Teach Mentor Texts: It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 08/20/12

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: I don't know what to make of last week! I drove to and from work everyday except for Thursday so I got lots of listening in. I am in the middle of both Stupid Fast and Hattie Big Sky and am enjoying them both. Because I was going back and forth, I didn't finish either. I'm sure I'll finish them this week - especially knowing I'm officially back to school on Monday and will be driving back and forth all week. I have read more of Real Revision and a book called Coaching Conversations. Again, just lots of reading spread across too many books! I did start Ruby Redfort Look Into My Eyes and will be reading more of it this week. I mean to reread The One and Only Ivan but forgot it at work until Friday. I have it in my bag now and will be toting it around and getting ready for my cute little book club on the 27th.

Kellee Says: Back to school time. I love my job so much, but as any of you that are teachers know, once school starts, reading really moves to the back seat and the beginning of the year is the worse. This year was no exception and it seemed to be even worse because I had some changes in my department (new teachers and I am now department head), so although this week was supposed to be my professional reading week filled with many different professional books; however, that was a bust.
I did finish Nancie Atwell's The Reading Zone and started Kelly Gallagher's Deeper Reading, but that was it. Atwell is a genius when it comes to reading workshop, so I am glad that I read The Reading Zone since it had been almost 10 years since I read In the Middle and I was reminded of some really great strategies and resources that can help my class run even more efficiently. I am also really enjoying Deeper Reading and I know it will be a great resource for all teachers, but especially those of us switching to CCSS.

Reviewed Last Week:

Just click on any picture above to go read the review

Upcoming Book Adventures:

Jen Says: My reading this week will basically be a continuation of last week! I'll keep on listening and keep on reading! I did make it to the bookstore to buy The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee so I'm hoping to get to that soon, too! We'll see how busy and tired this week ends up being!

Kellee Says: I want to continue reading Deeper Reading though it will be more sporadic. I'm also going to keep on listening to Oppel's Half Brother (which I LOVE so much!). Next to those, I have some novels I'd like to get to if I have time, but we'll have to see how the first week with students goes. I'll update you next week.