Wow! I am into my third week with the Book-A-Day Challenge hosted by Donalyn Miller (The Book Whisperer). I have been this kind of crazy obsessive person with the challenge. I am determined to get at least 7 books (including picture books) read during the week.Book-A-Day Week 3 Reads:
Picture Books:
Pete and Pickles by Berkeley Breathed This is an odd (in a good way) story about a friendship between a pig (Pete) and an elephant (Pickles). Pete is a bit uptight. Pickles is a free-spirit. The ultimate odd couple. The illustrations seem to come alive and the story is touching.
I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll I loved this twist on "the monster under the bed" concept. The little boy in the story is unable to sleep without his monster under the bed. Gabe, his monster, has gone on a vacation. Substitute monsters are sent but none are just right. What's a boy to do without his monster to keep him in bed at night?! Great illustrations. Great text. Read my review here.
LadyBug Girl by Jacky Davis A little girl and her alter-ego Ladybug Girl go out for the day on her own adventures when her brother tells her she is too small to play ball with him and his friends. I know a lot of little girls who would just adore this book.
LadbyBug Girl At the Beach by Jacky Davis This is a companion novel to Ladybug Girl. In this installment, our ladybug girl is afraid to admit that she just might be afraid of the water at the beach. After a day of trying every which way to avoid going into the water, ladybug girl must come to the rescue when her favorite purple pail starts to float away. Read my review here.
City Dog, Country Frog by MoWillems, John Muth (re-read) I had originally read this prior to it's release so it was fun to actually hold a finished copy in my hand. Mo Willems is a master at writing wonderful stories with simple language. Muth's illustrations enhance the story wonderfully. The concept of the story is a tale of friendship between a dog and a frog. Willems tells of how the dog and frog play during spring, summer, and fall. After winter, dog goes to find his friend who is missing (do I dare say...no, I won't). What will dog do in frog's absence? The story has an answer to that question.
Graphic Novels:
Amulet Book 1: The StoneKeeper by Kazu Kibuishi I am not a huge graphic novels fan. I think I get distracted by the pictures. :-) However, this one will certainly appeal to 9 and 10 year olds. A girl discovers a special amulet which is activated after her mother is captured by a creature from an alternate universe. The girl and her younger brother go in search of their mother and discover the history behind the amulet and the legacy that is bestowed on them. Read my review here.
Middle Grade:
The Shadows (The Books of Elsewhere) by Jacqueline West I will be posting a review of this book soon so I won't say much other than - this is a definite read. I will edit the post when I have written the review. Read my review here.
The Kneebone Boy (Advanced Readers Copy) by Ellen Potter I will be reviewing this book in August closer to the actual release date for the book. However, I will say that Ellen Potter has outdone herself. Fans of Lemony Snickets and Pseudonymous Bosch are certain to love this book.
Shooting the Moon by Frances O’Roark Dowell In this novel of coming of age during the Vietnam War, Jamie learns through the rolls of film her brother sends to her to develop that war may not be all that she believed it to be and even her father who is a Colonel in the Army may be helpless to prevent somethings from happening.
YA:
Beautiful Darkness (Advanced Readers Copy) by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl I will be doing a review closer to release date on this book, but I will say that fans of Garcia and Stohl's first book, Beautiful Creatures, will love this sequel.
Reality Check by Peter Abrahams This Edgar Winnner for Best YA is a fast, compelling read. Abrahams leaves you wondering for most of the book who can you trust. After a slightly slow start, I was unable to put this one down until I finished.
Scanned by did not truly read:
Nightlight (A Parody of Twilight) by Harvard Lampoon Okay, I will admit it. I like Twilight. I think those who love to poke fun at Twilight will love this, but it just annoyed me. I scanned parts of it but just lost interest after awhile.
In progress:
A Framework for Understanding Poverty by Ruby Payne Several teachers on my staff and I are reading a couple of chapters of this each week and discussing it. Very powerful and practical.
So how are you doing on your summer reading challenge? Read any good books lately? Post a comment about what you are reading.
-Aly
