It's Monday! What are you reading? 5-29-17

It's Monday! What are you reading? Is a wonderful community of readers, teachers, and librarians. Hosted by Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers, participants share their reading adventures from the past week along with their reading plans for the week ahead.

My Monday posts are generally just a highlight of what I've been reading during the week so if you'd like to see all that I've been reading, follow my Goodreads page.


Last week's posts:

The Explorers: The Door in the Alley blog tour
Orphan Island blog tour +giveaway


Last week I finished reading:

Saving Red by Sonya Sones 
Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
Pride: Celebrating Diversity and Community by Robin Stevenson 


Picture books that stood out in the pile:
 
Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Kadir Nelson's illustrations always stir my soul and move me to near tears. This book is no different. A lovely, spare, and inclusive tribute to our flag.


Bravo! Poems About Amazing Hispanics by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Rafael Lopez 
Margarita Engle's poetry always manages to be simple, lyrical, and profound all at the same time.


We're All Wonders by R.J. Palacio 
When I heard that there would be yet another spinoff Wonder book, I have to say that I was rather dubious. It seems like every year there's a new book to try to capitalize on the popularity of the original middle grade novel that was published in 2012. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book as well as the artwork. RJ Palacio isn't just a talented writer, but also a gifted artist. 


Currently reading:

The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner  

Orphan Island blog tour + giveaway

Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder

To be published by Walden Pond Press on  May 30, 2017

·         ISBN-13: 978-0062443410

 

On the island, everything is perfect. The sun rises in a sky filled with dancing shapes; the wind, water, and trees shelter and protect those who live there; when the nine children go to sleep in their cabins, it is with full stomachs and joy in their hearts. And only one thing ever changes: on that day, each year, when a boat appears from the mist upon the ocean carrying one young child to join them—and taking the eldest one away, never to be seen again.

Today’s Changing is no different. The boat arrives, taking away Jinny’s best friend, Deen, replacing him with a new little girl named Ess, and leaving Jinny as the new Elder. Jinny knows her responsibility now—to teach Ess everything she needs to know about the island, to keep things as they’ve always been. But will she be ready for the inevitable day when the boat will come back—and take her away forever from the only home she’s known?

Please oh please let there be a sequel! I know that Laurel said in her Nerdy Book Club post yesterday that she didn't mean for this book to frustrate grownups, but I want so badly to know that origin story she speaks of in the unpublished prologue. At the same time, I understand and honor why she left it a mystery.

For people who scoff at adults who read and study children's literature because it isn't literary enough, this is one of the first books I will point them to. There are so many unanswered questions  and important themes that will lead to quality discussions with students. This would be a fantastic story for book clubs or literature circles because there isn't much that is certain in this story, and with so much uncertainty, that also means this isn't likely to be a book that will bode well for classroom busywork: crossword puzzles, word searches, comprehension quizzes, etc. Just good, old-fashioned authentic book discussion. Who'da thunk it?

I'm looking forward to seeing Laurel at nErDcamp this year because I have SO MANY QUESTIONS for her, but I have a feeling she will tell me to draw my own conclusions. 

About the author:

Laurel Snyder is a poet, essayist, and author of picture books and novels for children, including, Charlie and Mouse, Bigger than a Bread Box, and Swan, the Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova. She is also a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and a faculty member of Hamline University's MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. She lives in Atlanta with her family and can be found online at www.laurelsnyder.com.

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Blog Tour Stops

 

May 15	Laura Given
May 16	Pernille Ripp
	Writers Rumpus
May 17	Teach Mentor Texts
May 18	Novel Novice
	Bluestocking Thinking
May 19	The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia
May 20	Book Monsters
May 21	Maria's Melange
May 22	Read, Write Reflect
	Walden Media Tumblr
May 23	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
May 24	Nerdy Book Club
May 25	A Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust
May 26	Kirby Larson

 

The Explorers: The Door in the Alley blog tour

Thank you to Random House/Delacorte Books for Young Readers for providing me with a review copy of The Door in the Alley for this blog tour.

The Explorers: The Door in the Alley by Adrienne Kress
Published: April 25, 2017
Publisher: Delacorte
Pages: 320
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Middle Grade

From Goodreads:
Featuring a mysterious society, a secretive past, and a pig in a teeny hat, The Explorers: The Door in the Alley is the first book in a new series for fans of The Name of This Book Is Secret and The Mysterious Benedict Society. Knock once if you can find it—but only members are allowed inside.

This is one of those stories that start with a pig in a teeny hat. It’s not the one you’re thinking about. (This story is way better than that one.)

This pig-in-a-teeny-hat story starts when a very uninquisitive boy stumbles upon a very mysterious society. After that, there is danger and adventure; there are missing persons, hired thugs, a hidden box, a lost map, and famous explorers; and also a girl on a rescue mission.

The Explorers: The Door in the Alley is the first book in a series that is sure to hit young readers right in the funny bone.


Fantasy can sometimes be a hard sell to readers because there is so much that background knowledge can't help you with when you're entering a world you've never encountered before. So fantasy with a touch of humor can often make the difficulty of interpreting a new world much more digestible...   the spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down, if you will.

After I finished reading the ARC of The Door in the Alley, I offered it up to my 6th graders by raffling it off, and I had quite a few students clamoring to read it. The student that did win the copy informed me she enjoyed it greatly and passed it on to a friend. I think this will be the start of a fun and entertaining series for middle grade readers!

It's Monday! What are you reading? 5-22-17

It's Monday! What are you reading? Is a wonderful community of readers, teachers, and librarians. Hosted by Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers, participants share their reading adventures from the past week along with their reading plans for the week ahead.

My Monday posts are generally just a highlight of what I've been reading during the week so if you'd like to see all that I've been reading, follow my Goodreads page.


Last week I reviewed:

5 Worlds: The Sand Warrior by Mark Siegel, Alexis Siegel, et. al
My Kicks: A Sneaker Story! by Susan Verde, illustrated by Katie Kath
Cravings by Chrissy Teigen


Last week I finished reading with my ears:

Sing by Vivi Greene
An innocent, mindless, bubblegum read to curl up with on a warm summer day.  


Picture books that stood out in the pile last week:
 
Yawning Yoga by  Laurie Jordan, illustrated by Diana Mayo
A beautiful picture book that teaches children some yoga poses that can help them relax and unwind before bedtime. Pair this book with Good Night, Yoga and Good Morning, Yoga by Mariam Gates.


Windows by Julia Denos, illustrated by E.B. Goodale
Ever since I was a kid, I've always been fascinated with windows lit up in the night. Driving through familiar or unfamiliar neighborhoods, to catch a small glimpse into someone's house is to catch a fleeting moment of story waiting to be told. Windows honors those fleeting stories by making us ponder them for just a few seconds longer.  

Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code by Laurie Wallmark, illustrated by Katy Wu
A wonderful addition to any school or classroom library to encourage girls to enter STEM fields. 


Currently reading with my eyes and ears:

Saving Red by Sonya Sones  
The Blood Between Us by Zac Brewer
Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
 

Cookbook Review: Cravings by Chrissy Teigen

Supermodel, social media maven, and John Legend's better half, Chrissy Teigen has written a cookbook full of easy, practical, and mouth-watering recipes. I know what you're thinking. A supermodel writing a cookbook? What's in it? Salads and juice cleanses?

That is where you'd be wrong.

It takes a lot for me to perk up and take notice of a new cookbook. After a while, the genre of the cookbook gets rather tiresome because it feels like not only are the recipes regurgitated, but nothing new or innovative in terms of writing or format is being published.

Chrissy Teigen's cookbook, however is different. Even if you don't make a single dish from this book, it will have been money well spent because the writing in this book will have you belly laughing, as evidenced by Teigen's description of my favorite dish in the whole cookbook, Yellow Cake Baked Oatmeal:

Watching us come up with this recipe was like watching a group of stoners, except I am not into pot or weed or ganja or whatever it is called these days. I mean, I dip pizza bagels into Cholula butter and second-course it with Top Ramen salad dead sober. Can you imagine what weed does to me? Actually, maybe I go full opposite and am like, "Duuuddddde let's go get a saladddddd.

And if you're wondering what Yellow Cake Baked Oatmeal tastes more cake or oatmeal, that would be the former. It's one of the most delicious, ingenious things I have ever made for breakfast.

But this cookbook is more than just a one dish wonder. Every dish I have made so far has been more delicious than the next. I can't get enough of it. I'm waiting for Chrissy to get her own show on Food Network or Cooking Channel. I'd be setting a season pass all up in my DVR for that show.


Cravings: Recipes for All the Food You Want to Eat by Chrissy Teigen
Published: February 23, 2016
Publisher: Clarkson Potter
Pages: 240
Genre: Cookery
Audience: Adults
Disclosure: Purchased Copy

If you buy this book or any book through Amazon, it is my hope that you also regularly patronize independent bookstores, which are important centerpieces of thriving communities. While I am an Amazon Affiliate, that by no means implies that I only buy my books through their website. Please make sure you are still helping small, independent bookstores thrive in your community. To locate an independent bookstore near you, visit IndieBound. 

My Kicks: A Sneaker Story! by Susan Verde, illustrated by Katie Kath

These sneakers have soul in their soles.
Joy in each hole. A certain stick-to-the-sidewalk
from gooey gum. 
They might be soggy and funky, the tongue flapping,
the laces dragging, but they are irreplaceable,
a perfect fit, molded to my feet! I can't let them go. 

A young boy's mother wants him to get new shoes since his current ones are dirty and falling apart, but he just can't bear to part with them... or can he? 

As you can see above, this book has wonderful writing,. I kind of love the somewhat contradictory nature of waxing poetic over a pair of old, worn-out sneakers. I'm not entirely sure a child as young as the main character would have that ability to reflect and wax poetic on all the memories he had with his favorite sneakers but it's still a fun read and worth reading aloud to students. 

My Kicks: A Sneaker Story! by Susan Verde, illustrated by Katie Kath
Published: April 11, 2017
Publisher: Abrams
Pages: 40
Genre/Format: Picture Book
Audience: Primary/Middle Grade
Disclosure: Library Copy 

If you buy this book or any book through Amazon, it is my hope that you also regularly patronize independent bookstores, which are important centerpieces of thriving communities. While I am an Amazon Affiliate, that by no means implies that I only buy my books through their website. Please make sure you are still helping small, independent bookstores thrive in your community. To locate an independent bookstore near you, visit IndieBound. 

5 Worlds: The Sand Warrior by Mark & Alexis Siegel

Goodreads Summary:

The Five Worlds are on the brink of extinction unless five ancient and mysterious beacons are lit. When war erupts, three unlikely heroes will discover there's more to themselves and more to their worlds than meets the eye. . . .

• The clumsiest student at the Sand Dancer Academy, Oona Lee is a fighter with a destiny bigger than she could ever imagine.
• A boy from the poorest slums, An Tzu has a surprising gift and a knack for getting out of sticky situations.
• Star athlete Jax Amboy is beloved by an entire galaxy, but what good is that when he has no real friends? 

When these three kids are forced to team up on an epic quest, it will take not one, not two, but 5 WORLDS to contain all the magic and adventure!

I have been on a quest to add more graphic novels to our school library. 5 Worlds is a new series that will appeal to lovers of the Amulet series. While this book didn't appeal to me personally as a reader, I have many students who I know I can hand this to and they will love it. So for that reason I'm looking forward to reading and purchasing the next book in the series for our school library. 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

MARK SIEGEL has written and illustrated several award-winning picture books and graphic novels, including the New York Times bestseller Sailor Twain, or the Mermaid in the Hudson. He is also the founder and editorial director of First Second Books. He lives with his family in New York. Follow Mark on Tumblr at @marksiegel and the 5 Worlds team on Twitter at @5WorldsTeam.

ALEXIS SIEGEL is a writer and translator based in London, England. He has translated a number of bestselling graphic novels, including Joann Sfar’s The Rabbi’s Cat, Pénélope Bagleu’s Exquisite Corpse, and Gene Luen Yang’s American Born Chinese (into French).

XANTHE BOUMA is an illustrator based in Southern California. When not working on picture books, fashion illustration, and comics, Xanthe enjoys soaking up the beachside sun. Follow Xanthe on Tumblr at @yumbles and on Twitter at @xoxobouma.

MATT ROCKEFELLER is an illustrator and comic book artist from Tucson, Arizona. His work has appeared in a variety of formats, including book covers, picture books, and animation. Matt lives in New York City. Follow him on Tumblr at @mrockefeller and on Twitter at @mcrockefeller.

BOYA SUN is an illustrator and co-author of the graphic novel Chasma Knights. Originally from China, Boya has traveled from Canada to the United States and now resides in the charming city of Baltimore. Follow Boya on Tumblr at @boyasun and on Twitter at @boyaboyasun.

5 Worlds: The Sand Warrior by Mark Siegel, et. al

Published: May 2, 2017

Publisher: Random House

Genre/Format: Fantasy/Graphic Novel

Audience: Middle Grade

Disclosure: Review copy provided by publisher

If you buy this book or any book through Amazon, it is my hope that you also regularly patronize independent bookstores, which are important centerpieces of thriving communities. While I am an Amazon Affiliate, that by no means implies that I only buy my books through their website. Please make sure you are still helping small, independent bookstores thrive in your community. To locate an independent bookstore near you, visit IndieBound. 

It's Monday! What are you reading? 5-15-17

It's Monday! What are you reading? Is a wonderful community of readers, teachers, and librarians. Hosted by Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers, participants share their reading adventures from the past week along with their reading plans for the week ahead.

My Monday posts are generally just a highlight of what I've been reading during the week so if you'd like to see all that I've been reading, follow my Goodreads page.


Last week I reviewed:

The Music of Life: Bartolomeo Cristofori and the Invention of the Piano by Elizabeth Rusch illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
If you know me at all outside of this blog, the fact that I read and reviewed this book does not surprise you one bit.


I finished reading:

Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder
I have a blog tour coming up with this book so I'll save my longer thoughts for that post, but bottom line: this book just begs to be discussed with book clubs and literature circles. 


I finished reading with my ears:

Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson  
This book is intense, page-turning, and wholly unsettling. An ending that will get young people endlessly talking and debating.    


Favorite picture book I read last week:

Almost Everybody Farts by Marty Kelley
You can never go wrong with a good old-fashioned fart book to get kids reading.  


Currently reading:

Saving Red by Sonya Sones

The Music of Life: Bartolomeo Cristofori and the Invention of the Piano by Elizabeth Rusch illustrated by Marjorie Priceman

Cristofori spends the rest of his long life perfecting his invention, coaxing it to respond precisely to a musician's touch. He hopes that someday someone will use it to capture the music of life... [his] invention, eventually called simply the piano, becomes a powerful tool in the hands of brilliant composers everywhere.

One of my earliest memories is that of having a piano in our house. My sister's short-lived piano lessons meant that it sat unplayed for many years. But I was fascinated with this unusual piece of furniture in our living room that made noise when I plunked my fingers down on it.

It wasn't until I was nine years old that I finally began taking piano lessons, but I can remember as early as three or four begging my parents to learn how to play it.

So it is no surprise that this book both spoke to me and fascinated me. As someone who actually spent time during a trip to Vienna touring a piano workshop, it's safe to say that I am the perfect audience for this book. In fact, I couldn't even finish this book before I had to stop in the middle because I immediately felt compelled to go and play my own piano.

Not only does The Music of Life tell the story of how the first pianoforte (later shortened to piano) was created, but it also has a lot of great backmatter that includes links that will take you to sound clips of the original Cristofori pianos, which sound much different than they do today.

I highly recommend this book for the budding pianist or musician in your life... or just someone who likes to know how things work.

The Music of Life: Bartolomeo Cristofori and the Invention of the Piano by Elizabeth Rusch, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
Published: April 18, 2017
Publisher: Atheneum
Pages: 48
Genre/Format: Picture Book Biography
Audience: Middle Garde
Disclosure: Library Copy

If you buy this book or any book through Amazon, it is my hope that you also regularly patronize independent bookstores, which are important centerpieces of thriving communities. While I am an Amazon Affiliate, that by no means implies that I only buy my books through their website. Please make sure you are still helping small, independent bookstores thrive in your community. To locate an independent bookstore near you, visit IndieBound. 

It's Monday! What are you reading? 5-8-17

It's Monday! What are you reading? Is a wonderful community of readers, teachers, and librarians. Hosted by Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers, participants share their reading adventures from the past week along with their reading plans for the week ahead.

My Monday posts are generally just a highlight of what I've been reading during the week so if you'd like to see all that I've been reading, follow my Goodreads page.

Last week I had the pleasure of attending Josh Funk's author event at Bookbug in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Check out my post about it here. And then go out and buy his picture books if you don't already have them.

Last week I finished reading with my ears:

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho 
I love the message of this book but thought the delivery was beyond heavy-handed. And while the message "when you're on your path, the universe conspires to help you" resonated strongly with me, the excessive repeating of this phrase got tiresome after a while.

I still enjoyed this book and thought it was an easy, quick read, but was disappointed in its lack of subtlety.  


Ronit and Jamil by Pamela L. Laskin
A Romeo & Juliet story that takes place between an Israeli girl and Palestinian boy. It's a quick listen but I didn't find an emotional connection to the story. 


Favorite picture books last week:

The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Adam Rex
This book just begs to be read aloud. I read it to 5th, 4th, and 1st grades last week and they all gave it two thumbs up. 


Guess Who Haiku by Deanna Caswell, illustrated by Bob Shea
A wonderful book that not only introduces young children to the haiku form, but allows them to interact with the text and have fun doing it. A great read aloud possibility for pre-school and kindergarten.


I Will Love You Anyway by Mick  and Chloe Inkpen
The dog in this book reminds me of my pug Frank. He's stubborn. He gets into things he shouldn't. And listens to no one but his own doggie id. Despite all that, he loves us anyway. 


Currently reading:

Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder


Currently reading with my ears:

Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson   
 

Josh Funk author event at Bookbug

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending a book event for Josh Funk's newest book The Case of the Stinky Stench at Bookbug in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Josh is one of the nicest authors you will ever meet. He cares passionately about children's literature and is a huge supporter of teachers and librarians. As evidenced by him buying a copy of Timmy Failure for me and my Nerdy friends Kathy Burnette, and Niki Barnes when he discovered not only had we not read the series, but it wasn't in our school libraries either.

So if you're not familiar with Josh's books, let me get you up to speed:

Pirasaurs


Dear Dragon


Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast


The Case of the Stinky Stench



Josh's books just beg to be read aloud, so if you don't have any of them in your classroom or school library, get on that right now.

A few pictures from Josh's author event:

Josh reads from Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast

With my Nerdy pals Kathy and Nikki

Pancake cupcakes

Nikki, Kathy, me, and Carrie with Josh