It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 7/11/22

Bella and I are excited to share our latest 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.

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Our Recent Reads:

Play Like Girl by Misty Wilson Illustrated by David Wilson

Rising seventh grader Misty loves football because it has strategy. teamwork and most of all, players can tackle. When the boys won’t her play during a practice, go getter Misty refuses to stay on the sidelines. She signs up for the town’s football league determined to prove that she has the skills and stamina to be on the team. Training is grueling and while her best friend Bree decides football is not for her, Misty remains steadfast. Her decision to keep playing puts a strain on their friendship which is tough at the beginning, but Misty learns there are others who understand and accept her desire to play football.

Once I began reading Misty Wilson’s graphic memoir, I couldn’t put it down. While I never played a team sport, I could still relate to Misty’s competitive nature and cheered her on along the way. Readers will also connect to her struggles navigating middle school friendships and how old relationships can change and new friendships can blossom. I especially loved how her football coaches and her stepdad were her biggest supporters.  Misty Wilson’s honest and humorous text and David Wilson’s engaging and expressive artwork showed Misty at her best and worst allowing the reader to see an authentic main character. Misty also learns valuable lessons in friendship, teamwork, family, forgiveness, and acceptance. Thanks to the author for sharing a copy with my #bookexcursion group. Play Like a Girl publishes on September 27, 2022. 

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Bright by Brigit Young

Marianne has always been able to get by in school, but this year her grades in Mr. Garcia’s math class may cause her to repeat the eight grade. She reluctantly joins the Quiz Quest team thinking her presence will earn her extra credit but Mr. Garcia is firm; Marianne must prove she is putting forth effort, not just sitting on the sidelines. It doesn’t take long before Marianne discovers the Quiz Quest members are not a true team. While Marianne may not be able to quickly recall facts, she does possess a natural ability to help her teammates each discover their strengths making Quiz Quest a more cohesive unit.  

Young’s upper middle grade novel touched me as a teacher. What struck me is Marianne has a good support system of family and friends,, but was still able to slip through the cracks until Mr. Garcia’s class.  Readers do learn the cause of her lack of effort which I appreciated.  Because of an innocent mistake that occurred in her sixth grade social studies oral presentation, an embarrassed Marianne chose to stop trying convincing herself she couldn’t learn.  I have personally worked with kids who have shared Marianne’s attitude; Bright reminds me that my job is to help kids identify their strengths and understand there are all kinds of ways to be smart. Of course, no one is successful without effort and Marianne must take some responsibility.  Being on Quiz Quest teaches Marianne that everyone has feelings of inadequacy including the smartest people she knows and her greatest competitor has always been herself.  I loved witnessing Marianne learn and grow and I know middle grade readers will too! Thanks to the author for sharing a copy with my #bookexcursion group.  Bright recently released on July 5, 2022. 

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Hurry, Little Tortoise, Time for School! by Carrie Finson Illustrated by Erin Kraan

On the first day of school, Little Tortoise is prepared to not only be on time, but perhaps, the first one to arrive.  Surely, the extra lettuce for breakfast will help his momentum.  As she walks, Cheetah, Llama and other animals including Snail riding a scooter pass her.  Little Tortoise remains undeterred plonk-a plunking along.  When she finally makes it to the schoolhouse, she hears noises inside.  Thinking she is late, she hides in her shell until the teacher Mr. Sloth picks her up admitting he is indeed tardy.  He calms Little Tortoise saying while he is working on being on time, it’s more important to be present.  The smile on Little Tortoise’s face shows she has an ally, and they both keep up their pace to get to the classroom before the clock turns to 8:30 a.m. 

As a teacher, I constantly hear kids announcing being first which I always answer with “It’s not a race” I love Mr. Sloth’s attitude that faster isn’t better; perseverance and presence is paramount.  Finison’s steadfast shelled protagonist reminds us of the moral “Slow and steady wins the race,” Kraan’s charming and lively woodcut illustrations perfectly complement Finison’s witty text and makes Hurry Little Tortoise, Time for School a perfect real aloud for the beginning of the school year.  Thanks to the author and Random House Studio for sending a copy to my #bookexcursion group.  Hurry, Little Tortoise, Time for School! releases next week on July 19, 2022. 

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Pink is Not a Color by Lindsay Ward

When Pink discovers that the Primaries and the Secondaries are planning for the Rainbow Extravaganza, she wants to lend a hand.  But she wonders why hasn’t she ever heard of this event before?  The Rainbow Extravaganza celebrates all the colors in the rainbow and sadly, Pink is not one of them. The colors still invite Pink to come, but she feels awkward and begins to question her identity.  Is she still a color if she is not in the rainbow? I love Ward’s format for Pink speaks directly to the reader sharing her inner thoughts in speech bubbles and the illustrations show Pink’s range of emotions as she grapples with this question.  

Fortunately, her friend Gray sets her straight by taking Pink on a stroll around town to show her how all things pink such as ice cream, art, and toys bring joy.  And best of all, pink is a color in the sunrise and sunset.  Can’t get any better than that!  The message of Pink is Not a Color is sometimes it takes a friend to help you see your true self-worth. To read my full review, click here. 

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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 canine characters.

Lou by Breanna Carzoo

Dogs are typically the main event in this feature, but Lou, a fire hydrant, is pretty deserving given his contribution to the canine crew.  He knows he is useful as a toilet for the neighborhood dogs yet he yearns to serve a higher purpose.  As Lou narrates the story from the sidewalk, readers see a fire starting in an apartment in the background.  Unbeknownst to Lou, a fire truck parks close by him and when a dalmatian pays a visit, he thinks it’s business as usual until the firefighter attaches a hose to him. Suddenly, Lou knows his true gift.

I absolutely adore everything about Lou. In her author/illustrator debut, Carzoo has created an utterly endearing character who possesses both a sense of humor and incredible depth.  I love seeing the story within the story involving a cat, a pot cooking on a stove, and a dad and his child leaving the kitchen which ultimately leads to Lou realizing his superhero powers.  With potty puns and a passionate main character,  Lou is a story that make you chuckle and tug at your heart.  And while my local fire hydrant is orange, I am so tempted to paint it red and give it eyes and a mouth.  And don’t worry Lou; Bella only sees you for the hero you are! Thanks to the author and Harper Collins for sharing an eARC. Lou celebrates its book birthday tomorrow on July 12, 2022. 

Bella and I thank you for visiting Beagles and Books!