Monday crept up on me. In the midst of working on lists of the best I read last year and trying to figure out what I will put on my must read in 2019, and sewing a birthday present for my daughter in law, I've lost track of time.
I also haven't done much reading since my last update a couple of weeks ago.
BLOG POSTS LAST WEEK
PICTURE BOOKS
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| 4 stars |
Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
This is adorable. I wish I had it when I was still teaching. It would have made a perfect introduction to a beginning of the year activity I did with my students asking them to research their names.
NONFICTION PICTURE BOOKS
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| 5 stars |
Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery by Sandra Neil Wallace & Bryan Collier (Illustrator)
This is a beautiful book, but if you know Bryan Collier's work, you already know this. It's a biography that will appeal to young athletes and artists alike. I had never heard of Ernie Barnes before this. You will want to go and look at some of his artwork when you are finished.
NONFICTION
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| 5 stars |
Birds Art Life: A Year of Observation by Kyo Maclear & Laura Lefkow (Narrator)
I am pretty sure I have Linda Bai of Teacher Dance to thank for introducing me to this.
I loved this beautifully written book so much I purchased a copy to give away as a gift to one of my daughter in laws. I’m also inspired to search for introductions to birdwatching sessions here in my city.
NOVELS
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| 4 stars |
Weather or Not (Upside-Down Magic #5) by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, Emily Jenkins & Rebecca Soler (Narrator)
I adore this series. These characters are flawed, but they learn and grow with each new instalment.
That all said, I’m a bit conflicted by this book because it seems that the authors have taken these characters from being more than just students with learning challenges. It might be that they actually have special super powers. I loved recommending the books to children I know who struggle because they could see themselves in these books. I’m not sure where this new twist puts them.
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| 4 stars |
The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall
I read the first three chapters out loud to a group of sixth graders. Enthralled from the onset, they listened intently and groaned when I put the book down. I wonder how many of them went in search of the book afterward.
I too was mesmerized by the beginning. After discovering why Arthur had done what he did to get him sent to Juvie, I was compelled to read more.
The business of Christmas and another book got in my way of finishing it right away, but when I finally found time to focus, I finished the book in one go.
I did not expect the book to go where it did.
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| 4 stars |
The Law of Finders Keepers (Mo & Dale Mysteries #4) by Sheila Turnage
I have a sad feeling that this just might be the last in this series. If you haven't read any of the Mo and Dale mystery series by Sheila Turnage, I'm just sorry for you. These are richly developed characters who grow and learn with each new novel. Humour and sweetness resound in each of them. In this tale, Mo and her best friends, Dale and Harm, tackle two mysteries: the search for Mo's upstream mother continues and they are hired to track down a pirate treasure. Splashes of sixth grade romance add spice to the action.
Like all the other books in the series, this one is about love - love of family, friends and community.
CURRENTLY
I'm listening to Reckless Daughter, a biography of Joni Mitchell by David Yaffe. I've just started Sadie by Courtney Summers and am in the middle of A True Home, the first chapter book in Kallie George's Heartwood Hotel series.
UP NEXT
Whatever must go back to the library first!
PROGRESS ON MY READING GOALS
#MustReadIn2018 25/25
#MustReadNFIn2018 13/12
25 Books by Canadian Indigenous Authors 25/25
Goodreads Reading Challenge 432/333
I’m looking forward to getting my hands on Alma and How She Got Her Name. Everything I’ve heard about it is great! I’ve not yet read Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery so I’m adding that one to my list. And you have my very intrigued by The Seventh Most Important — going to have to see how that one comes out! I hope you’re enjoying Sadie by Courtney Summers. That’s one I hope to get to in 2019. Have a wonderful New Year, Cheriee!
ReplyDeleteI was worried about The Seventh Most Important at first, but ended up being sucked into it completely and adored the ending!
DeleteI'm kind of cheating with Sadie as it's on my MustReadIn2019 titles!
Yes, I did share and recommend Birds Art Life, Cheriee. I'm so glad you loved it like I did! And I too have had students research & write about their names, wish I'd had Alma then, though there other books that are good too about names. I enjoyed Between The Lines very much, a real inspiration! And The Seventh Most Important Thing is wonderful, I agree. Thanks for sharing about Sadie, on my list but I haven't gotten to it yet. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI think I will have to purchase my own copy of Birds Are Life Linda. It is such a gorgeous book. Happy New Year to you too!
DeleteI have got to catch up on the Sheila Turnage series. I read and loved the first two but haven't kept up with it. I loved Birds Art Life--will probably be on my top favorites of the year list if I ever get that list done! I really want to see Between the Lines--I love Bryan Collier's work.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I loved this one, it wasn't my favourite. Still, anytime I get to spend withS heila Turnage's characters is time well spent.
DeleteI believe that any book that has Bryan Collier's name on it is a book I must read as soon as possible. Also, it will probably win awards.