It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - 7/20/18

#IMWAYR

The weekly post where I recap some of the KidLit books I've been reading. Ocasionally, I'll also talk about some adult fiction books as well.

Be sure to check out Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers to see what other Kidlit readers are reading. Because, you know, we can never have too many books in our TBR piles.

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Board Books

La Catrina: Emotions - Emociones

by Patty Rodriguez & Ariana Stein

Lil' Libros, 2017

We. loved. this. book. The illustrations are so bright and wonderful. Each page has an emotion in both Spanish and English. In the 3 weeks that I had it home from the library, I bet I read it at least 50 times (I'm not kidding). Now my 20 month old son toddles around the house making all the hand motions to accompany the emotion (hand to the cheek with a shocked expression for surprise/sporendido, scratching his head for confused/confundido). He even walks up and says "amada" while giving us hugs. We will be buying this one for our home.

Animal Colors

by Christopher Silas Neal

little bee books, 2018

This was a fantastic read and a very creative color concept book. I love the mash up of both the colors and the wacky animals. What does a blue whale and a yellow lion make? A green whion of course!

Picture Books

Hank and Stella in Something For Nothing

by Damian Synadinos 

Proving Press, 2018

I haven't ever seen a book that introduces kids to improv before. It was a fun read that would make for a great rainy day book. I especially like the improv games included as back matter to get the creative juices going. You can read my full review here.

Poetry 

Cricket in the Thicket: Poems about Bugs

poems by Carol Murray

illustrations by Melissa Sweet

Henry Holt and Co., 2017

This was a wildly fun read. The poems were playful and informative. And the illustrations were fantastic too. My daughter and I both loved the nonfiction tidbits that accompanied each poem. 

Middle Grade

The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2016

I cannot heap enough praise on this book as a read-aloud. My daughter and I read this together and it is simply wonderful. The chapters are super short, which make bedtime (or classroom) reading perfect because there is always an easy stopping point. The characters are all so lovable. My daughter especially enjoyed Chit Chat, the squirrel, who talks exactly how you'd picture a squirrel to talk. We cannot wait to pick up the sequel.

Circus Mirandus

by Cassie Beasley

Dial Books, 2015

Cassie Beasley is one of my new favorite authors. I read Tumble and Blue earlier in the year and thought it was wonderful. Circus Mirandus is just as good. I love a good circus story and Beasley does such a fantastic job of bringing the magic to life. She also does a magnificent job of taking serious, sorrowful topics (like the death of a loved one or a parent abandoning a child) and wrapping it in a story filled with magical realism and tangible characters so that the topics can be easily digested by a young reader. She doesn't pander, but delivers real emotions in a way that young readers can understand.

Young Adult

The Hate U Give

by Angie Thomas

Balzar + Bray, 2017

narrated by Bahni Turpin

HarperAudio 2017

I feel like I am late getting to this one, but I am so glad I finally read it. This book needs to be read and anyone and everyone. Sometimes I worry when tons of hype is put into something but the hype is absolutely well deserved. I listened to the audiobook and it was one of the best performed audiobooks that I have ever listened to. So so good and impactful. This book has the power to make change happen. I cannot wait to see the movie. 

Adult Fiction

The Supernatural Enhancements

by Edgar Cantero

Doubleday, 2014

I read Cantero's Meddling Kids last year and really enjoyed it--it's probably my favorite adult fiction book from the last few years. So I picked up this one and really liked it as well. It is basically a Victorian gothic horror story set in Virginia in the 1990s. Cantero walks the line of giving the reader just enough information to push the story forward while leaving a lot in the dark until the end. All around a fun read. His next book, This Body's Not Big Enough for the Both of Us--a hard boiled mystery where the protagonist detective is a set of twins stuck in one body--comes out in two weeks and I'm really excited to pick it up.

The Great Alone

by Kristin Hannah

St. Martin's Press, 2018

Excellent, excellent book. A lot about this struck home for me, which made it quite personal. I could really relate to Leni's circumstance. The descriptions of the Alaskan frontier were beautiful and wild. I felt like I was right there with the Allbrights. I especially liked how it is a very satisfying ending , but it's not wrapped up in a pretty bow and perfect. It felt real. Highly recommend. 

Nonfiction - Craft

Writing Irrestistible Kidlit: The Ultimate Guide to Crafting Fiction for Young Adult and Middle Grade Readers

by Mary Kole 

Writer's Digest Books, 2012

One of my writing group members lent me this book and it is fantastic. Because I have such a small amount of time to write, I have been looking for a book that could help me outline my current work-in-progress. This book was helpful during the planning stages of my novel and I believe it will also be very helpful during the revision stages as well. I will be adding this to my bookshelf for future reference. 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - 6/11/18

The weekly post where I recap some of the KidLit books I've been reading. Ocasionally, I'll also talk about some adult fiction books as well.

Be sure to check out Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers to see what other Kidlit readers are reading. Because, you know, we can never have too many books in our TBR piles.

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Picture Book 

Maurice the Unbeastly

written by Amy Dixon

illustrated by Karl James Mountford

Sterling Children's Books, 2017

I absolutely love this picture book. It is funny and heartfelt and just great. Both of my kids sat through multiple readings. Mountford's illustrations are fantastic. Highly recommend. 

Middle Grade

Evangeline of the Bayou

written by Jan Eldredge

illustrated by Joseph Kuefler

Balzer + Bray, 2018

Another fantastic read. I love excellent kidlit horror, and this one grabbed me from the get go. Highly recommend. Read my full review here.

Young Adult

Afterworlds

by Scott Westerfeld

Simon Pulse, 2014

Scott Westerfeld is always so consistent in his ability to tell a great story. This one was particularly fun because of the NaNoWriMo component. As an aspiring writer, I found myself easily cheering for the writer protagonist. The format of Afterworlds is pretty unique because it is essentially two books/stories wrapped together. Recommend. 

Adult Fiction

Glimpse: A Novel

by Jonathan Maberry

St. Martin's Press, 2018

I really enjoyed this book. It is creepy and unsettling and wonderful. The story is essentially about what happens when nightmares and reality collide and spill into each other. Jonathan Maberry, with all his amazing skill, has written a book about dreams that actually makes you feel like you are in a waking dream. And it's just fantastic.

EVANGELINE OF THE BAYOU by Jan Eldredge - Middle Grade Book Review

Evangeline of the Bayou

by Jan Eldredge

illustrated by Joseph Kuefler

Balzar + Bray, 2018

At a Glance

Genre(s):

supernatural, folklore, horror

Age Range: 

8-12 years old (middle grade)

Plot:

"Twelve-year-old haunt huntress apprentice Evangeline Clement spends her days and nights studying the ways of folk magic, honing her monster-hunting skills while pursuing local bayou banshees and Johnny revenants."

"But when Evangeline and her grandmother are called to New Orleans to resolve an unusual case, she uncovers a secret that will shake her to the soles of her silver-tipped alligator-skin boots." (source)

Strengths:

• excellent overall storytelling
• the mix of folklore was fantastic
• I liked Evangeline's character and I think kids will relate
• Just the right amount of creep factor for the age range
• Werewolves!
• illustrations were so much fun
• a twist actually surprised me 

Would I recommend this title:

Most definitely yes!

Full Review

If you have read my blog for any length of time, you'll know that I am always on the lookout for good kid appropriate horror. Evangeline of the Bayou totally fits the bill. I love all the folklore that Jan is able to pull into the novel. Her descriptions actually have me wanting more, in a good way. I want to go on every single hunt with Evangeline and her Grandma to see how each baddie--big and small--is handled. I hope that there will be a sequel.

Joseph Kuefler's black and white illustrations throughout the book are fun and add a bit to the creep factor without going overboard. 

I feel like Evangeline's character is relatable, especially to the target age group. That is what makes the book so great. Growing up, living up to expectations--both internal and external, death, and loss are all artfully intertwined into a story about a young girl fighting monsters. What is not to like?

One thing that I give total props to Jan for is getting me with a few twists. I usually have things all figured out by the end, but she got me.  I tip my hat to you, Madam. 

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys folklore, spooky stories, or just great storytelling.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - Book Giveaway!

The weekly post where I recap some of the KidLit books I've been reading. Ocasionally, I'll also talk about some adult fiction books as well.

Be sure to check out Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers to see what other Kidlit readers are reading. Because, you know, we can never have too many books in our TBR piles.

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Happy Monday everyone! I am giving away a copy of Chris Harris' I'm Just No Good at Rhyming. Click here to enter!

Today is a post of recent books that I have absolutely loved. Have you read any of them?

Poetry

I'm Just No Good At Rhyming: 

And Other Nonsense for Mischievous Kids and Immature Grown-ups

written by Chris Harris

illustrated by Lane Smith

(Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2017)

My family absolutely LOVED this collection of poems. I cannot recommend it enough. You can read my full review here and enter to win a copy as well!

Middle Grade

Tumble and Blue

by Cassie Beasley

(Penguin Young Readers, 2017)

This book is absolutely beautifully written. I love middle grade because I find the stories engaging. Not only is Tumble and Blue  a fun story, it is expertly written. Read my full review here.

Picture Book

Nobody Likes a Goblin

by Ben Hatke

(First Second, 2016)

Another fantastic read. This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys the game Dungeons and Dragons or just epic fantasies like The Hobbit. It takes the genre and turns it on its head. And Ben Hatke's illustrations are always wonderful.

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TUMBLE AND BLUE by Cassie Beasley - Middle Grade Book Review

Tumble and Blue

by Cassie Beasley

(Dial Books, August 2017)

At a Glance

Genre(s):

Magical Realism, Adventure

Age Range: 

Middle Grade

Plot:

"When the red moon rises over the heart of the Okefenokee swamp, legend says that the mysterious golden gator Munch will grant good luck to the poor soul foolish enough to face him.

But in 1817, when TWO fools reach him at the same time, the night’s fate is split. With disastrous consequences for both . . . and their descendants. Half of the descendants have great fates, and the other half have terrible ones.

Now, Tumble Wilson and Blue Montgomery are determined to fix their ancestors’ mistakes and banish the bad luck that’s followed them around for all of their lives. They’re going to face Munch the gator themselves, and they’re going to reclaim their destinies." (source: Goodreads)

Strengths:

• Absolutely beautifully written
• The pacing is excellent - no slow parts
• The magical part of the magical realism was woven so expertly that everything felt natural
• The two main characters felt real and distinct
• Munch, the gator
• The opening!
• The ending!

Weaknesses

• It was over too fast (because I couldn't put it down--not an actual story flaw)

Would I recommend this title:

100% yes! 

Full Review

Every few years, I come across a book that leaps into my list of favorite books. I will proclaim my love for these books to anyone who will listen. Tumble and Blue is that type of book. 

First, let me talk a bit about much I enjoyed the actual writing in this book. I found myself repeatedly grinning from ear to ear at the beautiful prose. Now, I'm not saying it was flowery or gushy or showy. It was just a joy to read because of how well it was crafted. I knew after the first chapter that I wanted to slow down a bit and really enjoy the book.

Cassie Beasley's pacing was great throughout. I never felt like the story got bogged down (pun intended.) She did an excellent job at giving the reader just enough information to move the story forward, but left parts a mystery to be discovered later. 

And I loved Tumble and Blue. Both of these characters were vivid and fleshed out. Their problems were real, heartbreaking problems that most kids could empathize with.  I  also enjoyed all entire Montgomery clan and their crazy mishaps. 

One of the best parts about Tumble and Blue is that the emphasis of the magical realism is really on the realism part. Beasley doesn't rely on the fantastical parts of the story to dazzle and wow the reader. Instead, she is able to make everyday life in rural Georgia jump of the page. 

Tumble and Blue  was truly a delight to read. 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - 1/15/2018

The weekly post where I recap all the KidLit books I’ve been reading. Occasionally, I’ll also review some adult fiction books as well.

Be sure to check out Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers to see what other kidlit readers are reading. Because, you know, we can never have too many books in our TBR pile.
                                         

Picture Books

 Carnivores

written by Aaron Reynolds

illustrated by Dan Santat

I love this book. The cover is so creative and the illustrations are great. The story just knocks it out of the park for me. I love the twists to the story. I actually belly laugh when reading this one. My children both seem to enjoy it too. I also feel like this is a great book for teaching picture book writing. It follows a definite pattern and works so well. 

Middle Grade

 The Girl Who Drank the Moon
by Kelly Barnhill

Oh my goodness, this book gave me all the feels. It was a wonderful book, but it took me awhile to get through it because, as the mom of a little one, there were parts that were so sad! Kelly Barnhill does a fantastic job of conveying emotion. I really liked that this was a dystopian story wrapped in magical fantasy. So many dystopian stories seem to take place in the near future real world. The fantasy elements really made it a fresh take.

Non-KidLit

Locke & Key: Welcome to Lovecraft
written by Joe Hill
illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez 

This is a graphic novel that has been on my TBR for a long time. I am so glad that I finally picked it up. A hard "R" rating, it was creepy and unsettling. The illustrations do a lot to add to the overall foreboding feeling of the book. I will definitely be picking up the next in the series. 

reminder of my ratings (which are so subjective anyway and should be taken with a grain of salt):

1 star: extremely disliked and will actively warn others (VERY RARE)

2 stars: disliked

3 stars: liked and will recommend to the right person

4 stars: really liked and will recommend 

5 stars: loved and will recommend to anyone who will listen (VERY RARE)

2017 Reading in Review

I cannot believe that 2017 passed so quickly! I always enjoy looking back at all the books that I read and sharing my favorites. I am super proud to say that I accomplished almost all of my reading goals for the year. Here's a recap:

2017 Goals:

• Read 52 books total - Completed 53 NOT including all the picture books I read
• Read 4 nonfiction books - I did complete 3 though, which is 300% more than in 2016
• Read 8 graphic novels - Crushed this one with 11 total
• Read 4 books in genres that I do not usually read - a play, a verse novel, a biography, and a self-help
• Read 4 books originally written in a non-English speaking country - I did read three--one from Japan (Yours Sincerely, Giraffe), one from Spain (Meddling Kids, although it was written in English, not translated), and a picture book written and illustrated in Italy (Professional Crocodile).

2017 stats:

13 Adult Fiction
15 Middle Grade
11 Graphic Novels
7 Young Adult
3 Nonfiction
3 Chapter Books
1 Poetry Collection
Tons of Picture Books (I did not track this in 2017, but it was a lot)

Reading Goals for 2018:

• Read 200 books, with at least 52 of them being chapter books or above (this is basically the same goal as 2017, but I want to track my picture book/early readers in 2018)
• Read 4 nonfiction books
• Read 4 contemporary fiction books
• Read 4 books in genres that I normally do not read
• Read 25 of Jane Yolen's books as this year her 365th book will be published (you could read one a day if you wanted!)

Favorite Books of 2017 

(click on the image to see them on Amazon)

MIGHTY JACK Giveaway + Author Interview

Buy Here

Hello everyone. It's time for another book giveaway! This month I will be giving away a copy of Ben Hatke's Mighty Jack and the Goblin King. You can read my review for it here and my review for the first book in the series, Mighty Jack, here. Seriously, these books are fantastic.

Ben Hatke was kind enough to answer a few questions, and I hope that you enjoy the interview below. Be sure to check out his other books and look him up on the social media links at the end of this post. And, as always, be sure to enter the giveaway!

An Interview with Ben Hatke

5 Favorites:

Vegetable: Broccoli! (it wasn't always this way)
Household chore: Dishes! (either with loud music, or quiet and meditative)
Candy/treat: Cow Tails!
Color: All of them.
Animal: Turtles.

5 More Questions: 

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

Someone who helped people. As a gymnast, I also went through a long phase where I wanted to join a circus. But through it all I was drawing and telling stories.

What do you think makes a good story?

A clear, emotionally resonant ending that everything in the story is pushing toward. Also characters that you are rooting for who have to make difficult moral choices. Things that are no fun it real life often make great fuel for stories.

What do you like to do when you're not writing/drawing?

I like to practice archery, paddle around in my canoe, and read, read, read.

What's the best advice you've ever been given?

I've been given lots of good advice over the years, but, on the subject of art it was this (from a grand old teacher with a voice like distant thunder): "Art is not in the hands. You can teach your hands to do anything. Art is here [pointing to eyes]. Teaching them to really see."

What book(s) are you reading right now?

I'm reading The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa. It's about a woman who takes a job keeping house for an aging mathematician who has a brain injury that severely damaged his short term memory. His memories reset every 80 minutes. It's very good.

BOOKS BY BEN HATKE
Julia's House for Lost Creatures
Nobody Likes a Goblin
Little Robot
Mighty Jack
Mighty Jack and the Goblin King


FOLLOW BEN
Website: benhatke.com
Twitter: @BenHatke

Instagram: @heybenhatke

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mighty Jack and the Goblin King - MG Graphic Novel Review

 Mighty Jack and the Goblin King

by Ben Hatke

At a Glance

Genre(s)/Categories:

Fairy Tale, Middle Grade graphic novel

Age Range: 

7-12 years old

Plot:

When Jack and Lilly race through a portal to save Jack's captured sister, they find a magical world filled with giants and goblins. Even with their magic beans, they have a tough time beating their foes. When things are looking hopeless, Jack turns to the Giant King for help.

Pros:

• I like that Goblin King picks right up where Mighty Jack (#1) left off
• Again, the artwork is fantastic and moves the story along clearly and beautifully
• The story is compelling and fresh
• I like the stinger at the end

Cons:

• There were one or two parts that I wish would have lingered a little longer

Would I recommend this title:

100% yes!

Full Review

Rarely are the sequels as good as the first in the series. This is one of those rare times. I read the two books back to back so I appreciated that book 2 picked right up where the 1st left off. The storytelling was just as compelling. The characters are fleshed out, so they didn't feel cardboardy and stock. Again, my daughter read this one right after me (she is 7) and she really enjoyed it as well. Immediately she wanted to know if there were other books. I enjoyed the epilogue which felt like a stinger at the end of the credits of a super hero movie. I will definitely be checking out Ben Hatke's other books.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - 10/2/17

The weekly post where I recap all the KidLit books I’ve been reading. Occasionally, I’ll also review some adult fiction books as well.

Be sure to check out Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers to see what other kidlit readers are reading. Because, you know, we can never have too many books in our TBR pile.
                                         

Here are my September writing goals recap + some Cybils-related exciting news!

Board Books

 Busy Penguins

 written by John Schindel 

photos by Jonathan Chester

This is a cute book and my son seemed to enjoy all the photos of the penguins. My 7yo especially liked that it has a picture of a pooping penguin.

Picture Books

 

Penguin Problems

written by Jory John

illustrated by Lane Smith

This is a delightful picture book. I love the textural quality of the illustrations. The little grumpy penguin is lots of fun. My daughter and I have read this multiple times since bringing it home from the library. I also like the cover with the repeating penguin image. For the life of me, I can't remember the name for this specific type of repeating image picture. If you know, let me know in the comments. I'm racking my brain.

Animals at Night

written by  Anne Jankéliowitch

illustrated by Delphine Chedru

Jabberwocky, October 3, 2017

I received an ARC of this book for review

It glows in the dark! It is also very text heavy. Each page has glowing elements with a whole range of nocturnal mammals, insects, reptiles and fish across all their varying habitats. Every animal and habitat featured has a chunk of text to go along with it. And there are mystery answers hidden throughout the glowing book to discover. Although I wouldn't sit and read this to my child in one sitting, it would be a great one for over multiple nights, or for her to enjoy with a flashlight at night. Great resource book as well.

 Some Pets

written by Angela DiTerlizzi 

illustrated by Brendan Wenzel

This is a super cute book. I am always amazed when a picture book can be so succinct and yet so perfect. This is a great one to show how the text and the illustrations work together. The text gives just what is needed and the illustrations do the rest. I love how cute and funny the pictures are too.

 My Mouth is a Volcano!

written by Julia Cook 

illustrated by Carrie Hartman 

If you have a child that interrupts all the time, this would be a great book to read together. I know it's nit-picky, but I find pictures books where the text is in block at the bottom of the page distracting. I like the text to appear within the illustration. My daughter did enjoy the book and didn't seemed bothered by it.

 Whobert Whover, Owl Detectivve

written by Jason Gallaher

illustrated by Jess Pauwels

I went into this book expecting it to just be alright. But it ended up being fantastic. The text is great and is funny! The illustrations are perfect as well. We will be rereading this one a bunch.

 Don't Splash the Sasquatch
 written by Kent Redeker
illustrated by Bob Staake

I picked this one up because of cover appeal and it ended up being really fun. I like all the animal/monster mashups throughout the book. The text repetition is great and would be perfect for younger kids to engage and participate. The illustration style has pizzazz and is quite fun. 

Middle Grade

Serafina and the Black Cloak

by Robert Beatty 

My more in depth review for this book will be posted on Wednesday, but I'll just say here that I loved this book. I will 100% for sure be picking up the next in the series.