It's Monday - Award Day!

              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!

        I have a second post today, sharing a new book that's out next week! Look here!

           The Youth Media Awards are this morning! It's exciting to imagine which books! 

               Deborah's editor showed her a blurred picture of a red jacket, asked if she would like to look into the story, thus began her journey of discovery. It was one that is a heartfelt tribute to courage, in physical and mental acts that defied death. And it is one of heartbreak when so many victims of this tragedy had no chance to show courage, but immediately were lost. Many stories from war have been told, all showing people's brave acts to save others and to save themselves. This is one outstanding one. I am grateful that Deborah Heiligman was curious and dug deep to find the numerous stories surrounding that red jacket. Her research notes are extensive and the small parts included in the book found from meticulous research made the story very real, made the people and their plight come alive on the pages again and again. 

#MustReadin2020 number two!

     If you take off the paper cover, you see the front & back of this book, filled with some clues to what's inside! So fun to see!
      I imagine Aven Green will continue to have power over those who want to take her down, but not without terrible hurt and worry. Starting high school is a huge thing for every.single.student. Now, Aven is starting, this time without Connor who's moved across town, but still with Zion, sticking with her through everything. And yes, there is a lot of "everything" in Dusti Bowling's new, again heartbreaking and heartwarming story about Aven's growing up. It's a book that I hope gets into the hands of every young teen, offering hope and a whole lot of powerful words to remember.

Fun books for the little ones! They're cute with surprises and beautiful to see!

         I have a granddaughter who loves jumping on beds, just like Little Snow. His mother has made such a wonderfully warm and puffy feather bed for him, and it's perfect, for jumping, especially when he's sure his mother is not around to hear. There is a fun surprise at the end, too. It's a darling and pretty book all by Grace Lin.

         Another surprise lies in this book, too. It's fun, a mystery, and what a surprise! Collaged illustrations are gorgeous! The endpapers and double spreads are awesome! 

It's Monday - Introducing a New Book

              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!

        

     "Every spring is the only spring, a perpetual astonishment." Ellis Peters

             I'm excited to share a new book coming out on February 4th, in one week and a day, by a poet friend of mine whom I first met through Poetry Friday, then at a Highlights workshop. 

#OnaSnowMeltingDay  #NetGalley

           Buffy is known for her beautiful photography and many many stem books. You can find all about her poems in anthologies HERE, including one poem "What Does A River Rock Gather?" that is a marvelous example of her love of nature that spills over into poetry! 
           Now look HERE at her website to discover all kinds of non-fiction books that include topics like dwarf rabbits, mako sharks, baby chickens, and bonobos!

          But now it's time to be thinking about spring, yes, SPRING! In her introduction to this newest book full of nature's wonders, you'll find those things we all look forward to (even in February), signs of the season we love to welcome. 

Buffy invites us to "Watch the world come to life."

           In a poetic slide from the beginning, using gorgeous photos (some by Buffy, too!) she adds her poetry like "Clouds break./Salamanders wake./Icicles drip/Chickadees sip." all the way to the end.

           Buffy has created a celebration of this season so welcome after wintry snow and cold. The picture on the back cover shows a gorgeous purple crocus pushing up, up, though crunchy snow! Remember how excited you were when you discovered that first color, heralding spring?

           The book creates a wonderful way to celebrate a welcome to spring. At the back, Buffy has added short paragraphs explaining each part, like "peepers" and "beaver gnaws" along with a glossary and books for further reading! 

          If you study seasons or simply want a grand welcome to spring for a classroom or for your own children and grandchildren, this is a wonderful choice.

           Thanks to Buffy and NetGalley for the advance copy!