It's Monday! What Are You Reading

Love this Monday tradition hosted by Teach Mentor Texts. Visit their blog to see what others are reading this week!

I'm only kind of doing Holiday #bookaday this year. I am hopeful, but the way 2013 has gone with meeting goals, I am realistic that it might not happen.  16 days off would mean 16 books. We'll see.   Some I am dying to read are very long (like Goldfinch) so I may give up on #bookaday just to read books I love. But I started out with #bookaday because I love it and we'll see where it take me. Here is how it's gone so far:

Odette's Secrets is a great novel in verse. A great addition to any collection of Holocaust books for children. This one is based on a true story and is accessible for upper elementary/middle grade students.

Ivy in the Shadows seems to be a good story for middle school kids. Ivy is going through a hard time as her father just left and her mother has to find a full-time job. Lots of real life middle school issues in this one but nothing too big.

Wolf and Dog (Gecko Press Titles) is a novel in verse about two friends. This book--the story, the friendship and the voice--reminded me a bit of Frog and Toad.

The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way is one I am listening to, so it may take me a while. But this is a fascinating read in that it is told in a kind of narrative--in a way that helps us see the differences between US's educational system and others.  It follows three American exchange students and we learn different things from each one.  So glad I discovered this one.