Monday, April 20, 2020

It's Monday - Books With Wonderful Stories for All Ages


              Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they've been reading, along with others who post their favorites.  Your TBR lists will grow! Happy Reading!
          Share with the hashtag #IMWAYR

        Thinking of all of you during this challenging time, hope you are doing well and finding joy in your lives every day. This continuing challenge is so hard for everyone. I'm trying to help where I can by supporting those who are virtually closed, still offering carry-out, etc. 





Thanks to Candlewick Press and
Walker Books for this advanced copy!
       I'm not sure that I am the best audience for this new young adult book by Laura Myracle. It's a book that's honest about teenage boys, what many think, say, and dream about, mostly sex. The story follows Paul Walden, "this boy", through his four years of high school. He thinks he's handsome but in a nice way, likes his swag, has a decent relationship with his mom (parents are divorced), wants a girlfriend. No, he wants his best friend Roby's girlfriend. There are problems and Paul works them out, sometimes. I'm telling this because it seemed pretty normal and as an adult, I was both glad to read about some boys and what they think and do, and as the story moved on, not so glad. You'll understand when you read it. I suspect teen boys, maybe girls, will like the story, maybe connect, maybe learn? 

Thanks to Candlewick Press for
a copy of this book!

           Yesterday started a very special time, National Library Week! Here's a link to all that is happening online during the week!
          It was fun to meet these friends again in a library adventure. It certainly couldn't be more timely because I imagine, like me, you all are missing your libraries very, very much. Every Saturday, Houndsley, Catina, and friend Bert are excited because it's the day they go together to the library. Each has plans there, but first, they have a muffin (or two) at Catina's. When they arrive, Trixie, their special librarian, isn't her usual fun and helpful self. In fact, she disappears. That's when they notice the sign on the front door: the library is closing because Trixie is retiring. And there is no one to replace her! When finding out more information, the friends realize that no one can replace Trixie, but there may be a solution not previously thought of, a fun surprise. James Howe's stories and Marie-Louise Gay's delightful illustrations have created still another adventure that's filled to the brim with friendly talk and feel-good problem-solving, trying something new and supporting friends.

          These are some of my last library picture books, so I've been savoring them. I don't know when I'll get back to it for more! 


         It never occurred to me that a friendship story could emerge between a snail and a group of ants, but luckily Corey R. Tabor thought so. He has created the happiest story of friendship between these unlikely creatures. A snail spies a cabbage "across the road" and slowly with persistence, it begins. What happens in this journey holds fun surprises, some scary moments, and a very happy ending. With Corey's full-page imaginative illustrations, even of the "inside" of the snail's home, readers will laugh and clap all through the story, but especially at the ending. 
          


       Full of color and hilarious, excited expressions found in the illustrations by Brandon Todd set this "staged" tale by Dev Petty beautifully. The smaller animals plan to create a marvelous, over-the-top production for all the forest. Bear has no interest in being on stage but is a great friend who writes everything down and helps with all the preparations. There's just one very necessary thing that's left out. And that makes both an alarming and a happy ending. I would love reading this aloud and wonder if any listeners would start to guess what's being forgotten. Terrific book!


What's Next! It's time to choose another of my #MustReadin2020 books. And I have a few more ARCs to read, too. 

Happy Reading, everyone!

23 comments:

  1. I have Houndsley and Catina in my stack. It is nice to see a new book in the series and, of course, the library is a great setting!

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  2. Houndsley and Catina look like a wonderful book to check out when MY library reopens! Never realized how much we take the library for granted! Thanks for sharing. Stay healthy and safe and have a terrific week!

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    1. I hear you about missing the library! And I think it will be a while! Best wishes to you, too, Jana!

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  3. Oh, I love Houndsley and Catina and haven't kept up with the series. This is a good reminder that I need to catch up--someday when the libraries are open! I have just a few picture books left from the library too--a stack of poetry picture books I checked out to share with my college students for National Poetry Month. I am savoring reading or rereading each and every one! I also found a few on my own shelves that I haven't read yet so also squirreling those away for a rainy day! I certainly do miss the library!

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    1. I haven't read them all either, Elisabeth, and will find more when the library opens! I'm buying a few picture books, have plenty of chapter books for all ages, so that's okay. Best wishes to you finding what you can.

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  4. I loved The Bear Must Go On. Thank you for the link to National Library Week - I missed that ... This Boy sounds interesting but with 18 and 20 year old sons I think I will pass for right now!

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    1. I haven't checked all the links for this week, but so far they are fun, Clare. I loved The Bear Must Go On, a book for laughing a lot! Thanks!

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  5. Yes, these are definitely trying times. I've also realized how privileged I am with very few financial concerns at this time. In fact, I received a letter from the govt saying that even my student loans have been deferred for 6 months. I didn't even file for deferment, so it's so nice to have that relief at this time. Let's see... I haven't read any of the Houndsley and Catina series, but I just looked it up and see we have some at our library. So I'll get on the hold list right away! I'm curious to see if This Boy would match well with Boys & Sex (which I plan to read after I finish Girls & Sex). As we're reading these books with our teenagers, it might be interesting to have a fictional story to go alongside. I'm putting The Bear Must Go On on hold and I really enjoyed Snail Crossing. It's so great to get to check in with the #imwayr community and wave across the miles each week. Hope you have a great week, Linda!

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    1. Thanks, Shaye, I still haven't put any books on hold, but as soon as I hear that things will be relaxing a bit, I will start. Houndsley and Catina books are just sweet and fun, as is The Bear Must Go On. As for This Boy, it is one I guess I would say you read it first. It's not only about sex, which is no surprise to me, but also gets into drugs & that terrible challenge of rehabilitation. I would guess every parent should read it in order to know what can happen, not sure if every teen will like it, but many will connect as I wrote. Thanks! Hope you have a good week & yes, it is lovely to hear from everyone.

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  6. All of these books sound great, especially Houndsley and Catina at the Library and Snail Crossing! Thanks for the great post!

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    1. You're welcome! Yes, both of those will be lots of fun for young readers!

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  7. I have heard of the Houndsley & Catina series but regrettably have never read any of the books yet. When the library reopens, I'll have to check them out. Have a great week Linda!

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    1. We all need the library, don't we? These Houndsley & Catina books are terrific, Laura. I hope you enjoy them! Thanks!

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  8. I didn't realize Marie Louise Gay illustrated James Howe's series.

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    1. And her illustrations are wonderful, aren't they? Thanks, Earl!

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  9. All of these are on my radar but I don't own any and of course... the library. As a school librarian, I haven't had a budget since December or I would have already bought Snail Crossing. I have seen too many good reviews of that one to pass on it. Thanks for the post, have a great week.

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    1. Thanks, Aaron. I imagine school librarians feel rather lonely these days, unless you can find a book being read by someone that you can then recommend to the teachers with whom you work. Wishing that it was different &that you find some great books to read coming up!

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  10. Hmmm...your comments on This Boy have me intrigued! Sounds like an interesting novel. I hadn't heard about it yet.

    Hope you enjoy your books this week, Linda - and your walks!

    Sue

    Book By Book

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    1. Thank you, & best wishes to you as well, Sue. This Boy is both wonderful & hard to read. I hope you'll check it out!

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  11. Snail Crossing was fun! It reminded me a bit of that scene in Toy Story 2 when they are all under the cones :)
    I can't believe that you're seeing the 70s in CO! Not us... still in the 40s most days. I hate Spring in the northern Chicago suburbs....

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    1. I haven't seen that Toy Story, but I sure loved Snail Crossing! Sorry for your temps. Now we have 70s and predicted warmer! Who knows what May will bring? Thanks, Michele!

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  12. The Bear Must Go On looks fun. Snail Crossing is very cute.

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