Monday, July 13, 2015

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?


Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers cohost It's Monday! What Are You Reading?  Be sure and stop by to participate or see what others are reading and recommending this week.

What I Have Read Lately


The Last Best Days of Summer by Valerie Hobbs

This is a book about growing up, growing old, and growing different. I have to admit I was a little skeptical about how the author could bring together a middle school girl who wants to be popular, a grandmother with the beginning stages of Alzheimer's, and a boy with Downs Syndrome. But Hobbs creates a beautiful story connecting the lives of these three characters through a lesson about centering - that place to go to when you want to do the right thing.


Masterminds by Gordon Korman

This book was amazing.  It will probably end up being my favorite read of the summer and maybe even the year - it was that good.  It is classic Korman in that it is a page-turning adventure.  But his twist in the plot is what makes it "masterful!"  I cannot tell you about it because it would ruin the surprise - so you will just have to read it for yourself!


How to Outswim a Shark without a Snorkel by Jess Keating

This is the second book in the series, My Life is a Zoo.  I love the main character, Ana, for her spunk and her curiosity about growing up.  I see so many of my students in her.  I read this book after I heard Kate Roberts speak at All Write.  This was the first book in which I used some of Kate's ideas about writing about reading.  I found it very interesting that I was able to write long about something deep from a fun book.  This will be an excellent lesson for me when we return to school.


Fort by Cynthia DeFelice

Fort is a coming-of-age story about two friends who...build a fort...for the summer.  But at the same time, they get revenge on bullies who make fun of a boy with Autism and find an unexpected friend.  This is a perfect read for those students who think they do not like to read, especially boys.



Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

I was one of the lucky people who received an ARC from nErDcamp in Michigan last week.  This book was everything people said it would be.  It is a story of a boy who has an imaginary friend, Crenshaw, who seems to appear when Jackson needs him most.  This book is due out in September and is one you and your students will want to read.

Currently Reading


The writing in this book is beautiful.  So many lines I wanted to highlight and return to read again.


On Deck



6 comments:

  1. I have Lost in the Sun on deck too. I'm excited to start Crenshaw, but I know I'll be sad when it's done!
    I love Jess Keating's books. Jason is sending me book #3, and he said it's the best in the series. Looking forward to it!

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  2. So many good books here, Leigh Anne. I'm going to have to get Circus Mirandus. Too many of you are saying such great things about it. I did love Crenshaw, and will look for Fort, too. It sounds good. Thanks!

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  3. Thanks for the reminder that I want to read Masterminds. I need to get to the library this week. I just ought Circus Mirandus--really looking forward to it!

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  4. Crenshaw has received raves - and you are just as enthusiastic...I'll have to find a copy this summer. I just finished Mirandus today - such fun, right?

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  5. Lucky you indeed - I can't wait to read Crenshaw. I also want to get this next Jess Keating title. I gave my daughter her first title and we both loved it! Just finished and loved Lost in the Sun.

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  6. Crenshaw sounds so special. I have yet to read Applegate's One and Only Ivan which is waiting unread in my shelves. I hope to read Circus Mirandus in the coming months.

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