#IMWAYR December 1, 2014

Here we are again! #IMWAYR, when bloggers share the books they have been reading in the past week. If you follow these links, Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers, you can find many great reads.

Busy Busy Busy. That's my life these days. 

Last week I started two books and abandoned them. I read the first chapter of The Beckoners by Carrie Mac, and realized that I couldn't read the rest of the book. That bit is a graphic description of some of the most horrific bullying I've ever seen. I couldn't go on. 

 I listened to more of The Diviners by Libba Bray, but then it got too terrifying for me to listen to any more. It isn't that these books are poorly written. In fact, my visceral responses to both of them are probably a testimony to how powerful the writing is, but I couldn't take any more. I've come to the realization that when my real life is stressed, I can't handle any additional stress from my reading life. That, and I don't do scary very well at the best of times.

I finished Zen and the Art of Faking It by Jordan Sonnenblick. It's the story of a young boy who moves to a new town and pretends to be someone he isn't. He got his reasons for not wanting to live his life, and some good arises out of his facade, but ultimately he gets caught out. This wasn't one of my favourite Sonnenblick novels, but I enjoyed it. 

The Scholastic book fair arrived in the library last Friday. I sat on the floor and read a number of picture books. These are the few that jumped out at me. 


         


Shh! My Brother's Sleeping by Ruth Ohi. I adore this tale of an older sibling trying to keep quiet so the younger brother can sleep.
We're All Friends Here by Nancy Wilcox Richards is the story of two very different friends. It struck a chord with me because the story is narrated from the perspectives of these two characters. 



Princess Pink and the Land of Fake Believe: Little Red Quacking Hood by Noah Z. Jones, Dragon Masters: Rise of the Earth Dragon by Tracy West, and Eerie Elementary: The School is Alive by Jack Chabert, and Kung Pow Chicken: The Birdy Snatchers are part of the Branches collection. Each one that I have read so far have been delightful. Written at a grade two reading level, these illustrated chapter books are perfect for students transitioning into more substantial novels. 


These days I'm in the middle of reading The Young Elites by Marie Liu. So far I'm enjoying it, even if it does have its terrifying moments. I'm listening to Mastiff by Tamora Pierce. Pierce is a guilty pleasure of mine. I  think this is my favourite series of hers. 



Waiting for me next week if I find time to read, is This One Summer, written and illustrated by two cousins, Mariko and JIllian Tamaki. It won the Governor General Award for children's literature this year. If I didn't already have overdue books from the library, I would already have finished it. I've also got El Deafo by Cece Bell beckoning me.









8 comments:

  1. I'm a big fan of Jordan Sonnenblick, so I am happy to hear you liked this one.
    Looking forward to what you think about This One Summer. I wanted to love it, but I just didnt' connect. I think I need to reread it...

    Happy reading this week! Look forward to your update next week :)

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    1. I'm hoping I love it I got it because my niece raved about it on her blog. I love Sonnenblick's boys. Even while this wasn't my favourite, I still loved San.

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  2. I read Zen and the Art of Faking it a while ago, but did enjoy it, just not my favorite. It is popular with my middle grade students. You've shared so many good books here. I didn't know that The Diviners was scary, actually didn't know much about it. Glad you at least shared that, & about the first one too. I used to recommend Tamora Pierce a few years ago, have forgotten what good female characters she writes. Thanks for reminding about her.

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    1. You are welcome. I find that if I read a lot of Pierce I end up getting irritated by her writing, but if I limit myself to one every once in a while they prove to be a treat. I don't have a copy of Zen in the library, but the other books I have are very popular.

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  3. Laughing with you re The Diviners. It is terrifying. I read it one holiday and yikes . . . I know I couldn't listen to it. I really like these Branches titles too. Did you buy yours at Kidsbooks? Will they be at book fair? I need to get some that I don't have as kids loving them. Perfect for a fast read for some kids or for those kids who are transitioning. Popular in my room.

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    1. There are many more at the book fair. Last year I even special ordered some from Scholastic for the library and one of our teachers. There are a few novels that are great also - including A Snicker of Magic and Lockwood & Co!

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  4. I can relate to not reading the scary stuff. When my students would ask if I would read books by Stephen King or Kean Koontz, I said only if I could call them in the middle of the night when I had nightmares. Jordan Sonneblick's humor should be a good antidote. I haven't read Zen yet, but his other books made me laugh and cry both--sometimes at the same time.

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    1. I like that line! I will have to remember it next time I get asked to read something scary. You are right, Sonnenblick can make readers laugh and cry at the same time.

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