It's Monday! What are you reading? 10-15-18

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 finished reading with my ears:

Say You'll Remember Me by Katie McGarry A book that is both a romance and critical examination of our political and judicial systems. One that shows that getting into these professions with all the best intentions in the world doesn't mean you won't be complicit in contributing to an already unjust and corrupt system. Picture books I loved last week: The Sun is Kind of Big Deal by Nick Seluk Love the humor and lighthearted approach to what is usually a serious topic. Giving the sun a persona of a famous "star" was quite clever. The Wall in the Middle of the Book by Jon Agee

A not-so-brave knight is glad he is protected by the wall in the middle of the book. After all, there are scary things on the other side of the wall. But then all of a sudden, he's no longer protected on his side of the wall and must go over to the other side. What he discovers is that maybe this side of the wall isn't so scary after all. A clever allegory for our current political climate told in a kid-friendly way.

Outside My Window by Linda Ashman, illustrated by Jamey Christoph
When you look out the window of your home, what do you see? We may all see different things, but we see the same things too -- the sky, the sun, and the moon. A beautiful story to remind us we all share this world together.


Currently (still) reading:

Odd One Out by Nic Stone


Currently reading with my ears:

Puddin' by Julie Murphy

It's Monday! What are you reading? 10-8-18

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:

Douglas, You're a Genius! by Ged Adamson


I finished reading with my ears:

We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie
Particularly timely after this dumpster fire of a week if you're a woman


Picture books I loved last week:

Boats on the Bay by Jeanine Walker Harvey, illustrated by Grady McFerrin
The author of this book is from Sausalito and despite the fact that the illustrator is from Los Angeles, he definitely captured the warmth and the spirit of the Bay area of California in his illustrations. I don't think I've heard of this book getting any Caldecott buzz so if it's not, allow me to start buzzing this one in your ear.

The Day War Came by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Rebecca Cobb

“But war had followed me. It was underneath my skin, behind my eyes, and in my dreams. It had taken possession of my heart.”  A heartbreaking but ultimately hopeful story about what it means to be a child refugee. An important empathy-building experience for young children and adults alike. The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael Lopez This is everything you expect a Jacqueline Woodson book to be and more. Imagine! by Raul Colon A young boy explores the Museum of Modern Art and soon finds himself so inspired that he takes some of the art subjects along with him on an adventure in the city. A beautiful and inspiring look at how inspiration follows us wherever we go. First Generation: 36 Trailblazing Immigrants and Refugees Who Make America Great by Sandra Neil Wallace and Rich Wallace, illustrated by Agata Nowicka When you look at America through the lens of its immigrants, America IS great. None of this again BS. Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness by Anastasia Higginbotham A book that honors the idea of not protecting children about the injustices of the world, but instead, educating them and planting in them a sense of equality and justice. Peaceful Fights for Equal Rights by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Jared Andrew Schorr Powerful, spare text combined with equally powerful images make a beautiful primer on activism for children. Currently Reading: Odd One Out by Nic Stone Cannot. Put. It. Down.

Douglas, You're a Genius! by Ged Adamson

In this sequel to Douglas, You Need Glasses, Nancy and Douglas lose a ball under the fence in their yard, when it seems to magically return out of nowhere. Curious about who or what sent the ball back to them, they devise a plan, or several plans rather, to figure out who is on the other side of the fence.

Nancy and Douglas are adorable characters and I especially love her trucker-esque/Holden Caufield hat that she wears even when she's swimming. I hope we have the privilege of experiencing more Douglas and Nancy stories.


Douglas, You're a Genius! by Ged Adamson
Published: September 11, 2018
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade
Pages: 40
Genre/Format: Picture Book
Audience: Primary/Middle Grade
Disclosure: Finished copy provided by publisher

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