It's Monday! What are you reading?

On Mondays, I join Jen and Kellee for a meme called: "It's Monday! What are you reading?" They blog over at Teach Mentor Texts.

My class wrapped up this week, so that meant more reading time---and all guilt-free! I think my summer has finally started!

What I read this week:

Leepike Ridge by N.D. Wilson
Published: 5/22/07
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Pages: 240

This was one interesting adventure! Thomas, an 11-year old boy, finds himself in an awful predicament. His father is dead, his mother copes alone, and he gets embroiled in a mystery involving treasure and evil treasure-hunters. Filled with suspense and just enough scary things to keep you interested, this book is a match for anyone looking for a book with unexpected twists. It wasn't easy for me to find a copy of this book, but I did. If you've read 100 Cupboards by N.D. Wilson, you will also like this book. This one is a bit more realistic, though.

Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker
This MG is one very curious book. There's one event that you won't believe (no spoilers here), and then the rest is the story of two girls (Stella and Angel) who need love, a home,  and someone to care for them.  The writing is really wonderful. It has the perfect summer setting (Cape Cod), so it's a timely book.  I read the book hoping the two girls would be okay, and asking myself how this one event could happen without anyone noticing.
Does every event in a book have to be believable? Or is that what makes a book enticing? I think it's a great discussion topic. It's getting Newbery buzz on Goodreads, so I thought I'd read it and see.

How Rocket Learned to Read
by Tad Hills
Rocket Writes a Story by Tad Hills

These wonderful books deserve their own blog post, so keep checking here in the coming weeks.

I also read Secrets from the Sleeping Bag by Rose Cooper. This was the third installment in the Blogtastic! series. These graphic novels are written in the style of Diary of A Wimpy Kid but the main character is a girl named Sofia.

What I'm reading now:
Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz
(ARC from publisher: Candlewick Press)

10 Things Every Writer Needs to Know by Jeff Anderson
This books a great source for writing PD, but I'm reading it in bits. So much to take in here!

As soon as I can get into my building, I'll be blogging about my classroom set-up AND books.
What are you reading this week?

It's Monday! What are you reading?

I'm joining Jen and Kellee at Teach Mentor Texts to share what we've been reading this week. Hopefully, you can pick up some great titles!

What I read this week:

STARRY RIVER OF THE SKY
by Grace Lin (ARC)
This is one story filled with good mini-stories that all tie-in at the end.  A beautifully written MG. Great for a storytelling unit! I'll buy this one when it's released in September. I'll also recommend it for our school library.

REMARKABLE by Lizzie K. Foley
Quirky, eccentric, and fantastic tales from a very peculiar town named Remarkable. MG.The main character doesn't think she's very remarkable at all.  This book will appeal to kids because some really crazy things happen, and there are pirates involved! Funny pirates.

THE FALSE PRINCE by Jennifer A. Nielsen
If you like exciting adventures involving royalty AND filled with mystery, this book fits the bill! The main character is spunky and smart, and the story is filled with plot twists. I can't wait to introduce it with a book talk (which I have to prepare). I can see it being perfect for 4th graders and older.

Picture Books:
Wanted: The Perfect Pet by Fiona Roberton
Betsy Red Hoodie by Gail Carson Levine

What I'm reading now:

Leepike Ridge by N.D. Wilson (Hard to find, but worth the read. Good story so far! )

Captain Underpants & The Terrifiying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers by Dav Pilkey

(ARC). Release date set for 8/28/12.

What I'm working on right now:

I have some district meetings that require prep time, plus I'll be wrapping up my grad class this week. I wish I could do everything, but I have to sleep and read, too.

Shoes for today: brown/white polka-dot flip flops from Yellow Box!