It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 6/24/13

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA! 

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now...you just might discover the next “must-read” book!

Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and I decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children's literature - picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit - join us! We love this meme and think you will, too. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.  

Announcements: 

Kellee's new blog with Ricki Ginsberg, Unleashing Readers, is live today! I enjoyed working with Kellee for the last two years. We have done a lot of great things together at Teach Mentor Texts and I'm so appreciative to have had the time to collaborate so closely with her. From visiting Unleashing Readers, I can already tell she is going to build an amazing resource there. While Kellee will not be blogging at Teach Mentor Texts any more, we will be co-hosting the It's Monday! What Are You Reading? meme. You can add your link at Teach Mentor Texts or at Unleashing Readers and it will be added to the same list. I wish Kellee the best! Make sure you head over to Unleashing Readers to visit! 

Wig in the Window Giveaway Winner

Erin Varley

Congratulations Erin and thank you again to Kristen Kittscher for the signed book to giveaway!

Last Week's Book Adventures:

Jen Says: Teachers Write is here! I'm so excited. I thought I was going to read Write Away but Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies came in at the library so I read that instead. I'm seriously in love with the ideas in Save the Cat! and this second book clarifies those ideas. Loved them both and am so anxious to get to work on revising now. I finished listening to Eon and I started listening to Eleanor & Park. I'm loving it already and anxious to see what is going to happen between the two now that I'm about half way in. Yesterday, I read through a great stack of picture books, many that I'll be reviewing in the next few weeks.

Kellee Says: It is with excitement and a heavy heart that I have to say: Today is my final day on Teach Mentor Texts. Jen and I have decided to part ways and today I am starting my new blog Unleashing Readers with my friend, Ricki.  Jen and I will continue to host IMWAYR together and will periodically post reviews together. I hope you hop on over to Unleashing Readers to see what we have going on there. 

Reviewed Last Week:

Just click on any picture above to go read the review

Upcoming Book Adventures: 

Jen Says: I'm going to continue listening to Eleanor & Park (yay!). I'm still reading the text book for one of the courses I'm taking this summer (not so yay...) but I did start The Center of Everything by Linda Urban and Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg and I hope to keep reading them. For one of my courses this summer I have to read Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen so I'll be reading that as well. I keep saying I'm going to read Popular Clone and maybe this is the week it actually happens! And, finally, Teachers Write is here and I do want to read Write Away so that's on the list, too!

Kellee Says: Please check out Unleashing Readers to find out!

This Week's Reviews:

   

Check back throughout the week to hear about these books. 

So, what are you reading this week? 

Link up below and don't forget to check out other blogs to see what they are reading!

To help build our community and support other bloggers, 

we ask that you please try to comment on at least the three blogs that posted before you. 

Also, if you tweet about your Monday post, don't forget to use #IMWAYR!

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Teachers Write 2013 Is Here!

Hooray! Hooray! Teachers Write is here!!! 

For me, Teachers Write is one of the most anticipated times of the year! Summer as a teacher is a time to reflect, refresh and rejuvenate before the school year starts again. We spend a lot of time at the local water park and this year my husband has us participating in a park-a-day challenge where we visit a different park every day of summer vacation. That, and having a six-year-old and two-year-old running around all the time is enough to keep me busy but I'm prepared to stay up late or wake up early to sneak in my writing time and to connect with everyone who is joining in for Teachers Write this summer!

I am so excited to be teaming up with Kate Messner, author of Wake Up Missing which will be out in September, Gae Polisner, author of The Summer of Letting Go to be released this fall, and Jo Knowles, author of Living with Jackie Chan, also out in September. These women are all amazing authors but equally as supportive writing mentors. I suggest you add these titles to your TBR list for the fall but that you also check out their other books if you have yet! (Gae's new book's cover has not been revealed yet!)

For more information about what these fabulous ladies offer for Teachers Write you can visit each of their blogs and visit's Kate's Teachers Write informational post. If you haven't signed up for Teachers Write yet, the link is also on Kate's post. Be sure to sign up! Teachers Write officially starts tomorrow!

As for me, here's a super quick bio: My name is Jen Vincent, I was a hearing itinerant teacher for ten years working with students who were deaf and hard of hearing. I just finished my first year as a teacher leader in Teacher Effectiveness Initiatives in my district co-coordinating our Teacher Mentor Program for over 200 beginning and experienced teachers who are new to our district. My husband, a PE teacher, and I have been married 8 years and have 2 awesome boys: Peanut, 6, and Little Bean, (almost) 3. We live in a northern suburb of Chicago and rarely have a day that's not full of excitement.

Last summer with Teachers Write I finished my first draft of a young adult novel that I started with NaNoWriMo the year before. It's still a pretty awesome accomplishment for me to think about. It was totally perfect in the way that first drafts are perfect when they aren't perfect. Writing takes commitment and I know all my Teachers Write friends helped me get through that first draft. Since then, I've been working on revisions on and off but my goal this summer is to really get down and dirty and revise my work-in-progress (WIP) so that it will be ready to send off queries by the end of the summer.

I also have two other stories that have been rattling around in my head for a while and I plan to get them outlined and then to get through a first draft for one of them. We'll see how I juggle my revisions while also trying to draft a new novel.

Besides my fiction writing, I have lots of blogging to do this summer and I plan to write articles to submit to Choice Literacy. Just a reminder that Teachers Write isn't only for teachers who want to work on fiction! Non-fiction writing is writing, too! Phew! It''ll be a summer of writing, no doubt about it!

But enough about me! I want to hear about you and your hopes and dreams, fears and goals for Teachers Write this summer! That brings me to my first tip of the summer!

We do so much for students and others during the school year. Teachers Write is time for you to focus on yourself and your own writing. Teachers who partake in the writing process regularly and experience what it's like to write day in and day out have a different perspective on writing when it comes time to support students. Teachers Write is all about soaking in the experience of writing. Yes, we'll be sharing our writing and talking about writing but I think it helps to just remember that you are writing for you. Don't worry about who else will see it...yet. For now, just write!

My role in Teachers Write is to host Sunday Check-Ins. I'll share how my writing is going as a teacher who is writing and/or have a guest post from a teacher who shares his or her experience with writing. The focus here will be on what revelations we have about writing from participating in Kate’s Teacher’s Write posts, Gae’s Friday Feedback, Jo's Monday Morning Warm-Up or other experiences along the way. We'll also share pits and peaks of the week, how much you wrote/revised/edited and goals for the upcoming week.

Here are my rules for the Teachers Write Sunday Check-Ins:

1. We respect each other and the type of writing we do.

2. We only offer constructive criticism.

3. We are positive and encourage each other at all times.

4. We recognize and maintain this as a safe environment.

**I reserve every right to put the smackdown
on anyone who messes with our positive energy.**

Today, in the comments section:

Introduce yourself: tell a little bit about yourself and your writing. 

Tell us what your writing goals are for this week and for the summer.

Share one thing that scares you and one thing that excites you about writing!

 

Eon: Dragoneye Reborn

Title: Eon: Dragoneye Reborn
Author: Alison Goodman  
Publisher: Puffin Canada 
Publication Date: June, 2009 
Genre/Format: Fantasy/Novel 
GoodReads Summary: Eon has been studying the ancient art of Dragon Magic for four years, hoping he'll be able to apprentice to one of the twelve energy dragons of good fortune. But he also has a dark secret. He is actually Eona, a sixteen-year-old girl who has been living a dangerous lie for the chance to become a Dragon-eye, the human link to an energy dragon's power. It is forbidden for females to practice the Dragon Magic and, if discovered, Eon faces a terrible death. After a dazzling sword ceremony, Eon's affinity with the twelve dragons catapults him into the treacherous world of the Imperial court, where he makes a powerful enemy, Lord Ido. As tension builds and Eon's desperate lie comes to light, readers won't be able to stop turning the pages... Also Known As: Two Pearls of Wisdom, Eon: Rise of the Dragoneye, and Eon (All the same book just published with different publishers).
What I Think: I've only read a few books with dragons in them and I've loved them. I was excited that  in our spring book swap, Andrea Payan sent me a fantasy book with dragons. This book is definitely different from other dragon books I have read as it feels like ancient realistic fiction instead of fantasy but it is definitely fantasy. Eon, the main character, has studied ancient Dragon Magic in hopes of being chosen as the next Dragoneye. Basically, each year, a boy is chosen who communes with a dragon, gaining powers to control natural phenomenon and help the people. It's a super interesting story that becomes more complicated and intriguing when we discover Eon's secret and the extents to which Lord Ido, Eon's enemy, will go for the power he wants. I would recommend this book to older students who enjoy fantasy but also like action.
Read Together: Grades 7 - 9  
Read Alone: Grades 7 - 12 
Read With: Firelight (series) by Sophie Jordan, Eragon (series) by Christopher Paolini, The False Prince (series) by Jennifer Nielson 
Snatch of Text: 
"I squinted, trying to distinguish more detail against the bright glare of the ramp opening. He wore his oiled black hair in the double queue of the Dragoneye, looped high into a knot at the crown of his head. I caught the planes of his face as he moved, broad strokes painted by light and shadow: a high scholar's brow, a long nose like the foreign devils the emperor had allowed into the city, and a jutting dark beard. But it was the menacing power in his body that made the officials scatter before him. Lord Ido did not more like a Dragoneye. He moved like a warrior." (p. 75).
Mentor Text For: Characterization, Making Connections, Making Inferences, Visualizing  
Writing Prompts: Write about a time in your life when did something to help  
Topics Covered: Deceit, Trust, Loyalty, Honor, Determination, Wit, Courage

I *heart* It:

 

The Mighty Lalouche

Title: The Mighty Lalouche 
Author: Matthew Olshan   
Illustrator: Sophia Blackall  
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade 
Publication Date: May 14th, 2013 
Genre/Format: Historical Fiction/Picture Book
GoodReads Summary:  In Paris, France, there lived a humble postman named Lalouche. He was small, but his hands were nimble, his legs were fast, and his arms were strong. When his job was replaced by an electric car, he turned to boxing to support himself and his pet finch, Genevieve. But--"You? A boxer?" the fighters asked. "I could sneeze and knock you down!" Still, Lalouche refused to give up. And perhaps small Lalouche was just nimble . . . just fast . . . and just strong enough to beat his fierce competitors. This is a marvelous story, full of humor and heart, and illustrated by Sophie Blackall, winner of a New York Times Best Illustrated Award. 
What Jen Thinks: I'm not sure if there's a name for a time when you read exactly the right book that you need at just the right time in your life but that happened to me with this book. I'm still thinking about what I want to be when I grow up. As I learn and grow more and more, I discover new things that I'm passionate about and I'm finding opportunities that are taking my life in different directions. This is exactly what happens to our funky friend Lalouche. I actually really love Lalouche. He seems like a simple guy who knows what he likes and knows what's important to him. He has a sweet little bird friend who means a lot to him. And then something unexpected and crummy happens to Lalouche. Lalouche has to make a decision! Does he accept defeat or does he make the most of his situation and take advantage of an opportunity that crosses his path. I think readers will fall in love with this little man and want to root for him but learn from his story as well.
What Kellee Thinks: This is one of those books that you read and you automatically want to share with others. It is so interesting and quirky, illustrated perfectly, and teaches you about an interesting time in French history. Within the first pages, you fall in love with LaLouche and I love that he is brave enough to not only do something that seems impossible, but to stand up to those who are bigger, stronger, and meaner than he is.  And the story is told in a fun, humorous way that, in the end, teaches the reader a lesson about following your heart.
     One of my favorite things about this book is the illustrations. They fit the time period perfectly and remind me of the later work of  Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Jean-Marc Côté. By emulating the feel of these French artists, Sophie Blackall has transported the reader to the late 19th century streets of France. 
     This book is also chock-full of teaching opportunities. The vocabulary and descriptive language that fills these pages are opportunities to practice a ton of reading and writing strategies including showing a character's traits without stating them, exclamatory sentences filled with descriptive language (onomatopoeia, imagery, alliteration), and learning new vocabulary. 
Read Together: Grades K to 8
Read Alone: Grades 3 to 5
Read With: Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet, The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordical Gerstein 
Snatch of Text:   

"One hundred and few-odd years ago,

in Paris France, there lived

a humble postman named Lalouche.

He was small, Lalouche,

and rather bony,

but his hands were nimble,

his legs were fast,

and his arms were strong."

Reading Strategies to Practice: Vocabulary Development, Character Traits
Writing Strategies to Practice: Onomatopoeia, Alliteration, Exclamatory Sentences, Descriptive Language, Commas (series)
Writing Prompts: At the end LaLouche makes a decision that is a bit controversial. Do you agree with his decision? Would you have made the same decision? Explain your answers using evidence from the text to support your answer.
Topics Covered: Hopes, Dreams, Determination, Love, Passion

We *heart* It: 

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The Wig in the Window

We are thrilled to be participating in The Wig in the Window blog tour today! A big thank you to Alethea for organizing this. We thank HarperCollins for the ARCs to review and Kristen for a signed copy of The Wig in the Window to giveaway! We know you've heard the buzz about The Wig in the Window by Kristen Kittscher here and on Twitter, now you have a chance to read it!


Title: The Wig in the Window 
Author: Kristen Kittscher 
Publisher: Harper Collins 
Publication Date: June 18th, 2013 
Genre/Format: Mystery/Novel 
GoodReads Summary: Best friends and seventh graders Sophie Young and Grace Yang have made a game out of spying on their neighbors. On one of their midnight stakeouts, they witness a terrifying, bloody scene at the home of their bizarre middle-school counselor, Dr. Charlotte Agford (aka Dr. Awkward).

At least, they think they do. The truth is that Dr. Agford was only making her famous pickled beets! But when Dr. Agford begins acting even weirder than usual, Sophie and Grace become convinced that she’s hiding something—and they’re determined to find out what it is.

Soon the girls are breaking secret codes, being followed by a strange blue car, and tailing strangers with unibrows and Texas accents. But as their investigation heats up, Sophie and Grace start to crack under the pressure. They might solve their case, but will their friendship survive?
Perfect for fans of The Mysterious Benedict Society, The Wig in the Window is a smart, funny middle-grade mystery with a REAR WINDOW twist. 
What Jen Thinks: I got completely caught up in this great mystery! What I loved most about this book were the characters, Grace and Sophie are best friends but their friendship is very real...which basically means it's not perfect. While they use walkie talkies and sneak out of their houses together, Sophie attends public school and Grace is homeschooled. Because of this, they each have other friends who cause them to think about how these other friends factor into or impact their friendship with each other. The mystery with Sophie's school counselor, Dr. Agford, had me trying to figure out what was going on and anxiously curious to find out just what was really going on but the story of Sophie and Grace's friendship all along is what I really loved about this book. It's great to see a friendship so honestly portrayed in a book.
     Part of why I was so drawn to how Kristen wrote about Sophie and Grace's friendship is that it is so real and it's what I'm working on right now with my own writing. It's fascinating to me how what I'm working on as a writer is impacting how I read books. I think kids will connect with Sophie and Grace because of how well Kristen weaves the story of their friendship into the story. As a writing activity, I think it would be great for kids to write about one of their own best friends but to focus on a time in their friendship when things weren't exactly perfect and share how they resolved an issue with a friend. I imagine kids will have lots to say about their friends!
What Kellee Thinks: In the tradition of Nancy Drew, and, in this case, Sun Tzu, Young and Yang are on the case! This book immediately draws you in and the action never stops. You are predicting and trying to solve the mystery right alongside Sophie and Grace throughout the whole book! Twist and turns keep you guessing and the ending is quite an adventure!
     One of the things I liked the most about this book were the characters. There are 3 main girl characters (Trista is a friend of Sophie's from school) and they all three have different personalities yet are still strong. Grace is the girly girl (but isn't an airhead) who aspires to be FBI but is also completely opposite than a Chinese stereotype. Sophie embraces Grace's culture, is obsessed with feng shui, has a war story telling grandpa, and is always along for the ride. Trista never lets the bullies get her down, is BRILLIANT, and ends up being a true friend. What a great example of Girl Power! And what makes all of this even better is that these three very different girls are friends. 

     Underneath the mystery and amazing characters is a theme that you find often in middle grade books- identity and change. Although it isn't always evident, this book is also about determining who your true friends are, how to deal with bullies, how to deal with boys, how to deal with gossip, and many other things that middle schoolers deal with on a regular basis. Love that Kristen Kittscher was able to put all of this within a nail biting mystery.  
Read Together: Grades 4 - 7
Read Alone: Grades 4 - 8
Read With: Chasing Vermeer & The Wright Three (and others) by Blue Balliett, Genius Files (series) by Dan Gutman, Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene, Samantha Sutton and the Labyrinth of Lies by Jordan Jacobs, Capture the Flag & Hide and Seek by Kate Messner, Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach (Also, because of their part in the story: The Art of War by Sun Tzu, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Call of the Wild by Jack London)
Snatch of Text: "The beanbag sighed as I shifted my weight. My sweaty legs stuck to its pleather surface. I wished I hadn't worn shorts." (p. 56) 
Mentor Text For: Activating Background Knowledge, Making Connections, Making Predictions, Personal Narrative, Characterization
Writing Prompts: Write about a time in your life when you had a disagreement or were confused by a friend? What did you to resolve the situation?
Topics Covered: Friendship, Family, Courage, Intuition, Mystery, Trust, Loyalty, Bullying, Assumptions

We *heart* It:

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To hear what others think about The Wig in the Window, check out the other stops on the Blog Tour:

Mon | May 20 - I Am a Reader, Not a Writer

Wed | May 22 - Hobbitsies

Thu | May 23 - The Book Smugglers

Mon | May 27 - (Review by The Book Smugglers)

Tue | May 28 - Read Now Sleep Later

Wed | May 29 - Teaching in Cute Shoes

Mon | June 3 - Great Kid Books

Wed | June 5 - Mod Podge Bookshelf

Mon | June 10 - Cracking the Cover

Wed | June 12 - Kid Lit Frenzy

Mon | June 17 – HeiseReads

Tue | June 18 – THE WIG IN THE WINDOW RELEASE DAY 

Wed | June 19 - The Brain Lair

Thu | June 20 - Teach Mentor Texts

Fri | June 21 - The Windy Pages

Mon | June 24 - Sharpread

Thu | June 27 - There’s a Book

Fri | June 28 - Bookalicious.org

You can enter our giveaway here or find it at your local Indie store!

Hawaii's Green Sea Turtles

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

Here at Teach Mentor Texts we are always looking for more ways to support teachers! We've found that teachers seem to be constantly on the lookout for great nonfiction. We know we are! To help with this undying quest for outstanding non-fiction, we are excited to participate in Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and The Nonfiction Detectives. Every Wednesday, you'll find a non-fiction review here - although it may not always be a picture book review. Please visit Kid Lit Frenzy to see what non-fiction others have to share, too.

Title: Hawaii's Green Sea Turtles (Science and Nature for Young Readers) 

Author: Monika Mira

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services

Publication Date: May, 2012

Genre/Format: Nonfiction/Ebook

Goodreads Summary: Did you know that relatives of sea turtles have been around since the age of the dinosaurs? Or that sea turtles were hunted to the brink of extinction before gaining protection under the Endangered Species Act? Explore the fascinating underwater world of Hawaii's Green Sea Turtles in the Science and Nature Series for Young Readers. Kids of all ages will enjoy the beautiful photographs while learning how they can help protect these graceful and beloved animals.

What I Think: Monika Mira obviously cares about the animals she writes about in her books. The Green Sea Turtles are no different. This book is set up to introduce the reader to these majestic creatures first with basic information including anatomy, diet, mating, behaviors, and habitat. It then shares with the readers the threats that Green Sea Turtles face from predators to marine debris and diseases. Finally, the book ends with how the reader can help sea turtles and the reefs. I love nonfiction books that makes the reader realize that what they are reading about isn't something that doesn't affect them and there is something that they can do to make a difference. 

Read Together: Grades K to 5

Read Alone: Grades 3 to 8

Read With: Other nonfiction books that relate (about sea turtles, Hawaii, ocean pollution)

Snatch of Text: "You have already begun your journey to help protect turtles by reading this book. Getting informed is the single most important thing that you can do to protect sea turtles." (p. 24) 

Mentor Text for: Making connections, Vocabulary development, Research

Writing Prompts: In Hawaii's Green Sea Turtles we are shown many different challenges that sea turtles face. What are these challenges and how can we help the sea turtles be less threatened? 

Topics Covered: Sea Turtles, Hawaii, Pollution, Coral Reefs, Habitat, Environment

I *heart* It:

**Thank you to Monika Mira for providing a copy for review**

Flora and the Flamingo

Title: Flora and the Flamingo 
Author: Molly Idle   
Illustrator: Molly Idle  
Publisher: Chronicle Books  
Publication Date: February 2013 
Genre/Format: Fiction/Wordless Picture Book 
GoodReads Summary: In this innovative wordless picture book with interactive flaps, Flora and her graceful flamingo friend explore the trials and joys of friendship through an elaborate synchronized dance. With a twist, a turn, and even a flop, these unlikely friends learn at last how to dance together in perfect harmony. Full of humor and heart, this stunning performance (and splashy ending!) will have readers clapping for more!   
What I Think: Subtle colors and artwork and such graceful characters make this book easy to adore. I'm partial to the color pink so that might have something do to with it, but I can't imagine anyone could pick this book up and not feel soothed by this sweet stories of two unlikely friends. In this wordless picture book, Molly Idle brings two characters to life with her artwork. Despite that fact that there are no words in this book, the book completely spoke to me. It's like I know Flora and the flamingo inside and out. What I love most about this story is that when you really think about friendship, there truly is an unsaid connection that brings friends together. This book brings George Carlin's quote, "Everyone smiles in the same language" to life. In one of my Sunday posts, I've shared before how I believe in the power of a smile and that smile is actually an acronym for Show Me I'm Loved Everyday. This book is just a great way to share how we can connect with each other without having to say a word. We can show each other that we care and respect and value each other without having to say anything about it. I think this book would make a great beginning of the year read with elementary students to talk about how we interact and support each other. With older students, I can see how it could be used as an activity to discuss non-verbal communication and how we express so much without even saying a word or how even when we say a word, our body language and intonation add so much more meaning to the word.
     As a wordless picture book with great characters and a wonderful story, this can also be used as a writing exercise. Students can practice their descriptive writing by narrating what is happening in a scene/layout. It would be neat to divide students up into pairs and then give the pairs different layouts to describe. The final product would be a story that all the students had a part in writing and it would be neat to see how they used their descriptive writing skills to bring the story to life.
Read Together: Grades Pre-K - 3 
Read Alone: Grades Pre-K - 3 
Read With: Dogs Don't Do Ballet by Anna Kemp, Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee, Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman 
Snatch of Text: Visit this link to see the adorable book trailer for Flora and the Flamingo 
Reading Strategies to Practice: Making Inferences, Making Predictions 
Writing Strategies to Practice: Personal Narrative, Descriptive 
Writing Prompts: Write about a time in your life when you made a new friend. How did you introduce yourself? Did you get along right away? Did you find something in common? Choose one of the pictures in the book and narrate what is happening, use as much show-don't-tell language as you can to describe what is happening between Flora and the flamingo.
Topics Covered: Friendship, Courage

I *heart* It: