It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 10-8-18

Thanks to our dynamic hosts: Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kelle at Unleashing Readers. Head to either blog to find reviews as well as dozens of links to other blogs filled with reviews and recommendations!

Books I've Recently Read:

Journey of the Pale Bear by Susan Fletcher

McElderry Books, October 2018

Historical Fiction

304 pages

Recommended for grades 4-8

I can't think of many books I've read that are set in the 13th century, and I'm sure many young readers will say the same! This story is based on records of an actual polar (pale) bear that was sent as a gift from King Haakon IV of Norway to King Henry III of England around the year 1251. Fletcher has imagined how the bear traveled from Norway to England, and who it was that cared for her. In her story she puts a young boy in this role. A young boy that is also far from home, and away from all he knows. 

One of the most interesting pieces of history written into this story is in the last few pages. Which means I want to tell you, but feel that I shouldn't.

Readers will be captivated by this bear's journey, and will want to read on and on to discover her fate. Young Arthur will steal hearts as he searches for a birthright that may no longer be his.

H is for Haiku: A Treasury of Haiku from A to Z by Sydell Rosenberg, illustrated by Sawsan Chalabi

Penny Candy Books, 2018

40 pages

Recommended for all!

When a woman named Any emailed me asking if I'd be interested in sharing a book of haiku on my blog I was of course interested. The more we corresponded, the more I learned how special this book is. The poems were written by Amy's mother, who passed in 1996. On the day of the funeral Amy made a pact with her brother and sister-in-law to publish a book of their mother's writing.

I'm so glad they tackled this project, one poem at a time. The result is a wonderful collection for us all to enjoy. Amy included a note to readers, followed by an essay written by Sydell. In those pages readers will be welcomed into the book, and be encouraged to write their own poetry. I especially love the reminder that the strict 5-7-5 that haiku often follow in America, is not a golden rule to this Japanese art form. Let no boundaries hold your words back!

I love the lively illustrations found in this collection. 

A perfect addition to a classroom library!

Please visit this link to read more about Sydell and the story behind this book.

Potato Pants by Laurie Keller

Christy Ottaviano Books, October 2018

40 pages

Recommended for pant and potato lovers everywhere.

Do you love The Scrambled States of America as much as I do?! If so, you will be delighted to see that the creator of that hilarious book is back with potatoes wanting pants!

This spud on the cover desperately wants a pair of pants, but when an eggplant he is trying to avoid is in the shop he vacates quickly. We've all been there...

Anyway, in an attempt to not be seen by the eggplant he was ATTACKED *pushed* by the day before, the potato laments over not being able to get into the store to get his PANTS before they are sold out! Are you feeling the stress yet? This is a serious problem!

With a lot of laughs, and a good amount of self-talk around solving his problem, readers will get a kick out of this story!

Link to the blog tour below!

Nominations are open! Head to the Cybils site to nominate your favorites in 2018 children's lit!

https://database.cybils.com/nominate.php

I'm Currently Reading:

Thanks for stopping by!