Styling Librarian #IMWAYR It’s Monday What Are You Reading?

Thanks to: TeachMentorTexts for the inspiration! Thanks to Jen and Kellee for the meme! This week was quite the graphic novel book week. I held myself back from reading all the graphic novels that arrived in the school library order at once, it was exciting to finally begin enjoying them. Plus, I really appreciate when my “to be read” pile shrinks a little bit. I had hoped to get through some pretty fantastic books before I fly off on a 2 week trip to the US next week but I keep getting distracted by fantastic YA eBooks. 

Featured book!

Open This Little Book by Jesse Klausmeier, illustrated by Suzy Lee – Preschool and up! – Oh how absolutely precious, creative, and inspiring. Really enjoyed reading this book! I think it would be a wonderful birthday present, class read aloud, etc. Goodreads Summary: “What will you find when you open this little book? A fun story? Sweet characters? Enticing pictures? Yes! But much more. Open this book and you will find…another book…and another…and another. Debut author Jesse Klausmeier and master book creator Suzy Lee have combined their creative visions to craft a seemingly simple book about colors for the very youngest readers, an imaginative exploration of the art of book making for more sophisticated aficionados, and a charming story of friendship and the power of books for all.”

Timmy Failure – Mistakes were made by Stephan Pastis – 4th grade and up -  Ok, I’ll admit it. I was concerned about my eyes. I thought they’d be strained after rolling them throughout this reading. I know this is a book that will be welcomed and treasured by many of my students. I personally became frustrated over and over again even though I enjoyed the book overall. Not so keen on reading books with characters calling one another idiot… I also found some of the language a little too high cognitively to accept in comparison to his academic performance. *I know he protested on higher grounds about tests, etc… which I appreciated. Shall add to library soon! Goodreads Summary: “Take eleven-year-old Timmy Failure — the clueless, comically self-confident CEO of the best detective agency in town, perhaps even the nation. Add his impressively lazy business partner, a very large polar bear named Total. Throw in the Failuremobile — Timmy’s mom’s Segway — and what you have is Total Failure, Inc., a global enterprise destined to make Timmy so rich his mother won’t have to stress out about the bills anymore. Of course, Timmy’s plan does not include the four-foot-tall female whose name shall not be uttered. And it doesn’t include Rollo Tookus, who is so obsessed with getting into “Stanfurd” that he can’t carry out a no-brainer spy mission. From the offbeat creator of Pearls Before Swine comes an endearingly bumbling hero in a caper whose peerless hilarity is accompanied by a whodunit twist. With perfectly paced visual humor, Stephan Pastis gets you snorting with laughter, then slyly carries the joke a beat further — or sweetens it with an unexpected poignant moment — making this a comics-inspired story (the first in a new series) that truly stands apart from the pack.”

Graphic Novels:

Hereville – How Mirka Met a Meteorite by Barry Deutsch –  4th grade and up – I really love this book/series. I highly recommend reading this fantastic book that not only provides a non-stop action-packed entertaining story but also adds in a honest, respectful glimpse into Orthodox Jewish life. I really appreciate Barry Deutsch’s humor that is threaded throughout the book. Goodreads Summary: “Mirka is back, and this time she takes on a misguided meteor who’s been set in motion by the troll and turned into Mirka’s twin by the witch. Doppelganger Mirka is out to best the real girl. Our heroine will have to beat her own other self in a three-part challenge…or be banished from Hereville!”
Book Trailer for first book:

Fangbone! Third-Grade Barbarian- The Birthday Party of DREAD by Michael Rex – 2nd grade and up –  I really enjoy reading this series, it is hilarious. It is complicated. It is entertaining. Combine a barbarian with present day Earth third grade students. What a riot. I really enjoy how this book sorts itself out. My son also really enjoyed reading the book! Recommended for 2nd grade and up although I highly recommend reading the other two books in the series. Goodreads: “Fangbone and his friends are full of ideas for Eastwood Elementary’s “Invention Convention.” Unfortunately, Venomous Drool has ideas of his own–like sending a curse to crush Fangbone! But when the misdirected spell sends a terrifying monster to attack Bill at his birthday party instead, Fangbone must invent a way to save his best friend–and fast!”

Terra Tempo – The Four Corners of Time by David Shapiro, Christopher Herndon, and Erica Melville – 4/5th grade –  well worth the read, especially perfect for dinosaur, archaeology fans will love this! Be prepared though, it is a lengthy graphic novel. Goodreads Summary: “Follow Ari, Jenna, and Caleb as they embark on their newest time travel adventure in Terra Tempo: The Four Corners of Time. When Ari discovers a time map of the Colorado Plateau, he and the twins find themselves on a fast paced journey from Earth’s underwater beginnings to the steamy jungles and awesome dinosaurs of the creepy Cretaceous. But this time, there is more at stake than just survival. This time, they are not alone. Join the intrepid trio as they venture into prehistoric life on Earth – they must find ways to protect their map and all of the precious resources that the map reveals, or the rest is prehistory!”

Early Chapter Books:

Mr. Birdsnest and the House Next Door by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Hannah Shaw – 1/2nd grade and up – really loved reading this lovely early chapter book with my son in one reading time together… It thoughtfully introduced a grandmother moving in with a family and the impact of moving to a new home, exploring property around new neighborhood, little mystery elements, and fun adventures. Really loved the book…

I am presently stretched reading two YA books:

Requiem by Lauren Oliver – HS and up.

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl – HS and up.

Want more book ideas and reviews? – Yes, I’m quite brief, but a prolific reader!  Please visit me at Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1941055-the-styling-librarian Also, please follow this blog through email updates – (do so to the right of this blog post), my Facebook page, comment, or meet up with me on Twitter. I appreciate all of the support, makes my day! Honored by all the wonderful followers.