisy Whitney
Pathways to the Common Core: Accelerating Achievement by Lucy Calkins, Mary Ehrenworth, and Christopher Lehman


Graphic novels I finished last week:

The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Evil Penguin Plan by Maxwell Eaton III
Bluffton by Matt Phelan
Oh my goodness! I absolutely loved Bluffton!  It is a stunning graphic novel about Buster Keaton's summers in Bluffton, Michigan near Lake Michigan, told through the eyes of a fictional narrator, Henry. I envision this one making the rounds during award season.


Picture books I read and enjoyed last week:

Doug Unplugged by Dan Yaccarino
 Doug is a robot who "plugs in" to download new facts every day in order to learn. But one day Doug decides to unplug and learn by doing. He discovers so much about the world through thinking, feeling, and experiencing. A great title to share and discuss with students.

Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! by Mo Willems 
I LOVE that Knuffle Bunny makes an appearance in this book! :) 


Lightship by Brian Floca
Lightships were built and used in the Great Lakes and oceans across America if there were places lighthouses couldn't be built. They anchored themselves on one spot and were a beacon for ships passing through. They didn't deliver supplies or travel the world. They held fast to their "one sure spot." Simple yet thoughtful text combined with friendly illustrations makes this a can't miss nonfiction title. 


Charlie the Ranch Dog: Where's the Bacon? by Ree Drummond, illustrated by Diane DeGroat
A sweet early reader about Charlie the Ranch Dog, a basset hound who thinks rather highly of himself and the "job" he does on his family's ranch. I had the opportunity to read and follow along with the audio of Ree Drummond reading the story and enjoyed experiencing it with her voice. 

I also rather enjoyed reading the German (AKA, original) version of the adorable and hilarious:

Monsters Aren't Real i.e., Monster gibt es nicht... by Kerstin Schoene
I wish I had thought to use picture books with their English/German equivalents to help me better learn German when I lived in Germany because Lord knows sitting in my dining room with my tutor learning German grammar certainly didn't help me much.


Last week I reviewed:

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein
Rose by Holly Webb


Currently reading:

Mastering the Art of Soviet Cooking: A Memoir of Food and Longing by Anya von Bremzen
I am fascinated by all things having to do with the Cold War so I think I'm going to enjoy this one.   


Currently (still) listening:

Such Wicked Intent by Kenneth Oppel
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins


Current giveaways:
 
The Year of Shadows by Claire Legrand
Darth Paper Strikes Back by Tom Angelberger