Monday, March 26, 2012

It's Monday! What I've Been Reading

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now… who knows, you might discover that next “must read” book!

Our Kid Lit to YA version is hosted by Teach Mentor Texts.
GREAT IDEA! Check out all of the What Are You Reading? participants for title ideas.


So for bookfair week this is pretty decent. Actually thought I'd get more picture books in. Really I did get lots of glancing ... but then it would get busy and I'd have to set the book down and then I'd forget. And for a couple days the district filter was blocking Goodreads, anyway. Sigh.

This week? This week is testing. Yay. :/



Jefferson's SonsJefferson's Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow. I mean, I guess I'd heard about Jefferson and Sally. But this book really brings home what it must have been like for their children.

The author does a great job of explaining just how difficult it is to explain how the man that wrote the Declaration of Independence could own slaves. Could father children and still keep their mother a slave, and have the children live as slaves, never openly acknowledging their existence.

Definitely an upper middle school or high school read, just for the length and complexity of the story.


Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin, #1)Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Stayed up too late finishing this one!

Very intriguing. Take historical fiction and mix it with some mystery and royal intrigue ... plus some romance. Not too much, but enough to make it interesting.

Oh. And a likable assassin. That's a GIRL.

You've got a winner! Can't wait for number two. Have to wait. But can't!

I did get a little ... not sure what the word is. A little tired of hearing about Mortain. One has to build the mythology, though. So it's still an awesome start to a series.

Please don't forget Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos, though! Love THIS series for me. And Theodosia for me, too. But also love Theodosia for my students. :]


BaileyBailey by Harry Bliss
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great for the beginning of the year. Well, really any time. But especially then.

Plus I love the whole decision about which collar to wear. :]


One Cool FriendOne Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Super fun penguin story. Will definitely be adding this one to the story rotation.

And maybe a silly short intro to an explorers research activity.


Love, AubreyLove, Aubrey by Suzanne LaFleur
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Had this on my TBR list for a long time ... it was high time to read it.

And, I am glad to report, it was definitely worth it. Great story. A little bit of a sad story ... but there's enough hope, there, too, to make it great.

I hope I don't ever have to recommend it to a student because they are going through a similar experience. I hope it will always be just because it is a good story.

View all my reviews


Next Week--some combination or another of the following ...
The Nick of Time
Schooled
Ashfall
The Mighty Miss Malone
One Year in Coal Harbor
Show Me a Story
Secret Letters
Choice Words
Reading Is Our Business
Throne of Fire (I KNOW ... I've owned it since the first week it came out and still it is on the TBR pile)

2 comments:

  1. I so want to read One Cool Friend- penguins are one of my favorite animals and I cannot believe I haven't gotten my hands on it yet.

    I, too, have had Love, Aubrey on my TBR for a while- thanks for the push to move it up.

    Happy reading this week (especially Throne of Fire)!

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  2. Looks like some good books to me! I have seen Jefferson's sons but haven't decided if I want to read it yet. I enjoy historical fiction but I'm not sure I'm the mood for it. Glad to know there are more and more people who like it.

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