Beagles and Books is excited to be back and 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.
While I had been reading a lot of fabulous books, blogging had to be delayed because recently, my district increased the frequency of virtual teaching. Teachers are now working with students daily in whole class meetings teaching mini-lessons as well as during small group instruction. As a reading specialist, I am working with some students individually but my role has switched to supporting teachers in planning and implementing virtual ELA lessons. I love that we see students daily but teaching in a classroom and teaching virtually are definitely different; therefore, there have been some growing pains in the shift. The best part of my week though is still reading aloud picture books to my #classroombookaday class. While it may only be twice a week instead of daily, it is a blessing to be able to share stories with these students. And while I was not initially a fan of electronic picture books, it is much easier to share my screen so they can enjoy both the text and the illustrations.
Recent Reads:
The Space Between Lost and Found by Sandy Stark-McGinnis
Cassie’s mom has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s which has been difficult for both Cassie and her dad. She and her dad though are each handling the diagnosis differently. Cassie wants to make as many memories as possible while her dad is more concerned with keeping her mom safe. One of Cassie’s mom’s dreams is to swim with dolphins and Cassie is determined to make that dream a reality in spite of her father’s concerns.
My heart really hurt for Cassie. As I read, I needed a box of tissues nearby because the tears were quickly flowing. I can only imagine how hard it was to see her mother’s memory deteriorating to the point that her mom couldn’t even remember Cassie’s name. Her mom’s condition also affected Cassie’s friendship with her best friend Bailey for she finds it hard to share it with anyone. What I love most about Cassie is her immense determination to make one of her mother’s dreams come true and have one last adventure with her. And what I most loved is while her dad was initially against the trip, he realized how important the adventure was not only to her mom but also to Cassie. As with her debut, Extraordinary Birds, Stark-McGinnis’ The Space Between Lost and Found is a story of heartache and hope. Thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing for sharing an ARC at NTCE. The Space Between Lost and Found recently published on April 28, 2020.
Mary Underwater by Shannon Doleski
Since her abusive father has been released from prison, 14 year old Mary carries a Joan of Arc prayer card that a nun gave her in kindergarten. The back of the card reads “I am not afraid” which has become Mary’s mantra reminding her she is brave and strong like Joan. Having just failed a science test, Mary knows she needs to do well on her science project, but can she trust classmate and jokester Kip Dwyer to be her partner? Together, they decide to build a submarine which lands her a good grade, a potential boyfriend, and an idea. What if Mary could build a real sub and finally be free?
Mary Underwater is a story of one girl’s resilience to save herself. While her budding romance with Kip, collaboration with former Navy scientist to build her submersible, and a renewed relationship with her aunt provide her support, Mary ultimately has to choose to not only change her course but also chart a new course for her life. Mary ultimately discovers that she is worthy and is brave and strong like Joan of Arc. Thanks to the author Shannon Doleski and Amulet/Abrams for sharing an ARC with #bookexcursion. Mary Underwater released on April 7, 2020.
Ocean: Waves for All by Stacy McAnulty Illustrated by David Litchfield
The second grade class I adopted for #classroombookaday this year absolutely loves McAnulty’s Earth, Sun and Moon so I was so grateful to get an e-copy of Ocean to read aloud virtually during a daily class meeting. McAnulty’s Our Universe series is a blend of fiction and non-fiction which is highly engaging for read aloud. Energetically narrated by Ocean who uses surfer language, readers learn tubular facts about the ocean. McAnulty’s spunky text and Litchfield’s lively illustrations taught me so many new facts about the ocean. I never knew more humans have visited outer space than the ocean’s deepest spots. And while they are 5 separate bodies of water, there is truly only 1 global ocean. I love how even as an adult, I can learn from reading picture books!
Thanks to Macmillan/Henry Holt for sharing an e-copy with Beagles and Books. Ocean recently published on May 5, 2020. And I was fortunate to purchase an autographed copy from Stacy McAnulty through Bookmarks independent bookstore. And stay tuned because Mars! Earthlings Welcome is the next book in the Our Universe series publishing in February 2021.
Llama Unleashes the Alpacalypse by Jonathan Stutzman Illustrated by Heather Fox
My #classroombookaday second class absolutely loved Llama Destroys the World. So when I found out a sequel was being written, I was so excited to share it with them even though it had to be virtually. Llamas fans know he likes cake and pies. What they might not know is he doesn’t like to clean. But guess who loves to clean….Alpaca! And with the Replicator 3000, sneaky Llama was able to make a clone Alpaca to clean for him. If one cleans well, what about more? Imagine the cleaning they could do. Unfortunately, Llama’s plan backfires because an army of Alpacas actually make more of a mess. So he sends them into town but that only creates more commotion. With the smell of pizza, the Alpacas return to Llama’s house and by pressing the other button on the Replicator 3000, the Alpacas disappear except for one. Problem solved. Not quite because it was time for dessert and Llama only had one piece of cake for him and Alpaca to share. How can Llama solve his problem?
Llama Unleashes the Alpacalypse is another laugh out loud adventure with a llama whose biggest weakness is cake. Thanks to Macmillan/Henry Holt for sharing an e-copy with Beagles and Books. Llama Unleashes the Alpacalypse recently published on May 5, 2020.
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.
Two Dogs on a Trike by Gabi Snyder Illustrated by Robin Rosenthal
A dog goes on an adventure but is caught by a robe wearing, coffee drinking cat. As the dog jumps on a trike with a poodle, the cat sheds its morning wear for exercise clothes following the dog. As the dog switches modes of transportation adding more canine passengers, the cat follows suit changing its vehicle to keep pace. But once 10 dogs…wait, make that 9 dogs and 1 sly cat are traveling through space together, the countdown begins with dogs frantically wanting to return home. Once the dog is safe back in its yard, a mouse peers out of a small door to follow 2 cats on a trike. Hmm…I think another story is about to begin.
Two Dogs on a Trike is so much more than a counting book. With Snyder’s concise rhyming text and Rosenthal’s expressive illustrations of a feline, canines (and a mouse), it is a hilarious romp! Thanks to author Gabi Snyder and Abrams/Appleseed Publishing for sharing an e- copy with Beagles and Books. Two Dogs on a Trike releases next week on May 19, 2020.
Bella & I thank you for visiting Beagles and Books. Happy Reading! Stay safe and well!
On aspiring baker Zoe’s twelfth birthday, her life is forever changed when she checks the mailbox and finds a letter from her biological father Marcus who has been in prison her whole life. While this letter is the first one Zoe has read, she learns that Marcus has been writing her letters for a long time. Curious about a man she has never met who calls her his Little Tomato and loves music, Zoe secretly begins writing to him unbeknownst to her mother and stepfather. With each letter, Zoe gets to know Marcus better and finds it hard to believe that he is in jail for committing murder. When Zoe finally gets the courage to ask him about the crime, he not only explains he is innocent but also shares his alibi.
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