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"It's Monday" links.
This has been a lucky week for a reader - it is what I like to call a "Five-Star Reading Week". All of the books I read were amazingly awesome (or fantafabulous, if you are writer @_natalielloyd) and all earned 5 star ratings!
I can't choose a favorite! Check out my reviews below!
Books I Read Last Week...
Beekle, by Dan Santat
(5 out of 5 stars)
I think we all had imaginary friends as kids. I know I did, especially being an only child. Beekle is just too impatient to wait to be chosen as a friend by a child, so he sets out on a journey to find his friend. Beekle is a special character, one who did not just sit around and wait. This is a cute book and the ending was wonderful. I will let you experience it for yourself :)
Comics Squad: Recess!
Edited by Jenni L. Holm, Matthew Holm, and Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Comics by the above, plus Dav Pilkey, Raina Telgemeier & Dave Roman, Ursula Vernon, Eric Wight, and Gene Luen Yang
(5 out of 5 stars)
If you are an elementary classroom teacher, you better just bust out the credit card, head to your nearest local bookstore, and buy multiple copies of this hilarious compilation of comics all centered around the theme of recess. I know having 10 copies will not even be enough for my readers come this fall. It reminds me of when all of the popular cartoon characters, in 1990, got together to do that special against drugs**. Slimer, Alf, Garfield, and even the Smurfs appeared! The authors of the comics in this book are so talented and it will be a exciting for my students to see them all together.
**Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue, 1990
What Do You Do with an Idea? by Kobi Yamada
(5 out of 5 stars)
This book should be read by every student, read aloud in every classroom, and shared with families, too. It is one of those books that takes something we take for granted and turns it into a moving and poignant story. Anyone who has ever had an idea, that was ultimately misunderstood and/or criticized, can relate well to this book. Ideas are the most important contributions we can make to the world. I encourage you to read this beautiful book.
A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd
(5 out of 5 stars)
Words, words, and more words. I love words. Words are what make up books and what we share with the world around us. The main character in the book, Felicity, has a special gift when it comes to words. (One I wish I had!) She is yearning for a home and for magic to return to her town. This beautiful story will most likely be on the shortlist for a Newbery award and it would be well-deserved. Students would need to keep up with many characters in this book and at times the plot spun a bit, but ultimately this a book that readers will savor...much like the ice-cream discussed and consumed on almost every page!
What are you reading, friends?
You read my two favorite books to win a Newbery/Caldecott this week. A Snicker of Magic and The Adventures of Beekle. :)
ReplyDeleteI think A Snicker of Magic has a definite shot! It was a wonderful book. :) Good picks, Beth!
DeleteYikes. I think for sure I will need a copy of Comic Squad - or as you say possibly multiple copies! What do you do with an Idea? is one of my favourites of recently read picture books.
ReplyDeleteYes, you will need multiple. I do not see it staying on my shelves for long :) I agree with you about What Do You Do With an Idea? Lovely.
DeleteWonderful books this week! I love the illustrations in Beekle, they had me captivated. And you are so right about Comics Squad, I know kids are going to be arguing over reading this book! I adored Snicker - the lines, the words... it was all so magical! I would love to see it win an award! I need to reread Idea, I read through it so quickly when it first came out. It requires more attention!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read the Comic Squad, and oh how I loved A Snicker of Magic! Yay - you loved What Do You Do with an Idea? too! :-)
ReplyDeleteAwesome :)
DeleteI've only read Comic Squad (loved it!), but I really need to read Beekle, Idea, and Snicker. I know I'll get to them soon, but my TBR just keeps getting bigger and bigger!!
ReplyDeleteHappy reading this week! :)
I understand. Mine does too - every day more and more are added. I am sure you will enjoy all three, whenever you are able to read them.
DeleteI thought Beekle was fabulous. I have had Idea recommended for purchase so it's on my list. I just started Snicker and love the words! Looks like it was a great week. :)
ReplyDeleteSnicker is amazing, isn't it? Have you finished it?
DeleteLots in common this week! (I am still waiting for my copy of Comics Squad from the library. Might as well embrace the inevitable and start buying classroom copies ... ) I really like the concept of "What Do You Do with an Idea" and cannot understand why our public library doesn't seem to have a copy. Harumph.
ReplyDeleteI bought one copy of Comics Squad, but yes I envision needing to buy a ton more. :)
DeleteMore Comics Squad love - how awesome! I wish we already have a copy in our library. Snicker of Magic is love. I fell in love with the narrative and reviewed it in my blog a few weeks back. :)
ReplyDeleteSnicker is just a beautiful, beautiful book. I will look back for your review.
DeleteI read A Snicker of Magic to my class this year and they LOVED it! Begged me to keep reading each day! I think about this book all the time and can't wait to share it with new students! Looks like a good list of books that I will have to look into!
ReplyDeleteWhat grade level did you read it to?
Delete