It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 4/1/19

Beagles and Books is back to share some of our current reads in 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.

Thanks so much for your prayers and well wishes for Etta.  Her surgery went well and Bella was a good sister staying by her side while she recovered.  This weekend, Etta was was back to her normal self showing excitement for the Chewy delivery, enjoying a walk on a beautiful day, and willingly posing for pictures.

Our Recent Reads: 

All of Me by Chris Baron

Written in verse from the point of view of 13 year old Ari, All of Me chronicles his journey towards self-acceptance.  Ari has been at battle with his weight for his whole life. New struggles include his move to San Franscisco from Brooklyn, preparing for his belated bar mitzvah, and coming to terms with the end of his parents’ marriage.

From the moment I began reading, my heart really hurt for Ari, for he endures teasing and bullying leaving him feeling utterly helpless.  Baron’s words are honest and raw allowing readers to witness not only Ari’s physical struggles but also his emotional struggles as Ari admits, “My life doesn’t feel good enough and I don’t know how to change.”   

Summer becomes a turning point for Ari, for he embarks on a diet to lose weight, deepens friendships, experiences his first crush, and takes initiative for his bar mitzah.  As he begins to notice physical changes in himself, Ari triumphs and falters learning that his journey is not just about losing weight; it is about gaining an inner strength realizing that he has the power to decide who he is. A great lesson for us all.

All of Me is an incredible story of heartache and more importantly, hope.  Special thanks to Chris Baron and Macmillan Kids for sharing an ARC with my #bookexcursion group. All of Me publishes on June 2019.

Carl and the Meaning of Life by Deborah Freedman

When a field mouse asks Carl the worm why he digs and tunnels turning dirt into soil, Carl does not know the answer.  Immediately Carl halts his work and begins a quest to find out his purpose asking each animal he meets for help.  While the animals do not offer Carl any answers, readers begin to learn Carl’s purpose through the text and illustrations.  When the ground beetle shouts “I can’t find any grubs,” Carl understands the meaning of his life and gets back to his work.  What I especially loved is that Carl reminds us that even the smallest tasks are important in life because they are connected to something even greater.  With his curiosity, determination, and adorable smile, Carl will win the hearts of readers of all ages.  Special thanks to Penguin Kids for sharing a review copy with my #bookexcursion group.

I Used to Be Famous by Tara Luebbe & Becky Cattie Illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff.

Capturing our attention and hearts in I Am Famous, Kiely returns in I Used to Be Famous.  While Kiely still enjoys star treatment such as a personal shopper, it seems that her fan club is not following her as closely as in the past. Who is the new fresh face getting all the publicity?  To Kiely’s dismay, her baby sister is now center stage which is ridiculous because little Abby is not multi-talented like her.  Will Kiely allow herself to be upstaged or will she learn to share the spotlight?  To read my full review and enter a giveaway for your own copy, click here.

Turkey’s Eggcellent Easter written by Wendi Silvano Illustrated by Lee Harper

Before I began even reading the story, I began to giggle seeing headband wearing animals exercising in the park with Sheep doing yoga, Pig checking his run time on his watch, and Cow stretching his leg.   The animals are not too health conscious though to enjoy an Easter egg hunt but how can they partake in the kids only hunt? Turkey’s Eggcellent Easter is not only humorous but also reinforces positive virtures.  Click here to read my full review and enter a giveaway for your own copy!

Etta 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.

Love is My Favorite Thing by Emma Chicester Clark

Plummie is blessed to be loved by her family but no dog can be perfectly behaved all the time.   When she makes mistakes, she wonders “Will they still love me?”   Plummie’s misbehavior does have consequences, but she learns that her family’s love is strong enough to accept her lapses in judgement.  Inspired by her own beloved dog,  Clark has written and illustrated a charming story about unconditional love. Her illustrations of Plummie are precious, for they adorably show the range of emotions that Plummie feels.  What I love most is the illustrations where Plummie shows her remorse because I have personally seen those sad puppy eyes which are so easy to forgive.

Etta, Bella, and I thank you for stopping by Beagles and Books.  Happy reading!