Beagles and Books is excited to share another edition of It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading. Kellee Moye of Unleashing Readers and Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give it a #kidlit focus and encourage everyone who participates to visit at least 3 of the other #kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.
Our Reads This Week:
The Three Rules of Everyday Magic by Amanda Rawson Hill
Kate has a lot on her plate. Battling depression, her father has recently left Kate and her mom. She and her best friend Sofia are drifting apart, and her Grammy’s dementia is worsening which prompted her mom to invite her to move in with them. Kate has a good support system in her mom, Grammy, her karate instructor Mr. Amori, her friend Parker, and new friend Jane, but she still feels alone. Grammy thinks Kate just needs a little magic to make things right again, but in order for the magic to work, Kate must follow the three rules of magic-believe, give, and trust, which is easier said than done. In time, Kate starts to realize that she does have a strength inside of her, singing is a way to let sadness out, her circle of friends can grow, and everyday magic is real.
The Three Rules of Everyday Magic is a story about family, friendship, and forgiveness. One of the reason I love reading middle grade literature is after reading, I can always think of a student that would enjoy the story. Another perk is that it helps me better understand the students I teach. Kate’s story reminds me that elementary students may be dealing with a lot; kids need to know that their worries matter, change is a part of growing up, and they have a support system even if it is only just to listen.
Special thanks to Amanda Rawsom Hill and Boyds Mill Press for sending an ARC to my #bookexcursion group. The Three Rules of Everyday Magic will celebrate its book birthday tomorrow on September 25, 2018.
First Generation: 36 Trailblazing Immigrants and Refugees Who Make America Great by Sandra Neil Wallace and Rich Wallace. Illustrated by Agatha Nowicka
This well written and beautifully illustrated compilation of one page biographies features 36 brave and persistent immigrants and refugees who are the first members of their family to immigrate to the United States.
There are so many reasons I love First Generation. The individuals highlighted span a range of professions including artists, scientists, athletes, and business leaders. Each person is celebrated for his/her positive contribution to not only the United States but also the world. The format makes the text highly accessible to elementary age students. Vivid and striking illustrated portraits accompany each biography along with a quote and additional facts in a sidebar. At the end of the book, additional information is provided such as tips for how kids can be a trailblazer and a bibliography which shares additional resources on all the amazing immigrants and refugees featured.
Special thanks to Sandra Neil Wallace for sending a copy of First Generation to my #bookexcursion group to read and review. It recently published on September 4, 2018.
Oliver’s Otter Phase by Lisa Connors Illustrated by Karen Jones
Oliver’s Otter Phase is an engaging text, for young children will be able to easily relate to Oliver & his animal antics & learn some amazing otter facts! To read full review, click here.
Etta’s and Bella’s Dog Pick of the Week:
Wanting to spread the dog love, Beagles and Books has a weekly feature of highlighting a literary selection with a canine main character.
Good Dog by Cori Doerrfeld
A stray black and white dog takes a liking to a little girl who is enjoying a bike ride with her mom. The dog attempts to follow the little girl around town and finally interacts with her at the city park. When she returns to her seat on the bike, she forgets her teddy bear leaving it on the fountain ledge. The once scared, lost, lonely, and hungry dog transforms into a smart, brave, thoughtful, and loyal dog delivering the teddy bear to the little girl at her house. The friendly and loving dog is rewarded for his kindness with a “furever” home. With warm and inviting illustrations and concise text of only two words per page, Good Dog is a story that tugged at my heart because I love seeing the evolution of the sweet little dog from stray to best friend.
Etta, Bella, and I thank you for visiting Beagles and Books. Have a great week!
Lisa Connors spent her childhood exploring fields and catching frogs in a nearby stream. No frogs were harmed in her adventures; she would build them a raft and set them floating back down the stream. Her love of nature lead her to obtain her BS in Medical Technology and two Masters, one in Environmental Studies and the other in Teaching. Now she shares her love of science and nature through writing. While she has long written nature essays, Oliver’s Otter Phase is Lisa’s debut picture book. Lisa lives in a home called “Halcyon” with her family, accompanied by their Redbone Bluetick hound, two cats, and lots of wildlife for Lisa to encounter and learn about. Visit her website at 
Award-winning illustrator Karen Jones began her career as a storyboard artist and editorial illustrator but it wasn’t until she had children of her own that she discovered her true artistic passion: children’s illustration. In addition to Oliver’s Otter Phase, Karen has illustrated Midnight Madness at the Zoo, One Odd Day, My Even Day and My Half Day for Arbordale. She has also written and illustrated ABC Safari. Karen and her family live outside of Raleigh, NC. Karen’s children join her on many research trips to museums, zoos and aquariums-a tough job, but someone has to do it! Visit Karen’s 
Maria Gianferrari loves dogs, especially her rescue dog, Becca. She loves them so much that all of her fiction picture books published thus far contain a dog main character! As an animal lover, Maria has been rescuing creatures unofficially all her life. Her most recent rescue was a five-lined skink stranded in her cellar. She lives in Leesburg, Virginia with Becca, her scientist husband and artist daughter.
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