It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Date. 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 and Unleashing Readers.
Our Kid Lit to YA version is hosted by Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers.
I still had some classes last week so it wasn't quite #bookaday yet.
I really liked the Gordon Parks picture book bio. Already added it to a first order for next year. I hear that some feel Thunder Boy, Jr. is too general. I can understand that ... I don't think he ever even mentions a tribe and they all have different traditions. That said, the author is Native American so if he's OK with it then I'm not going to point fingers.
I didn't love Raymie. Minority, I know. So beautifully written and yet just not my favorite story.
Still catching up on all the Rick Riordan's that I've owned like since the week they were released!
Tyranny of Petticoats was ... uneven. At least for me. That's the beauty of anthologies, though ... if a couple stories don't "do" it for you then there are lots of other choices! I did really enjoy the story featuring Bessie Coleman and "Tony" (the fictional part). And the two Garrett sisters on the Alaskan frontier (no surprise I loved that one, though, because YS Lee wrote it and I love her stuff!).
This week there will be more RR. Plus Mr. Lemoncello's Olympics and the Treasure Hunters Secret of the Forbidden City (the only James Patterson I'll read anymore). Should probably finish City of Thirst, too (I SO loved the Map to Everywhere ... timing has just made this one go pretty slow for me!).
I got three professional books that I hope will sort of reignite some fire. Last year I got very ... tired. I don't like to say that out loud but you could probably tell. Exhausted, not particularly inspired with cool ideas, plagued with bad headaches, and just treading water and not able to swim upstream against some of the campus' negative currents. Summer is about reinvigoration because I want to do what's best for both me AND the kids and staff.
Keep in mind that there are REAL librarians and teachers mentioned in the new Mr. Lemoncello. Not me, but there are some that might be familiar! More info about the 48 HBC at http://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/2016/06/more-details-about-48hbc.html
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Thunder Boy Jr. because it introduces us to the concept of the importance of names and their meanings. I think if a reader wants to look into it further, there are opportunities for further research. Sometimes a book can be a nice first step and also just a nice story.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Raymie Nightingale as I could relate to the fears that kept these characters from moving on and appreciated how these girls helped each other cope with that. I also liked the flashback to the 1970s.
I am going to look for the Gordon Parks book. It looks like a good NF picture book and I'm always on the lookout for those.
Have a great week reading!
I really appreciate honest reviews - sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who didn't connect with a title, when all I seem to read are glowing reviews! But reading is such a personal, individual experience, and everyone will connect with books in different ways, which is just as it should be.
ReplyDeleteI have Raymie and it was going to be my next read...now I'm wondering if I should put something else ahead of it. I am in the middle of the Innovator's Mindset. I like the ideas in the book.
ReplyDeleteI have Raymie and it was going to be my next read...now I'm wondering if I should put something else ahead of it. I am in the middle of the Innovator's Mindset. I like the ideas in the book.
ReplyDeleteRaymie didn't work for me either. Generally I love her work, but this one seemed on the shallow side. I agree with your comments about Thunder Boy. It's all pretty complicated. I completely get the exhausted state. We have 10 more days with children, and I still have $6750 worth of books checked out! I may never get to retire if I have to get them all back.
ReplyDeleteI guess with Thunder Boy the story is from the kid's perspective and he never felt the need to spell out his tribe. I'm not going to argue with Sherman Alexie!
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