Ready for a Reading Road Trip, It's Monday, What are You Reading, July 21, 2014

It's Monday! What are you Reading is a meme began by Sheila at Book Journeys as a way to share what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and what is in store for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading. I first learned about it from Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki of Unleashing Readers and have become a regular linked up blog. Thanks #PLN

There's a Mouse Hiding in This Book! by Benjamin Bird

Source: Net Galley

Referred to as a meta-fictional picture book, this interactive story features our old cartoon buddies Tom the cat and Jerry the mouse. Jerry is hiding in the book and making quite a mess for poor old Tom. Tom asks the reader for help moving through the pages of the book sometimes quickly to avoid a dog attack and other times slowly to prevent setting off mouse traps.

I have been a fan of Tom and Jerry cartoons for many years so I liked it. I would have liked to have seen more interactions with the reader maybe Jerry was nibbling on some cheese and we have to smell it or Tom gets tangled up and we have to wiggle out. otherwise, it's cute.

Dear Wandering Wildebeest: And Other Poems from the Water Hole
by Irene Latham
Source: Net Galley

Wildebeest, impalas, elephants, giraffes, vultures and other African animals gather around a watering hole in this book of poetry infused with general information about the animals who co-exist, dependent on each other and the watering hole.

Favorite book of the week:

I became a fan of Rainbow Rowell after reading Eleanor and Park and Fangirl was just as wonderful. I can't wait to get my hands on Landline. Rowell has such a fresh and unique writing style and I appreciate the subtle humor sprinkled throughout her books.

This week I am taking a road trip to the Scholastic Reading Summit in Houston with six fellow librarians + one classroom teacher. Several months ago I registered our group and boy am I glad I did because it sold out quickly. I guess everyone heard that the amazing Donalyn Miller was going to be the keynote speaker. The sessions sound terrific and I am hoping to bump into Twitter friends while we are there.


 My current reads:
 I have already read The Book Whisperer and this week, I am starting Reading in the Wild.

I also picked up two books today that I have been really wanting to read and 

can't wait to sink my reading teeth into them.

 

Now tell me, what are you reading?

My Favorite YA Fiction this year and World Book Night 2014, It's Monday,What Are You Reading?

 It's Monday! What are you Reading is a meme began by Sheila at Book Journeys as a way to share what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and what is in store for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading. I first learned about it from Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki of Unleashing Readers and have become a regular linked up blog. Thanks #PLN

What a fun time I had on World Book Night this past Wednesday. Here I am with a couple of book lovers.  I handed out the historical fiction Code Name Verity. My copies were gone very quickly. It's great to know other people also love historical fiction just like me.  





Elementary, Middle School, and High School librarian buddies joined forces to pass out books to light readers at the Corpus Christi  Hooks baseball game. 

The hottest book in my upper grade library is The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau. I bought the sequel this week and blazed right through it. When I was out buying groceries, I kept thinking "all I want to do is get home and get back to reading Independent Study." I fell asleep reading it and my son came in to check on me and tried to take the book to put away but I growled at him to leave it because I was reading it. He laughed and said I was sound asleep. What an exciting read. I had to know when the next installment-Graduation Day would be released so thank Heavens for Twitter. 

@JuleeMurphy @JoyKirr Yes - Stacia was named after the amazing @StaciaDecker and June 17th is GRADUATION DAY! I'm nervous and excited.
— Joelle Charbonneau (@jcharbonneau) April 28, 2014

Here are a few picture books that I read this week:

Brother Hugo and the Bear by Katy Beebe  A story loosely based on a note found in a twelfth century manuscript and crafted into a story of a true book lover-a bear who cannot get enough of his fill of fine literature. This story is ripe for discussions on the great value of literature and the history of monks as librarians and the caretakers of historical documents in medieval times.

Where's Mommy? by Beverly Donofrio Maria is ready for a bedtime story but can't find her mother. Mouse Mouse is ready for her bedtime story and can't find her mother either. "Where's Mommy?" After an extensive search Maria and Mouse Mouse are both surprised where they find their mommies. This a very sweet, dual perspective story. The reader experiences Maria's search for her mother from the human's perspective and we also experience Mouse Mouse's behind the walls mouse's perspective. I love the part when Mouse Mouse couldn't ask her baby brother because he was just a "meese". Loved it and will read it as part of a Mother's Day lesson. 

The Miniature World of Marvin and James by Elise Broach James is going away to the beach for a short vacation and has to leave his beetle friend Marvine behind. Marvin is worried that James will find a new best friend while he is gone but he does his best to stay busy with the help of his cousin, Elaine.

An early reader chapter book-sweet, uncomplicated storyline well supported by illustrations to aid the story along. This is the sort of book that will help a reader transition into short novels and help build reading confidence.

Stripes of All Types by Susan Stockdale  A rhyming book that takes a look at animal stripes in  the world of nature. Includes a glossary with in-depth details on featured animals.

The Glorkian Warrior Delivers a Pizza by James Kochalka This book is wild and crazy enough to become a kid favorite. 

He Has Shot the President!: April 14, 1865: The Day John Wilkes Booth Killed President Lincoln by Don  Brown  Satisfying informational picture book that chronicles the events of April 14, 1865 when John Wilkes Booth assasinated President Lincoln and the manhunt that followed.

Have a happy reading week!