What Are You Reading?

“It’s Monday! What are you Reading?” is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. It is a chance for book lovers to share their reading accomplishments as well as what is on the proverbial nightstand. She even does a giveaway. Subsequently Jen and Kellee at Teach Mentor Textsadded an opportunity for those reading kidlit to join the fun. Since I read both I will post to both. Check them out, join the conversations, and discover more great books.

Books marked with an '*' I would put in my classroom library.
(Books marked with a ^'#' would be in an middle or high school library.)

 

 Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate *
This is the first person account of an adolescent boy who has just arrived in America. He observations and reflections as well as his inner journey are avenues for greater cultural understandings and empathy.

 The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
This is NOTHING like Eat, Pray, Love! This long novel (512 pages) walks the reader through the life of the Whittaker family, particularly focusing and the dad and a daughter in the 18th and 19th centuries. It starts as a ‘pull your self up by the boot straps’ adventure and turns into looking into the life of privilege while spanning the globe with an eye on botany.

 The Bartender's Tale by Ivan Doig #
I enjoyed this novel focusing on life of the family of a bartender in a small town in Montana. The marvel of Doig’s writing, once again, draws the reader in.

 Eight Keys by Suzanne Lafleur *
A student recommended this book, as she loved it. I can see why. This is the story of a girl as she transitions to middle school. What does it mean to have friends? Family dynamics play into the scenario as her mother died when she was born and her dad died many years ago, but he left things for her.

 The Song of Achilles by Madeline Millet #
I am not a fan of mythology, but this read as a novel, but with some characters and plot lines I was familiar with. If recommending to students you need to know there is a homosexual relationship as part of the story line.

 Butter by Erin Jade Lange #
A high school boy who weighs over 400 pounds shares his journey of friendship, eating, family dynamics, the ‘in’ crowd, and school.