Peter and Ernesto

Book #40 Read in 2019
Peter and Ernesto

This is a cute graphic novel about two sloth friends--one wants to stay home and one wants to see the world.  Will they stay apart or become closer?  I borrowed this book from the public library.

re-read
Book #39

The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller
This was a re-read.  I had read this book and taught an in-service on it years ago but felt it was time to re-read it with the focus on incorporating strategies from it into my Young Adult Literature class.  Miller instills a love of  reading into her students and fosters a community of readers in her classroom.  I hope to do the same.  I recommend this to teachers and parents.

Something in the Water

Book #37 Read in 2019
Something in the Water by Catherin Steadman

This is a good psychological thriller, with twists and turns that will keep readers engaged.  Erin and Mark find money on their honeymoon but at what cost will they be able to keep it?  The writing was tight and the characters, while pretty unlikable, were interesting to read about.

Noodleheads Find Something Fishy

Book #36 Read in 2019
Noodleheads Find Something Fisy

Two noodles try to figure out how to catch a fish on their fishing trip.  This is a quick read, appropriate for elementary school.  It was ok.

Refugee

Book #35 Read in 2019
Refugee by Alan Gratz

This is an excellent historical fiction read.  It details the travels to a new home of three family--one from Nazi Germany, one from Cuba and one from Syria.  It is well written and brings their struggles alive for the reader.  I plan on teaching this next year in 9th grade English.

Fuku Fuku Kitten Tales Vol 1

Book #34 Read in 2019
Fuku Fuku Kitten Tales Vol 1

I'm not sure why the cover picture is showing up in a foreign language, as I read it in English.  This is a graphic novel, first in a series, about Fuku Fuku, a kitten.  It is cute and would be a quick read for upper elementary/middle schoolers.

What Do They Do with All that Poo?

What Do They Do with All that Poo?

This is a cute children's book, detailing how the poo of different animals looks and how they may bury it, throw it etc.  I can totally see boys ages 4-7 loving this book.  I borrowed it from the public library.

If My Moon was Your Sun

Book #32 Read in 2019
If My Moon was Your Sun by Andreas Steinhofel

This is a children's book.  Max's grandfather is in a nursing home for memory issues.  Max wants to take him outside so he does, and another patient tags along.  They have a nice day but everyone is worried about them.

Where the Crawdads Sing

Book #31 Read in 2019
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

This is a good piece of southern fiction.  Kya, the Marsh Girl, is abandoned by her family but she is a survivor.  She manages to lead a good life and make something on herself.  Will she be found guilty of murdering all-star Chase?  Great writing, interesting characters and wonderful description of setting will make this book a hit for readers.

Soof

Book #30 Read in 2019
Soof by Sarah Weeks

This is a companion novel to the book So B. It and it was just as good.  Aurora is a quirky kid and her mother worries a lot about her.  There is a house fire and Aurora's dog Duck goes missing and is presumed dead.  This was a good, quick read.

The Good Egg

Book #29 Read in 2019
The Good Egg

He is a good egg, and wants the others in his carton to be good eggs too.  But he cannot control them and the stress is causing his shell to crack.  So he takes off, but realizes that he misses his carton mates, and that maybe everyone doesn't have to be perfect all of the time.  A cute picture book.

Grumpy Monkey

Book #28 Read in 2019
Grumpy Monkey

This is a cute picture book about Monkey, who is feeling grumpy, though he insists he isn't grumpy.  His animal friends give him ideas how to feel less grumpy.  But, sometimes, you just need a grumpy day.  It's a cute read.

This is Where It Ends

Book #27 Read in 2019
This is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

This is a horribly realistic story about a school shooting and the entire book takes place in the few hours that the shooter is holding the school in terror.  It gave me chills.  I read it in one sitting as I could not put it down.  A powerful read.

Spellcast Waters

Book #26 Read in 2019
Spellcast Waters by Janet Post

This is a decent paranormal fantasy book--containing werewolves, witches, zombies and cannibals.  Riko's best friend Mikey gets bit by a werewolf and they only have a few days left to get a cure for him.  The journey is fraught with dangerous creatures--will they make it in time?  The cover is so cheesy but the writing is decent.  I could see my high school students liking it as well as adults.

Salt to the Sea (re-read)

Book #25 Read in 2019
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

I reread this book when my YA Literature students picked it as the next class read.  It is wonderful YA historical fiction about one of the biggest sea disasters--one that most people have never heard of....  The book follows a central group of people trying to escape the Nazis.  They are complicated in personality and family-like in manner.  There are parts of this book that will hurt your heart.  Two of my students finished it during our last class, looked at me and said I'm glad I read it.  It is wonderful.

The Bad Seed

Book #24 Read in 2019
The Bad Seed by Jory John

I think this picture book will be what I read the first day of school next year.  He is a bad seed--cuts in line, talks loudly....but then he makes a decision that he doesn't want to be a bad seed anymore and begins to say thank you and tries to do some little good things.  I want my freshmen to know that they will begin with a clean slate and they can decide what kind of seed they will be!  A cute read, I borrowed it from the public library.

Shout

Book #23 Read in 2019
Shout by Laurie Halse Anderson

This is Anderson's gritty memoir, told in prose and verse.  It details her dysfunctional family, her rape as a young girl and her taking her power back.  It was powerful.  Fans of her books will eat this book up.

Miles Morales, Spiderman

Book #22 Read in 2019
Miles Morales, Spiderman by Jason Reynolds

This is a tale of Miles, whose alter ego is SpiderMan.  He is trying to keep his identity a secret, survive a mean history teacher and help out his parents.  My 9th grade male students love this book.  It was a quick read and I like Jason Reynolds and his writing.

32 Third Graders and a Class Bunny

Book #21 Read in 2019
32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny by Phillip Done

This is a must read for teachers.  Done is an elementary teacher and each short chapter tells a tale of things that teachers can relate to--finding baby names that do not bring back memories of a problem student or getting ready for Open House.  It was a fun read that had me smiling or laughing throughout.  I borrowed it from the public library.

Children of Blood and Bone

Book #20 Read in 2019
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

This is a young adult fantasy book, the first in a series, where people are trying to bring magic back while others will do anything to keep it from returning.  This book has tons of action, interesting characters, fights, romance etc to keep readers engaged.  I would recommend it to both high school and adult readers.