It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 12/10/18

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:

New Kid by Jerry Craft

There is no question that navigating middle school is challenging for all kids. Now add in transferring to a new upscale middle school where you are one of the few kids of color in your grade. New Kid is a compelling and candid account of Jordan Banks’ first hand experience as a seventh grader at Riverdale Academy Day School.  This graphic novel tackles tough issues with honesty and humor which makes it a must read for students, teachers, and parents.  To read my full review, click here.

Where is My Balloon? by Ariel Bernstein Illustrated by Scott Magoon

Owl has a red balloon and Monkey has his sock with a star. Owl asks Monkey to hold his balloon, but unfortunately, it pops.  When Owl returns to retrieve his precious belonging, Monkey is not truthful and tries to substitute other red items such as a chair, fire truck, and a parachute for the balloon.  Finally, Monkey admits that he popped Owl’s balloon, which devastates Owl so much that he rips up Monkey’s sock.  Once Owl calms down, he forgives Monkey.  Appreciative of Owl’s gesture, Monkey offers to share his sock not realizing it has been destroyed.  Now the shoe is on the other foot and it is Owl’s turn to find a replacement.

A follow-up to I Have a Balloon, Where is My Balloon? is a fun story which teaches young readers about honesty, forgiveness, and sharing.  Younger readers will enjoy the banter between Owl and Monkey as well as the bold and expressive illustrations of the duo.  Special thanks to Simon Kids for sending a F & G to my #bookexcursion group to read and review.  Where is My Balloon? publishes in January 2019.  

No Boring Stories! by Julie Falakto Illustrations by Charles Santoso

A star nosed mole, a giraffe necked weevil, a babisrusa, and a yeti crab collaborate to write stories. When they discover Bunny eavesdropping on their planning sessions, they are suspicious of her. Turns out that she is a writer herself and needs their help. Tired of boring stories, Bunny desperately wants to join their group because she likes to write weird stories about talking furniture or flying pizza.  Empathetic to her frustration, the animals allow her to listen into their work session and she observes their struggle agreeing to a resolution to their story. Can Bunny help them with an ending?  

Julie Falatko has written a sweet story about perseverance, acceptance, and collaboration. Bunny demonstrates persistence in wanting to be part of the writer’s group, the other animals finally accept her presence, and finally, the animals realize that their beginning needed Bunny’s ending and her ending needed their beginning.  Santoso’s illustrations are adorable but they also vividly convey Bunny’s creative frustration and her need to feel welcomed. Special thanks to Penguin Kids for sending No More Boring Stories to my #bookexcursion group,  It recently published in November 2018.

Etta & 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.

Latke, the Lucky Dog by Ellen Fischer Illustrations by Tiphanie Beeke

Latke, the Lucky Dog is a heartwarming story about a dog that a family adopted from a shelter. After he is adopted, Latke struggles with learning the rules of the house as they family celebrates Hanukkah. Latke eats all sufganiyot and laktes, unwraps the Hanukkah presents, and chews a dreidel and candles.  What I love about this picture book is that it not only shares Hanukkah traditions but also a family’s understanding of Latke’s transition from shelter life to their home.  Latke realizes that he is a lucky dog because of his family’s patience and love. 

Etta, Bella, and I thank you for visiting Beagles and Books.  Have a great week!