I am once again pleased to be able to link up with the other readers courtesy of Jen at teachmentortexts.com and Kellee and Ricki at unleashingreaders.com. I had a busy weekend with a hockey tournament, and family time but I managed to finish some great books as part of my reading week.
Books I Finished This Week:
This week I became one of the many readers who have really enjoyed Dusti Bowling’s character Aven, a spunky, snarky young lady who often deals with the fact that she was born with no arms by inventing harrowing, fictional tales of how they were ripped from her body in order to terrify people who ask what happened. The humour is a big part of how her family handles adversity and she brings an infectious love of life and want to solve problems to the few other friends she is able to make after changing schools. In addition to this message, there is also a mystery that needs to be solved, and a family business to save. This was a great read that many young readers will enjoy.
I am not a big comic book guy, and I started this not knowing what, if any differences there would be between Miles Morales and Peter Parker, other than the setting and the colour of his skin. I read this for the novel that is. Its a novel featuring a big-hearted teen with hopes to make his family, community and world a better place. He happens to also be Spiderman.
This book tackles not just Spiderman taking on bad guys but also looks at some of the same contemporary, societal issues that were present in Long Way Down and All-American Boys. Its very good, and I hope it becomes a series. Jason Reynolds seems very busy these days, but also up for the challenge.
A really engaging folk tale that builds slowly and gets more powerful by the page. Fabulous illustrations enhance the story and there are some end notes that are worth reading as well.
A wonderful view of the history of one of the Galapagos islands. It explains, in text that moves along like a pleasant story as well as in beautiful paintings, how many species evolved on this island. Many complicated scientific concepts are explained such as evolution, natural selection, and tectonic plates.
Currently Reading:
Last Day on Mars is a book I am re-reading in preparation for my class Literature Circles unit and district Battle of the Books. It is a real thrill ride of an action/sci-fi book that many of the students in the class above mine are looking forward to starting this week. I processed the books on Friday and most (or all) of our 8 copies will be snapped up between our two intermediate classes. I am also looking forward to the sequel which is out Feb. 13 (The Oceans Between Stars). Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is my family’s current read aloud.
Coming Soon:
I have a few books that I am considering as I write this. I have a graphic novel, The Nameless City, that needs to be returned to my public library soon. I am hoping that my copy of Good Dog by Dan Gemeinhart arrives in the mail tomorrow (a good reason to choose a graphic novel). I have had the third Magnus Chase novel, The Ship of the Dead by Rick Riordan on my table for a while as well. I feel as though I should have read an early chapter book by now, so I might start Beatrice Zinker.
Hope you had a great week of reading last week and another ahead of you!
Wriggling Bookworms 
I’m in the middle of reading Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus now. And I have Miles Morales on tap and looking forward to it. Don’t you just love Jason Chin’s work? Have you read Grand Canyon yet? it is as wonderful as Island. I hope this week is as good a reading week for you as last week was.
LikeLike
Jason Chin was an author whose work I hadn’t noticed at either of the schools I worked at. I am part-time at a small school’s library (classroom for the rest of my assignment) and I am trying to bring his stuff in (but I have a huge list). Personally, I am very interested in Grand Canyon as I loved travelling there and I am sure having enjoyed this book that he will bring it back to life for me. Non-fiction is an area I don’t read enough of but I have been loving his work, and Jess Keating’s and Katherine Roy’s of late. Have a great week.
LikeLike
Love, love Chin’s Island! Just picked up Bowling’s book from the library. Beatrice Zinker is a book I still need to get my hands on!
LikeLike
I was going to read Beatrice with my seven year old at home. We just did not have time this weekend. Maybe next weekend. We have been in a small rut since our last Dory book. This one might pull us out of it, until March 6 when Head in the Clouds comes out.
LikeLike
I didn’t know that Last Day on Mars was part of a group. I enjoyed it so will find this next one! I liked “Insignificant Events In The Life of A Cactus” and do have Miles Morales on my long, long list. Thanks, Aaron!
LikeLike
I just reserved Miles Morales from our library based on your review – Storyteller is a favourite of mine – but I have yet to find Galapagos Island. Enjoy the Literature Circles and Battle of the Books! 🙂
LikeLike
I loved Miles Morales: Spiderman. I’m not a huge superhero fan either so I had to go and do some background reading to find out more about the character. Jason Reynolds just took the story to another level, but then he always does.
I haven’t read Jason Chin’s Galapagos book (at least the I remember) so thanks for the reminder about it.
I adored the images in The Storyteller.
LikeLike