It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!
It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…who knows, you might discover that next “must read” book!
After doing the meme for a couple of weeks, we realized this would be a fun meme to start up with a kidlit focus - anyone reading and reviewing books in children's literature - it can be picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, you name it in the world of kidlit and it's in! We have loved being a part of this meme and we hope you do too! We encourage everyone participating to go and visit the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and to comment on as many posts as you can. We love talking books and believe in sharing and discussing what we're reading. We hope you join us!
Last Week's Book Adventures:
Jen Says: Go reread, go reread, go! I am loving rereading my favorite books. For a long time, the only book I had ever been able to reread was The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I adore this book. I love the story. Some people complain that it's confusing but I think that's why I am able to reread it. There is so much to pay attention to and so much to notice by rereading it. That, and I so love the relationship that Clare and Henry have. I love it. This was my 4th time rereading it and I still love it and learned something rereading it.
I listened to The First Part Last by Angela Johnson. This is a book that Colby would love because it's super short but is well written and is amazing. The narration goes back and forth between then and now until you get to the end and find out what happened then to get him to where he is now. Very well done.
I also listened to Wonder by RJ Palacio on audio. I loved hearing Auggie's voice. It reminded me of when I listened to Room by Emma Donoghue. That audio helped me get into the story because the narrator really sounded like a little kid. It made the voice in the writing really apparent. The narrator for Auggie did this for me, too. I could hear how vulnerable he was in the beginning when he first goes to tour his school. Nick Podehl doesn't have a large narrating part, but I still love him and his narration.
Finally, I listened to most of Charlotte's Web by E.B. White to discuss with Colby. The best part is that E.B. White reads the audiobook himself. I love when authors read their own books.
I listened to The First Part Last by Angela Johnson. This is a book that Colby would love because it's super short but is well written and is amazing. The narration goes back and forth between then and now until you get to the end and find out what happened then to get him to where he is now. Very well done.
I also listened to Wonder by RJ Palacio on audio. I loved hearing Auggie's voice. It reminded me of when I listened to Room by Emma Donoghue. That audio helped me get into the story because the narrator really sounded like a little kid. It made the voice in the writing really apparent. The narrator for Auggie did this for me, too. I could hear how vulnerable he was in the beginning when he first goes to tour his school. Nick Podehl doesn't have a large narrating part, but I still love him and his narration.
Finally, I listened to most of Charlotte's Web by E.B. White to discuss with Colby. The best part is that E.B. White reads the audiobook himself. I love when authors read their own books.
Kellee Says: Well, this week was a slow reading week at first. I was reading a very good novel, Cleopatra's Moon, but it showed me how important prior knowledge is- not having much slowed me down and I often found myself looking up information on Wikipedia or looking back at the character list. However, after a week, I finally finished it!! Woot! And I am happy to say that it ended up being a very good book. It shows that sometimes good books take a while to read. I will definitely be reviewing it here later- keep your eyes open. This was the only novel I finished this week.
I also did a #roadtrip #readathon on Saturday while my husband and I went to visit my grandfather in Vero Beach. My readathon included 8 BabyMouse graphic novels, 1 Lunch Lady graphic novel and a poetry book. My Saturday really made up for the rest of my week. The 8 BabyMouse graphic novels I read were: Beach Babe, Puppy Love, Skater Girl, Monster Mash, The Musical, Cupcake Tycoon, Burns Rubber and Dragon Slayer. My favorites were The Musical, which just fit the day since my G'pa used to be on Broadway and also had a great Phantom of the Opera scene (though the ending was sad), and Dragon Slayer, which had a great message to students, some symbolism, and lots of allusions to great fantasy novels. BabyMouse, in general, have tons of allusions. In addition to what I mentioned, Puppy Love had Charlotte's Web, Snoopy, Clifford and Calvin & Hobbes and Burns Rubber had Star Wars. They also have some really great themes and messages, specifically Burns Rubber, Monster Mash, Skater Girl, and Beach Babe. What brilliant little series of graphic novels. I also read the 4th Lunch Lady graphic novel: Lunch Lady and the Summer Camp Shakedown which is another great story of Lunch Lady saving the day, this time at summer camp. I also read Lemonade by Bob Raczka which a great mentor text for poetry. It will be a great book to use with students (mostly students who "hate" poetry) to introduce them to poetry that is not scary. I love how each word has two poems- one is more concrete while one is more lyric. A great addition to any poetry collection. Overall, not a bad Saturday.
I also did a #roadtrip #readathon on Saturday while my husband and I went to visit my grandfather in Vero Beach. My readathon included 8 BabyMouse graphic novels, 1 Lunch Lady graphic novel and a poetry book. My Saturday really made up for the rest of my week. The 8 BabyMouse graphic novels I read were: Beach Babe, Puppy Love, Skater Girl, Monster Mash, The Musical, Cupcake Tycoon, Burns Rubber and Dragon Slayer. My favorites were The Musical, which just fit the day since my G'pa used to be on Broadway and also had a great Phantom of the Opera scene (though the ending was sad), and Dragon Slayer, which had a great message to students, some symbolism, and lots of allusions to great fantasy novels. BabyMouse, in general, have tons of allusions. In addition to what I mentioned, Puppy Love had Charlotte's Web, Snoopy, Clifford and Calvin & Hobbes and Burns Rubber had Star Wars. They also have some really great themes and messages, specifically Burns Rubber, Monster Mash, Skater Girl, and Beach Babe. What brilliant little series of graphic novels. I also read the 4th Lunch Lady graphic novel: Lunch Lady and the Summer Camp Shakedown which is another great story of Lunch Lady saving the day, this time at summer camp. I also read Lemonade by Bob Raczka which a great mentor text for poetry. It will be a great book to use with students (mostly students who "hate" poetry) to introduce them to poetry that is not scary. I love how each word has two poems- one is more concrete while one is more lyric. A great addition to any poetry collection. Overall, not a bad Saturday.
Reviewed Last Week:
Just click on any picture above to go read the review.
Upcoming Book Adventures:
Jen Says: I'll be finishing Charlotte's Web and then starting another reread. I can't decide which yet. I have tried twice to start Graceling on audio but I haven't enjoyed it so I might leave that one to reread in real life. It might be time to put in Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta. We'll be reviewing Ginny Rorby's books soon so I'm hoping to reread Hurt Go Happy and at the same time read Graceling by Kristin Cashore. They are both so different so I'll take turns with these. I'm also hoping I'll get to grab a stack of picture books to reread, too.
Kellee Says: Well, I have only novels I need to read now. This will definitely slow down the quantity of what I am reading, but it needs to be done. I truly need to just focus on them. I love reading graphic novels and picture books, but I find myself reading them instead of novels because I can get through more. I need to stop worrying about numbers. I have so many novels I want to read and many I need to read. So, I am going to really focus my time on the novels that I have. Another thing, I need to really put more time into reading during the week. I have begun to slack on my nightly reading because I am distracted by other things. Need to reorganize my priorities.
I just started Hunted by Cheryl Rainfield and I really want to finish it tonight or tomorrow. I have been looking forward to reading this novel for a while and so far I really enjoy the premise though I am a sucker for any book with a strong female protagonist.
I am still listening to Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly and I think I had too many hopes for it because so many people said it was their favorite book. So far I like it but it is not "best book ever" material yet, so I hope it becomes as amazing as everyone says.
I just want to add: I am so sad that Jen doesn't like Graceling on audio. It is one of my favorite audio books of all time, but it just shows how audio books are just such a personal thing. I wonder if it is because Jen has already read the book and the voices aren't right for her.... Hm...
I just started Hunted by Cheryl Rainfield and I really want to finish it tonight or tomorrow. I have been looking forward to reading this novel for a while and so far I really enjoy the premise though I am a sucker for any book with a strong female protagonist.
I am still listening to Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly and I think I had too many hopes for it because so many people said it was their favorite book. So far I like it but it is not "best book ever" material yet, so I hope it becomes as amazing as everyone says.
I just want to add: I am so sad that Jen doesn't like Graceling on audio. It is one of my favorite audio books of all time, but it just shows how audio books are just such a personal thing. I wonder if it is because Jen has already read the book and the voices aren't right for her.... Hm...
This Week's Reviews:
Check back throughout the week to hear about these books.
So, what are you reading this week?
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