It's Monday! What are You Reading? 9-12-22

 

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.

Check out my current giveaway:

Dear Wild Child

I recently reviewed:

My Pet Feet by Josh Funk

I recently read and loved:

Ethel's Song: Ethel Rosenberg's Life In Poems by Barbara Krasner

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg grew up to witness the poverty and injustices of the Great Depression and World War II. For that reason, they found themselves identifying politically with the communist party. Unfortunately for them, this was probably the worst time in American history to identify as a communist… right after the end of World War II and the start of the Cold War resulted in a groupthink of paranoia that led the U.S. into the McCarthy era Red Scare that ruined many people’s lives with a simple accusation of being a communist. Unfortunately for the Rosenberg’s that accusation also came with charges of espionage… of selling nuclear secrets to the USSR and a death sentence. This novel in verse covers a very intense story in American history and will make readers want to learn more about the Rosenbergs.

Nana, Nenek, & Nina by Liza Ferneyhough

A beautiful celebration between cultures of grandmothers' love

Patchwork by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Corinna Luyken

Matt de la Peña always knows how to tug on those heartstrings in his profound and literary picture books. In Patchwork he reminds adults and kids alike that we all contain multitudes; we are a patchwork of interests, ideas, ideals, strengths and weaknesses.

Lunch from Home by Joshua David Stein, illustrated by Jing Li

This book is a great conversation starter about food and family traditions and why those things need to be respected (and embraced!) at school. The story is a model and invitation to show kids that they can and should view different foods with curiosity rather than disdain. We don’t all need to bring sandwiches and chips for lunch every day, nor should that be the expectation in a country as beautifully diverse as ours.

If You're a Kid Like Gavin by Gavin Grimm & Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by J Yang

A wonderful picture book to add to the conversation that trans kids are humans to be loved and cared for, not problems to be solved Currently reading: Odder by Katherine Applegate Currently reading with my ears: Come Fly the World: The Jet-Age Story of the Women of Pan Am by Julia Cooke Purchasing books from any of the above Bookshop affiliate links support independent bookstores and gives me a small percentage of the sale.

Dear Wild Child Giveaway

 A father's poetic lament to his daughter over the loss of their family home they built to a wildfire. The author's note at the end is a perfect thesis to the book: "The climate is changing. Weather is becoming less predictable and more extreme. We will lose what we love. And to fix what's broken, we will all need to become resilient and more empathetic, collaborative, and creative."

"The art echoes the text’s emphasis on beauty rather than loss. . .In the event’s aftermath, the affecting story’s tone remains openhearted, concluding with sentiments that encourage resilience and reflect on the nature of home."

―Publishers Weekly

"It’s a touching sentiment that reminds readers of all ages that our lives are defined not by our material possessions but by the memories we make... Intricate and emotional."

―Kirkus Reviews

In the shade of ancient redwood trees, by a creek, not far from the ocean, a father builds a house for his newborn daughter, where she grows up wild and strong in their coastal canyon home. When a wildfire takes back their beloved house, a father writes his now-grown daughter a letter telling her it’s gone. Inspired by the real letter the author wrote his daughter, this poignant story—written together by father and daughter—joyfully declares that a home is more than just wood and stone; it is made of love and can never be taken away. You carry home with you wherever you go.

About the Author & Illustrator
Wallace Grayce Nichols is a student of sustainable design, problem solver, and water lover. Her father, 

Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, is a marine biologist and the author of the bestselling book Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do. Home is the slow coast of California. Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Drew Beckmeyer is a fine artist, illustrator, and elementary school teacher. He lives in Northern California. Website | Instagram

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My Pet Feet by Josh Funk, illustrated by Billy Yong

When the letter R suddenly goes missing, a little girl has to figure out where it went, or else run the risk of having pet feet instead of a pet ferret. There are also a slew of other mishaps that a missing letter R might cause you to encounter... such as a galloping hose instead of a horse, a flock of cows instead of crows, and a babbling book instead of brook just to name a few.

I can't even imagine the mental gymnastics that had to occur in order to write a book with no Rs, but Josh Funk manages to make mental gymnastics fun and entertaining. This book is no doubt going to be an uproarious read aloud favorite with groups of kids.

My Pet Feet by Josh Funk, illustrated by Billy Yong

Published: August 23, 2022

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Pages: 48

Genre/Format: Picture book

Audience: Primary

Disclosure: Digital copy provided by author

Purchasing from the above Bookshop affiliate link supports independent bookstores and gives me a small percentage of the sale.