What Are You Reading Monday

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now… who knows, you might discover that next “must read” book!

Our Kid Lit to YA version is hosted by Teach Mentor Texts.
GREAT IDEA! Check out all of the What Are You Reading? participants for title ideas.


Benny and Penny in The Big No-No! by Geoffrey Hayes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars






Benny and Penny in the Toy Breaker by Geoffrey Hayes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The little animals are cute.
Will have to see what the kids think of this. Do they recognize the friend that always breaks things?


The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred : Spanish/ English by Samantha R. Vamos
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
OK. The former Spanish teacher in me is excited by this one. Good reason to practice.  I also love the colorful art. Wish I could actually make arroz con leche as we read this. #somanyrules

Edwin Speaks Up by April Stevens
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Hmmm. I am not sure what to say about this book.
The idea is funny. Poor little misunderstood baby who if people who just LISTEN to him? He knows what's going on!
But ... all the bickering between the other siblings was more than a little annoying. I don't love this one.

Wiener Wolf by Jeff Crosby
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love the picture with the silhouettes of a howling Wiener Wolf and the real wolf against the moon. And Wiener Wolf/Dog's eyes at the end of the chase (I prefer not to think of WHY they are so big ... just that it is funny he saw something that freaked him out).

On a totally unrelated note I think it is ironic the book description uses the word "ennui." Now, I can make a fairly educated guess from context what that word means ... but am I SURE? Would I EVER use that word on my own? Nope.

Wiener Wolf by Jeff Crosby
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love the picture with the silhouettes of a howling Wiener Wolf and the real wolf against the moon. And Wiener Wolf/Dog's eyes at the end of the chase (I prefer not to think of WHY they are so big ... just that it is funny he saw something that freaked him out).

On a totally unrelated note I think it is ironic the book description uses the word "ennui." Now, I can make a fairly educated guess from context what that word means ... but am I SURE? Would I EVER use that word on my own? Nope.

No Dogs Allowed! by Linda Ashman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I do love this story. Shows what having an accepting and welcoming attitude can do.
I, however, am not a natural storyteller--I need the words on the page to help! So I'm not exactly sure how to share this one with the kids in a group setting. Will definitely recommend for checkouts, though.

Same, Same But Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Love the illustrations and the juxtaposition of two different (but the same!) worlds.

I remember having a penpal from Swaziland when I was a kid. We continued to write for a couple years then drifted from doing so.

I know there are epals and Skype chats (when time zones can match up) with classes from other countries. I just don't see anyone doing them in my circles. Dunno if it's because I just don't hear about it (I'm the school librarian ... so to do anything with kids I need to get the teacher on board) or because they are so busy with testing and interventions and differentiation and accountability it keeps getting pushed down on the list of "to dos."

Stars by Mary Lyn Ray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Some good advice in here about keeping a star in your pocket as well as sharing. And all the different places you can find a star.
LOVE the illustrations. Oddly enough not as big a fan of the font choice but that is not a huge thing.


Still need to finish Feedback. And get to In a Glass Grimmly. Allergy headaches pretty much knocked me out after school every day. That or meetings. #abitonthewimpysidearentI?

Oh! And here are some bookmarks if you like them. Had trouble coming up with different "sayings." If you have an idea let me know and I'll update the file!